A trip from Fes to Marrakech is a swift journey that entails treating your eyes with the cultural and natural gems of Morocco. The experience depends on how you want to make the trip. Flying, by train, bus, personal wheels— everything is possible, making the trip as customizable and immersive as you want it to be.
In general, flying is fast, trains are a norm, and wheels are comfortable. In this helpful guide, we’re exploring top travel options, exciting stopovers, and highlights of the trip from Fes to Marrakech.
Top Things to Consider on Your Fes to Marrakech Trip
To enjoy a trip to remember, there are a few essential things you must consider on your Fes to Marrakech trip, such as:
Which Route to Take
You must research well before opting for the journey to Marrakech from Fes. There are multiple routes to take, especially regarding the modes of transportation. Depending on your preference for comfort, time, and choice of activities, choose a viable route that suits you.
Which Places to Visit
A journey from Fes to Marrakech will be incomplete without visiting certain places on the way. Research online, ask an experienced tourist or hire a guide to make a plan to check out the places suitable to your time and route.
What Activities to Take Part in
Traveling isn’t just about sightseeing, it’s also about taking part in exciting activities on the way. A journey from one of Morocco’s finest cities to another offers the chance of thrilling and mind-blowing activities, such as hiking, a camel ride on the Sahara desert, skiing on Ifrane trails, and more.
Expenses During Journey
Budget is an important factor to consider while traveling to Marrakech. However, if you’re smart enough, you can find some reasonable accommodation, meals, and transport options along with fun activities. Dorms or hostels may allow $8-$10 per night, some with free breakfast. Besides, buying souvenirs and local handcrafts is also quite inexpensive in Moroccan souks.
Travel Options from Fes to Marrakech
To start with, let’s look at some of the top travel options from Fes to Marrakech. Each option has its perks and downsides. Choose what suits your needs the best based on the following options:
Flying from Fes to Marrakech
Quick Overview: Flying is the fastest and the most secure traveling option from Fes to Marrakech.
Duration: Total flight time is around 1 hour and 10 minutes on a direct flight.
Departure Location: Fès-Saïss Airport
Arrival Location: Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK)
Ideal For:
- Travelers on a business trip
- Those seeking speed over byroad lags
- Tourists on a tight schedule
Cost: Around $35 to $500 (depending on flight and seat type)
Pros:
- The fastest trip option
- Range of affordable to premium flight tickets
- Secure travel
- Best for business trips with tight schedules
- Avoidance of layovers
Cons:
- Unable to enjoy the Moroccan landscape
- Costlier travel option to its bus or train counterparts
If you’re on a fast trip, flying is your best option. It’s just a little above an hour on a direct flight, which you most probably should go for. There are frequent flights from Fes-Saïss to Marrakech Menara, which gives flexibility in scheduling your trip.
Flight tickets are affordable whereas each airport has access to city centers. So, if you’re preferring velocity to scenic landscapes, flying is your best option.
Train Travel from Fes to Marrakech
Quick Overview: A comfortable, compact, and scenic journey from Fes to Marrakech.
Duration: With a single stop at Casablanca Voyageurs Station, the train journey takes about 6 to 7 hours in total.
Departure Location: Fes Railway Station
Arrival Location: Marrakech Train Station/ Marrakech Voyageurs Station
Ideal For:
- Those who want to enjoy the Moroccan countryside’s panoramic view
- Those who love chit-chatting with local passengers and tourists
- Tourists who want to enjoy a classic high-speed train journey rather than flying
Cost:
First Class Trains:$30 to $40
Second Class Trains: $10 to $25
Pros:
- Gives you a comfortable 7-hour journey in a spacious carriage
- Ability to enjoy Morocco’s landscapes, highways, Sahara desert and dunes, and Atlas mountain views
- Chance to walk through the carriage while mingling with local people
- Watching Moroccan timeless scenic views
Cons:
- A much slower journey than flying
- During peak times, overcrowded cars in a train can be irritating
- The long journey may be too tiring
Trains are a comfortable, standard journey option from Fes to Marrakech. Class A or Standard trains are available; however, you must book your tickets in advance to get seats. You’ll enjoy the eye-soothing views through windows between the two cities while engaging in cultural exchanges with passengers on your way.
Bus Travel from Fes to Marrakech
Quick Overview: While not as comfortable as a train or plane, taking a bus from Fes to Marrakech is the most economical solution.
Duration: 7 to 9 hours, depending on how early you start and stops along the way.
Departure Location: Fes Bus Terminal (CTM or Supratours)
Arrival Location: Marrakech Bus Terminal (CTM or Supratours)
Ideal For:
- Those who love long journeys by bus
- Those who enjoy scenic drives and adventurous course
- Travelers looking for economical trips from Fes to Marrakech
- Students, couples, or first-timers
Cost: $20 to $30
Pros:
- The most economical mode of journey from Fes to Marrakech
- An adventurous road trip opportunity
- Opportunity to treat the eyes with Moroccan landscape and snow-capped Atlas mountains
- Chances to enjoy a modern bus journey with rest stops on the route
Cons:
- The journey duration may exceed the regular 8 hours sometimes
- A less enjoyable and enduring travel compared to a plane or train
Nearly a 500-kilometer journey, a bus ride from Fes to Marrakech can be a wonderful experience on a budget. Apart from enjoying the captivating landscape of Morocco, you can go sightseeing in various places like Fes El Bali, Ait Benhaddou (a UNESCO heritage site), Todra Gorges, etc.
Driving from Fes to Marrakech
Quick Overview: A more flexible, fun, and long drive from Fes to Marrakech, covering a distance of more than five hundred kilometers.
Duration: 5-6 hours drive from Fes through Casablanca to Marrakech.
Departure Location: Depends on your rental facility or accommodation in Fes.
Arrival Location: Marrakech
Ideal For:
- Independent travelers who love adventurous road trips.
- Those looking to avoid expensive flights as well as congested train travel.
- Those who care to explore cityscapes and stops between Fes and Marrakech, such as Maknes, Volubilis, Erfoud, etc.
Cost: Around $120 to $160, including fuel and tolls.
Pros:
- Not bound by a tight schedule while traveling.
- Able to rest or enjoy particular scenic views, such as the ruins of Volubilis, Todra Gorges, Dades Valley, etc.
- No layovers or excess time spared in regular stops.
- Comfortable journey in your own space.
Cons:
- Higher costs as compared to train and bus.
- Possibility of losing track of the destination.
- Long-drive fatigue and chances of car damage.
Although driving may not be recommended for those who aren’t accustomed to the Moroccan highways or hill tracks, it’s a lifetime experience to do so. From Fes to Marrakech, you’ll enjoy the freedom of travel, allowing yourself to drive on a different track than bustling city roads and highways.
Popular Stopovers Between Fes and Marrakech
Once your transport from Fes to Marrakech is sorted out, take a look at these grand stopovers en route to enrich your expedition.
1. Meknes
Overview:
Often referred to as the “Versailles of Morocco,” Meknes is known for its unique vibrancy that blends history into modern charm. Its grand architecture, imperial history, and relaxed atmosphere can be a must-visit stop-off on your way to Marrakech.
Highlights:
Bab el-Mansour Gate: Serving as the main entrance to the old medina, Bab el-Mansour Gate is one of the most iconic structures of Meknes. Its intricate tile work and monumental size make it a unique attraction.
Royal Stables: The royal stables were a monumental and important structure during the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail. It allegedly held more than ten thousand Arabian horses owned by the sultan.
Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail: The final resting place of the ambitious sultan Moulay Ismail, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail is a grand courtyard that attracts hundreds of tourists every year. However, non-Muslims aren’t permitted to enter, but they can observe its beauty from the outside.
Dar Jamai Museum: Dating back to the nineteenth century, Dar Jamai Museum houses traditional Moroccan art and craft, including jewelry, textiles, ceramics, and so on. Its verdant garden and tile works also attract tourists.
2. Ifrane
Overview:
Ifrane is unique in its naturally gifted features. At 1700 meters high, this alpine-style tourist spot boasts manicured gardens, skiing trails, and a resort-like facility. It’s not overrated when they call it the “Little Switzerland” in Morocco.
Highlights:
Al Akhawayn University: One of the most expensive educational institutions in Morocco, Al Akhawayn University is a top tourist spot from Fes to Marrakech. Its ochre buildings feature mountain chalets and orange alpine-style roofs.
Lake Daït Aoua: Near Cave Mi Fatima and between Fez and Ifrane, the man-made Lake Daït Aoua is an artistic place to unwind from travel lag. It’s surrounded by cedar trees and hills.
National Park of Ifrane: Nothing can be more refreshing than visiting a place with a natural ecosystem when resting from a tiring journey. The National Park of Ifrane offers hiking trails, lakes, and most attractively, the endangered Macaques, a rare monkey species in Morocco.
3. Volubilis
Overview:
Situated in Jebel Zerhoun Plain, this ancient Roman city ruin stands as an architectural wonder. What’s left can give you a glimpse into its magnificent Hellenistic culture. A perfect place to pull over while traveling to Marrakech.
Highlights:
Well-Preserved Ruins: The Volubilis ruins are well-preserved and it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Notable features of this place are baths, capitol, triumphal arch, and basilica.
Mosaics: One of the top highlights of Volubilis is its mosaic art. It speaks of the ancient Roman history and culture in North Africa, depicting their artistic passion and value.
Panoramic Views: The triumphal arch, twin hills of Moulay Idris, and the Aqueducts are three points from where breathtaking panoramic views of Volubilis can be enjoyed.
4. Midelt
Overview:
Another fascinating point to stop while traveling from Fes to Marrakech is Midelt, a popular market town at Merzouga. Located between the high and middle Atlas Mountains, it’s a historical crossroads for many civilizations like the French and Berber tribes.
Highlights:
Jebel Ayachi: An ideal place to rest in between the tour, Jebel Ayachi is surrounded by hills and valleys. Its grassland and water sources are suitable for goat herding while its foothill can give you the relaxation you need.
Berber Market: Since Midelt is a market town, it offers an authentic Berber shopping vibe to the tourists. Vendors and visitors keep the market vibrant with talks, bargains, and spicy fragrances. You can buy crafts, blankets, or carpets if needed.
Apple Orchards: Midelt is also known as “Apple City” due to its affluent production of mainly apples and other fruits. The best seasons to visit this place are spring and autumn, when ripe apples are blooming in the trees.
5. Azrou
Overview:
Azrou is a historical Berber town that’s rich in nature. It’s situated at an altitude of 1250 meters while surrounded by cedar and pine-cladded forests, hills, open meadows, and a wide range of wildflowers. Its naturistic features and historical richness make it one of the popular stopovers between Fes and Marrakech.
Highlights:
Cedar Forests: Locally known as Cedar Gouraud, Cedar Forests are one of the top highlights of Azrou. Walking around the forest on a bright sunny day with family is something to long for. The local monkeys will bond with you and your kids, entertaining you all the way around.
Berber Markets: On Tuesday, you can visit the Berber markets of Azrou. You’ll love walking through the shops and buying local crafts, olives, or honey.
Weaving Workshop: If you can manage, spend about half a day in the weaving workshop in Azrou. From 10 am to 2 pm, the workshop teaches you how to weave using a handloom, make rugs, and more.
Parting Thoughts
So, that’s all about the exciting Fes to Marrakech trip, including the best travel options as well as some fantastic stopovers to check out. We’ve tried to give you a snapshot of what to expect in this exhilarating journey. You may do further research before packing and setting off.
If you are a traveler and looking to tour Morocco, taking a customized desert trip from Fes to Marrakech is an ideal choice. You can enjoy the diverse highlights of Morocco along the way and experience a memorable journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to get from Fes to Marrakech?
Flying is the best way to get from Fes to Marrakech on a swift pursuit. However, to freely enjoy Moroccan landscapes, local cultures, and natural beauties, driving a rental is the best mode of transport.
Is there a sleeper train from Fes to Marrakech?
No sleeper train is available from Fes to Marrakech. The available trains are First Class and Second Class.
What is the cheapest way to travel from Fes to Marrakech?
Traveling by bus from Fes to Marrakech is the cheapest among various modes of transport. Also, there are cheap flights and trains that will cost a bit more than a public bus.
How long is the bus from Fes to Marrakech?
Including stops, traffic, and weather conditions, it may take about seven to nine hours on a bus from Fes to Marrakech.
Are there direct flights between Fes and Marrakech?
Of course. There are a number of direct flights between Fes and Marrakech, such as Air Arabia, Ryanair, Alitalia, etc.
Is there a fast train to Marrakech?
No. Morocco does have a high-speed train named Al Boraq, but its stops are in Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier.