The short answer
Take the train if you're travelling light on a budget and don't mind a long day indoors. Choose a private driver if you want door-to-door comfort or to turn the journey into a sightseeing day through Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest — from €310 (3,410 MAD) by Sedan or €355 (3,905 MAD) by Van, per vehicle.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | ONCF train | Private driver |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time | About 7 hours station to station; depending on the departure you may change trains on the way. | About 6h 30m on the motorway (530 km), or a full scenic day via the Middle Atlas. |
| Route & scenery | Via Casablanca and Rabat across the plains — no mountains. | Optional Middle Atlas route: Ifrane, cedar forests and Barbary macaques near Azrou. |
| Door to door | Taxi to Marrakech station, then another from Fes station to the Medina. | Collected at your riad, dropped at the nearest Medina gate in Fes. |
| Luggage | You carry it on and off — tricky with large cases on busy trains. | Loaded for you, free of charge. |
| Price | Cheaper per person, especially in second class. | €310 (3,410 MAD) Sedan · €355 (3,905 MAD) Van, per vehicle. |
The ONCF train: simple, cheap, but a long day indoors
Morocco's national railway, ONCF, connects Marrakech and Fes via Casablanca and Rabat. The trip takes around seven hours, and depending on the departure you may need to change trains along the way. First class is comfortable, but trains can be busy around weekends and holidays.
The route runs across the Atlantic plains, so you won't see the mountains — and you'll still need a taxi at both ends, which matters if you're staying deep in either Medina.
The private driver route through the Middle Atlas
With a private driver you choose the road. The fastest option is the motorway via Rabat. The scenic option crosses the Middle Atlas, turning the transfer into a sightseeing day.
- Ifrane — the alpine-style university town known as Morocco's 'Little Switzerland', with chalets, parks and cool mountain air.
- Azrou cedar forest — ancient Atlas cedars where wild Barbary macaques live; most drivers know the best place to stop.
- Lunch stops in Middle Atlas towns, plus viewpoints over the valleys you'd never see from the train.
Which should you choose?
Solo travellers on a budget with light bags will find the train perfectly fine. Couples, families and groups usually find the private driver better value per person, and far more memorable — especially if this is your only chance to see the Middle Atlas.
Compare fixed fares and book on the official Roam Morocco private transfers page.
Price your trip in the calculatorFrequently asked questions
Around seven hours. Depending on the departure, you may need to change trains on the way; check the ONCF timetable for your date.
A one-way private transfer is €310 (3,410 MAD) by Sedan or €355 (3,905 MAD) by Van, per vehicle — a price calculated from the 2026 rate card and confirmed at booking. Tolls and fuel are included.
Yes — that's the main reason to drive. Ask for the Middle Atlas route when you book; your driver will plan stops in Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest.