Discovering...
~200 km · 3.5–5 hrs depending on option
Chefchaouen to Fes: Bus, Taxi & Best Options
There is a direct CTM bus, a grand taxi route via Ouazzane, and a private car that lets you stop at Volubilis on the way. Here is how each option actually works in practice.
Leila Tazi· Fes, Culture & Cuisine Editor
Fes-based journalist with a food and crafts obsession, Leila spends her weeks between the tanneries, the Qarawiyyin quarter and the kitchens of the old city. She covers Fes, Meknes, food and Moroccan culture. Fes · 11+ years covering Morocco
Published 26 November 2025 Last updated 26 March 2026
The journey from Chefchaouen to Fes is one of the most common moves in northern Morocco — travellers spend a day or two in the Blue City, then head east into the imperial medina. The road distance is around 200 km, mostly on good two-lane tarmac via Ouazzane, and the total travel time ranges from about 3.5 hours by private car to 5 hours on the CTM bus with its stops.
The main frustration is the bus schedule: CTM typically runs only one or two departures per day from Chefchaouen, and they sell out in high season. Grand taxis offer more flexibility but require a transfer in Ouazzane. A private vehicle is the smoothest option — and it is the only one that lets you realistically add Volubilis, Morocco's finest Roman ruins, en route without missing your arrival in Fes.
Distance
~200 km via Ouazzane
Journey time
3.5–5 hrs
Cost range
70–1,400 MAD
Your Three Options at a Glance
There is no train between Chefchaouen and Fes. These are the three realistic choices.
CTM Bus (direct)
Time: ~4.5–5 hrs
Cost: 70–100 MAD (indicative)
Fixed schedule, air-conditioned, no changes
Only 1–2 departures per day; fills quickly in peak season
Best for budget travellers with flexible timing
Grand Taxi (via Ouazzane)
Time: ~3.5–4.5 hrs total
Cost: 80–120 MAD (indicative, two legs)
Cheaper, more frequent, departs when full
Requires a change in Ouazzane; luggage can be tight
Best for independent travellers who do not mind a transfer
Private Car / Tour
Time: ~3.5 hrs driving + stops
Cost: From ~800–1,400 MAD per vehicle (indicative)
Door-to-door, stop at Volubilis, your own pace
Higher upfront cost (offset by group splitting)
Best for groups, families, or anyone wanting Volubilis en route
How Each Option Actually Works
CTM Bus (Direct)
CTM usually runs one morning departure from Chefchaouen bus station, leaving around 7:00–8:00 am (verify current times at the CTM office — schedules shift seasonally). The bus drops you at the Fes Routière, the main intercity bus terminal on the edge of the new town, from where you take a petit taxi into the medina. That taxi adds another 20–30 minutes and around 15–20 MAD.
Book your CTM seat the day before during spring and summer — the bus can sell out entirely by early morning. The station is a short walk or taxi from the main square in Chefchaouen. Supratours occasionally operates this route too; check their office near the bus station.
Grand Taxi via Ouazzane
This is the classic independent-traveller route. Walk to the grand taxi rank east of the centre and ask for a shared seat to Ouazzane (also spelled Wazzane). Six people share one Mercedes, so you wait until the car fills — typically 20–45 minutes in the morning. The ride to Ouazzane takes about 1.5 hours on a winding mountain road that descends from the Rif into the plains below.
In Ouazzane, cross the street to the onward grand taxi rank and take a second car to Fes. This leg is flatter and faster — roughly 2 hours to the Fes taxi rank at Bab Mahrouk or Bab Ftouh, from where your riad is usually a short walk or five-minute taxi away. The entire chain runs from early morning until mid-afternoon; do not try it after 3:00 pm, as cars stop filling.
Private Car — and Why Volubilis Changes the Calculation
A private driver collects you from your riad door in Chefchaouen and delivers you to your accommodation in Fes. There is nothing to figure out: no changing taxis, no hunting for ranks, no waiting. The drive itself is genuinely beautiful — the road climbs briefly out of the medina before dropping through cork-oak forest to the Loukkos plains, and the light over the Rif foothills on a clear morning is hard to forget.
The real case for a private car is Volubilis. The Roman city sits on a low ridge above the Fes–Meknes plain, about halfway along the route. An hour and a half of walking the site — the triumphal arch of Caracalla, mosaic floors still vivid after 1,800 years, the view back over the Zerhoun mountains — is worth adding to any itinerary. You cannot manage this on a bus. From Volubilis you can also dip into the white holy town of Moulay Idriss for lunch before continuing to Fes.
A private car for this route typically costs from around 800–1,400 MAD for the vehicle (indicative; the rate varies by operator and whether the Volubilis stop is included). Split across three or four people, the per-head cost is not far above the bus.
Fes el-Bali — your destination. The tanneries and souqs of the oldest walled medina in the world.
Practical Tips Before You Go
- Book CTM tickets in person at the Chefchaouen station the evening before — the online system is often not updated.
- Grand taxis start filling from around 7:00 am. Aim to be at the rank by 8:00 am to avoid long waits.
- The road from Chefchaouen to Ouazzane is hilly and tight in places; grand taxis drive it quickly. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit in the front seat.
- If taking a private car, ask explicitly whether the Volubilis entrance fee (currently around 70 MAD per person, indicative) is included or paid separately on the day.
- Arriving in Fes medina with large luggage is hard work — riads in the narrow alleys are rarely accessible by vehicle. A porter at Bab Boujloud costs around 20–30 MAD and is well worth it.
- There is no left-luggage facility at the Chefchaouen bus station. If you need to check out early, ask your riad to hold bags.
Chefchaouen to Fes: FAQs
Is there a direct bus from Chefchaouen to Fes?
Yes — CTM operates a direct bus from Chefchaouen to Fes, typically once or twice a day. The journey takes around 4.5 to 5 hours depending on the route and stops. Tickets should be booked at the CTM office in Chefchaouen a day ahead in summer, as they sell out. Supratours also runs this corridor occasionally. Neither service runs multiple times a day, so if you miss your slot you are waiting until the next day.
How long does it take to get from Chefchaouen to Fes?
By direct CTM bus, expect 4.5 to 5 hours. By grand taxi via Ouazzane, the total journey (two legs combined) typically takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours if connections are quick, though the Ouazzane wait can extend things. A private car covers the roughly 200 km in about 3.5 hours of driving, faster still if you take the toll road sections. Traffic leaving Chefchaouen on summer afternoons adds 20–30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to travel from Chefchaouen to Fes?
The grand taxi route via Ouazzane is usually the cheapest option, with each leg costing around 30–60 MAD per person (indicative — prices vary by season and negotiation). The CTM bus is slightly more but more comfortable. Both are considerably cheaper than a private car, though when you split a private vehicle among three or four passengers the per-person difference narrows significantly. Shared grand taxis require patience — they depart when the six seats are full.
Can I stop at Volubilis on the way from Chefchaouen to Fes?
Volubilis, Morocco’s best-preserved Roman ruins, sits roughly 60 km south of Chefchaouen and about 30 km north of Meknes — almost exactly on the road to Fes. It is impossible to stop there on a public bus or grand taxi without losing your onward connection. A private car or private day-tour is by far the easiest way to make the stop: you spend 1.5 to 2 hours at the site, have lunch in nearby Moulay Idriss if you like, and still reach Fes by early evening.
How do I get a grand taxi from Chefchaouen to Fes?
Head to the grand taxi rank near the bus station on the eastern edge of town. Ask for a taxi to Ouazzane (Wazzane) — this is the key junction town on the route south. Negotiate a seat price before getting in; a shared seat should cost 30–50 MAD (indicative). In Ouazzane, cross to the onward taxi rank and take a second taxi to Fes. The entire process is manageable independently but requires flexibility. If the Ouazzane stand is quiet, a wait of an hour or more is possible.
Is it better to take the bus or a private car from Chefchaouen to Fes?
It depends on your priorities. The CTM bus wins on cost if you are travelling solo and do not want to stop anywhere. A private car wins if you are two or more people, want to add Volubilis or Moulay Idriss, prefer door-to-door service, or are carrying bulky luggage. The bus drops you at the Fes bus station, which is a taxi ride from the medina; a private car takes you to your riad door. For most travellers combining these two cities on a Morocco itinerary, a private one-way transfer with a Volubilis stop is the most satisfying option.
How far is it from Chefchaouen to Fes?
The road distance from Chefchaouen to Fes is approximately 195–210 km depending on the route taken. The most common route runs south through Ouazzane, then east via Meknes. Some private drivers use a faster northern spur via Jebel Tissouka before joining the main road south; this is slightly more scenic but adds minimal time. There is no train connection between the two cities.
Plan it with a local expert
Travel Morocco with Serenity Morocco Tours
Crafting extraordinary journeys through Morocco's timeless landscapes. 100% private journeys, handcrafted around you.
ONMT Licensed 100% Private Tours 100% private tours since 2018
from $2,011 5 days Marrakech → Erg Chebbi
Sahara Desert Luxury Expedition
from $2,054 7 days Marrakech · Fes · Meknes · Rabat
Essential Morocco: Imperial Cities Circuit
from $5,978 14 days Full-country circuit
Sahara to Sea: Morocco Complete