Discovering...
Train wins — here is why
Fes to Rabat: Train vs Bus
The ONCF train covers the 180 km between these two imperial cities in about 2 hours, costs from 85 MAD, and drops you a short walk from the medina. Here is the honest breakdown.
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 30 August 2024 Last updated 11 March 2026
The train is the right answer. For most travellers on the Fes–Rabat leg of Morocco’s Imperial Cities circuit, the ONCF rail network is faster, more comfortable, and — once you have navigated the ticket site once — far simpler than standing in a coach-station queue. The bus is not terrible, but it asks you to spend an extra hour or two watching the N6 roll past when you could already be walking through Rabat’s Kasbah des Oudaïas.
That said, there are moments when the bus makes practical sense: if CTM’s Fes terminal is five minutes from your riad and the train station is a cross-town taxi away, the maths can shift. Below is a side-by-side comparison, a step-by-step guide to buying ONCF tickets, and honest notes on what to expect when you roll into Rabat.
Train journey time
~2 hrs direct
Train from (2nd class)
~85 MAD
Distance Fes → Rabat
~180 km
Train vs Bus: Side-by-Side
Prices and times are indicative for 2026 — always verify on oncf.ma or ctm.ma before travel.
| Factor | Train (ONCF) | Bus (CTM / Supratours) |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time | ~2 hrs (direct) or 3 hrs (via Casablanca) | 3–4 hrs (CTM / Supratours) |
| Indicative cost (2026) | 85–175 MAD (2nd / 1st class) | 70–110 MAD |
| Frequency | Roughly every 1–2 hrs from Fes | Several daily departures |
| Comfort | Reclining seats, A/C, dining car on some runs | Air-conditioned coaches, fixed seats |
| City-centre access | Rabat Agdal & Rabat Ville — walkable to medina | CTM Rabat gare routière, near Bab el-Had |
| Luggage | Overhead racks + storage; no charge | Hold luggage included; overhead tight |
| Book online? | Yes — oncf.ma or app | CTM: ctm.ma / Supratours: supratours.ma |
| Best for | Almost everyone — faster, comfier, simpler | Travellers whose guesthouse is near the bus station or who cannot access the ONCF site |
How to Buy an ONCF Train Ticket
Morocco’s national railway (ONCF) has improved its online booking considerably — you no longer need to queue at the station if you have five minutes and a card.
- 1
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.
- 2
Filter for direct trains (sans correspondance)
The results page lists both direct and connecting options. Direct trains to Rabat Ville take around 2 hours. Filter by "Directs" to avoid the longer route through Casablanca unless you want to stop there.
- 3
Choose your class
Second class (2ème) is air-conditioned and perfectly comfortable for a 2-hour journey — fares from around 85 MAD. First class (1ère) adds wider seats and more space for around 130–175 MAD. Either is fine.
- 4
Pay with your card
ONCF accepts Visa and Mastercard. You receive an e-ticket by email; save it to your phone. No printing required — the conductor scans the barcode on board.
- 5
Allow 30 minutes to reach Fes train station
The station (Gare de Fès) is in the Ville Nouvelle, a 10–20 minute taxi ride from the medina. Petits taxis are metered; agree to use the meter or fix a price first. Fares to the station typically run 20–35 MAD from central Fes.
What to Expect When You Arrive in Rabat
Rabat Ville station sits in the heart of the new city, about 10 minutes on foot from the Hassan Tower esplanade and 15 minutes from the entrance to the medina. Grand taxis and petits taxis queue outside; for the Kasbah des Oudaïas, a petit taxi costs around 15–25 MAD. Tram Line 1 also stops at Rabat Ville and runs to several points in the city.
The city moves at a noticeably different pace from Fes. The medina here is smaller and easier to navigate without a guide, though the Andalusian quarter — reached through the Kasbah’s blue gate (Bab Oudaia) — rewards a slow wander. The lanes are planted with bougainvillea and lined with whitewashed houses that look out over the estuary to Salé on the opposite bank.
If you have half a day before catching an onward train to Casablanca, a sensible loop is: Rabat Ville station → Hassan Tower (20 min walk) → Mausoleum of Mohammed V → down through the medina → Kasbah des Oudaïas → Andalusian Gardens → back to the station. It is around 4–5 km of walking and covers the main landmarks without feeling rushed.
Practical Tips for the Journey
Small things that make a difference on this route.
Morning trains (07:00–09:00) from Fes are the busiest. If you plan to be in Rabat by lunch, the 07:30 or 08:15 departures work well.
Second-class (2ème classe) is perfectly comfortable — air-conditioned with reclining seats. First class adds more legroom and is worth it on longer routes but less critical on this 2-hour run.
Buy online at oncf.ma or via the ONCF app to skip the ticket-window queue. The app accepts international Visa and Mastercard. You can also pay at an ATM-style self-service kiosk in the station.
The direct Fes → Rabat Ville service runs via Meknes and Salé. Some trains require a change at Casablanca (Casa Port or Casa Voyageurs) — check the timetable before booking.
Rabat has two useful stations: Rabat Agdal (15 mins from the medina) and Rabat Ville (10 mins’ walk from the Kasbah des Oudaïas). Either is fine; Rabat Ville is slightly more central.
When the bus actually makes sense
If the ONCF website is having one of its occasional outages, you cannot get a card to work on the payment page, or your accommodation is a two-minute walk from the CTM terminal in Fes — the coach is a completely reasonable fallback. CTM’s Fes terminal is near the Bab el-Guissa area, while Supratours operates from near the train station. Neither bus company is uncomfortable; the journey just takes longer and the Rabat terminal is further from the sights.
Fes to Rabat: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the train or bus faster from Fes to Rabat?
The train is considerably faster. A direct ONCF service covers the 180 km between Fes and Rabat in around 2 hours, whereas even the fastest CTM or Supratours coach takes 3 to 4 hours including terminal stops. The train also deposits you at Rabat Ville station, which is closer to the medina and the main tourist sights than the bus station near Bab el-Had. For almost every traveller on this route, the train is the obvious choice.
How long does the train from Fes to Rabat take?
Direct trains run in approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. Some timetable slots route through Casablanca, which adds an hour or more and requires a change of train at either Casa Port or Casa Voyageurs — always check whether your ticket is direct (Fès → Rabat Ville sans correspondance) before boarding. Departure times from Fes vary; roughly half a dozen trains per day operate the direct route, and frequency increases on weekdays.
How much does the train from Fes to Rabat cost?
In 2026, a second-class (2ème classe) seat from Fes to Rabat costs from around 85 MAD (roughly $8–9 USD) and a first-class seat from around 130–175 MAD (roughly $13–17 USD). These are indicative prices — ONCF occasionally adjusts fares. If you book at the station on the day, prices are the same as online; there is no walk-up premium. Group discounts are available for families of four or more travelling together.
Do I need to book Fes to Rabat train tickets in advance?
For most weekday journeys, walk-up tickets are easy to get. The route is busy on Friday afternoons (people heading to Rabat for the weekend) and Sunday evenings (the return). If you are travelling on those days or during Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, or school holidays, booking 24–48 hours ahead via oncf.ma or the app is wise. On a regular Tuesday or Wednesday morning, you can buy at the kiosk minutes before departure without issue.
What is there to do in Rabat as a stop between Fes and Casablanca?
Rabat is underrated by visitors who rush straight to Marrakech. The Kasbah des Oudaïas, a walled 12th-century citadel above the Atlantic where the Bou Regreg river meets the sea, is alone worth the stop. The nearby Andalusian Gardens are a peaceful contrast to the medina lanes. The Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V sit together on the esplanade — a 20-minute walk from Rabat Ville station. A focused half-day covers the highlights comfortably.
Can I get from Fes to Rabat and back in a day?
Yes, though it is a long day. Take the first direct train from Fes (around 07:00–07:30), arrive in Rabat by 09:30, spend 4–5 hours exploring the Kasbah, Hassan Tower, and medina, and catch an afternoon train back. Last trains to Fes depart Rabat Ville around 19:00–20:00. That gives you a realistic 6 hours on the ground. If you want a guided half-day in Rabat rather than navigating solo, a private guide from Fes who accompanies you by train and handles the local logistics makes the day much more relaxed.
Is the CTM or Supratours bus from Fes to Rabat worth considering?
Both CTM and Supratours run air-conditioned, reliable coaches between Fes and Rabat — they are not uncomfortable. The case for the bus comes down to logistics: if your riad is closer to the CTM terminal than to Fes train station, or if the train timetable does not suit your plans, a coach is a perfectly decent option. CTM fares are typically 70–100 MAD. The main drawback is journey time (3–4 hrs vs 2 hrs on the train) and the Rabat bus station location, which requires a taxi to reach the centre.
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