Transit & logisticsBy Clever Tourists · Published
The cheapest reliable way from Fes to Chefchaouen is the CTM bus: about 4 hours, roughly 75 to 110 dirhams, with a handful of departures a day starting around 8:00. A private driver costs about 700 to 1,000 dirhams per car and takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, which works out well for a group of three or four. There is no train. Here is how to book the bus, what the taxis cost and how to get from Chefchaouen's bus station up to the blue medina.
CTM is Morocco's main national bus company and the most comfortable public option on this route. As of early 2026 there were about four departures a day, with the first leaving Fes around 8:00 and arriving around midday, and the last in the afternoon. The ride takes about 4 to 4.5 hours including a short café stop.
Fares quoted in 2025-2026 range from about 75 to 110 MAD (≈ $7.6–11.2) one way, and CTM's prices move with demand. Timetables change by season, so check the current times on ctm.ma before you plan around a specific bus.
Book on ctm.ma or at the CTM station, ideally a day or more ahead; the morning bus is the one that sells out, especially on weekends and holidays. In Fes, CTM runs from its own station in the Ville Nouvelle near Place Atlas, which is separate from the main Gare Routière outside the medina walls. Tell your petit taxi driver "CTM" (pronounced "say-tay-em") so you end up at the right one.
Checked bags carry a small luggage fee of around 5 to 10 MAD (≈ $0.51–1.0) per bag, paid in cash at the baggage counter. You get a tag stub; keep it, because you need it to reclaim the bag in Chefchaouen.
A private transfer door to door costs roughly 700 to 1,000 MAD (≈ $71–102) per car and takes about 3 to 3.5 hours, with the freedom to leave when you like and stop for photos. Split between three or four people it costs little more than the bus each. Your riad in Fes can usually arrange one; agree the price, pickup point and whether it drops you at the medina gate before you go.
You can also hire a whole grand taxi (the large shared intercity taxis) at a negotiated rate, or buy a single seat in a shared one, which is cheaper but leaves only when the car is full and can mean a change of taxi along the way. Prices vary with demand and bargaining, so this option suits travelers comfortable negotiating in French or Darija. For tipping your driver, see our Morocco tipping guide.
Chefchaouen's bus station sits below the town, not in the medina. Walking up takes about 15 minutes, uphill and along an unremarkable road, which is hard work with a suitcase. A petit taxi to the medina should cost around 10 to 20 MAD (≈ $1.0–2.0); agree the fare before getting in, because some drivers quote tourists more.
Taxis cannot enter the medina's lanes, so you will finish the last stretch on foot. Ask your riad which gate is closest and whether someone can meet you there, since the lanes are hard to navigate with luggage the first time.
It is possible: a January 2026 timetable had the first CTM bus leaving Fes at 8:00 and a last bus back from Chefchaouen at 18:45, arriving in Fes late in the evening. But that is about 8 hours on a bus for 5 or 6 hours in town. If you can, stay at least one night so you see the blue lanes early in the morning before the day-trippers arrive.
Plan both ends with our Fes guide and 2 days in Chefchaouen itinerary.
The CTM bus takes about 4 to 4.5 hours, including a short café stop.
Roughly 75 to 110 MAD (≈ $7.6–11.2) one way as of 2025-2026, plus a luggage fee of around 5 to 10 MAD (≈ $0.51–1.0) per checked bag.
From CTM's own station in the Ville Nouvelle near Place Atlas, not the Gare Routière outside the medina.
About 700 to 1,000 MAD (≈ $71–102) per car, taking around 3 to 3.5 hours.
Walk about 15 minutes uphill, or take a petit taxi for around 10 to 20 MAD (≈ $1.0–2.0), agreeing the fare first.
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