Imperial cities · By rail or road
Fes to Rabat: Train vs Bus
The direct ONCF train takes about three hours, runs roughly hourly and stops in central Rabat. Take the train unless the timetable or your riad's location says otherwise.
Photograph: Jorge Láscar, CC BY 2.0
- Train, direct
- About 2 h 45 min–3 h
- Train, 2nd class
- About 90–130 MAD
- Train departures
- Roughly hourly
- Bus
- 3–4 hrs
By City Tours Morocco Editorial Team
Published 17 June 2026 Last updated 29 October 2026
For most travellers on the Fes to Rabat leg of the Imperial Cities circuit, the ONCF train is the better choice: it is direct, comfortable and arrives in the city centre. The bus is not bad, but it takes longer and leaves you outside the centre.
The bus can still make sense: if the coach terminal is five minutes from your riad and the train station is a cross-town taxi away, the sums change. Below: a side-by-side comparison, how to buy ONCF tickets, and what to expect in Rabat.
Train vs Bus: Side-by-Side
Times and prices are indicative. Check oncf.ma or ctm.ma before you travel.
| Factor | Train (ONCF) | Bus (CTM / Supratours) |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time | About 2 h 45 min to 3 h (direct) | 3–4 hrs (CTM / Supratours) |
| Indicative cost | About 90–130 MAD (2nd class), 130–180 MAD (1st) | Check ctm.ma or supratours.ma |
| Frequency | Roughly hourly from Fes | Several daily departures |
| Comfort | Reclining seats, A/C | Air-conditioned coaches, fixed seats |
| City-centre access | Rabat Ville is in the city centre | Rabat bus station is outside the centre; take a taxi |
| Luggage | Overhead racks | Hold luggage; little overhead space |
| Book online? | Yes: oncf.ma or the ONCF app | CTM: ctm.ma / Supratours: supratours.ma |
| Best for | Most travellers: direct, central, simple | Travellers staying near the bus station, or when the train times do not suit |
Fes to Rabat by train and by coach.
How to Buy an ONCF Train Ticket
You can book online in a few minutes with a card instead of queueing at the station.
Go to oncf.ma (or open the ONCF app)
The site works in French, Arabic and partial English. Select "Gare de départ: Fès" and "Gare d’arrivée: Rabat Ville". Choose your date and passenger count.
Pick a direct train (sans correspondance)
Direct trains to Rabat Ville take about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours, calling at Meknes and Salé on the way.
Choose your class
Second class (2ème) is air-conditioned and comfortable for a three-hour trip, at roughly 90–130 MAD. First class (1ère) has wider seats and more space, at roughly 130–180 MAD.
Pay with your card
ONCF accepts Visa and Mastercard. The e-ticket arrives by email; save it to your phone. The conductor scans the barcode on board.
Allow 30 minutes to reach Fes station
The station (Gare de Fès) is in the Ville Nouvelle, a 10–20 minute taxi ride from the medina. Petits taxis are metered; ask for the meter or agree a price first.
What to Expect When You Arrive in Rabat
Rabat Ville station sits in the new city, within walking distance of the medina and the Hassan Tower esplanade. Petits taxis wait outside, and Tram Line 1 stops at Rabat Ville.
The medina is smaller and easier to navigate than Fes without a guide. Above it, the Kasbah des Oudaïas, entered through the gate of Bab Oudaia, has whitewashed lanes that look out over the estuary to Salé.
With half a day before an onward train to Casablanca, a sensible loop is: Rabat Ville station, the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, down through the medina to the Kasbah des Oudaïas and the Andalusian Gardens, then back to the station. It is around 4–5 km of walking.
Practical Tips for the Journey
Second class is enough
Second class (2ème classe) is air-conditioned with reclining seats. First class adds legroom but matters less on this run.
Book on the app to skip the queue
Buy at oncf.ma or in the ONCF app, which accepts international Visa and Mastercard. Stations also have self-service ticket machines.
Check the train is direct
Direct Fes to Rabat Ville services run via Meknes and stop at Salé before Rabat. Confirm "sans correspondance" before you book.
Know your Rabat station
Rabat Ville is the central station, within walking distance of the medina. Rabat Agdal lies further south in the Agdal district. Get off at Rabat Ville for the medina and the Kasbah.
Fes to Rabat: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the train or bus faster from Fes to Rabat?
The train, though by less than often claimed. A direct ONCF train takes about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours; CTM and Supratours coaches take 3 to 4 hours. The train also arrives at Rabat Ville in the city centre, while the bus station is outside it. For most travellers on this route the train is the better choice.
How long does the train from Fes to Rabat take?
Direct trains take about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours to Rabat Ville, calling at Meknes and Salé. Departures run roughly hourly through the day. Check times on oncf.ma or in the ONCF app, and make sure your ticket is direct (sans correspondance).
How much does the train from Fes to Rabat cost?
Second class costs roughly 90–130 MAD and first class roughly 130–180 MAD, depending on the train. These are indicative figures; ONCF adjusts fares, so check the price on oncf.ma when you book.
Do I need to book Fes to Rabat train tickets in advance?
For most weekday journeys you can buy on the day. The route is busier on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings, and around Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and school holidays; on those days, book 24–48 hours ahead on oncf.ma or the app.
What is there to do in Rabat as a stop between Fes and Casablanca?
The Kasbah des Oudaïas, a walled 12th-century citadel above the Atlantic where the Bou Regreg river meets the sea, is the first stop. The Andalusian Gardens sit just below it. The Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V stand together on the esplanade, about a 20-minute walk from Rabat Ville station. A focused half-day covers the highlights.
Can I get from Fes to Rabat and back in a day?
Yes, but it is a long day: close to six hours on the train in total. Take an early direct train from Fes, spend about four hours on the Kasbah, the Hassan Tower and the medina, and take an afternoon or early-evening train back. Check the last direct departure from Rabat Ville on oncf.ma before you go.
Is the CTM or Supratours bus from Fes to Rabat worth considering?
Both CTM and Supratours run air-conditioned coaches between Fes and Rabat. The bus makes sense if your riad is closer to the coach terminal than to Fes train station, or if the train times do not suit your plans. The drawbacks are the journey time (3–4 hours against about 3 by train) and the Rabat bus station, which is outside the centre and needs a taxi.
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