Fes to Meknes

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Fes and Meknes are Morocco's pair of neighbouring imperial cities, close enough that a day trip between them is entirely comfortable — and the ONCF train makes it almost effortless. This is one of the shortest, simplest hops in the country, with frequent trains covering the distance in well under an hour.

The easy way: the ONCF train

Morocco's national rail operator, ONCF, runs frequent trains between Fes and Meknes throughout the day, with the fastest services covering the roughly 60 km in about 40 minutes. Trains run at least hourly, often more, making this one of the most convenient short hops anywhere on the Moroccan network — there is rarely a need to plan much beyond turning up at the station.

Both stations sit close to their respective city centres: Fes's main station is a short taxi or reasonable walk from the Ville Nouvelle and a longer one from the medina, while Meknes station (Gare Al Amir Abdelkader) is likewise close to the new town, with the historic medina and imperial city a short taxi ride further. Trains have first- and second-class carriages; second class is perfectly comfortable for a journey this short, and reservations are not required — simply buy a ticket at the station and board.

The alternative: buses and shared taxis

CTM and Supratours both run buses on this corridor, and shared grand taxis (the intercity shared-taxi system common across Morocco) also connect the two cities, departing when full from designated ranks. Neither is faster than the train, and the price difference is marginal, so the bus and taxi mainly suit travellers already at a bus station rather than near the railway, or those making a wider loop that a shared taxi happens to cover — much like the coach options covered in our Fes to Chefchaouen guide.

Driving between the two

The drive takes about an hour on a good road, and having a car does let you detour to sites like Volubilis, the excellently preserved Roman ruins that sit almost exactly between the two cities, or Moulay Idriss, the hillside pilgrimage town nearby. If those stops are on your list, a car or a half-day taxi tour makes more sense than the train; if you are simply moving between the two cities, the train is faster and less stressful than parking in either medina.

Which should you choose?

Take the train. At around 40 minutes, frequent, cheap and needing no advance booking, there is little reason to choose anything else unless you specifically want to stop at Volubilis or Moulay Idriss along the way, in which case a car or organised half-day trip is worth arranging instead. If you are continuing north afterwards, see our North Africa entry requirements guide for Morocco's visa basics.

Station orientation at both ends

Fes's main railway station, Gare de Fès, sits in the Ville Nouvelle, a straightforward taxi ride or roughly 20–30 minute walk from the medina depending on where in the old city you are staying — most visitors take a petit taxi given the distance and the medina's maze-like streets. Meknes station, Gare Al Amir Abdelkader, is similarly positioned in the newer part of the city; the historic imperial quarter and Bab Mansour, Meknes's most famous gate, are a short taxi ride away rather than walkable with luggage.

Comfort and what to expect on board

ONCF trains on this short route are straightforward: clean, air-conditioned second-class carriages with adequate luggage racks for a day-trip bag or small suitcase. There is no catering trolley on a journey this short, so bring water if you prefer, though it is rarely a hardship for a 40-minute ride. First class offers a little more space and slightly quieter carriages, at a small premium over second, and is worth it mainly if you specifically value extra elbow room rather than for any real difference in journey time.

Practical tips for first-time travellers

• Buy your ticket at the station counter or from ONCF's ticket machines shortly before departure — there is rarely a need to book far ahead for this short, frequent service.
• Keep small denomination dirhams handy for petit taxis at either end, since drivers do not always have change for larger notes.
• If you plan to visit Volubilis independently rather than by car or tour, a taxi from Meknes is generally more practical than trying to reach the site by public transport.
• Both cities' medinas are best explored on foot once you arrive — comfortable shoes are more useful than any particular transport choice.

A common mistake to avoid

Travellers sometimes assume Fes and Meknes are close enough to combine into a single rushed day alongside Volubilis and Moulay Idriss — in practice, seeing all four properly is a full day at minimum, and trying to also fit in Meknes's own imperial sights on the same day as Volubilis often means shortchanging one or the other. If time allows, an overnight stop in Meknes lets you see both the city and the surrounding sites without rushing.

Money and timing notes

Fares on this route are modest even by Moroccan standards, and second class is perfectly adequate for the short hop — there is little practical reason to pay extra for first class unless the train happens to be unusually busy. Trains run throughout the day into the early evening, so there is rarely a need to plan tightly around a specific departure; simply check the board on arrival at the station and take the next convenient service.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the train from Fes to Meknes?

About 40 minutes on the fastest ONCF services, with trains running at least hourly through the day.

Do I need to book the train in advance?

No. Reservations are not required for this short domestic route — buy your ticket at the station and board the next available service.

Can I visit Volubilis on the way?

Not by train, since the Roman ruins sit off the railway between the two cities. A car, taxi or organised tour is the way to combine Fes, Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes in one day.

Is the bus cheaper than the train?

Fares are broadly similar and the train is faster, so there is rarely a cost advantage to taking the bus on this particular route.