Staying in Fes
How to Get to Fes: Flights, Trains, Buses and Driving
Direct flights from Europe, connections from North America, trains from Casablanca or Tangier, buses and roads: every way to reach Fes.
5 min read
Fes sits at the heart of northern Morocco, halfway between the Atlantic and the desert, and it is well connected to the rest of the country and to Europe. Here are all the ways to get there, from the United States, Canada, the UK or Europe as well as from other Moroccan cities, with the travel times to expect. Once you have planned your route, our guide on where to stay in Fes will help you choose your base.
Flying to Fes from the US and Canada
There are no direct flights between North America and Fes. The simplest option is to fly to Casablanca: Royal Air Maroc flies nonstop from several North American cities, including New York and Montreal, to Mohammed V airport. From Casablanca you have two choices:
- a domestic flight to Fes, of about an hour;
- the train, by going to Casa-Voyageurs station and then on to Fes in just under four hours, via Rabat and Meknes.
The alternative is to connect through a major European hub such as Paris, Madrid or London and take a direct flight to Fes from there. Either way, allow a full travel day and plan to rest on your first evening.
Flying to Fes from the UK and Europe
Fes–Saïss airport receives direct flights from many European cities, operated by both low-cost and full-service airlines. The UK, France, Belgium, Spain and Italy are all well served. Frequencies vary with the season and the airline, so check direct flights for your dates before looking at connections.
Flight time is roughly three hours from London and two and a half to three hours from Paris or Brussels. If no direct flight suits you, Casablanca, Rabat or Tangier are good alternatives, from which you continue to Fes by train.
By train from other Moroccan cities
Train is the most pleasant way to travel in Morocco: comfortable, punctual and inexpensive. Fes station is in the new town, a quarter of an hour by taxi from the medina. Timetables and tickets are on the ONCF website. Approximate journey times:
- Casablanca: about 3 h 45 to 4 h 15;
- Rabat: about 2 h 45;
- Tangier: about 3 hours combining the Al Boraq high-speed train to Kenitra with a conventional train, or a little longer on a direct train;
- Marrakech: about 7 hours on a direct train;
- Meknes: under an hour.
By bus
The CTM and Supratours companies connect Fes with most cities in the country, using comfortable coaches with checked luggage. It is the most practical way to reach Chefchaouen, which has no railway station, in just under four hours. Buses are also handy for the small Middle Atlas towns of Ifrane and Azrou.
By car
Fes is linked by motorway to Rabat and Casablanca, as well as to Meknes. Driving in Morocco is not especially difficult on the main roads, but remember that no cars enter the medina: you will need to leave yours in a guarded car park near a gate, or choose your accommodation accordingly. A car really comes into its own for excursions around Fes; otherwise a driver for the day is often simpler. See our day trips from Fes.
Once in Fes: reaching your riad
From the airport, the station or the bus station, a taxi takes you to the medina gate nearest your accommodation, and you finish on foot. All the details are in our guide to getting from Fes airport to the medina. The easiest solution is to ask your riad to arrange the transfer.
Fes as part of a Morocco itinerary
Fes combines easily with other stops. To the north lie Chefchaouen and Tangier; to the west, Meknes, Volubilis, Rabat and Casablanca; to the south, the crossing of the Middle Atlas to the Merzouga desert and then Marrakech. To build your route, read our 10-day Morocco itinerary, our article on the road from Fes to the Merzouga desert and, if you are unsure how to split your time, our comparison Fes or Marrakech.
When to book
Flights and riads fill up quickly in spring, during European school holidays and in October. Book a few weeks ahead for those periods, and read the best time to visit Fes to choose your season. On the practical side, our Fes travel tips cover entry requirements, money and staying connected.
Arriving at La Petite Maison
Our riad is a five-minute walk from Rcif square, one of the easiest medina gates to reach by car. Whether you arrive by plane, train or bus, we arrange your transfer to Bab Rcif, where a porter walks you to the house. Tell us how and when you are arriving when you book on our contact page, and browse our rooms in the meantime.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights to Fes from the US?
No. Most travellers fly nonstop to Casablanca, which has direct flights from New York and other North American cities, then continue to Fes by train or on a one-hour domestic flight.
How do you get from Casablanca to Fes?
By train in just under four hours from Casa-Voyageurs station, or on a domestic flight of about an hour. The train is comfortable and inexpensive.
How do you get from Marrakech to Fes?
By direct train in about seven hours, by plane on some days, or by road across the Middle Atlas, often with a stop in the Merzouga desert.
Can I fly directly to Fes from London?
Yes, direct flights to Fes–Saïss operate from the UK, with schedules that vary by season. The flight takes roughly three hours.
