Last Updated on: 13th March 2024, 12:59 pm
#1 Top pick
Versailles Palace & Garden Tour w. Skip The Line Entry from Paris
- Round-trip transportation from Paris to Versailles
- Skip-the-line entrance to the Palace of Versailles
- Guided tour of the Palace and introduction to the Gardens
- Local, English-speaking guide
- Duration: 3 hours
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (640 reviews)
#2nd choice
Versailles Palace – Classic Guided Tour
- Skip-the-line admission to the Palace of Versailles with guided tour and scheduled time access
- Access to the gardens by the end of the tour (additional fee for the garden is required on days with fountain show or musical show)
- Professional guide
- Headsets to hear the guide clearly
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes – meeting point in Versailles, transportation Paris – Versailles not included
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (1457 reviews)
Contents
To make the most out of your trip, make sure you plan to spend a full day in Versailles and buy your tickets in advance. If you’re entitled to free admission, you’ll still need to go online and book your free ticket for your desired date.
Located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of the city center, there are several convenient ways to make your way from Paris to Versailles.
Neptune and I at Versailles
Here are the top options to consider:
Public Transportation
The least expensive way to go from Paris to Versailles is by public transport.
Train
One of the easiest and most affordable options is to take the RER C train from any station along RER C line within Paris.
Trains to Versailles depart every 15-30 minutes and take around 45 minutes to reach the Versailles Rive Gauche station.
From there, it’s about a 10-15 minute walk to the palace grounds.
RER trains are heavily used by commuters going to work or returning home, so they can get incredibly busy during rush hours. In my experience, it’s best to take RER trains to go outside Paris early in the morning and return late afternoon.
Bus
The bus is another inexpensive public transit option.
Lines 171 and 171A run directly from various points in Paris to the entrance of the Château de Versailles. The journey takes approximately 1 hour, depending on traffic.
I prefer RER trains, as the commute is shorter and there’s no risk of unforeseen traffic jams along the way.
Private Transportation
Taxi/Uber
For a more direct route, you can take a taxi or use a ridesharing service like Uber. Expect the trip to take around 45-60 minutes from central Paris, depending on traffic.
This option offers door-to-door convenience but is more costly. Besides, it doesn’t save you from the annoying traffic jams in Paris.
Private Transfer
Companies offer private transfers between Paris and Versailles via car or minivan.
These can be booked in advance and provide a comfortable ride with stops directly at your hotel or the palace.
Organized Tours
Another incredibly convenient way to visit Versailles is to book an organized tour departing from Paris. Many tour companies offer day trips that include round-trip transportation as well as a guided tour of the palace and gardens. This allows you to skip the lines and learn all about the history and significance of Versailles from an expert guide.
Tours typically range from half-day to full-day excursions.
Click here to see details and to book a guided tours of Versailles from Paris.
If you prefer to use my article and get to Versailles from Paris by train on your own, check out this other guided tour of Versailles.
Do you want to see all available Versailles tours on Viator? Click here!
The gardens are a pleasure to visit – I could have spent ages on that bench, listening to music
These fountains are truly refreshing
Versailles is an excellent day trip from Paris for couples, even on rainy weather
No matter which mode of transportation you choose, a visit to the grand Palace of Versailles makes for an unforgettable experience when traveling to Paris.
Be sure to purchase entrance tickets in advance to avoid long lines, and wear comfortable shoes as there is quite a bit of walking involved when exploring the palace and gardens. Enjoy this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site!
