When will the Reunion Express train open?+
The opening is planned for 2035, after a 2-year public inquiry and 5 years of construction (2030-2035). The official roadmap was signed by every group of local councils, the Region and the French State on 29 August 2025. Any delay to the public inquiry or technical studies could push the opening back to 2036-2037.
How long will the line be?+
140 kilometres in total, from Saint-Benoît in the north-east to Saint-Joseph in the south, via Saint-Denis, La Possession, Le Port, Saint-Paul, L'Étang-Salé and Saint-Pierre. It covers the whole north and west coast plus part of the south, but not the highlands or the cirques of Cilaos, Mafate and Salazie.
How much will it cost, and who's paying?+
The total cost is estimated at €3 billion. The funding plan isn't final yet, but the money is expected to come from the French State (multi-year agreements), the Reunion Island Region (its own funds and borrowing), the European Union (ERDF funds for its outermost regions) and possibly a public-private partnership to run the line. The details will be settled after the public inquiry.
How often will trains run?+
Every 15 minutes on the busiest sections, at up to 110km/h. That's frequent enough for commuters to turn up and go without checking a timetable, like the RER commuter trains around Paris. The quieter ends of the line (east and south) may have slightly fewer trains, to be decided in later studies.
Will the train replace the car in Reunion Island?+
No, it's meant to offer a real alternative on the main corridors, not to replace the car. For the highlands (Cilaos, Mafate, Salazie, Maïdo, the volcano), hiking trails and beaches far from the stations, you'll still need a car. Early estimates suggest the train could carry 15-25% of daily coastal journeys by 2040.
Do locals support the project?+
Yes, by a large majority. Public consultations on transport held by the Region in 2023 found that 3 out of 4 Reunion Islanders back the idea of an express train. The remaining objections are mostly about the route (compulsory purchases, impact on the landscape) and the cost (€3 billion, set against other social and economic priorities).
Is the exact route known?+
Not yet. Two main options are being studied: a coastal route along the RN1 and RN2, shorter and more visible but involving compulsory purchases, or a partly underground route through the hills, easier on built-up areas but more expensive to build. The 2-year public inquiry, starting in autumn 2025, will give residents their say and allow the route to be adjusted.
Will the train serve Roland Garros airport?+
Yes, an airport station is planned at Sainte-Marie in phase 1, so arriving travellers could reach Saint-Denis (10 minutes), Saint-Paul (35 minutes) or Saint-Pierre (1h30) without hiring a car. For the highlands (Cilaos, Salazie, Maïdo, the volcano), you'll still need a car from the airport.
What's the environmental impact?+
Positive overall, as long as the island's electricity is low-carbon. Reunion Island is aiming for 100% renewable electricity by 2030, which would make the Express train very low-carbon. It would take up less land than widening the roads by the same amount, and any crossings of sensitive natural areas are to be kept to a minimum during the public inquiry. Its carbon footprint is far better than that of petrol or diesel cars.
Has Reunion Island had a train before?+
Yes. From 1882 to 1976, the Chemin de fer de La Réunion (CFR) linked Saint-Pierre to Saint-Benoît via Saint-Denis over about 130 kilometres. It was dismantled in the 1970s when the island switched to roads, but you can still see traces of it (the Bras de la Plaine bridge, coastal tunnels from Pointe au Sel to Saint-Denis). The new project doesn't follow the old route.
Will the project create jobs?+
Yes. The study and construction phase (2027-2035) should create several thousand direct and indirect jobs (construction, civil engineering, signalling, electrification). Once the line opens (from 2035), there'll be several hundred permanent jobs for drivers, ticket inspectors, maintenance teams, station staff and security. The exact figures will come from economic impact studies.
Can you visit Reunion Island without a car?+
Not really, not yet. For now, a car is essential for getting around Reunion Island, especially to the highlands, the cirques, hiking trails and beaches away from the towns. 2035 is still a long way off, and even then the train won't end the island's reliance on roads. If you're visiting for 1-2 weeks, plan on hiring a car.
