Staying in Fes
Fes Airport to the Medina: Transfer, Taxi and Bus Options
Private transfer, grand taxi or bus: how to reach your riad from Fes–Saïss airport, and how the final few minutes on foot through the medina work.
5 min read
Arriving in Fes is straightforward as far as the medina gates, then it takes a little organising: no cars enter the lanes of Fes el-Bali. Here is how to get from Fes–Saïss airport to your riad, which option to choose depending on your budget and arrival time, and how the final stretch on foot works. If you have not chosen your accommodation yet, our guide on where to stay in Fes will help you find an area that is easy to reach.
Fes–Saïss airport at a glance
Fes–Saïss International Airport (code FEZ) lies about fifteen kilometres south of the city. Its modern terminal receives direct flights from many European cities, notably in France, Belgium, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, as well as domestic flights. From North America, travellers usually reach Fes via Casablanca or a major European hub; we cover these routes in how to get to Fes.
In the arrivals hall you will find ATMs and mobile operator counters selling SIM cards. Withdraw some dirhams as soon as you land: our Fes travel tips explain why.
Option 1: a private transfer arranged by your riad
This is the option we recommend, especially on a first visit. The driver waits at the exit with a sign bearing your name, loads your luggage and drives you in twenty to thirty minutes to the medina gate closest to your riad. There, a porter or a member of the riad’s team walks you to the house.
The price is agreed in advance, there is nothing to negotiate and nobody leaves you in the wrong place. If your flight is delayed, the driver follows the actual landing time. It is particularly reassuring if you arrive late.
Option 2: a grand taxi from the airport
Grand taxis wait outside the terminal. Fares from the airport are fixed and usually displayed; always confirm the price before getting in and name the medina gate you want (Bab Rcif, Bab Bou Jeloud, Batha and so on). The driver will drop you at that gate but cannot take you to the riad door: let your accommodation know your arrival time so someone comes to meet you.
Option 3: bus and petit taxi, for tight budgets
A city bus line links the airport with Fes railway station. From there, a red petit taxi with a meter takes you to the medina in ten to fifteen minutes. It is the cheapest solution but takes time and patience with luggage; it suits light travellers arriving during the day.
The final stretch: from the medina gate to the riad
This is the step that surprises newcomers. The taxi stops at a gate or a square, and you continue on foot through the lanes. Medina porters carry luggage on small handcarts; your riad can book one for you. Allow a few minutes’ walk depending on where the house is.
Strangers sometimes offer to guide you to your address. Decline politely if your riad is meeting you: it is the simplest way to avoid misunderstandings. Our tips for getting around with peace of mind are in is Fes safe? and our Fes medina guide.
Arriving in Fes at night
Many flights land late in the evening. The medina is calm at night, but its lanes are dimly lit and the shops are closed: this is when an organised transfer really proves its worth. Give the riad your flight number, keep its WhatsApp number handy and let yourself be guided. The next morning you will discover the medina in daylight, well rested.
From the train station or bus station
If you arrive by train, Fes station is in the new town, ten to fifteen minutes by taxi from the medina. Red petit taxis wait outside the station; ask for the meter to be switched on. The CTM and private bus stations are also connected to the medina by taxi. Again, let your riad know so someone meets you at the gate.
Leaving Fes: getting back to the airport
For an international flight, plan to reach the airport about two hours before departure, so leave the riad two and a half to three hours before. The porter walks you to the medina gate, where the driver is waiting. If your flight is in the evening, most riads will keep your luggage after you check out.
Transfers with La Petite Maison
Our riad is a five-minute walk from Rcif square, one of the most convenient medina entrances by car. We arrange transfers from Fes–Saïss airport, about twenty minutes’ drive away, or from the station, a quarter of an hour away: our driver drops you at Bab Rcif, where a porter is waiting to take you and your luggage to the riad. Just tell us your arrival time when you book, on our contact page. To plan the rest, browse our rooms and the riad, and read why it often pays to book your riad direct.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Fes airport to the medina?
About twenty to thirty minutes by car to the medina gates, depending on traffic and the gate, then a few minutes on foot to the riad.
Can a taxi take me to my riad’s door?
Only as far as the medina gate. No cars enter the lanes of Fes el-Bali; you finish on foot, ideally accompanied by a porter or someone from the riad.
Is there a bus from Fes airport to the city?
Yes, a city bus links the airport with the railway station. From there, a metered petit taxi takes you to the medina. It is cheap but less practical with luggage.
What should I do if I arrive in Fes late at night?
Book a transfer with your riad and share your flight number. The driver tracks the landing time and someone walks you to the house.
