Planning a trip to Reims involves a few practical details that will save you time and money. From which train station to use (there are two) to tipping customs and what you can and cannot bring into champagne cellars, here are the essential travel tips for visiting Reims. This guide covers transport, practicalities, and answers to the most common questions first-time visitors ask. For an overview of the city, see the Reims travel guide.
Reims Travel Tips: Getting There
Reims has two train stations. Gare de Reims (also called Reims Centre) is the city center station, served by regional TER trains and some TGVs from Paris Gare de l’Est (45 minutes, 25 to 45 euros one-way depending on booking time). This station puts you directly on the edge of the city center — Place Drouet d’Erlon is a 5-minute walk. Gare Champagne-Ardenne is the dedicated TGV hub, located 5km outside the city in Bezannes. TGVs from Paris CDG Airport (30 minutes, 35 euros) and other French cities arrive here. A tram connection (Line B, 1.70 euros, 15 minutes) links Champagne-Ardenne to the city center. If you’re coming from Paris for a day trip, always book the train to Gare de Reims (Centre), not Champagne-Ardenne — you’ll save 30 minutes of transfer time each way. Also see our Reims weather by month guide.
Driving from Paris takes about 1 hour 30 minutes via the A4 motorway (tolls: roughly 9 euros). From Calais or the Channel ports, it’s about 3 hours via the A26. Parking in central Reims uses metered zones (1.50 euros/hour, free 7 PM to 9 AM and Sundays). The underground parking at Place d’Erlon (Parking Erlon) costs about 15 euros for 24 hours. Street parking on the outskirts of the center is free in residential areas — look for white-lined spaces. Also see our best time to visit Reims guide.
Reims Travel Tips: Getting Around
Central Reims is highly walkable. The cathedral, Palais du Tau, Place d’Erlon, and most restaurants sit within a 1km radius. The champagne houses (Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, Pommery) are a 15-20 minute walk east of the cathedral. The city operates two tram lines (A and B) and a bus network (Citura). A single tram/bus ticket costs 1.70 euros and is valid for one hour. A 24-hour pass costs 4.50 euros. Buy tickets at tram stop vending machines (accept coins and chip cards, not always contactless) or via the Citura mobile app. Taxis from the train station to the cathedral area cost about 8 to 12 euros. Uber operates in Reims with typically 5-10 minute wait times in the center. Also see our things to do in Reims guide.
Reims Travel Tips: Champagne Tour Practicalities
Champagne cellar temperatures are a constant 10°C to 12°C (50°F to 54°F) year-round. Bring a jacket or sweater even in July — you’ll spend 45-60 minutes underground. Wear flat, closed-toe shoes; the cellar floors are uneven chalk and can be damp. Major houses (Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Mumm, Ruinart) require advance booking, especially May through October. Book online directly through each house’s website 1-3 weeks ahead. Most tours last 60-90 minutes and include 1-2 glasses of champagne. English-language tours are standard at the grand marques; smaller houses may only offer French. Standard tasting sizes are about 10cl per glass — you can legally drive after one tasting (France’s limit is 0.5g/L blood alcohol, roughly one standard drink), but touring 3+ houses on foot or by taxi is the safer approach. You can buy champagne at cellar-door prices that are 15-25% cheaper than retail.
Reims Travel Tips: Money and Tipping
France uses the euro. Credit and debit cards are accepted everywhere except some small market stalls and bakeries that may have minimums (usually 10 euros). Contactless payment is standard. Tipping is not required — French restaurant prices include a 15% service charge by law. That said, rounding up a few euros for good service (on a 45-euro bill, leave 48-50) is appreciated but never expected. Taxi drivers don’t expect tips. Hotel porters: 1-2 euros per bag. Champagne tour guides: a 5-euro tip for an excellent private tour is generous.
Reims Travel Tips: Safety and Practicalities
Reims is a safe city by any standard. Violent crime targeting tourists is rare. Standard precautions apply: watch for pickpockets around the cathedral and Christmas market (same as any European tourist site), don’t leave valuables visible in parked cars, and avoid the area immediately around the train station after midnight — it’s not dangerous but can feel sketchy with late-night bar crowds. The emergency number across the EU is 112. Tap water in Reims is safe to drink. Pharmacies with green crosses are widespread; the Pharmacie de la Cathedrale (19 Rue Carnot) is centrally located. The main hospital is CHU de Reims (45 Rue Cognacq-Jay).
Reims Travel Tips: Visas and Language
France is in the Schengen Area. US, UK, Canadian, Australian, and Japanese passport holders can enter visa-free for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. From 2025, non-EU visitors may need an ETIAS authorization (7 euros, online, valid for 3 years) — check the latest status before travel. Reims is a French-speaking city. In hotels and major champagne houses, English is widely spoken. In smaller restaurants, bakeries, and the covered market, English proficiency drops significantly. Learning a few French phrases goes a long way: “Bonjour” (hello) before any interaction is mandatory etiquette, “Merci” (thank you), “L’addition s’il vous plait” (the bill please), and “Parlez-vous anglais?” (do you speak English?). The French appreciate the effort even if your accent is terrible.
Reims Travel Tips: Day Trips from Reims
Reims makes an excellent base for exploring the Champagne region. Epernay (30 minutes by train from Gare de Reims, 8 euros) is the other champagne capital with the famous Avenue de Champagne lined with Moet and Chandon, Perrier-Jouet, and Mercier. The village of Hautvillers (15 minutes by taxi, roughly 25-30 euros) is Dom Perignon’s resting place and a charming single-street village of tasting rooms. The Route Touristique du Champagne is a signposted driving route through the Montagne de Reims vineyards — rent a car (Europcar and Avis have offices at Gare de Reims) and follow the brown tourist signs through Ay, Bouzy, Verzenay, and Verzy. The Verzy faux de Verzy (twisted beech trees) are a bizarre natural phenomenon worth a 30-minute forest walk, 20km from Reims.
Reims Travel Tips: Suggested Hotels in Reims
Domaine Les Crayeres
A 5-star Relais and Chateaux chateau hotel set in 7 hectares of parkland, with a two-Michelin-starred restaurant and 600-label champagne list. 20 individually decorated rooms in the champagne quarter, a 15-minute walk from the cathedral. Best for couples celebrating a special occasion. Check rates and availability
Best Western Premier Hotel de la Paix
A 4-star design hotel on Place Drouet d’Erlon in the city center, 500 meters from the cathedral. Indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center. Rated 8.9/10 from 4,800+ Booking.com reviews. Best for central location with wellness facilities. Check rates and availability
Ibis Reims Centre
A reliable 3-star budget chain 350 meters from Reims train station and 1km from the cathedral. Clean, air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TVs and free WiFi. 24-hour reception. Best for train travelers and short stays. Check rates and availability
