Apart from Moroccan railways ONCF, the private bus operator CTM is one of the most efficient ways to travel inside Morocco. This blog will be your guide to taking a CTM bus in Morocco
Blog Contents
How to book a CTM bus in Morocco
Are CTM Tickets available online?
Yes, you can buy them directly on their website ctm.ma. But the website isn’t user-friendly to navigate. Neither an English version is available nor you can book a ticket easily.
As far as my online research is concerned, only Moroccan cards are accepted.
The official website is unreliable
My bus timings showed as SOLD OUT on their website. But for the same bus route, tickets were available in Getbybus. Strange, isn’t it?
Either CTM blocks a few tickets for third-party apps or they allocate some tickets for offline customers who buy at the counter.
Remember that the online booking on the CTM website opens only 3 weeks in advance.
Two ways to book a CTM bus
As a tourist, I found their website to be unreliable. In this case, there are two ways to book
- Use third-party websites such as Getbybus
- Buy tickets directly at the counter
1. Using a third-party Website
Getbybus is a website one can use to book buses, taxis, and shared vans from one point to another. They connect the user and transport operator.
This is a very easy option. Simply enter your details such as travel destination, and date, and pay by using any Master or Visa card.
Advantage – Hassle free, book a ticket within minutes, clear instructions
Disadvantage – Pay a few euros extra as a commission to this website.
2. Buying tickets directly at the counter
Usually, the CTM buses are empty. It isn’t a popular option for the locals. The locals usually take the shared taxi option, the Grand taxis.
Hence, I highly recommend buying your tickets directly at the bus counter one or two days before your travel date. The counter also accepts card payments.
Advantage – You don’t pay any commission
Disadvantage – During peak season, bus booking may fill faster.
Pro-tip: If your travel itinerary is confirmed, then buy all your CTM tickets in the same location.
CTM bus online support
If you have any concerns regarding their schedule or timings, you can contact CTM directly by email: [email protected]
Their customer service is super friendly and you will get a reply within a day or two.
Double-check your bus timings
The departure dates may often be changed or updated last minute. So always make sure to contact the local bus station or online before your journey.
My CTM bus experience in Morocco
Going around Morocco on CTM buses was a pleasant experience.
Most parts of Morocco are through the desert. So, the CTM buses are usually punctual.
How much do CTM bus tickets cost?
The official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). One euro is approximately ~ 11 MAD
I used CTM buses for the following three routes
CTM bus price breakdown (as of September 2023)| Activity | Distance (km) / Time (hour) | Moroccan Dirham (MAD) | Euro (€) | US Dollar ($) | Indian Rupee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essaouira to Casablanca | 380 / 6 | 201.8 | 18.4 | 20 | 1666 |
| Tangier to Chefchaouen | 112 / 2.5 | 65.6 | 6 | 6.5 | 541.5 |
| Chefchaouen to Fes | 210 / 4.5 | 121.1 | 11 | 12 | 999.6 |
| Luggage to store under the bus | - | 5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 41.7 |
The bus ride throughout my travel was comfortable. Air conditioning was always turned on to counter the heat outside.
CTM bus station Essaouira
The CTM bus station in Essaouira has a small waiting hall and a toilet. The staff were friendly. You can pay also with your Master/visa card.
CTM departure timings at Essaouira bus station
I found a useful board that had all the CTM departures from Essaouira
Buying a luggage ticket
If you have any luggage to store in the under-compartment of the bus, a separate luggage ticket must be purchased. Each luggage cost 5 MAD.
You can take smaller laptop bags directly inside the bus and keep them in the overhead compartment.
CTM bus station Tangier
The Tangier bus station is 5km away from the city. It was a modern station with a huge waiting hall, clean toilets, and active ticket counters.
The station also has a coffee shop for snacks/drinks.
CTM bus station Chefchaouen
The bus station matched the town theme, the blue-white color. There was luggage storage, a coffee shop, and a small waiting area.
Taxis from the center to the bus station shouldn’t cost more than 20 MAD. Use the official Blue colored taxi. Private owners try scamming the tourists by charging double or triple the price.
CTM bus timings from Chefchaouen
Try calling the below number to get the latest departure times.
Other bus operators in Chefchaouen
Apart from CTM, several private bus operators had active counters. However the destinations from these operators were limited.
Is taking a CTM bus in Morocco worth it?
Taking a CTM bus in Morocco was a very positive experience. The buses operate all around Morocco at affordable prices.
All the bus stations are located a few km away from the city center or Medina.
If you are a fan of using private buses while traveling, check out my other travel experiences.
In case of any questions, feel free to leave a comment. We will get back as soon as possible. Wishing you a pleasant journey to Morroco.
Thanks a millions. The information on CTM is wonderful and very informative. It had all the information I needed. I am planning to visit Morocco (Rabat) on the 24th Nov 2024. My plan is to travel:
1. Rabat to Chefchaouen
2. Chefchaouen to Fes
3. Fest to Rabat again.
I was trying to buy tickets online in advance. But after reading your guidance, I have decided I will buy them in person for all three journeys at one place as soon as I reach Rabat. I have only one question. I actually don’t want to come back to a hotel in Rabat from fes (I would waste my money on 1 night in Rabat). Is there any chance I can take a bus/train all the way form Fes to Rabat Sale International airport. According to your experience what is the best thing to do? I am flying from London to Rabat and flying back from Rabat to London. Please advise me.
Mohamed Hafeez
19 Oct 2024
[email protected]