How to Get to Chefchaouen: Bus, Taxi & Driving Tips

in Morocco Road Trip Logistics on
how to get to Chefchaouen

I remember standing at Tangier’s bus station, backpack on my shoulders, asking three different people how to actually get to Chefchaouen. Each one gave me a slightly different answer. One guy pointed at a bus. Another waved toward the taxi rank. A third just shrugged and said “go north.” That was two years ago. I’ve been back twice since, and I can tell you now — getting to the Blue City is not complicated. But it does require a little planning, because the town is tucked away in the Rif Mountains and the transport links don’t come to you. You have to go to them.

So if you’re wondering how to get to Chefchaouen, you’re in the right place. This is everything I figured out — the hard way first, then the smart way.

Chefchaouen village nestled in the green Rif Mountains of northern Morocco

The first thing you need to understand is that Chefchaouen has no train station. None. Zero. The closest railway lines stop at Tangier or Souk El Arbaa, and even those aren’t exactly on your doorstep if you’re coming from the south. The Chefchaouen train station simply doesn’t exist — it’s one of the most common searches online, and it always leads to disappointment. The Rif Mountains made sure of that. So whatever your plan is, the last stretch of your journey will be on the road. No way around it.

But honestly? That’s not a bad thing. Because the road up to Chefchaouen is one of the prettier drives in Morocco. We’ll get to that. First, let’s talk about how most people actually do it.

The Gold Standard: CTM Bus from Tangier or Fes

If you ask any solo traveller or budget backpacker how they got to Chefchaouen, nine out of ten will say CTM bus. And for good reason. It’s reliable, it’s affordable, and it drops you off close enough that you don’t have to stress about navigating mountain roads yourself.

The Tangier to Chefchaouen bus takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Straightforward route, mostly paved, no transfers. The ticket costs somewhere between 50 and 70 MAD depending on the season and the company. CTM is the one to book. Not Superpetits, not some random operator — CTM. Their buses are cleaner, more punctual, and the drivers actually stick to the schedule.

From Fes, the journey is longer. The Fes to Chefchaouen transport via CTM takes around 4 hours, and you’re looking at 90 to 110 MAD for the ticket. It’s still the most hassle-free option if you don’t want to rent a car or negotiate taxi prices.

Here’s the thing nobody warns you about, though. CTM bus Chefchaouen booking can sell out. Chefchaouen is a dead-end town logistically — there’s only one main road in and one road out. During peak season (March to May, September to November), buses fill up two or even three days in advance. I learned this the hard way during my first trip when I showed up at the station assuming I could just hop on. I couldn’t. So book online or at the station at least a day before you plan to leave.

One more detail about the bus station: it’s at the bottom of the city. And Chefchaouen is a vertical town. If you’ve got luggage, you’ll want to grab a petit taxi from the gare routière up to the Médina or your riad. It’s a 3-minute ride, costs maybe 10 MAD, and saves you from hauling a suitcase up cobblestone streets.

Grand Taxis: For People Who Hate Schedules

Not everyone wants to wait for a fixed departure time. If that’s you, grand taxis are your answer. They’re shared Mercedes minivans that leave when they’re full — which in practice means you might wait 20 minutes or you might wait an hour. But once they go, they go fast.

The catch is that Chefchaouen isn’t always a direct route for grand taxis. The hub you need to know is Tétouan. Most shared taxis run Tangier → Tétouan, and then Tétouan → Chefchaouen as a separate leg. Tétouan is the transfer point, and it’s unavoidable if you’re going this route. The Tétouan to Chefchaouen shared taxi takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and costs around 35 MAD per person. Not bad at all.

Shared grand taxi Mercedes van parked at Tetouan transport hub ready for Chefchaouen route

Now, if you’d rather not share a van with five strangers and a crate of oranges, you can also hire a grand taxi to Chefchaouen privately. From Tangier, expect to pay between 600 and 800 MAD for the whole car. That’s for the vehicle, not per person. Split it with two or three travel buddies and it’s actually cheaper than the bus. The ride itself takes about 2 hours.

Read More: Choosing Your Vehicle →

Choosing between a shared grand taxi and a private hire comes down to one question: how much is your time worth? Shared taxis are cheaper per person, but you’re at the mercy of when the van fills up. I’ve waited 45 minutes in Tétouan for a shared taxi to Chefchaouen during a quiet Tuesday afternoon. During summer? That wait shrinks to nothing because everyone’s heading the same direction.

Private hire gives you control. You pick the time, you set the pace, and the driver takes you door to door. It’s especially worth it if you’re travelling with kids or if you have a lot of luggage. The 600–800 MAD price range is fairly stable year-round, though some drivers might try to push it to 1000 MAD during peak season. Don’t accept that without negotiating. 800 MAD is the realistic ceiling for a Tangier–Chefchaouen private taxi.

One thing I’d add: if you’re coming from Tétouan specifically, the grand taxi system is incredibly efficient. Tétouan’s taxi stand is well-organised, the drivers know the mountain roads, and 35 MAD for a shared ride is genuinely hard to beat. Don’t overthink it — just show up, find the Chefchaouen sign, and get in.

Guarded parking area near the entrance to Chefchaouen Medina in Morocco

If you’re renting a car in Morocco, the drive to Chefchaouen is genuinely one of the highlights of any road trip route in the north. The road from Tangier winds through the Rif, green hills on both sides, and the views get better the closer you get. But it’s sinuous. Tight bends, narrow stretches, and the occasional slow truck blocking the lane. It’s not a hard drive — just not one you should rush.

Driving the Rif: Beautiful, But Park Smart

The road itself is fine. Paved, mostly in decent condition, and well-signposted once you’re past Tétouan. What catches people off guard is the parking situation once you actually arrive in Chefchaouen. Because this city was built for walking, not for cars.

Read More: Booking Process & Prices →

Chefchaouen is built into a hillside. The streets in the Médina are narrow — genuinely narrow, like single-file pedestrian narrow in some places. You cannot, and should not, try to drive your rental car into the heart of the city. Full stop.

What you need to do is park at one of the guarded lots near the entrance to town. The two best options are the parking near Place Outa el Hammam, which is right at the edge of the Médina, and the area near the Hôtel Parador, which is slightly higher up but very secure. Both are supervised parking — someone is there watching the cars — and the daily rate is reasonable, around 30 to 50 MAD.

My strongest advice: when you book your riad or hotel, check whether they have parking. Some of the riads just outside the old Médina walls have a small courtyard or an agreement with a nearby lot. If your accommodation includes parking, use it. It takes one entire headache off the table.

Once parked, you walk. And honestly, that’s the way Chefchaouen is meant to be experienced. The moment you leave your car behind and step into those blue-painted alleyways, everything slows down. That’s the point.

Speaking of planning ahead, if you’re coming from Casablanca or Rabat — basically anywhere in the south — there’s a smarter way than driving the whole way. The TGV Al Boraq train from Casa or Rabat to Tangier is fast and comfortable. From there, you pick up a CTM bus or taxi north. It’s a hybrid approach, and honestly it’s the quickest way to cross the country and still end up in Chefchaouen without being exhausted.

From Casablanca or Rabat: The Hybrid Route

The Al Boraq TGV cuts the Casa–Tangier journey down to about 2 hours 30 minutes. That’s half the time it used to take. Then you add 2 to 2.5 hours for the bus or taxi leg up to Chefchaouen. Total travel time from Casablanca? Around 5 hours. Not bad for crossing half the country.

The key is to plan both legs in advance. Book the train ticket online before you travel — they do sell out on weekends and holidays. And as I mentioned earlier, have your onward transport sorted before you arrive in Tangier, especially in high season.

Visual map showing transport routes from Tangier Fes and Tetouan to Chefchaouen Morocco

Comparison Table: Reaching the Blue City

RouteModeTimeCost (approx.)
From TangierBus CTM2h 15min50 – 70 MAD
From TangierPrivate Taxi2h600 – 800 MAD
From FesBus CTM4h90 – 110 MAD
From TétouanGrand Taxi (shared)1h 15min35 MAD
From Casa/RabatTGV + Bus CTM~5h total150 – 200 MAD

Read More: Insurance & Traffic Laws →

If you’re driving your own rental up the Rif, there are a few rules worth knowing before you hit the mountain roads. Speed limits on the national roads around Tétouan and through the Rif are typically 100 km/h, dropping to 60 km/h as you enter any town. Radars are frequent — don’t test it.

Your rental car insurance should cover Morocco automatically if you booked through a reputable agency. But double-check. Some budget rental companies hand you a policy that technically covers “North Africa” but has exclusions buried in the small print. If you rented through one of the major agencies in Marrakech or Fes, you’re almost certainly fine. If not, ask explicitly before you drive north.

One practical tip for the mountain section: take it slow through the curves, especially if it’s been raining. The roads can get slippery, and there are stretches where the guardrail situation is… optimistic, let’s say. It’s not dangerous if you’re paying attention. It just demands respect.

Famous blue-painted alleyway in the heart of Chefchaouen Medina Morocco

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a train to Chefchaouen?

No. There is no Chefchaouen train station and no rail service to the city. The nearest train lines end at Tangier or Souk El Arbaa. You’ll need to complete your journey by bus, taxi, or car.

How long does it take to get to Chefchaouen from Tangier?

By CTM bus, it’s about 2 hours and 15 minutes. By private taxi, closer to 2 hours. By shared grand taxi via Tétouan, add a bit of waiting time but the travel itself is similar.

Can I drive to Chefchaouen?

Absolutely. The road is paved and well-signposted. Just don’t try to drive into the Médina — park at one of the guarded lots near the entrance and walk in. Check out our car rental guide for Morocco if you need help picking a vehicle.

How much does a taxi to Chefchaouen cost?

A shared grand taxi from Tétouan costs around 35 MAD. A private taxi from Tangier runs 600–800 MAD for the whole car. From Fes, private hire would be higher — expect 1,000–1,400 MAD.

Do I need to book the bus in advance?

Yes, especially in high season. CTM buses to Chefchaouen can fill up 2–3 days ahead. Book online or at the station at least one day before your planned departure.

Final Thoughts

Getting to Chefchaouen isn’t complicated. It just takes a little more thought than getting to, say, Marrakech or Fes. The city is isolated by design — tucked into the mountains, away from the main transport corridors. And that isolation is exactly why it feels the way it does when you arrive.

My personal recommendation? If you’re coming from Tangier and you want it simple, take the CTM bus. Book it a day or two ahead, bring a small bag, and enjoy the ride. If you’re travelling with a group and want more flexibility, split the cost of a private taxi. And if you’re planning a longer trip across Morocco, the hybrid train-plus-bus route from the south is genuinely the smartest way to reach the Blue City without burning a full day on the road.

Either way — you’ll get there. And it’ll be worth it.