Fes sits squarely on Morocco's best rail line, so trains link it easily to Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier. For Chefchaouen, Volubilis, the Middle Atlas and the desert, you'll want a private driver. The right mix depends on your route and pace.
In this guide
Trains, buses and the private car
The ONCF rail network links Fes and Meknes to Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier, connecting to the Al Boraq high-speed line at Kenitra (Tangier–Casablanca in about two hours). From Fes station in the Ville Nouvelle, trains are the easy, cheap way across the populated north-west spine — Fes to Casablanca runs in roughly three and a half hours. Beyond the rail map — Chefchaouen, Volubilis, the Middle Atlas, the gorges and the Sahara — you'll want a private driver or a long-distance bus (CTM and Supratours are the reliable operators, with a terminal in Fes).
Why most visitors use a private driver
For anything off the rail corridor — the loop to Volubilis and Moulay Idriss, the cedar forests around Ifrane, the road to Chefchaouen, or the long run to Merzouga — a private driver is the comfortable choice: door-to-door from the nearest medina gate to your riad, all your luggage, your own schedule, and the freedom to stop at a viewpoint, an olive press or a Roman ruin on the way. A good driver doubles as a guide and translator.
Taxis and city transport
Within Fes, small red 'petit taxis' handle short hops between the Ville Nouvelle and the medina gates — agree the fare or insist on the meter. Remember that no taxi can enter Fes el-Bali, so you'll be dropped at a gate like Bab Bou Jeloud or Rcif and walk in. Larger 'grand taxis' run fixed intercity routes. For airport arrivals at Fès–Saïss, a pre-booked private transfer with a flight-tracked, name-board pickup spares you the arrivals-hall haggling entirely.
Frequently asked
Is it better to take the train or hire a driver in Morocco?
On the Fes–Meknes–Rabat–Casablanca–Marrakech corridor, the train is fast and cheap. For Chefchaouen, Volubilis, the Middle Atlas and the Sahara — where there's no useful train — a private driver is the comfortable, flexible way to travel.
Should I rent a car in Morocco?
Self-driving is fine on the motorways but pointless inside Fes el-Bali, which is entirely car-free, and demanding on the mountain passes and desert pistes. Most visitors prefer a private driver, who also navigates, translates and guides.
How do I get from the airport to my riad?
Pre-book a private transfer from Fès–Saïss with a fixed price and a name-board pickup. The Fes medina is car-free, so your driver will drop you at the nearest gate and a porter or riad staff member will walk you and your luggage the last few minutes to the door.
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Morocco Travel Costs & Budget
Fes can be done on almost any budget. Mid-range travellers spend roughly US$80–150 per person per day; private, riad-based trips with a local guide and driver typically run US$200–400+ per day depending on season and style.
Planning
Is Morocco Safe to Visit?
Yes — Morocco is one of the safest and most welcoming countries in North Africa for travellers, and Fes is a deeply traditional city used to visitors. The main day-to-day issues are petty scams and the hustle of getting lost in the vast Fes el-Bali medina, both easily managed.
Planning
The Best Time to Visit Morocco
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best all-round times to visit Morocco and to base yourself in Fes — warm days, cool evenings and comfortable conditions for long hours on foot in the Fes el-Bali medina, plus easy day trips to Volubilis, Meknes and the Middle Atlas.