Reims is the capital of the Champagne region and one of the most rewarding trips you can make from Paris. Its Gothic cathedral is where French kings were crowned, and beneath its streets lie kilometres of chalk cellars holding millions of bottles. Getting from Paris to Reims is easy — the question is which way is best for the day you want. You can take the high-speed train, drive yourself in a rental car or travel with a private driver. Each one suits a different kind of trip. This guide compares train vs car vs private driver on time, cost, flexibility and, importantly, how much Champagne you'll actually get to see and taste.
Option 1: the TGV train
High-speed TGV trains leave Paris Gare de l'Est and reach Reims station in about 45 minutes. Some trains also run from the TGV station at CDG Airport to Champagne-Ardenne TGV station, just outside Reims, which is useful if you're travelling straight from a flight.
Pros: fast, comfortable and right in the city centre. The cathedral is a 10 to 15-minute walk from Reims station.
Cons: the Champagne houses aren't all in the centre. Taittinger, Pommery, Ruinart and Veuve Clicquot cluster on the Saint-Nicaise hill on the other side of town, so you'll need taxis or a long walk between visits. Vineyard villages like Verzenay, Hautvillers and the town of Épernay need another train or a car. Train times also fix when you arrive and leave, so you plan the day around the timetable rather than the tastings. Off-peak tickets are good value, but last-minute fares can be high.
Best for: a solo traveller or couple visiting the cathedral and one or two cellars in the city.
Option 2: a rental car
The drive from Paris to Reims is about 145 km on the A4 motorway and takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes, plus time to get out of Paris traffic. A car gives you freedom to explore the Montagne de Reims vineyards, the Champagne Route and small growers.
Pros: independence and access to the countryside.
Cons: motorway tolls, fuel, parking in Reims, and Paris traffic in both directions. The biggest issue is obvious: someone has to drive after Champagne tastings. France has strict drink-driving limits — 0.5 g/l of blood alcohol for most drivers and 0.2 g/l for probationary drivers — and tasting several cuvées quickly adds up. Many travellers end up with one person not tasting at all.
Best for: independent travellers who enjoy driving and don't plan to taste much.
Option 3: a private driver
A chauffeur picks you up at your Paris hotel, apartment, CDG or Gare du Nord, drives the same 1h30 route, and stays with you all day. In Reims, the car takes you from the cathedral to the cellars on the Saint-Nicaise hill, then on to vineyard villages or Épernay. Bottles you buy go safely into the boot.
Pros: door to door, flexible timing, multiple cellars and villages, and everyone in the group can taste. Your driver knows where to park and how long each visit takes.
Cons: more expensive than a single train ticket for one person.
Best for: couples, families, friends and groups of up to seven in a Mercedes V-Class.
Side by side
| Train (TGV) | Rental car | Private driver | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris to Reims | About 45 min | About 1h30 | About 1h30 |
| Door to door | No | Yes | Yes |
| Several cellars and villages | Difficult | Yes | Yes |
| Everyone can taste | Yes | No | Yes |
| Parking and tolls | None | Your cost | Included |
| Best for | Solo city visit | Independent drivers | Couples, families, groups |
What does each option cost?
For one traveller, the train is usually cheapest. For two people, the gap narrows once you add taxis between cellars. For four to seven people, a private driver split between passengers is often close to the cost of train tickets plus local transport — and much more comfortable. Check the Luxberri deals page for current fixed prices on Champagne day trips.
A sample day in Reims with a private driver
- 8:30 — Pickup at your Paris hotel.
- 10:00 — Reims Cathedral and its stained glass.
- 11:30 — Guided cellar tour and tasting on the Saint-Nicaise hill.
- 13:00 — Lunch in the city centre or at a vineyard restaurant.
- 14:45 — Drive through the Montagne de Reims vineyards to Hautvillers.
- 16:00 — Second tasting at a family grower or on the Avenue de Champagne in Épernay.
- 17:30 — Return to Paris, arriving around 19:00.
Travelling from CDG Airport to Reims
Many visitors fly into Paris and want to start in Champagne rather than the city. From CDG, Reims is about 1h15 to 1h30 by road, often quicker than reaching central Paris at rush hour, because the route heads east on the A4 away from city traffic. A few TGV trains link the CDG Terminal 2 station with Champagne-Ardenne TGV station outside Reims, but services are infrequent and the station is outside the city, so you'll still need a taxi into town. A private transfer from the arrivals hall is the most direct option, especially with luggage: your driver meets you after customs and drops you at your Reims hotel or straight at your first cellar.
Staying overnight in Reims
If you have the time, one night in Reims turns a busy day into a relaxed one. You can visit the cathedral in the evening light, dine in one of the city's excellent restaurants and see a second or third Champagne house the next morning before continuing to Épernay or returning to Paris. Reims has a good range of hotels, from central boutique addresses near the cathedral to luxurious château hotels on the edge of the vineyards. With a private driver, the luggage simply stays in the car between stops, and you can book a one-way transfer each way rather than a full day's hire.
More questions
Do I need to book Champagne cellar tours in advance?
Yes, most houses require a reservation, especially at weekends.
Can I bring Champagne back to Paris?
Yes. With a private driver, bottles travel safely in the car.
Which is better for a group of six, the train or a private driver?
For six people, a private V-Class is often similar in cost to six train tickets plus taxis in Reims, and far more flexible.
