One of my favorite trips has always been the journey from Reims to Nancy. It’s not the longest or the most glamorous route, but it perfectly captures what I love about French train travel: efficiency, comfort, and a chance to look out the window and watch vineyards, forests, and charming villages blur into a living landscape.
I’ll share everything about my most recent ride on this route—the exact train I took, the seat type I booked, how I felt during the trip, ticket costs, discounts, return options, and where I recommend booking. Alongside, I’ll also recommend four other specific train services, give my insider travel tips, and end with a practical guide to stations and booking platforms.
This is not just a dry guide—it’s a mix of practical advice and my heartfelt impressions, like I always share after a journey.
🚆 My Journey: Reims to Nancy by Train
The Train Service I Chose
I booked myself on the TER Grand Est Train 83942 from Reims Centre to Nancy Ville. TER (Transport Express Régional) trains are regional services, slower than the TGV but reliable and comfortable enough for medium distances.
• Departure: Reims Centre at 10:16 AM
• Arrival: Nancy Ville at 12:14 PM
• Duration: About 1 hour 58 minutes
• Type: TER regional train, direct service (no changes)
• Class: I chose Second Class, because for this short journey, I personally feel it’s the best balance of comfort and budget.
My Seat and Onboard Experience
I sat in a forward-facing window seat. Second Class in TER trains is simple but not shabby:
• Seat design: cushioned, fabric-covered, with foldable armrests.
• Legroom: sufficient (I’m 1.80 m tall, and my knees had space).
• Extras: no seat reservation needed, and no Wi-Fi (something you often find only on TGVs).
What I loved most was the quiet hum of the train and the chance to watch the countryside roll by. The route from Reims to Nancy is full of charm: fields of barley and wheat, clusters of farmhouses, and stretches of vineyards that remind you you’re still in Champagne country before the scenery shifts into Lorraine’s green valleys.
I didn’t need luxury that day. I had my thermos of coffee, a croissant I grabbed from a bakery near Reims station, and two hours of uninterrupted time to just enjoy the ride.
Ticket Prices & Options I Checked
When I booked, I explored different ticket options to understand the value. Here’s what I found:
- One-way Second Class Ticket
o Price: €21.40 (standard fare without discounts)
o Advantage: flexible, easy to buy on the day.
o My choice: this was the ticket I purchased. - Round-trip Reims–Nancy
o Price: about €42.80 (sometimes slightly cheaper if booked in advance).
o Advantage: locks in return time, small savings compared to two one-way fares.
o Disadvantage: less flexibility if you want to stay longer in Nancy. - Discounted Fare with Carte Avantage Jeune or Carte Avantage Adulte
o With a discount card, the fare can drop to around €16–18 one-way.
o I didn’t use one this time, but I’ve had these cards before, and they pay off quickly if you travel often in France. - TGV option (if connecting via Champagne-Ardenne TGV station)
o Price: €25–30 one-way
o Duration: around 1 hour, sometimes faster.
o Advantage: speed.
o Disadvantage: requires a transfer and often higher cost.
My Personal Feelings
Honestly, I loved every minute of it. The TER may not have the sleek speed of a TGV, but it has character. I felt like I was part of the region’s daily rhythm, sitting among students, commuters, and families heading for a weekend away. There’s something humbling about sharing space with locals rather than being on a tourist-only express.
By the time I arrived at Nancy Ville, I felt refreshed. The station’s grand architecture, with its ornate façade and art nouveau touches, felt like the perfect welcome.
🚉 Other Recommended Train Options
Here are four additional train services I’ve either taken before or seriously considered when planning my Reims–Nancy trips.
- TER Grand Est Train 83928
o Departure: Reims Centre 07:16 AM → Arrival: Nancy Ville 09:14 AM
o Perfect for: early risers or business travelers.
o Advantage: gets you to Nancy early enough to have a full day. - TER Grand Est Train 83946
o Departure: Reims Centre 01:16 PM → Arrival: Nancy Ville 03:14 PM
o Perfect for: a leisurely morning in Reims, lunch, and then travel.
o Advantage: midday travel avoids peak rush. - TER Grand Est Train 83954
o Departure: Reims Centre 05:16 PM → Arrival: Nancy Ville 07:14 PM
o Perfect for: finishing a day in Reims, then heading to Nancy for dinner.
o Advantage: great timing for evening arrivals. - TGV Connection via Champagne-Ardenne
o Example: Reims Centre → Champagne-Ardenne TGV → Nancy Ville
o Duration: ~1h10–1h20 total.
o Perfect for: travelers who prioritize speed.
o Advantage: quicker than TER, modern TGV comfort.
o Disadvantage: more expensive, requires a transfer.
💡 Practical Travel Tips
Here are my personal recommendations for booking smart and traveling smoothly:
- Book Early When Possible
o SNCF tickets usually open 3 months ahead.
o TER prices are fixed, but TGV prices climb closer to the date. - Choose Second Class for TER
o First Class exists but adds little value for short routes like Reims–Nancy. - Bring Snacks and Drinks
o TER trains don’t have café cars. Grab a croissant, baguette, or bottle of water before boarding. - Travel Off-Peak
o Midday trains (around 11 AM or 2 PM) are less crowded than morning and evening commuter times. - Apps & Tickets
o Use the SNCF Connect app or Trainline to book and store e-tickets. Paper tickets from station machines are still possible but less convenient.
🏢 Station Information
Reims Centre Station
• Location: Place de la Gare, 51100 Reims
• Services: ticket office, machines, cafés, luggage lockers.
• Connection: walking distance to Reims city center (about 10 minutes).
Nancy Ville Station
• Location: Place de la Gare, 54000 Nancy
• Services: restaurants, shops, baggage services.
• Highlight: art nouveau style glasswork and design inside the station.
• Connection: walking distance to Place Stanislas (10–15 minutes).
Both stations are central, making train travel incredibly convenient compared to flying or driving.
🌐 Booking Platforms I Recommend
- SNCF Connect (official)
o Best for official fares and discount cards.
o Website & app available in English. - Trainline.eu
o Great for non-French users, easy interface, accepts foreign credit cards.
o Sometimes small booking fees. - Omio
o Useful if you’re comparing buses, trains, and flights together. - RailEurope.com
o Handy for international travelers planning longer trips across France.
It’s not just about speed, or even comfort—it’s about the rhythm of moving through landscapes, the sense of being woven into the everyday lives of locals, and the anticipation that builds as you watch your next destination gradually approach.
That morning when I boarded Train 83942, I wasn’t just taking a two-hour ride. I was choosing a slower, more meaningful way of traveling. I could have rushed with a TGV connection, but instead I let myself soak in the vineyards, the forests, the little villages flashing past the window. It gave me a deeper appreciation of the transition from Champagne’s sparkling heritage to Lorraine’s artistic elegance.
What struck me most, though, was how stress-free the whole experience was. No airport security lines, no baggage weight checks, no rushing hours ahead of departure. I walked into Reims Centre station just 20 minutes before my train, grabbed a fresh pastry, scanned my e-ticket, and found my seat. Two hours later, I was stepping into the heart of Nancy, close enough to walk to Place Stanislas and dive straight into the city’s charm.
If I had to sum up my advice in a few lines, it would be this:
• Choose trains when possible. They strike the right balance between cost, convenience, and cultural experience.
• Book wisely. Sometimes a return ticket saves you a few euros, sometimes a discount card makes sense, and sometimes paying slightly more for a faster TGV is worth it.
• Second Class is often enough. Unless you’re carrying extra luggage or need absolute quiet, regional trains offer great comfort without the price tag.
• Plan with flexibility. Trains run frequently enough that you can allow yourself to change your mind about when to leave.
For me, this trip was not just about getting to Nancy—it was about enjoying the process of getting there. And in a world where travel often feels rushed and stressful, that is a gift worth treasuring.
So if you’re planning your first journey between Reims and Nancy, or even if you’re a seasoned traveler like me, I encourage you to embrace the train ride itself as part of your adventure. Let the countryside remind you that travel is as much about the in-between moments as it is about the destinations.
When I stepped off the train and into Nancy that day, I felt refreshed, unhurried, and already connected to the spirit of the region. That’s the magic of booking smart and traveling by rail in France—it turns every trip into an experience to remember.
