How to Travel from Marrakech to Fes: The Ultimate Guide (2026)

If you are planning a trip to Morocco, there is a very high chance you want to visit both the vibrant “Red City” of Marrakech and the ancient, spiritual capital of Fes.

But looking at a map, you will quickly realize a logistical challenge: these two imperial cities are about 530 kilometers (330 miles) apart, separated by the towering High Atlas Mountains and vast desert landscapes.

So, how do you travel from Marrakech to Fes?

You generally have four options: the train, a bus, a domestic flight, or an overland desert tour. In this guide, we break down the pros, cons, and travel times of each method so you can choose the best option for your itinerary.

1. The Best Way: A 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour

If you have a few days to spare, taking a 3 day 2 night desert tour from Marrakesh to Fes (<- link to your tour) is universally considered the best way to make this journey.

Instead of treating the distance as a boring travel day, this route turns your transit into the highlight of your Moroccan vacation.

How it works:
You are picked up in Marrakech, travel through the spectacular High Atlas Mountains, and explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou. You spend your first night in the Dades Valley, and your second night sleeping under the stars in a luxury Berber camp in the Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) dunes. On the third day, you drive north through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and are dropped off directly at your riad in Fes.

• Pros: You get to see the Sahara Desert, ride camels, sleep in a luxury camp, and cross the country without having to navigate public transport with your luggage.
• Cons: It takes 3 days (though it saves you having to book a separate round-trip desert tour from Marrakech!).
• Who is this for? Travelers who want to see the “real” Morocco, experience the Sahara, and maximize their vacation time.

Have 4 days? Slow down the pace with our 4-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour.

2. The Budget Way: The Train (ONCF)

A common misconception is that there is a direct train from Marrakech to Fes. There is not.

To take the train, you must travel north from Marrakech to Casablanca or Rabat, and then transfer to a different line heading east to Fes. Morocco’s train network, operated by <a href=”https://www.oncf-voyages.ma/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>ONCF</a>, is generally comfortable and reliable, but it does not cut through the mountains.

Cons: It takes an entire day of your vacation, and the scenery along the coastal/northern route is mostly flat agricultural land—you miss the mountains and the desert entirely.

Travel Time: Approximately 6.5 to 7.5 hours (plus transfer time).

Cost: Around 200 – 300 MAD ($20 – $30 USD) for a first-class ticket.

Pros: Cheap, spacious seating, and you can stretch your legs.

3. The Direct Budget Way: The Bus (CTM or Supratours)

If you want to travel directly without transferring trains, taking a tourist-class bus like <a href=”https://ctm.ma/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>CTM</a> or Supratours is a reliable option.

• Travel Time: 8 to 9 hours.
• Cost: Around 180 – 220 MAD ($18 – $22 USD).
• Pros: Direct route, air-conditioned buses, cheap.
• Cons: 8+ hours on a bus is exhausting. You will lose a full day of your trip, and legroom is limited.

4. The Fastest Way: Domestic Flights

If you are incredibly short on time, Air Arabia and Royal Air Maroc occasionally run domestic flights between Marrakech (RAK) and Fes (FEZ).

• Travel Time: 1 hour in the air.
• Cost: $50 – $150 USD depending on the season and how early you book.
• Pros: The fastest transit time.
• Cons: When you factor in traveling to the airport 2 hours early, passing through security, and getting from the Fes airport to the medina, it still takes about 4.5 hours. Furthermore, domestic flights on this route do not operate every day of the week.

Small Group Option: Your Group Only

While our specialty is fully private travel, we also accommodate small group luxury tours Morocco with one strict condition: we only accept groups where all participants already know each other.

• Groups must be from the same country and/or be a pre-formed party of friends, family, or colleagues
• We never combine strangers from different bookings into one vehicle or tour
• Each small group receives the same premium vehicles, drivers, and accommodation standards as our private tours

This policy ensures you maintain the comfort, cultural ease, and privacy that define luxury private tours Morocco, even when traveling with a slightly larger party.

Summary: Which Route Should You Choose?

If you are simply trying to get from point A to point B as cheaply as possible, take the train.

However, if you came to Morocco to see stunning landscapes, experience Berber culture, and ride camels through golden sand dunes, taking the overland route via the Sahara is a no-brainer.

By booking a Marrakech to Fes desert tour, you combine your transportation and your bucket-list desert experience into one seamless, unforgettable adventure.

Ready to cross the Sahara? Contact Morocco Sahara Desert Tours today to check availability and reserve your private 4×4!