Home › Routes › Chefchaouen to Malaga
How to get from Chefchaouen to Malaga
There is no direct connection: you travel by road to Tangier (about 2 h 30–3 h), cross the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry to Tarifa or Algeciras (about 1–1 h 30), then take a bus or drive to Málaga (about 2 h). Allow 7–9 hours in total, including passport control.
Best option: Ferry. The Tangier–Tarifa passenger ferry is the most straightforward way across the Strait, with onward buses to Málaga.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ferry CTM bus or taxi Chefchaouen–Tangier, FRS ferry Tanger Ville–Tarifa, then bus to Málaga (or ferry Tanger Med–Algeciras and bus) | about 7–9 h door to door | ferries several times a day; buses Tangier and Tarifa/Algeciras–Málaga a few times a day | about €50–80 in total | Tanger Ville port is in the city; Tanger Med is about 45 km east. Spain is an hour ahead of Morocco for most of the year. Check current timetables. |
| car By road to Tanger Med, car ferry to Algeciras, then A-7/AP-7 along the Costa del Sol | about 7–8 h including the crossing (about 120 km to Tanger Med plus 140 km from Algeciras) | car ferries frequent through the day | fuel plus about €150–250 for a car and driver on the ferry; tolls on the AP-7 if used | Most rental cars cannot be taken across the Strait; this suits your own vehicle. Expect long queues in summer. |
| taxi Private driver or grand taxi from Chefchaouen to Tangier port | about 2 h 30–3 h for this leg | on demand | about MAD 800–1,200 per car | Saves time compared with the bus; agree the fare and which port before leaving. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
Open the route in Google Maps →
Book the trip
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips
- Aim for the Tanger Ville–Tarifa ferry if travelling on foot: it lands in Tarifa town, and some operators include a bus to Algeciras.
- Allow at least an hour at the port for passport checks.
- Book buses from Algeciras or Tarifa to Málaga in advance in summer.
- Avoid the late-July and August crossing peak if you have a car.
Common questions
Is there a direct bus or ferry from Chefchaouen to Málaga?
No. You need to combine a road trip to Tangier, a ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar and a bus or car journey on the Spanish side. Expect 7–9 hours in total, including passport control. Starting early is important so you are not crossing late in the evening or missing the last bus to Málaga.
Which ferry should I take?
On foot, the FRS ferry from Tanger Ville to Tarifa is the most convenient, as both ports are in town, and the crossing takes about an hour. With a car, Tanger Med to Algeciras has the most frequent car ferries. Several companies operate from Tanger Med. Check current timetables, as winter schedules and bad weather can reduce sailings.
Can I fly instead?
Chefchaouen has no airport. Some travellers go by road to Tangier and fly from there, but direct flights from Tangier to Málaga are not always available and schedules change, so check current options. For most people the ferry route is more reliable and similar in total time.
What documents do I need?
A valid passport for both Moroccan exit control and Spanish entry, which is a Schengen external border. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a Schengen visa, and the EU Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors. If driving, carry your vehicle registration and insurance green card valid for Spain.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.