Step 7.2

Bus and Tram

In Reims, the tramway and bus network is the most efficient way to travel. Furthermore, there are tram stops just in front of the NEOMA BS campus 1 and 2, making even easier your trips to and from the school.

The trams and buses circulate from about 6am in the morning until about midnight.

To take public transport, you must purchase and validate a ticket. For the tramway, you must first purchase a ticket at the tram station from the ticket machines (by cash coins or credit card).

Then, when you enter the tram or the bus, you have to validate your ticket by presenting your ticket in front of the validation sensor. A green light appears and you can see your credit left on the card.

You must present your ticket to the sensor machine each time you get in a bus or tram, even when it is a connection.

When you travel by bus, the stopping is optional. At the bus stop, wave to the bus driver if you want him to stop. The boarding is only done by the front door. To get off, push the button « arrêt demandé » to inform the driver that you want him to stop at the next stop, and use the central or back doors by pushing the button to open them. Controllers sometimes get in the tram/bus and ask you for your ticket. The non-possession of a valid ticket will subject you to a fine.

Tickets are sold:

• at the CITURA boutique located on: 6 rue Chanzy, next to the Opera tram in most of the tobacco shops
• at every tram station through the ticket machines (by cash coins or credit card)
• in most of the tobacco shops
• in the buses by the drivers

Reims Tramway Map
Reims Transit Map

Biking

Reims is a human sized city and you can go relatively quickly from one side to another by using a bike.

The canal river enables you to cross the city from the North to the South part. Please remember that the Driving Code also applies for bikes.

Train

There are now four train stations in Reims:

– Gare Centre, town center

(tram A, B or bus 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9)

– Gare Franchet d’Esperey, in front of Neoma BS

Campus 2, (tram A, tram B or bus 7, 11)

– Gare Maison Blanche (bus 4)

– Champagne-Ardenne TGV, devoted to “high speed trains”, located in Bezannes (tram B or bus 13)

You can see the train timetables and purchase tickets in Reims Centre and Champagne-Ardenne train stations or by internet on the website https://www.oui.sncf/ or www.tgv-europe.com

In Franchet d’Esperey and Maison Blanche train stations, there is no information desk and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before in other train stations, by internet or ask the ticket inspector when the train arrives.

Metro and bus

The Metro is the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to get around Paris. There are 16 metro lines and some 300 metro stations; the entrance is indicated by a large yellow letter ‘M’.

Metros start running every day – including public holidays – at around 6am and stop at around 12.45am (from Sunday to Thursday) or at 1.45am (on Friday and Saturday).

The frequency at which metros run depends on the time and day: at peak hours, metros run every 2 minutes

Where to buy a metro ticket

Metro tickets cost € 1.90 each (€14.50 for 10 [ask for ‘un carnet’]). You can buy tickets at automatic ticket machines in metro stations, in tobacconists and on the website PARISINFO.COM.

Good to know

Each line has a distinctive colour and number that is shown on RATP signs and maps.

Line directions are indicated by the station at the end of each line, which is shown on signs on the platform and on maps (example: Porte de Clignancourt – Mairie de Montrouge).

Free metro maps are available at ticket offices in stations.

Metro tickets are valid in zone 1 and 2 only.

Buy Metro tickets

There are numerous bus lines and many buses go through the centre of the city, along the banks of the Seine, and through historic districts…

64 bus lines run alongside and complement the metro network. The installation of special bus lanes along main roads has improved journey times. For an idea of your journey time, allow around 5 minutes per stop, sometimes more if the traffic is busy.

Buses operate from Monday to Saturday from around 7am until 8.30pm. Some lines operate in the evening between 8.30pm and 12.30am, in particular those departing from stations or which serve major metro/RER interchanges, as well as the 3 outer PC lines. Almost half of bus lines operate on Sundays and public holidays.

The line number and direction are indicated on the front of the bus, above the driver’s compartment, and on the sides of the bus. Put your hand out at the bus stop to indicate to the bus driver to stop.

Bus map in Paris

Buy Bus tickets

Biking

Thanks to the policy of the Paris City Council, the bicycle is gaining ground: today 700 kilometres of bike paths are available to cyclists. With its ‘Bike Plan’, Paris is developing 200 kilometres of new bike paths in 2017; by the end of 2020, it aims to have 1,400 kilometres of bike paths.

Near to the main train stations and the principal tourist routes, you will find companies renting bicycles for a day, a weekend or a week.

Vélib’

Set up by the City of Paris,  Velib’ is a self-service bicycle-sharing scheme. It is very affordable, and bikes are available throughout Paris (and beyond the city limits) 24 hours a day. It is the ideal way to get around Paris.

Map of bicycle lanes in Paris

Train

Paris’ imposing train stations serve as landmarks for tourists and residents alike and have influenced the city’s layout and development. Dating from the origins of the railways in the 19th century, they have modified entire sections of the city.

Saint-Lazare was the first station to be built, in 1837, soon followed by the Gare du Nord, the Gare de l’Est and the Gare de Lyon.

All the stations boast exceptional and unique architecture, like the Gare du Nord with its neoclassical façade and 23 sculptures by famous artists.
While they are worth visiting for historical interest, the main Paris stations are not frozen in time. Each one has undergone major renovation work in recent years to cater for increased train traffic, especially high-speed trains, as well as the constant growth in the number of rail travelers.

The nerve centre of the French and European rail networks, the stations have also become lively urban spaces with sprawling shopping centres frequented by ever-increasing numbers of people.

To book your trip, please visit the official website of the SNCF.

DETAILED PARIS METRO MAP