210 km and no train. The CTM bus takes about 4 hours from 75 MAD; a shared grand taxi about 3 hours from 70 MAD a seat; a private transfer about 3 hours from 800 MAD a vehicle.
Photograph: Badr Rachadi, CC BY-SA 4.0
Distance
210 km by road
By CTM bus
About 4 h, from 75 MAD
By grand taxi
About 3 h, from 70 MAD
Train
None: Chefchaouen has no station
1
How Do You Get from Fes to Chefchaouen?
There is no train, so go by road. The 210 km trip takes about 4 hours by CTM bus (from 75 MAD), about 3 hours by shared grand taxi (from 70-80 MAD per person), or about 3 hours by private transfer (from 800 MAD per vehicle). Driving a rental car takes about 3 hours 30 minutes.
Chefchaouen sits at about 600 meters in the Rif Mountains, northwest of Fes. The usual road goes via Ouezzane and climbs into the mountains for the last stretch. The roads are paved and maintained, but the final section winds a lot.
Below: the four ways to make the trip with prices and booking advice, the direct and mountain driving routes, which option suits whom, and what to know on arrival.
2
Quick Comparison
Starting prices; fares change by season and demand.
Option
Time
Price
Departures
CTM Bus
About 4 hours
From 75 MAD
Several daily; check ctm.ma
Grand Taxi
About 3 hours
From 70-80 MAD per person
Leaves when full (6 passengers)
Private Transfer
About 3 hours
From 800-1,500 MAD (entire vehicle)
On demand
Rental Car / Self-Drive
3h 30min (direct) / 5h+ (mountain route)
From 250 MAD/day + fuel
Flexible
3
All Transport Options in Detail
1
CTM Bus
Best for: Most travelers, budget travelers
Time
About 4 hours
Price
From 75 MAD
Departures
Several daily; check ctm.ma
The most reliable public transport from Fes to Chefchaouen. Air-conditioned coaches with reclining seats leave the Fes CTM station and arrive at the Chefchaouen bus station, a 15-minute walk or short taxi ride (from 10 MAD) from the medina. Most services stop at Ouezzane. The road crosses farmland before climbing into the Rif Mountains for the final approach.
Booking: Book online at ctm.ma at least a day ahead, especially at weekends and from April to October; the morning departure is the most popular and often sells out. Arrive at the station 30 minutes before departure. Luggage goes in the hold, so keep a day bag with valuables and water. If CTM is sold out, try Supratours or another private bus company.
2
Grand Taxi
Best for: Faster travel, flexible departures
Time
About 3 hours
Price
From 70-80 MAD per person
Departures
Leaves when full (6 passengers)
The fastest public option. Shared sedans take 6 passengers and leave only when full. Some run straight to Chefchaouen; otherwise you take a taxi to Ouezzane and change there. The mountain roads are winding.
Booking: Go to the taxi rank early in the morning for the quickest departure and ask for "Chefchaouen" (or "Ouezzane" if no direct taxi is loading). Confirm the price before you get in. To avoid sitting three across the back, buy a second seat (from 140-160 MAD for two). A whole taxi costs from 400-500 MAD.
3
Private Transfer
Best for: Families, groups, photo stops
Time
About 3 hours
Price
From 800-1,500 MAD (entire vehicle)
Departures
On demand
A driver collects you from your riad or hotel in Fes and drives you to your accommodation in Chefchaouen, stopping at Rif Mountain viewpoints on request. Split between 3-4 passengers, the cost per person comes close to taxi fares.
Booking: Book through your riad or hotel in Fes, a transfer company, or a platform such as GetYourGuide. Confirm that the price includes fuel and tolls, and ask for a photo stop at a Rif viewpoint.
4
Rental Car / Self-Drive
Best for: Independent travelers, onward travel north
Time
3h 30min (direct) / 5h+ (mountain route)
Price
From 250 MAD/day + fuel
Departures
Flexible
The direct route via Ouezzane is about 210 km and 3 hours 30 minutes; the longer mountain route through Taounate and Ketama crosses the higher Rif. Roads are paved but winding, especially near Chefchaouen. A car is most useful if you continue from Chefchaouen to Tangier, Tetouan or the Mediterranean coast.
Booking: Rent in Fes, in the Ville Nouvelle or at the airport. Fill up in Fes, download offline maps, and expect narrow roads, sharp curves and the occasional donkey. Do not drive the mountain roads at night. The medina is car-free, so park outside the walls.
4
The Mountain Route vs. The Direct Route
Two ways through the Rif for drivers.
Direct route via Ouezzane210 km, 3h 30min
The route buses and grand taxis take. The road runs through farmland to the market town of Ouezzane, then climbs into the Rif with tighter bends and valley views for the final stretch to Chefchaouen. Fully paved; the mountain section needs care. Ouezzane has an old medina if you want a break.
Mountain route via Taounate and Ketama280+ km, 5-6 hours
A longer drive deeper into the Rif, past terraced hillsides and villages. The roads are narrower and steeper, so it suits experienced drivers with a full day to spare and a car with good brakes.
5
Which Option Is Best for You?
Budget travelersCTM bus
From 75 MAD with air conditioning, assigned seats and a timetable. Grand taxis are faster but cramped. Take the morning departure.
Families with childrenPrivate transfer
From 800 MAD for the vehicle. The mountain roads can cause motion sickness, and a private car can stop whenever you need. Avoid shared taxis with small children.
Solo travelersCTM bus
You arrive at a known station and can take a petit taxi to your riad. Grand taxis also work if you are comfortable with them.
PhotographersPrivate transfer or rental car
Buses and taxis do not stop at viewpoints. A transfer driver will stop on request; a rental car lets you stop anywhere. Morning light is best on the mountains.
First-time visitorsCTM bus or private transfer
Both are predictable: a fixed timetable or a driver who takes you door to door.
6
Tips for This Journey
1
Leave in the morning
Take the morning CTM bus, or be at the taxi rank by 8:00 AM. You arrive in the afternoon with daylight to find your riad. The afternoon bus arrives near sunset.
2
Motion sickness
The road between Ouezzane and Chefchaouen has many hairpin bends. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before you leave, sit at the front, and watch the horizon.
3
Arriving in Chefchaouen
The bus station and grand-taxi stand are outside the medina, about a 15-minute walk. Petit taxis charge from 10-15 MAD to the medina entrance; the main gate is Bab el-Ain. The medina is car-free, so ask your riad for directions or a porter for your luggage.
4
Pack a layer
Chefchaouen sits at about 600 m in the Rif and is cooler than Fes, especially at night. In winter temperatures can fall close to freezing, and fog and rain are common from November to March.
5
Carry cash
Grand taxis are cash only, and CTM does not always take cards at the station. Withdraw cash in Fes and keep small notes for the petit taxi in Chefchaouen.
Inside the car-free medina: luggage goes on foot from the gate. Photograph: Mark Fischer, CC BY-SA 2.0
7
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a train from Fes to Chefchaouen?
No. Chefchaouen has no railway station, so you need to take a bus, grand taxi, private transfer, or drive. CTM buses and grand taxis are the most common options for this route.
How long does it take to get from Fes to Chefchaouen?
By CTM bus, the journey takes about 4 hours. Grand taxis take about 3 hours, plus the wait for the taxi to fill. Driving yourself takes about 3 hours 30 minutes via Ouezzane, or longer on the mountain route through the Rif. Private transfers take about 3 hours.
How much does a grand taxi from Fes to Chefchaouen cost?
A seat in a shared grand taxi from Fes to Chefchaouen costs from 70-80 MAD. Taxis leave when all 6 seats are sold, and you may need to change at Ouezzane. You can pay for extra seats for more room, or hire the whole taxi from 400-500 MAD.
What is the best way to get from Fes to Chefchaouen?
For most travelers, the CTM bus: it is affordable (from 75 MAD), air-conditioned, and runs to a timetable. Grand taxis are faster but cramped. A private transfer suits families and groups who want door-to-door travel. Driving lets you stop at viewpoints in the Rif Mountains.
Is the road from Fes to Chefchaouen safe?
The roads between Fes and Chefchaouen are paved and generally safe but winding, especially the final stretch through the Rif Mountains. If driving, take care on mountain curves and expect fast local drivers. Buses and taxis run the route daily. Fog can occur in the mountains in winter.
Should I visit Chefchaouen as a day trip from Fes?
A day trip is possible but not recommended. With about 4 hours each way by bus, you would have only a few hours in Chefchaouen. Stay at least one night so you can walk the medina in the evening and early morning. Most travelers spend 1-2 nights.
