The simplest way to get from Tangier to Fes is the direct ONCF train, which takes about 3.5 to 4 hours from Tangier Ville station and runs several times a day. If you would rather travel door-to-door — or stop in Chefchaouen, Meknes or Volubilis on the way — a private car covers the same distance in about 3 to 3.5 hours on the A1 motorway. CTM and Supratours buses are the budget fallback at roughly 4.5 to 5.5 hours. There is no worthwhile flight: any air route detours through Casablanca and ends up slower than the train.
Direct train (ONCF)
- Time
- 3.5–4 hours
- Cost
- ~100–200 MAD / person
- Best for
- Solo travellers, couples, budget comfort
Private car / transfer
- Time
- 3–3.5 hours
- Cost
- ~1,800–2,800 MAD / vehicle
- Best for
- Families, groups, scenic stops
CTM / Supratours bus
- Time
- 4.5–5.5 hours
- Cost
- ~100–150 MAD / person
- Best for
- Fallback when train seats sell out
Flight (via Casablanca)
- Time
- Slower than driving
- Cost
- Not recommended
- Best for
- No useful direct route — skip it
Indicative 2026 figures. Fares move with fuel, season and demand — confirm before you book. MAD = Moroccan dirham.
The direct train from Tangier to Fes
For most independent travellers, the train is the answer. ONCF, the national railway, runs direct conventional services between Tangier Ville — the central station beside the city and the old port — and Fès station several times a day, taking roughly three and a half to four hours. The line runs east across the plains through Sidi Kacem; it is smooth, air-conditioned and a far calmer experience than the road.
One point trips people up: Tangier's gleaming Al Boraq high-speed line — Africa's first — runs south to Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca, not east to Fes. So there is no high-speed train to Fes. You take a standard inter-city train instead. It is still comfortable; just do not expect the 320 km/h Al Boraq experience on this leg.
Book at the station counter, through the ONCF Voyages app, or at oncf-voyages.ma. First class (première) buys you a reserved seat and more space for a few extra dirhams — worth it on weekends, holidays and through the summer, when second class fills up. Arrive fifteen minutes early; Moroccan trains are generally punctual.
CTM and Supratours buses
If the train is full, the coach is a dependable alternative. CTM and Supratours (the rail company's bus arm) both run modern, air-conditioned coaches from Tangier to Fes, taking around four and a half to five and a half hours depending on stops. Fares are similar to the train. Book ahead online or at the bus station, keep the small luggage-handling fee in coins, and use CTM or Supratours rather than the cheaper, less reliable local lines for an inter-city trip of this length.
Private car and transfer — and why it is often the smart choice
A private transfer covers Tangier to Fes in about three to three and a half hours on the A1 motorway, door to door, with no station changes and no luggage to wrestle. For two to four people, the per-head cost narrows considerably against buying separate train tickets — and you gain something the train cannot offer: the ability to stop.
The train and bus routes both bypass the north's best detours. Drive, and the same journey can take in Chefchaouen, the blue city in the Rif; the Roman ruins of Volubilis; and the imperial town of Meknes — arriving in Fes by evening having seen three sights instead of a train window. This is the route we run most often for guests crossing on the ferry who want their first day in Morocco to be more than a transit.
Should you fly from Tangier to Fes?
No. There is no useful scheduled flight directly linking Tangier and Fes; any air option connects through Casablanca, and once you add the airport transfers, check-in and waiting, it takes longer than simply taking the 3.5-hour train or driving. Keep flying in reserve for the longer hops — Tangier to Marrakech, say — where the distance genuinely justifies it.
Which option should you pick?
- Solo or a couple, watching the budget: the direct ONCF train. Easy, comfortable, frequent.
- Family or small group: a private transfer — the per-person maths usually wins, and the comfort certainly does.
- You want to see Chefchaouen, Volubilis or Meknes en route: a private car is the only way to do it in one journey.
- Train sold out, or you simply prefer the coach: CTM or Supratours.
- Short on time across all of Morocco: still take the train for this leg, and save flying for the long Marrakech hops.
However you travel, Fes is the natural second act after Tangier. See our destinations guide and private tours for routes that connect the two — including the scenic transfer via the Rif and Volubilis.
Frequently asked
How long does it take to get from Tangier to Fes?
By train it is roughly 3.5 to 4 hours on the direct daytime ONCF services, longer if you connect via the Al Boraq high-speed line to Kenitra and change. By private car or transfer it is about 3 to 3.5 hours on the A1 motorway with no stops. CTM and Supratours buses take around 4.5 to 5.5 hours. There is no scheduled commercial flight between the two cities — flying would mean routing through Casablanca, which is slower than driving.
Is there a direct train from Tangier to Fes?
Yes. ONCF runs direct conventional trains between Tangier Ville station and Fès station several times a day, taking about 3.5 to 4 hours. Tangier's Al Boraq high-speed line runs south to Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca rather than east to Fes, so for Fes you take a standard inter-city train, not the TGV-style Al Boraq. Buy tickets at the station counter, the ONCF app or oncf-voyages.ma, and reserve a seat in first class on busy days.
How much does it cost to travel from Tangier to Fes?
As a rough guide for 2026: a second-class train ticket is usually around 100–140 dirhams (about 9–13 euros) and first class around 150–200 dirhams; a CTM or Supratours bus is similar, roughly 100–150 dirhams. A private car transfer for the whole vehicle typically runs from about 1,800–2,800 dirhams depending on vehicle and season, which makes sense for two to four people who value door-to-door comfort. Prices move with fuel and demand, so treat these as indicative.
What is the best way to get from Tangier to Fes?
For solo travellers and couples on a budget, the direct ONCF train is the easiest and most comfortable public option. For families, small groups, or anyone wanting to stop in Chefchaouen, Meknes or Volubilis on the way, a private transfer is the better choice because the train and bus routes do not pass those places. The CTM bus is a reliable fallback when train seats sell out.
Can I stop in Chefchaouen on the way from Tangier to Fes?
Not by train or direct bus — neither serves Chefchaouen, which sits up in the Rif off the main corridor. The only practical way to link Tangier, Chefchaouen and Fes in one journey is by private car, turning the transfer into a scenic day that takes in the blue city and, if you wish, Volubilis and Meknes before arriving in Fes by evening. This is one of the most popular routes we run.
Is it better to fly from Tangier to Fes?
No. There is no useful direct flight between Tangier and Fes; any air route connects through Casablanca and, once you add check-in, transfers and waiting, takes longer than the 3.5-hour train or the 3-hour drive. Save flying for longer hops such as Tangier to Marrakech when you are short on time.
Which Tangier station do trains to Fes leave from?
From Tangier Ville, the central station near the city and port — not Tanger Med, the cargo and ferry port 40 km east. If you arrive on the Tarifa fast ferry at Tangier Ville port you are walking distance from connections; if you land at Tanger Med you will need a shuttle or taxi into the city first. Always confirm your departure is from Tangier Ville.
Tangier to Fes, made simple
We'll get you to Fes — direct or the scenic way.
A straight private transfer on the A1, or a slow drive through Chefchaouen, Volubilis and Meknes arriving in Fes by evening. Tell us your dates and we'll build the day around them.
Arrange a transfer