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Train from CDG to Reims

Has anyone taken a train directly from CDG to Reims? We are taking the Best of Eastern France in 14 Days Tour that starts in Reims
arriving a day before the tour begins . We would rather not go into Paris to get the TGV at Gare de l'Est

Posted by
15 posts

Thanks, Harold. I had checked that website...just wondered it anyone had made the trip and how difficult it was. I don't mind a station change.

Posted by
891 posts

We did this trip 2 years ago, so my information may be out of date. We took the train from CDG directly to Reims with no station change. I'm hoping Lee can help you out, because he helped me out with the trains at the time and it was a very easy train ride. Although the schedules may have changed by now. We got there early enough to check in and walk about the town before finding dinner. You are going to love this tour, it was one of our favorites and we've done 5!

Mimi

Posted by
15 posts

Thanks, Mimi. Is Lee a person in the Rick Steves office? Your information was just what I was looking for. I know we will have a wonderful time on this tour . It will be our fifth. Happy Travels

Posted by
16893 posts

Lee's not here in the office, but like us, he's a fan of train schedule planning using the DB web link at How to Look Up Train Schedules Online. That link does not sell tickets for this French route. It is easy to take the (fast, reserved) TGV departing Aeroport Charles de Gaulle TGV station (terminal 2) direct to Champagne Ardenne, then change there to a regional, unreserved connection to Reims. You can buy the tickets in the station (if the train is not full) for €35-37 per person in 2nd class. This would be the simplest plan.

TGV fares are cheaper if you lock in an advance-discount rate, but the downside is that those tickets are not changeable or refundable, so you must buy a new, full-fare ticket if you miss the train due to airline delays. The minimum transfer time I'd give yourself at CDG would be three hours, but that wouldn't work in case of a significant flight delay.

Posted by
32521 posts

Lee, like everybody else on here except the few flying the blue Rick Steves badge (like Laura right above me), is a fellow traveller.

Lee specialises in trains, but specifically German trains.

I am one of several who have some knowledge of trains, but I specialise in the UK and those many trains in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands and France on which I have ridden or have knowledge.

I have no experience on trains in or out of the Paris airports.

You might look for answers from Russ, Michael Schneider or Philip.

The link in your first answer can be a very good starting point. What specific questions do you have? It sounds like your plan is sorted.

Posted by
15 posts

Thanks Rick Steve Staff! With your answer and the other replies I received, I have the information I need to make my reservations when it's time. When I got my email with the first and last hotel and suggestions about getting to Reims, it did not mention taking a train directly from CDG even though Rick's books do. So I needed all of your reassurances. Thanks for everyone's help.
Happy Travels

Posted by
2380 posts

Hi,

My husband and I will be doing that tour as well departing on June 14th. We also received the info from RS Tours for transport to the first hotel in Reims. It seems the easier option was the one suggested by Laura per this forum. Why then were we directed to take the RER to Paris, then metro to Gare de l'Est and then train to Reims?

Mary

Posted by
10120 posts

To answer your question, Mary, because traveling into Paris is the most direct and offers the most trains per day. The second option takes you out of your way to reach Reims and will have fewer trains per day, which can translate into longer waits in stations. You are right that it's easier.

However, you can take the RER to Gare du Nord, walk the couple of blocks to Gare de l'Est (don't bother with the metro) and catch the next train to Reims, an hour by TGV. They run about once an hour. This is probably faster.

Posted by
2380 posts

Thanks for your input, Bets. One of my concerns is getting a reservation on the tgv and then having a flight delay mess up our plans. If that were to happen, would we still be able to get a seat on the tgv without a reservation to get to Reims in a timely fashion? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Mary

Posted by
4684 posts

It would be very rare for a TGV to sell out completely. However, as Laura said earlier, you would have to buy a new full-price fare, which might be very expensive.