How to Get from Fes to Chefchaouen: Bus + Transfer + Tour

When you think about the highlights of northern Morocco, two destinations immediately spring to mind – Fes and Chefchaouen. One is an ancient city renowned for its traditional souks. The other is a charming mountain town that has exploded in popularity due to its photogenic blue streets. 

If you’re wondering how to get from Fes to Chefchaouen or what I think is the best way of getting from Chefchaouen to Fes, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve visited both Moroccan cities on several occasions and travelled between the two!

At just four hours apart, it’s logical to visit one after the other on a Moroccan itinerary before heading to coastal Rabat or down to Marrakech. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring both Fes and Chefchaouen – they really are must-visit destinations – and have travelled various ways between them over the years.

There is no once-size-fits-all answer to the question: how can I get from Fes to Chefchaouen? Some options are better suited to those on a budget while others to travellers who are short on time. You may want the freedom of being behind the wheel and stopping whenever you desire. Or perhaps you prefer to just soak up the scenery while someone else (ideally a local) does the driving. 

So I thought I’d put together an article detailing how to get from Fes to Chefchaouen, including by bus, grand taxi and private transfer. I’ll also explain the advantages of renting a car and embarking on a road trip along the coastline, as well as booking a full-day guided tour from Fes to Chefchaouen.

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How to get from Fes to Chefchaouen by bus

The cheapest way to get from Fes to Chefchaouen

One of the best ways to travel from Fes to Chefchaouen is by bus, particularly if you’re travelling on a budget. Buses run frequently throughout the day and the ride is comfortable. With the best Morocco bus companies, you can expect reclining seats, air conditioning and adequate leg room.

When I visited Morocco for the first time, I took the bus from Fes to Chefchaouen. And as a solo female traveller, I didn’t have any issues. 

If you’re travelling from Fes, the journey begins at the Gare Routière located on Rue Melilla. It’s located in the Ville Nouvelle neighbourhood, around 15 minutes’ drive from the medina of Fes el Bali.

The best way to get there is to jump in a petit taxi and ask the driver to drop you at the “Gare Routière”. Alternatively, you can use a ride-sharing app like Careem to book the trip. 

How to purchase bus tickets for Fes to Chefchaouen

When planning your bus trip from Fes to Chefchaouen, it’s a good idea to buy your tickets online. I’d recommend doing it a few days ahead of your travel dates.

However, if your journey falls during a significant holiday such as Eid al Adha (6-10 June 2025) or Eid al Fitr at the end of Ramadan (30-31 March 2025), it’s wise to secure your tickets a couple of weeks in advance. Many Moroccans are travelling during this period to see family and friends.

There are several bus companies travelling between Fes and Chefchaouen, with the main one that tourists use being CTM. While there are cheaper buses between Fes and Chefchaouen, they often have a LOT of stops. You may even need to change bus partway through.

Yes, this can be an adventure and save you a few dirhams. But for convenience, I’d recommend going with CTM. 

At the time of writing, CTM has four daily buses from Fes to Chefchaouen, with prices starting from 110 dirhams. It’s important to note that fare prices fluctuate depending on demand. Check the CTM website or 12Go for your preferred dates.

Buses from Fes to Chefchaouen

Bus one: Departs Fes at 8:00 and arrives in Fes at 12:10 (duration 4 hours and 10 minutes)

Bus two: Departs Fes at 11:00 and arrives in Fes at 15:15 (duration 4 hours and 15 minutes)

Bus three: Departs Fes at 12:45 and arrives in Fes at 17:35 (duration 4 hours and 50 minutes)

Bus four: Departs Fes at 16:30 and arrives in Fes at 20:40 (duration 4 hours and 10 minutes)

Buses from Chefchaouen to Fes

Bus one: Departs Chefchaouen at 10:15 and arrives in Fes at 15:00 (duration 4 hours and 45 minutes)

Bus two: Departs Chefchaouen at 13:00 and arrives in Fes at 17:30 (duration 4 hours and 30 minutes)

Bus three: Departs Chefchaouen at 15:00 and arrives in Fes at 19:30 (duration 4 hours and 30 minutes)

Bus four: Departs Chefchaouen at 18:45 and arrives in Fes at 23:45 (duration 5 hours)

Buses from Fes stop in Chefchaouen at the Gare Routiere on Avenue Maghreb Arabe. It’s around five minutes by taxi (around 20 dirhams) to Bab El Ain, the entrance to the medina.

If you want to walk, it will take around 15 minutes to reach the medina. But keep in mind that it is uphill for much of the way. 

You can purchase bus tickets either on the CTM website or at 12Go. 12Go allows you to compare multiple companies, departure times and prices.

Once you select your bus, simply enter your name, email address, phone number and the type of ID you plan to use, including the ID number. For most international travellers, this will be their passport.

After entering your details, you’ll have the chance to change your assigned seat if you don’t like the one you have been allocated.

Once you’ve submitted your payment details, you will receive an instant confirmation email. You’ll also be sent a downloadable PDF ticket that you can show to the bus driver when you board. There’s no need to print anything.

If you’d rather pay with cash, just head to the bus station to make your purchase.

What to expect on the Fes to Chefchaouen bus

Whether you’re heading to the bus station on foot or catching a taxi or ride-share, I suggest arriving at least 15 minutes before your bus is set to leave (if you have pre-purchased a ticket).

This gives you time to manage any luggage you have, which means taking it to the luggage counter to check it in, just like you would at an airport. After paying a small fee (usually between 5 and 10 dirhams), you’ll receive a tag or sticker. Place this on your bag and someone will assist you in loading it onto the bus.

Next, it’s time to board the bus and find your seat. The seat numbers are clearly marked above. Always sit in your allocated seat to avoid creating chaos onboard.

Once you’re comfortably seated, all that’s left to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery unfolding outside your window.

Most CTM buses from Fes to Chefchaouen will make a stop in Ouezzane. Here you can go to the toilet or grab drinks/snacks. Ouezzane is a spiritually significant town in Sufism and is revered amongst Moroccan Jews as a holy destination. 

Can you get the train from Fes to Chefchaouen?

Unfortunately, there is no train from Fes to Chefchaouen as the railway doesn’t extend to the Blue City. 

How to get from Fes to Chefchaouen by private transfer

If you’re travelling in a group or just want the fastest way of getting from Fes to Chefchaouen, then a private transfer is your answer. The journey can take as little as 3.5 hours. But it will probably be more like 4 hours if you stop at a scenic viewpoint and a toilet along the way.

You can conveniently book a private transfer online ahead of time. Additionally, they will come to your hotel for pickup, eliminating the stress and expense of getting to the bus station.

When you reach Chefchaouen, the driver will take you directly to your riad or hotel (you’ll find some great recommendations here). Or as near as possible considering the medina is pedestrian-only.

If you have a lot of luggage or are travelling with young kids, opting for a private transfer from Fes to Chefchaouen can make the journey a LOT easier. You won’t have to struggle with your bags in busy bus stations or deal with public transport while managing little ones.

Private transfers from Fes to Chefchaouen cost anywhere from around 170 USD for up to four people. So they aren’t exorbitantly expensive. 

This one comes with excellent reviews and has been awarded the Viator Badge of Excellence as a result. 

“We only needed the transfer from Fez to Chefchaouen, but we got so much more! Ouma was such a great guide and host for our journey, answering our questions along the way and ensuring that we were taken care of in finding our riad in Chefchaouen.” – Jennifer (read more reviews here)

A cheaper alternative and a great option for solo travellers is a shared private transfer from Fes to Chefchaouen. It comes with all the perks of the above but you will be sharing the experience with other travellers.

The vehicles are air-conditioned and it’s a door-to-door service, with stops along the way for photographs and bathrooms.

On arrival in Chefchaouen, the driver will either drop you directly at your hotel/riad or will have someone walk you there. 

A shared private transfer from Fes to Chefchaouen is slightly more expensive than the CTM bus. It’s around 20 USD per person. But you won’t have the added taxi fares of getting to and from the bus terminal to your accommodation.

Depending on how many people are booked on the transfer (most minivans can accommodate up to 10 or 12 people), it may be a slightly squishier ride compared to the guaranteed space of a bus seat. But if you’re lucky, there might only be four of you onboard and you can really spread out!

If you’re looking for a shared private transfer from Fes to Chefchaouen, this one has excellent reviews. It has also been awarded the Viator Badge of Excellence. 

“One of the best and most professional drivers I’ve ever had anywhere in the world. Our driver was exceptionally skilled as a driver, focused on getting our group to our destination in a safe and comfortable manner.” – Brian (read more reviews here)

A private transfer from Fes to Chefchaouen might be more expensive than taking a bus. But the added convenience and flexibility make it a great option for those seeking a hassle-free journey and are willing to invest a little extra for that comfort.

How to get from Fes to Chefchaouen by grand taxi

For those looking to travel from Fes to Chefchaouen on a budget and experience a quintessentially Moroccan form of transport, you can opt for a grand taxi. A grand taxi is a type of shared taxi that can hold up to six passengers at once.

While you won’t enjoy the privacy of having the entire taxi to yourself, the benefit is that you’ll pay much less than you would for a private taxi or transfer.

That being said, it is possible to hire a grand taxi from Fes to Chefchaouen in its entirety. In this case, you’ll have the vehicle all for yourself. It may even work out cheaper than a private transfer.

The tradeoff is that you have to go to the grand taxi station in the Ville Nouvelle as they don’t come to you! Additionally, grand taxis don’t travel all the way from Fes to Chefchaouen. You will have to change taxis (and renegotiate a fare) in Ouezzane. 

In total, prices start from around 150 dirhams for a seat, up to around 500 dirhams for the entire vehicle. But it may be hard to guarantee the total price before you leave Fes. Remember, it will be a new driver and vehicle in Ouezzane taking you the rest of the way to Chefchaouen. 

For me, travelling by grand taxi from Fes to Chefchaouen just isn’t worth the hassle. Particularly when there are several other convenient and affordable transfer options available. 

They can also be quite squishy (four passengers in the back and two in the front). Remember, they will only leave once full, so you may have to wait around.

I only use grand taxis for shorter trips or when buses aren’t an option. However, for longer journeys, such as travelling from Fes to Chefchaouen, I prefer the extra room that buses offer.

How to get from Fes to Chefchaouen by rental car

We have driven from Fes to Chefchaouen many times and it really is a wonderful (if winding) journey. The views are particularly spectacular as you approach the Rif Mountains.

While we didn’t need the car in Chefchaouen itself (everything is walkable), we did use it to reach the Cascades d’Akchour and Talassemtane National Park.

Having our own vehicle just made it super easy to do things at our own pace, without having to adhere to public transport schedules. 

If you’re planning a road trip through Morocco or simply want to rent a car for the Fes to Chefchaouen leg, I would highly recommend it. In my opinion, driving is one of the most convenient and efficient ways of getting from Fes to Chefchaouen.

Plus, it gives you the freedom to stop along the way. You can make a short detour to the holy town of Moulay Idriss or stretch your legs with a wander around Ouezzane.

For more insights on driving in Morocco, take a look at my detailed article here. It covers important topics like safety issues on the roads and what to expect at police checks.

Alternatively, you’ll find everything you need to know about renting a car in Fes here.

If you’re looking for road trip inspiration, this one-week suggested itinerary from Tangier to Fes includes a visit to Chefchaouen, as well as the beautiful coastal city of Asilah. 

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Can you fly from Fes to Chefchaouen?

The answer is “No” as there is no airport in Chefchaouen. The closest airport to Chefchaouen is Sania Ramel Airport (TTU) in Tetouan, which is around 1.5 hours away. That being said, you can’t fly from Fes Saïss Airport (FEZ) to Tetouan anyway, so it’s not an option that’s on the table. 

How to get from Fes to Chefchaouen by guided tour

If you want to visit Chefchaouen from Fes but don’t necessarily want to spend the night, then a guided tour is ideal. It’s great for travellers who are short on time but don’t want to miss the “Blue Pearl” and its Instagrammable streets.

The only downside is you won’t get to experience this blue-hued city in the evening, once all the day trippers have gone. 

There are several full-day tours from Fes to Chefchaouen available, all of which include pick up and drop off at your hotel of choice. With a 3.5-hour drive each way, you’ll have plenty of time to wander through the medina, climb to the Spanish Mosque and stop in at one of Chefchaouen’s museums. 

Having a local guide by your side is also an excellent opportunity to dive deep into the cultural heritage of Chefchaouen and the Rif Mountains. You’ll gain insights that go far beyond what you would discover on your own.

During the drive, you can ask them any questions you have about Morocco. Plus, you can get valuable recommendations for sights to see and great places to eat once you return to Fes.

This Chefchaouen day trip from Fes receives rave reviews. It’s also really affordable if you consider the cost of a private transfer (even just one way). It includes around four hours in Chefchaouen, which is more than enough to see all of the highlights.

If you pay a little more for a private experience, you can customise the tour to your interests.

“The Chefchaouen day tour from Fez was an absolute highlight of my Moroccan adventure. From the moment we departed, the scenery was breathtaking, and our guide’s knowledge of the region added depth to the journey.” (read more reviews here)

About Me

I’m Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I’ve developed an intense love for Morocco, its incredible landscapes, storied cities and the exceptionally generous hospitality of its people.

Malika in Morocco is a place to share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. As a resource for travellers visiting Morocco, I want to encourage others to experience this captivating destination the way they desire, whether that’s independently or under the expert guidance of local tour operators.

I believe strongly in supporting responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives while inspiring travel experiences that are life-impacting and mutually beneficial for both travellers and locals.