Fastest ~4h by train
| 🚆 Train | ~4h | ONCF direct via Meknes, may connect to Al Boraq near Tangier |
| 🚌 Bus | ~5–6h | CTM/Supratours, cheaper but slower |
| 🚗 Car | ~4–5h | 350km on toll motorway network |
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Fes to Tangier links Morocco's spiritual and imperial heartland with its gateway to Europe on the Strait of Gibraltar, and the train is the obvious way to cover the roughly 350 km between them. The route has been transformed in recent years by Morocco's high-speed rail investment, though the fastest connection is not always a single seamless service.
The main way: the ONCF train
A direct ONCF train covers Fes to Tangier in around 4 hours, running through Meknes and the agricultural plains before curving up towards the coast. Trains run several times a day, are comfortable in both first and second class, and arrive at Tangier Ville station, close to the medina and port — a far easier arrival than any bus station. Reservations are not compulsory in the way they are on France's TGV, but buying ahead online through ONCF's booking platform is sensible in peak season.
The Al Boraq note
Morocco's Al Boraq high-speed line — Africa's first — runs at up to 320 km/h, but only on the newer northern section between Tangier and Kenitra (with onward classic-line running to Rabat and Casablanca). Fes sits south-east of that high-speed section, so a Fes–Tangier journey is not a pure high-speed run: it is a direct conventional service, or in some timetables a connection via Kenitra onto the Al Boraq line for the final fast leg into Tangier. Either way, journey time lands in a similar bracket; check the current ONCF timetable, since scheduling between the classic and high-speed sections is periodically adjusted.
The cheaper way: the bus
CTM and Supratours both run coaches on this corridor, taking somewhat longer than the train — typically 5–6 hours — at a lower fare. Buses are a reasonable option if the train times do not suit, or if you are connecting onward by bus anyway, but for most travellers the time saving on the train outweighs the modest cost difference.
Driving the route
The drive is around 350 km and takes roughly 4–5 hours on Morocco's toll motorway network, similar to the train once you allow for the fact that the train needs no parking at the other end. It is worth considering only if you want a car in Tangier itself, perhaps to continue to Chefchaouen (see our Fes to Chefchaouen guide) or explore the north coast.
Which should you choose?
The train is the easiest option for almost every traveller: comfortable, reasonably quick, and dropping you close to central Tangier rather than at an out-of-town bus terminal. Choose the bus only to save money, and drive only if a car serves your onward plans. If you are arriving from Europe by ferry rather than continuing overland within Morocco, check our North Africa entry requirements guide first.
Finding your station in Fes
Fes's ONCF station sits a little outside the medina, reachable by petit taxi in a few minutes from most riads and hotels in the old town. Arrive with some cushion before departure, as station security and ticket checks can add a few minutes, and the concourse is straightforward but not large. At the Tangier end, Tangier Ville station is genuinely central — a short taxi ride or a walkable distance from the medina and the port area, a notable advantage over bus stations that tend to sit further from the centre in Moroccan cities.
Comfort and class options
ONCF trains on this route offer both first and second class; first class buys more space, air conditioning that is more reliably effective, and a generally quieter carriage, while second class is perfectly serviceable and considerably cheaper. Both classes have overhead luggage racks suitable for standard suitcases. Buses (CTM in particular) are comfortable and air-conditioned, with an underfloor hold for larger bags, though the ride itself is naturally less smooth than the train over the same distance.
Practical tips and common mistakes
A common point of confusion is assuming the entire route runs on Morocco's high-speed Al Boraq line — as explained above, only the Tangier–Kenitra stretch is true high-speed, so do not expect TGV-style speeds for the whole four hours. Buying tickets at the station in person is straightforward and English is reasonably well understood at ticket windows in major cities, but booking online through ONCF's platform in advance is worth doing in peak season (spring and around major Moroccan holidays) when popular departures can sell out. Keep your passport accessible, as ID checks are more routine on Moroccan trains and at stations than in much of Europe.
Money-saving tips and seasonal notes
Second-class ONCF fares are noticeably cheaper than first class and perfectly comfortable for a journey of this length, so budget-conscious travellers should not feel they are missing much by skipping the upgrade. Booking online in advance rarely unlocks a significant discount on this route in the way French or German high-speed fares reward early purchase — the main reason to book ahead is to guarantee a seat on popular departures rather than to save money. The bus is genuinely the cheapest option if minimising cost matters more than time, particularly CTM's standard (non-express) services.
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to make this journey, avoiding the intense summer heat of the Moroccan interior around Meknes and the plains north of Fes. Ramadan can affect timetables and on-board catering across all Moroccan transport, including this route, so it is worth checking current schedules if travelling during that period.
Winter is generally mild in this part of Morocco, though the coastal stretch near Tangier can be windy and occasionally wet, and it is worth having a layer to hand for the change in climate between the drier interior around Fes and the Atlantic-influenced weather at the strait.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Fes to Tangier?
Around 4 hours on direct ONCF services, running via Meknes and joining or connecting to the Al Boraq high-speed line for the final stretch into Tangier on some schedules.
Is the Al Boraq high-speed train available for this route?
Only partly. Al Boraq's high-speed running is limited to the Tangier–Kenitra section; Fes lies outside that stretch, so the journey is either a direct conventional train or a connection onto the fast line further north.
Do I need to book in advance?
It is not compulsory but is recommended in peak season, since popular departures can sell out. Book via ONCF's website or at the station.
Is the bus much cheaper than the train?
Somewhat, but the time difference (5–6 hours versus around 4) usually makes the train better value for most travellers.
Sources and further reading:
- Timetables and fares: ONCF (oncf-voyages.ma).
- Rail network overview: our Morocco by train guide.
- See also Fes to Meknes, Fes to Chefchaouen and Casablanca to Rabat.