Marrakech to Fes by Train: Tickets, Classes & Arrival Tips

Quick answer: Marrakech to Fes by train is a practical way to travel between the two cities when your main goal is getting from one to the other. ONCF runs Al Atlas services on this corridor, including direct trains. Plan around seven hours on the train as a guide, then add the journeys to and from the stations. Check the exact duration, stops and any connection on your chosen departure.

I’m Kamal, a nationally licensed Moroccan tour guide based in Marrakech. I have guided travelers across Morocco since 2006. For this journey, I would treat the train as the main activity of the day and keep the first evening in Fes simple. A ticket that looks convenient on a booking page still needs to fit your riad check-in and arrival arrangements.

This guide covers this particular rail journey. My train travel in Morocco guide explains the national network, while my seven-day Morocco itinerary covers the very different route through the Sahara.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Marrakech to Fes by train: the essentials

Journey detail	What to plan for
Operator and service	ONCF Al Atlas; inspect the selected journey for any change of train.
Time on the train	Around seven hours as a planning guide; use the duration shown for your actual travel date.
Stations	Marrakech railway station to Fes railway station; neither is your medina riad’s doorstep.
Ticket choices	Compare first and second class, plus the change and cancellation conditions.
Arrival plan	Arrange the onward journey from Fes station and confirm the nearest vehicle-accessible meeting point for your riad.

Is the Marrakech–Fes train direct?

Direct Al Atlas trains appear in ONCF’s published Marrakech–Fes route programme. Passing through Casablanca does not automatically mean changing trains there. A direct service can stop at many stations while you remain on the same train.

Check the journey details rather than assuming every search result has the same arrangement. If your booking shows a connection, note the transfer station, the time available and whether you receive separate train details for each leg.

Rail works and timetable changes can affect departures. Recheck your reservation and ONCF notices before travelling. I would choose a straightforward journey over a complicated connection simply to save a small amount.

Do not confuse this journey with the Al Boraq high-speed route. The Marrakech–Fes corridor is served by Al Atlas; a photograph of an Al Boraq train on a booking website is not proof that your selected journey uses that service.

How long does the journey really take?

When planning Marrakech to Fes by train, think in terms of a travel day. The train journey is roughly seven hours on many published services, but your total day also includes leaving your accommodation, reaching the station, boarding and getting to your Fes riad.

A morning departure can leave you time to settle into Fes before dinner. A later departure may suit your Marrakech plans better, but tell your accommodation if you will arrive late. I would not book a tightly timed guided visit immediately after the train.

Look at the arrival time before the ticket price. A slightly cheaper departure is not a bargain if it leaves you arranging an unfamiliar medina arrival when you are tired.

How much are Marrakech to Fes train tickets?

There is no single fare that describes every Marrakech to Fes train ticket. The amount depends on the departure, class, fare conditions and availability. Compare the same date and train when checking prices; do not compare a promotional fare for one departure with a flexible fare for another.

Start with ONCF Voyages, select Marrakech and Fes, enter your date and passenger details, then compare the available fares. The booking result is more useful than an old price screenshot or an advertised network-wide “from” fare.

For Marrakech to Fes by train, compare the total for everyone travelling. Add your transport to Marrakech station and from Fes station when comparing the complete journey with another option.

Some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Compare Marrakech–Fes train availability and ticket prices on 12Go. Select your travel date and check that the result is a train journey. Compare the final total, ticket-delivery arrangements and booking conditions with ONCF before paying.

First class or second class: which would I choose?

For Marrakech to Fes by train, I would check the first-class price before deciding. This is a long journey, so extra space can matter more than it does on a short city-to-city ride. Second class remains a reasonable choice when keeping costs down is the priority.

Your priority	My advice
Lowest practical cost	Compare second-class departures and their fare conditions.
More comfort over a long journey	Check the first-class supplement before booking.
Travelling together	Make one booking where possible and review the allocated seats.
A particular seat preference	Use the seat-selection options offered for the chosen service; do not assume every train has the same layout.

Al Atlas uses reserved seating in both classes. First class is not the only way to reserve a seat, and choosing it does not guarantee an empty compartment, working Wi-Fi or a luxury service.

Book Marrakech to Fes by train without the common mistakes

• Select the correct direction, travel date and number of passengers. Enter children’s actual ages so the booking system can show applicable options.
• Open the full journey details. Check departure and arrival stations, duration, train numbers and any connection.
• Compare classes and fare conditions, including what happens if your plans change.
• Review your seat allocations if travelling with a partner or children.
• Complete payment, then make sure the issued ticket or booking confirmation arrives. A bank transaction alone is not your boarding document.
• Download the ticket for offline use and keep the reservation reference accessible.

ONCF’s e-ticket guidance allows tickets to be shown on a phone. Keep your phone charged and the ticket downloaded rather than relying on reception at the platform. A printed backup is useful if you prefer having one.

If a payment fails, check whether a reservation or ticket was actually issued before paying again. You can try the official app, another payment method or the station counter. If using an intermediary, check its own support and refund process.

Getting to Marrakech station and boarding

Marrakech railway station is separate from the airport and the old medina. If you are staying inside the medina, ask your riad where a taxi can collect you and how long the walk to that point takes. Include that walk in your departure plan.

I would aim to reach the station around 30 minutes before departure when the ticket is already arranged, and earlier if buying tickets or travelling with several bags. This is my planning margin, not a substitute for any instructions printed on your ticket.

Use the station departure display and match your train number. A platform can change. Ask railway staff if unsure, then check the carriage and seat shown on the ticket.

Keep your ticket, passport, phone and valuables in a small bag you can manage easily. Have your larger luggage ready before boarding so you are not blocking the doorway while searching for something.

Luggage, food and comfort on the journey

Pack for a long train journey: water, something to eat, tissues, hand sanitiser, a light layer and a charged power bank. I would not make the day depend on a particular onboard food service, socket or internet connection.

ONCF’s luggage rules focus on bags you can carry and stow safely yourself. Keep luggage in the designated storage spaces and leave aisles and doors clear. For oversized items, bikes or unusual equipment, check the operator’s current conditions before booking.

Keep essential medicine, documents and valuables with you. Label larger bags and check that you take the right suitcase when leaving. If using the toilet or moving around the train, keep your valuables secure.

For children, download entertainment and bring familiar snacks. Check seats together before travel, and keep the day after arrival flexible. A long train ride can be manageable, but it is still a long day for a small child.

Download your riad address and arrival instructions too. My Morocco SIM card guide explains local connectivity if you need maps and WhatsApp during the rest of your trip.

Arriving at Fes station and reaching your riad

Fes railway station is outside the old medina. Reaching the station is not the same as reaching your accommodation, especially when the riad is in a pedestrian lane.

Before leaving Marrakech, send your accommodation the train’s expected arrival time. Ask for the nearest practical vehicle drop-off point, a phone number and clear instructions for the final walk. A street address alone may not be enough for an easy first arrival.

Use an identifiable taxi or a transfer arranged through your accommodation. Confirm the destination and how the fare will be calculated before setting off. Do not let an unsolicited offer of “help” change your accommodation or agreed meeting point.

For a medina riad, ask whether someone can meet you at the agreed gate or square, especially after dark or with heavy bags. Confirm any charge for meeting assistance or luggage help in advance.

My Fes travel guide helps you plan the visit after arrival. For this first evening, I would settle in, have dinner nearby and leave the more ambitious sightseeing for the next day.

When I would choose the Sahara route instead

Marrakech to Fes by train is a transport choice, not a way to visit the desert. It does not take you through Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley or Merzouga.

If those places are central to your trip, allow several days for the overland journey instead. My Marrakech–Sahara–Fes itinerary explains that route. If your goal is simply to connect two city stays, the train keeps the plan much simpler.

Marrakech to Fes by train: common questions

My final advice: choose Marrakech to Fes by train when you want a straightforward travel day between the two cities. Book the journey that fits your arrival plan, keep the ticket offline and arrange the station-to-riad step before you leave.