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Updated for 2026
CTM Bus Morocco: Routes, Prices & Booking Guide
Morocco's most trusted intercity bus network — routes between major cities, what tickets cost in MAD, how to book online, and when it beats the train.
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 27 November 2025 Last updated 30 April 2026
CTM — Compagnie de Transports au Maroc — is the backbone of long-distance bus travel in Morocco and has been running since 1937. It is not glamorous, but it is reliable: coaches are modern, air-conditioned, and depart on schedule from their own dedicated terminals, which are a world away from the chaotic shared-taxi lots that surround them.
For travellers on a budget who want to move between cities independently, CTM fills the gaps the train cannot reach. Agadir, Chefchaouen, Ouarzazate, the southern coast — none of these are on the ONCF rail network, and CTM is how most independent travellers get there without renting a car. Prices are genuinely cheap (a 7-hour Marrakech-to-Fes ticket runs from around 160–200 MAD, indicative), and booking online has become much easier in recent years.
That said, long bus days through the south are exactly that — long. The Marrakech-to-Fes bus takes 7 to 8 hours; a private driver covers the same distance with stops at Aït Benhaddou and the Dades Gorge along the way. Which option makes sense depends on your time and what you want to see en route.
CTM Bus Routes & Indicative Prices (2026)
Prices below are indicative ranges for a standard one-way seat. Actual fares vary by departure time, class and booking window. Confirm current prices at ctm.ma before travel.
| From | To | Duration | Price (MAD) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | Casablanca | 3 h | 80–110 MAD | $8–11 |
| Marrakech | Fes | 7–8 h | 160–200 MAD | $16–20 |
| Casablanca | Tangier | 4 h 30 min | 100–140 MAD | $10–14 |
| Fes | Rabat | 3 h | 80–110 MAD | $8–11 |
| Casablanca | Agadir | 5–6 h | 130–170 MAD | $13–17 |
| Marrakech | Ouarzazate | 3 h 30 min | 70–100 MAD | $7–10 |
| Fes | Chefchaouen | 4–5 h | 90–120 MAD | $9–12 |
| Marrakech | Agadir | 3 h | 70–100 MAD | $7–10 |
All prices indicative. Premium class adds roughly 20–40 MAD on longer routes.
How to Book a CTM Bus Ticket in 4 Steps
Online booking is straightforward for most major routes — and worth doing in peak months (March–April, July–August, October) when seats on popular corridors sell out.
1
Go to ctm.ma
The official website has an English-language option. Search by departure city, destination and date. Not all routes appear online — some secondary stations are booking-only on the day.
2
Select your journey and seat
CTM Confort and CTM Premium are the two main classes. Premium has wider seats and a separate boarding queue; the price difference is usually 20–40 MAD.
3
Pay by card
International Visa and Mastercard are accepted online. You receive a confirmation email with a booking reference. Print it or show it on your phone at the station.
4
Arrive early at the terminal
CTM has its own dedicated terminals, separate from the chaotic shared-taxi lots. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure; bags are tagged and stowed in the hold.
CTM vs Supratours: Which Should You Choose?
Both operators run comfortable, air-conditioned coaches. The differences are more about network coverage and railway integration than quality.
CTM
- Largest independent network — reaches Agadir, Ouarzazate, Laâyoune
- More frequent departures on high-traffic corridors
- Own dedicated terminals in most cities
- Premium class available on select long-haul routes
- Best for: south Morocco, Atlantic coast, Chefchaouen
Supratours
- Run by ONCF (national railway) — tickets integrable with train journeys
- Coaches connect towns not on the rail network to the nearest station
- Tends to depart from or beside ONCF train stations — convenient if arriving by train
- Similar comfort and price to CTM
- Best for: Essaouira, Zagora, continuing a train journey
What to Expect on a CTM Journey
A few things that aren't obvious until you've done it once.
Terminals, not bus stops. CTM operates from its own enclosed terminal buildings in cities like Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca, Agadir and Tangier. These are separate from the main gare routière (shared coach station), so make sure your taxi driver takes you to the "gare CTM" specifically. Luggage goes into a numbered hold with a tag — keep your ticket stub to reclaim it.
Cold inside, hot outside. The air-con is always cranked up. Even in June, a light jumper or scarf makes the journey far more comfortable. Pack it in your day bag rather than the hold.
Rest stops every 2–3 hours. Longer journeys stop at roadside cafés where you can get mint tea, a sandwich and use the bathroom. These stops are usually 20–30 minutes. The driver will call last boarding clearly — do not wander too far.
Southern routes take time. The road from Marrakech to Ouarzazate climbs over the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 m — the switchbacks are dramatic but they add time. Factor buffer into connections, especially in winter when snow can slow things further.
Heads up: CTM does not reach Merzouga directly. For the Sahara dunes, you'll need to connect at Errachidia or Rissani via grand taxi, or book a private transfer. A guided tour that includes transport is the most hassle-free option.
Avg ticket
80–200 MAD
Longest route
~8 h (Marrakech–Fes)
Book ahead
1–3 days peak
CTM Bus Morocco: Frequently Asked Questions
Is CTM bus safe in Morocco?
Yes — CTM (Compagnie de Transports au Maroc) is the most reputable intercity bus company in Morocco and has operated since 1937. Their coaches are modern, regularly maintained and air-conditioned. Drivers follow set schedules with rest stops, luggage goes into a locked hold and tickets are name-checked. It is substantially safer and more comfortable than hopping a random shared taxi for long distances. Solo travellers and families use CTM without issue.
How do I book a CTM bus ticket online?
Visit ctm.ma, enter your departure city, destination and travel date, then select a journey. You'll be shown available departure times, class options (Confort or Premium) and seat availability. Pay by Visa or Mastercard. The site works in English. You'll get a booking reference by email — screenshot it or print it. Some smaller routes and stations are cash-only at the counter, so if your journey doesn't appear online, go to the nearest CTM terminal a day or two ahead.
What is the difference between CTM and Supratours?
Both operators run comfortable, air-conditioned coaches with assigned seating and luggage holds, and prices are comparable. The key difference is network coverage. Supratours is operated by ONCF (the national railway) and its routes are designed to connect towns not served directly by train — so a Supratours ticket sometimes continues a train journey. CTM has a broader independent network and often more frequencies on major routes like Marrakech–Casablanca or Casablanca–Tangier. For most travellers the choice comes down to which one has a more convenient departure time on the day.
How much is the CTM bus from Marrakech to Merzouga?
CTM does not run a direct service all the way to Merzouga as of 2026. The practical approach is to take CTM to Ouarzazate or Errachidia (from Marrakech or Fes respectively), then continue by shared grand taxi to Merzouga. A Marrakech–Ouarzazate CTM ticket runs from around 70–100 MAD ($7–10) indicative. If reaching Merzouga by bus is your priority, a private transfer or a guided tour that includes transport is considerably easier than piecing together multiple connections.
Are CTM buses air-conditioned in Morocco?
Yes, all CTM intercity coaches are air-conditioned. The system is usually set quite cold — bring a light layer even in summer. Premium-class seats on longer routes (Marrakech–Fes, Casablanca–Tangier) recline more generously and the cabin temperature tends to be better regulated. Toilets are available on longer-haul journeys but are basic; rest stops every 2–3 hours at roadside cafés are the better option.
Can I take a CTM bus to Chefchaouen?
Yes, CTM serves Chefchaouen from several cities including Fes (around 4–5 hours, from ~90–120 MAD indicative), Casablanca and Tangier. Supratours also runs this route. The CTM terminal in Chefchaouen is below the medina — a short walk or cheap petit taxi up to the blue streets. Book at least a day or two ahead in peak season (March–April, September–October) as seats on the Fes–Chefchaouen leg sell out quickly.
Is it better to take a CTM bus or train between Moroccan cities?
Trains (ONCF) are faster and more comfortable where they run — especially the Casablanca–Marrakech, Casablanca–Fes and Casablanca–Tangier corridors. However, the rail network does not reach the south (no trains to Ouarzazate, Merzouga, Agadir or Chefchaouen). For those destinations CTM is the best public-transport option. On routes where both exist, the train is usually preferable; CTM wins on coverage and price for everything outside the main rail axis.
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