Tangier to Chefchaouen is about 115 km, or 2 to 2.5 hours by car via Tetouan. Take the CTM bus (about 3 h), a shared grand taxi with a change in Tetouan, or a private driver who can stop in Tetouan's medina on the way.
Tangier to Chefchaouen is about 115 km by road. The drive takes 2 to 2.5 hours via Tetouan and the Rif mountains, or around 3 hours by CTM bus. You have three practical options: the bus, a shared grand taxi with a change in Tetouan, or a private driver who can stop in Tetouan's UNESCO-listed medina and at mountain viewpoints on the way. Below we compare times and approximate costs, and show how this short transfer fits into a longer Morocco trip.
Tangier to Chefchaouen distance and drive time
The standard route leaves Tangier on the fast road towards Tetouan (about 60 km, 45-55 minutes). From Tetouan the N2 climbs south into the green hills of the Rif for another 60 km to Chefchaouen, which sits at about 600 m altitude below the twin peaks of Jebel Kalaa and Jebel Meggou. The second half is a winding two-lane mountain road. It is in good condition but slow, with trucks, villages and police checkpoints.
In our experience the full trip takes about 2 hours 15 minutes without stops. With a coffee break and a short walk in Tetouan, plan on 3.5 to 4 hours, which is the relaxed pace our drivers usually recommend.
| Option | Travel time | Approx. cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTM bus (direct) | About 3 h | 50-80 MAD (approx. 5-8 EUR) per person | Solo travelers on a budget |
| Shared grand taxi (change in Tetouan) | 2.5-3 h incl. waiting | approx. 8-12 EUR per seat in total | Flexible budget travel |
| Private grand taxi (whole car) | 2-2.5 h | approx. 60-90 EUR per car | Small groups, no stops |
| Private driver with stops | 3.5-5 h at your pace | approx. 90-150 EUR per vehicle | Families, couples, sightseeing on the way |
Prices are approximate, depend on season and fuel costs, and should be checked before travel.
Tangier to Chefchaouen by bus
CTM, the national bus company, runs direct services from its Tangier station to Chefchaouen several times a week and usually daily in high season. Other private companies also run the route, often stopping in Tetouan. The CTM coaches are air-conditioned, with assigned seats and a small fee for luggage in the hold.
Tips for the bus
- Buy your ticket at the station or on the CTM app a day ahead from June to September and on Moroccan holidays. The few direct departures fill quickly.
- The Chefchaouen bus station is below the medina. Expect a 15-20 minute uphill walk or a short petit taxi ride to Plaza Uta el-Hammam.
- Sit on the right side heading south for the best views of the Rif valleys.
Tangier to Chefchaouen by grand taxi
Shared grand taxis (usually white Mercedes or Dacia cars) leave from the grand taxi station in Tangier when all six seats are full. You ride first to Tetouan, then walk to the Chefchaouen taxi rank and take a second shared taxi. It is fast and cheap. The trade-off is waiting for the car to fill and sitting tightly with other passengers.
If you want more space, you can pay for all the seats and have the taxi to yourself. Agree the price firmly before you leave, and confirm whether it is a direct trip or whether you will have to change cars in Tetouan.
Private driver from Tangier to Chefchaouen: the stops worth making
The main advantage of a private transfer is not speed. It is the chance to turn a transfer into a sightseeing day. These are the stops we suggest most often.
Tetouan medina
Tetouan's medina, listed by UNESCO since 1997, is one of the best-preserved in Morocco. It was largely rebuilt by Andalusian refugees after 1492, and you can still see the Andalusian influence in its white houses, craft souks and the Spanish-era Ensanche district. One to two hours is enough for a short walk with a local guide and a mint tea.
Rif viewpoints and roadside cafes
Between Tetouan and Chefchaouen the road passes cork oak forests, small dams and village markets. Our drivers know a couple of cafes with terraces over the valley, which are good places to stretch your legs.
Akchour waterfalls detour
Akchour, in Talassemtane National Park, is about 30 km (45 minutes) from Chefchaouen. Easy trails lead along a turquoise river to cascades and to the natural rock arch known as God's Bridge. Doing it on arrival day makes for a long day, so many travelers visit the next morning instead.
When to go and what to expect in Chefchaouen
The Rif is the greenest and wettest part of Morocco. From November to March expect rain, fog on the mountain road and cool nights (around 5 C). April to June and September to October are the most pleasant months. July and August are warm and very busy, especially at weekends, when many Moroccan families visit. For month-by-month advice see our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.
- Arrival: cars cannot enter the medina lanes. Drivers drop off near Bab el Ain or Place Mohammed V, and porters with carts can take your bags to your guesthouse for a small tip.
- Time needed: one night lets you see the blue lanes empty at 8 am, walk up to the Spanish Mosque for sunset, and visit Ras el Ma spring.
- Local tip: the Rif has a history of cannabis growing, and you may be offered kif or hashish on the road or in the medina. Decline politely. It is illegal for visitors.
For what to see once you are there, read our full Chefchaouen blue city travel guide.
Fitting Tangier and Chefchaouen into a longer Morocco tour
Many of our travelers arrive by ferry from Spain (see our ferry from Spain to Morocco guide), spend a night in Tangier, then head to Chefchaouen. From there Fes is about 200 km away, 4 hours via Ouezzane, and the Sahara is two days further. A classic route is Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga and Marrakech, which our 6-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech via Fes and Merzouga covers with a private driver from start to finish.
If you have more time, our private Morocco tours from Tangier add Asilah, Volubilis, Meknes or the Atlantic coast. If you are based in Fes and only want the blue city, compare it with our Fes to Chefchaouen day trip guide.
Day trip or overnight
A day trip from Tangier is possible (about 4.5 hours of driving in total) but rushed. You arrive mid-morning with the tour groups and leave before the evening, when the town is at its most beautiful. We nearly always advise staying overnight. Tourist information is available on the official Visit Morocco site.
Plan your Tangier to Chefchaouen trip with a local team
If you would like a comfortable transfer with a stop in Tetouan, or a full private itinerary starting in Tangier, our Marrakech-based team can build it around your dates and pace. Request a free private-tour quote and you will receive a tailor-made proposal within 24 hours, with no commitment.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Chefchaouen from Tangier?
Chefchaouen is about 115 km south of Tangier. The usual route goes via Tetouan, first on a fast road for about 60 km and then on the winding N2 mountain road through the Rif for the remaining 60 km. Without stops the drive takes 2 to 2.5 hours by car. The direct CTM bus takes around 3 hours.
Is there a train from Tangier to Chefchaouen?
No. Chefchaouen has no railway station, and no train line runs into the Rif mountains. From Tangier you need to travel by road, on a CTM or private bus, by shared or private grand taxi, or with a private driver. Trains from Tangier only go south towards Rabat, Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech.
How much does a taxi from Tangier to Chefchaouen cost?
A seat in a shared grand taxi costs approximately 8 to 12 EUR in total, because you change cars in Tetouan. Hiring a whole grand taxi for a direct trip usually costs around 60 to 90 EUR per car, depending on season and negotiation. A private driver with sightseeing stops costs more. Always agree the price before departure and check current rates.
Is it worth stopping in Tetouan on the way to Chefchaouen?
Yes, if you travel by car. Tetouan is exactly halfway, and its UNESCO-listed medina shows strong Andalusian heritage with far fewer visitors than Fes or Marrakech. A one to two hour walk with a local guide, plus lunch or tea, adds variety to the day and still gets you to Chefchaouen in time for sunset.
