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Reims to Paris -- TGV, or car to CDG?

Posted by on

Hello, and thanks in advance.

I'm seeking advice whether to drive my rental car into CDG and drop it off there, OR drop it off at the Reims Ville rail station and then taking the TGV into Paris (I can reach my Paris destination from either CDG or Gare de l'Est). I've been told that traffic around the airport should be avoided at all costs!

Dropping it off a day early in Reims & purchasing a one-way TGV ticket is commensurate with paying for another day's rental if driving into Paris, so cost is not a concern.

I'll also need to confirm the hours of the Europcar rental office in Reims, and make certain the office is near Reims TGV train station. There's some confusion as to whether the TGV goes into the center of Reims, or south of town....I'd prefer leaving from Reims center.

Thanks again.

Posted by
28082 posts

I suspect the reason for the confusion is that some TGVs go to Champagne-Ardennes TGV Station and some go to Reims itself. Travel time is 41 to 47 minutes for the random morning I checked. Day of week could matter, though, so check for your travel date on the SNCF website.

If your trip is well in the future, you may be able to save money by buying the TGV ticket early. It appears that the last-minute/walk-up fare is 44 euros.

Posted by
30 posts

Thank you, acraven, for clarifying the two stations. Traveling in June, I should be able to purchase the high speed rail ticket at the best price next month (March). And I'm hopeful others will weigh in, as to whether dropping the car in Reims is less of a hassle than driving it to CDG.

Posted by
6713 posts

Seems like the Reims option is less trouble, all else being equal. Either way you'll be switching modes of transport into Paris -- the comfortable TGV if you go with the Reims plan, or a less comfortable RER or costlier taxi if you go with the CDG plan. While traffic around CDG isn't as bad as in Paris itself, it has to be worse than in Reims.

Posted by
30 posts

I see. I'm not familiar with the RER, Dick, but if I can manage getting the rental to a Europcar office at Reims -- especially if there is one close to the TGV station, and open -- that does sound better. Thank you.

Posted by
7303 posts

If costs are equal, then the option to drop off in Reims (reims ville, better!) and take the TGV to Paris is undoubtedly the best. It will save a small chunk of time, too (train is only 45 min, vs. 2 hrs by road), and the drive is not scenic.

Posted by
3990 posts

Even if costs are not equal, I would take the train to Paris. The convenience and speed of the trick is a worth some extra mount of money. Frankly, if I were going to drive to CDG from Reims, I'd just drive directly to Paris.

Posted by
30 posts

Wow - so very helpful, all of you. I had no idea about either the drive (not scenic) or the convenience. Sadly, getting in touch with Europcar to modify my rental, find a drop-off location, and get Reims office hours seems to be problematic. I'll keep at it -- it definitely seems worth it! Thank you.

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