Just crossed the Strait from Spain, or landed in Tangier, and now you want to reach the blue streets of Chefchaouen? Good news: it's an easy half-day trip. The short answer — the CTM bus is the best option for most travellers: around 50–80 MAD (€5–8), about 2 hours 30 minutes, and roughly five departures a day. But there's one mistake that turns this simple journey into a five-hour ordeal, and it comes down to which station you start from. Here's everything you need.
Quick answer: how to get from Tangier to Chefchaouen 🚌
Chefchaouen sits about 115 km southeast of Tangier, up in the Rif Mountains, on the N2–N13 road. There's no train, so your realistic options are the bus, a shared grand taxi, or a private car. For most people, the CTM bus wins on comfort, price and peace of mind.
| Option | Price | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTM bus | 50–80 MAD (€5–8) | ~2h30 | Most travellers: comfort + fixed seat |
| Supratours bus | 50–80 MAD (€5–8) | ~2h30 | Backup when CTM times don't suit |
| Shared grand taxi | 70 MAD/seat (€6–7) | ~2h | Speed and flexible departures |
| Private taxi | 700–850 MAD (€65–80) | ~2h | Door-to-door, groups, luggage |
Prices as of June 2026. You can check current bus times for this route on Mosafir.
The one mistake to avoid: Tangier's two stations ⚠️
This is the detail that catches people out. Tangier has two completely different arrival points, and they sit more than 40 km apart.
- Tanger Ville — the city itself, home to the bus stations, the medina, and the high-speed train link. This is where you want to be.
- Tanger Med — the giant commercial port roughly 50 km east of the city, where many ferries from Spain actually dock. It is not in Tangier.
If you arrive at Tanger Med and assume you're already in Tangier, you'll lose hours. From the port you first need a connecting shuttle or taxi into Tanger Ville (or a direct onward connection), then your Chefchaouen bus. Always check which port your ferry uses before you book it.
Taking the CTM bus (the easy option) ⭐
CTM is Morocco's flagship coach company — air conditioning, assigned seats, luggage tags, and departures that genuinely leave on time. On the Tangier–Chefchaouen route there are around five buses a day, with the first usually near 7:45 AM and the last in the late afternoon.
The ride takes about 2 hours 30 minutes through the green foothills of the Rif. Book online or at the CTM counter; in high season — summer and public holidays — the buses fill up, so reserve ahead if you can. Expect a small luggage fee of around 5–10 MAD per bag at the counter.
One practical note: arrive 20–30 minutes early. CTM doesn't wait for latecomers, and you'll want time to tag your bag and find your seat before it pulls away.
The shared grand taxi (faster, but cosier) 🚖
Grand taxis are the Moroccan classic — usually an old Mercedes or a newer Dacia, shared between six passengers, running on a "fill and go" basis. There's no timetable; the car leaves the moment all six seats are paid for, and on this popular route you rarely wait more than 15–30 minutes during the day.
A seat costs around 70 MAD, a price that's been stable since 2024, and the trip is a touch quicker than the bus — roughly 2 hours, since taxis skip the intermediate stops. Pay the driver in cash, and budget an extra 10–20 MAD if you've got a large suitcase.
Travelling as a couple and want breathing room? Use the "buy the row" trick: pay for the three back seats (around 210 MAD) and you'll have the rear to yourselves instead of squeezing in with strangers.
Supratours and private options 🚐
Supratours, the railway's bus arm, also runs this route a couple of times a day at prices similar to CTM. It's a handy backup when the CTM departure times don't line up with your plans, so it's worth checking both before you commit.
Prefer door-to-door? A private taxi from Tangier to Chefchaouen costs about 700–850 MAD (€65–80) for the whole car. It's the most comfortable choice for families, groups, or anyone with heavy luggage, and you can usually arrange a hotel pickup. Split between four people, the per-head cost isn't far off a grand taxi, with far more room.
Coming straight from Spain by ferry ⛴️
Many travellers reach Chefchaouen as their very first stop after crossing from Spain. The smoothest route is the fast ferry from Tarifa to Tanger Ville, which takes about an hour and lands you right in the city — walking distance, or a short petit taxi, from the bus station.
Ferries from Algeciras are frequent and often cheaper, but many of them sail to Tanger Med, the port 50 km east. If you land there, factor in the extra connection into the city before your onward bus. For a same-day push to Chefchaouen without a car, Tarifa → Tanger Ville is the better choice every time.
Arriving in Chefchaouen 🔵
The CTM and the grand taxis drop you at Chefchaouen's main station, which sits down in the valley below the old town. It isn't far to the blue medina, but it is uphill, so unless you fancy the climb with your bags, grab a petit taxi for around 20–30 MAD up to the medina entrance — Bab el-Ain is the usual drop-off point.
From there you step straight into the famous indigo lanes. Chefchaouen sits at 564 metres in a natural mountain bowl, founded back in 1471, with deep Andalusian roots. Thanks to the long Spanish presence in this region, you'll find Spanish widely understood here alongside Arabic.
Local tips and the best time to go 💡
A few things worth knowing before you set off:
- Go early. The first morning bus gives you a full day in the Blue City and the best light for photos before the day-trippers arrive.
- Carry cash. Grand taxis, petit taxis and small cafés are cash-only, and ATMs in Chefchaouen can run dry on busy weekends.
- Best seasons: spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) bring mild mountain weather. Summer is hot and busiest; winter evenings turn genuinely cold at altitude.
- Day trip or overnight? You can do it as a long day trip — about five hours of travel round-trip — but the town is at its most magical in the early morning and evening, so staying a night is well worth it.
Where to go next from Chefchaouen 🧭
Most travellers don't stop at the Blue City — it slots neatly into a wider northern loop. Here's roughly how the onward bus connections look.
| From Chefchaouen to | By bus | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fes | ~4.5–5h | The classic next stop; CTM runs it daily |
| Tetouan | ~1h | Quick hop, with frequent grand taxis too |
| Tangier | ~2.5h | Back to the coast and the fast train |
| Rabat | ~4h | Direct buses head to the capital |
If you're building a longer trip, pairing Chefchaouen with Fes is the most popular move — check both legs on Mosafir so the timings line up. Long-distance buses out of Chefchaouen often leave early in the morning, so book the day before and arrive in good time, as seats on these mountain routes are limited.
Frequently asked questions ❓
What's the cheapest way from Tangier to Chefchaouen?
The bus, at around 50–80 MAD (€5–8) one way with CTM or Supratours. A shared grand taxi costs a little more, about 70 MAD per seat, but is slightly faster.
How long is the journey?
About 2 hours 30 minutes by bus, and roughly 2 hours by grand taxi or private car, covering around 115 km on the N2–N13 mountain road.
Is there a train from Tangier to Chefchaouen?
No. Chefchaouen has no railway station, so the bus, a grand taxi or a private car are your only options. The nearest train line is in Tangier itself.
Can I do Chefchaouen as a day trip from Tangier?
Yes, but it's a long day — roughly five hours of travel in total. Take the earliest bus out and a late-afternoon one back. Staying overnight is far more relaxed and rewarding.
Where does the bus drop me in Chefchaouen?
At the main station in the valley below the medina. From there it's a short, uphill petit taxi ride of around 20–30 MAD to the edge of the blue old town.
Plan your trip with Mosafir 🚀
Compare current schedules and operators for this route on Tangier to Chefchaouen, and read more about the Blue City in the Chefchaouen city guide before you go.
Download Mosafir for offline schedules across Morocco: Google Play · App Store