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Questions about train tickets from Paris to Chalons-en-Champagne

Hello,

My husband and I will be arriving in France on Wednesday, October 9 at 8:35 A.M. We need to take a 12:36 train to Chalons-en-Champagne. According to my research it departs from Gare de l'Est. My questions are as follows:

  1. Should we purchase the tickets online ahead of time, or at the train station, or at the airport?

  2. How should we plan to travel to the train station?

I know if we take the metro from CDG to Gare du Nord, the other station is a supposedly short walk, but we could also try UBER, or take a car directly from the airport. What is the quickest and least difficult method of transport? In the past I would have just legged it on the the train, but we can afford a car ride, so, that seems easier. Thanks!

Posted by
9578 posts

A taxi from CDG airport to Gare de l'Est will be 50€ for the two of you (the rates between Paris and the airports are fixed). Just know that at that time of the day it is likely to take longer to get there in a vehicle on the road than it would on the train.

Posted by
3698 posts

I know you have not asked but have you considered taking the 11:24 from CDG? It does require two changes, which could be a minus, and it may call for a bit more walking, depending on your arrival terminal.
As to buying tickets ahead of time, for the TER train, which is the train from Paris, it makes no difference cost wise if you buy early. For the TGV tickets, you are so close to your travel date that the cost savings for buying early are probably no longer available. I buy my tickets ahead of time regardless of the savings aspect because I like having my tickets in hand when I get to train stations but many others do not because of concern about flight delays or other transit delays causing them to miss the train for which they have a ticket.

Posted by
6901 posts

There is indeed no need to book early.
Also, by the time you'll be in a taxi on the road it will be at least 10 AM so after the worst traffic: I recommend spending the extra thirty euros for the taxi!