The Best Day Trip from Paris to Versailles by Train & Tour

Want to plan a perfect day trip from Paris to Versailles by train, bus, or tour?

You’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, you’ll discover how to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, beat the crowds, and explore the palace and its gardens in the best way possible.

I’ll show you the different ways to get from Paris to Versailles by train, bus, or tour. Plus, I’ll share the tips I’ve picked up from my visits to the palace, so you can have an unforgettable experience on one of the best day trips from Paris.

Ready to explore this French gem?

Let’s dive right in!

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How to Get from Paris to Versailles by Train

The best way to go on a day trip to Versailles from Paris is by train. It’s the easiest, cheapest, and fastest option to get from the French capital to the former royal palace.

You can catch a train for a day trip from Paris to Versailles from three stations. Pick the best route depending on where you’re staying in the French capital.

Here are all the details in a nutshell:

Start Station	Stops in Paris	End Station	Trip Duration	Ticket Price
Austerlitz	Gare d’Austerlitz Saint-Michel Notre-Dame Musée d’Orsay Invalides Pont de l’Alma Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel Javel	Versailles Château Rive Gauche	40 min + 15 min walking	€6.00 ($6.60)
Saint-Lazare	Saint-Lazare Pont Cardinet Clichy – Levallois Asnières-sur-Seine La Défense	Versailles Rive Droite	35 min + 20 min walking / 5 min bus	€6.00 ($6.60)
Montparnasse	Non-stop	Versailles Chantiers	15 min + 25 min walking	€6.00 ($6.60)

No matter which train option you choose for your day trip to Versailles from Paris, don’t forget to buy your skip-the-lines ticket in advance:

Trains to Versailles from Austerlitz Station and Stops Along the Seine

RER C offers the best route for a day trip from Paris to Versailles by train.

The train starts from the Austerlitz Station and follows the River Seine. You can hop on at any of the seven stations within the city limits (see the table above).

The journey from Gare d’Austerlitz is approximately 40 minutes long. You need to get off at Gare de Versailles Château Rive Gauche. From there, you can walk to the gates of Versailles Palace in 15 minutes.

The RER C train runs every 15 minutes. The total travel time from Paris to Versailles is no more than an hour.

The single ticket costs €6.00 ($6.60) and is valid for Zones 1-4. You can purchase it at the ticket offices, from the vending machines in the train and metro stations, or online.

Trains to Versailles from Saint-Lazare (8^th Arrondissement)

The TER L train from Gare Saint-Lazare takes about 35 minutes to arrive at Versailles Rive Droite. From the train station, you’ll have to either walk around 20 minutes or hop on Bus 4 for three stops.

You can catch the train from several stations in Paris (see the table above). Your overall travel time from Paris to Versailles using this option will be less than an hour. The TER L train runs every 20 minutes.

You can buy your train tickets online, from the sales office at the station, or from the self-service machines. The full fare costs €6.00 ($6.60), and is valid for Zones 1-4 of the Parisian public transport network.

Trains to Versailles from Montparnasse (14^th Arrondissement)

Catching Train N from Gare Montparnasse is the fastest way to take a day trip from Paris to Versailles by train. You’ll arrive at Versailles Chantiers in under 15 minutes. Versailles Palace is a 25-minute walk away from the train station.

This train doesn’t stop within the city limits, so Montparnasse Station is the only chance to catch it in Paris.

If you decide to pick this option to travel to Versailles, your trip duration will be around 40 minutes. The train runs every 60 minutes.

The price of the full-fare ticket is €6.00 ($6.60), valid for Zones 1-4. You can buy it online, from the office at the station, or the vending machines.

How to Get from Paris to Versailles by Bus

Bus 171 connects Paris with Versailles. Here’s the info about the bus ride in a nutshell:

Start Station	End Station	Trip Duration	Price
Pont de Sèvres	Château de Versailles	30 min + 8 min walking	€4.00 ($4.40)

You can reach the starting bus stop Pont de Sèvre on the outskirts of Paris by Metro Line 9 from other parts of the city.

The bus takes approximately 30 minutes to get to the Palace of Versailles. It runs every 10 minutes.

The single ticket costs €4.00 ($4.40) if you purchase it before getting on board. You’ll pay a bit more if you buy your ticket from the driver. To plan your journey, visit this website.

✔️ Tip: Several companies run direct buses to the palace. I don’t recommend using them for your day trip from Paris to Versailles as they’re expensive and only operate twice a day (in each direction). This means you won’t have flexibility and you’ll have to visit the palace during the busiest hours.

How to Get from Paris to Versailles by Tour

If you prefer to avoid public transportation, you can choose between a half- or a full-day tour to Versailles from Paris. This option gives you enough time to explore the palace at your own pace but lacks flexibility.

Keep in mind that tours generally don’t offer hotel pick-ups and drop-offs.

My recommended tour includes:

• Transfer by bus from Paris to Versailles.
• All-access, skip-the-lines ticket to the estates of the palace.
• Audio guide.
• Entrance to the Musical Garden or the Musical Fountain Show (depending on season and availability).

The meeting point is at 41 Avenue De La Bourdonnais. It is centrally located, near the Eiffel Tower.

The full-day tour to Versailles starts at 8:15 AM. The half-day tour gives you two possible starting times – 8:15 AM and 1:20 PM.

How to Get from Paris to Versailles by Car

Although convenient, getting to Versailles from Paris by car can be challenging and might end up more expensive than other options.

Depending on your starting point in Paris, your trip by car to the Palace of Versailles will take between 45 and 60 minutes.

You can park your car at one of several paid parking lots in front of the palace and around it. The prices start from €3.00 ($3.40) per hour and drop the longer you stay. This means you might end up paying between €15.00 and €30.00 ($17.00 – $34.00) just for parking. Check the current prices and locations of the parking lots on this website.

This travel option is more expensive and stressful than a day trip from Paris to Versailles by train, bus, or tour. For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Things to Know Before Visiting Versailles Palace

Now that you know how to travel to Versailles from Paris, let me tell you more about the palace.

The Importance of Versailles Palace in French History and Architecture

Château de Versailles is a UNESCO World Heritage monument and one of the largest palaces in the world. It boasts more than 700 rooms.

Louis XIV transformed and expanded the estate from a simple hunting lodge to the center of the French monarchy. In 1682, he even moved the royal court and the government of France from Paris to Versailles.

Inside the Palace of Versailles, you can explore the State Apartments of the King, the Private Apartments of the King and Queen, the Hall of Mirrors, the Royal Chapel, and the Royal Opera.

The fascinating State Apartments consist of seven salons and were used on various state occasions, as the name suggests. Each of them has breathtaking decor and features scenes from Roman mythology.

The Private Apartments had both personal and official functions. The Queen’s and the King’s Apartments have the same design. Each suite consists of seven rooms. The ceilings in both depict mythological acts.

By far the most fascinating area in the palace is the Hall of Mirrors. The marble-covered long gallery overlooks the gardens. 578 mirrors face 17 windows and reflect the light, creating a unique, vibrant spectacle. Depictions from the reign of Louis XIV decorate the ceiling.

The Estate of Versailles also encompasses the Trianons, the Gardens, and the Park. The Trianons include three buildings: Trianon de Porcelaine, Grand Trianon, and Petit Trianon.

The Opening Hours and Ticket Prices of Versailles Palace

The Palace of Versailles consists of several buildings, parks, and gardens. Their operating hours and entry fees vary.

To help you plan your day trip to Versailles, I’ve compiled the following table with the current opening hours and ticket prices:

Estate	Winter Nov 1 – Mar 31	Summer Apr 1 – Oct 31	Full Price
The Palace	9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on Mondays, Dec 25, and Jan 1	9:00 AM – 6:30 PM Closed on Mondays and May 1	€21.00 ($22.66)
The Estate of Trianon	12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Closed on Mondays, Dec 25, and Jan 1	12:00 PM – 6:30 PM Closed on Mondays and May 1	€12.00 ($13.50)
The Coach Gallery	12:30 PM – 5:30 PM Closed on Mondays, Dec 25, and Jan 1	Closed	Free
The Estate of Marly	8:00 AM – 5:00 PM	8:00 AM – 5:00 PM	Free
The Gardens	8:00 AM – 6:00 PM	8:00 AM – 8:30 PM	Without a Show: Free Musical Fountains Show: €9.50 ($10.65) Musical Gardens: €8.50 ($9.50)
The Park	8:00 AM – 6:00 PM	7:00 AM – 8:30 PM	Free
Combined ticket – all estates with Fountains Show or Musical Gardens			€32.00 ($34.50)

And here’s the most important info about visiting Versailles:

• Your ticket to the palace has a 30-minute time slot to enter the estate. If you miss this window, the staff might not let you in.
• The Palace, the Estate of Trianon, and the Coach Gallery are closed on Mondays.
• The park, the gardens, and the Estate of Marly are open every day of the week.
• The combined ticket is called the passport.
• Several groups of people can visit the Palace of Versailles for free. They need to reserve their timeslots and tickets. Click here to see if you’re eligible for a free entry.
• On the first Sunday of the month from November to March, admission to Versailles is free for all visitors.
• You can always visit the Coach Gallery, the Estate of Marly, and the park free of charge.  
• You can also explore the gardens for free, except during the Musical Fountains Show and the Musical Gardens spectacle.
• From April to October, you can enjoy the Musical Gardens spectacle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On weekends, the gardens of Versailles will enchant you with the Musical Fountains Show.
• For an exquisite experience, attend one of the special events. Operas, concerts, and equestrian shows regularly take place at Château de Versailles.
• Audio guides are included in the price of the ticket. To avoid waiting to get yours, download the free app for Android or iOS in advance.

Further Tips About Visiting Versailles on a Day Trip from Paris

1. You’ll find several eateries on the Versailles Palace premises. They include:

• La Flottille: A high-end brasserie serving traditional French cuisine.
• Angelina Petit Trianon: An open-air restaurant serving sweet and savory gourmet temptations.
• La Petite Venise: Italian cuisine in a rustic environment.
• La Véranda: This brasserie will surprise you with its contemporary continental cuisine.
• Gordon Ramsay au Trianon: The fine-dining restaurant of the world-famous chef tempts with culinary creations, which will live up to or even exceed your wildest gastronomical dreams.

2. The area of the Park of Versailles is massive. You’ll need to spend hours roaming its alleys and still not manage to discover every corner. If you want to cover as much ground as possible in as little time as you can, rent one of the transportation options in the park. They include bikes, electric carts, a mini train, and rowing boats.

3. If you decide to spend a night at Versailles, here are my top recommended accommodations, worthy of royalty. Click on the links to book your exquisite stay:  

FAQs About the Perfect Day Trip to Versailles from Paris

How do I get from Paris to Versailles on a day trip?

You can visit Versailles from Paris by public transportation (train and bus), by car, and by tour. I recommend taking the train as it’s the cheapest and fastest way for a day trip from Paris to Versailles.

How much does it cost to get to Versailles from Paris?

The train tickets from Paris to Versailles cost €6.00 ($6.60) in each direction. The single-ride bus ticket is €4.00 ($4.40) but you need to get the metro to reach its initial stop. For a tour to Versailles with transportation included, expect to pay around $15.00 on top of the ticket price.

How long is Versailles from Paris by train?

Trains from Paris to Versailles take between 15 min and 40 min to get to the palace, depending on the line you take. Additionally, you need to walk somewhere between 15 min and 25 min to reach the gates from the different train stations.

Is it better to visit Versailles in the morning or afternoon?

In my opinion, it’s best to visit tourist attractions in the morning. If you want to beat the crowds, go to Versailles as early as the palace opens.

Can you do Versailles in half a day?

Yes, you absolutely can visit the Palace of Versailles in half a day. This will give you enough time to walk through the different rooms and check out some of the gardens. My advice is to come in the morning to try to beat the crowds.

Now You Know How to Plan the Best Day Trip from Paris to Versailles

And that’s a wrap – now you know how to plan the perfect day trip from Paris to Versailles like a pro.

Even if you’re only spending 3 days in Paris, you can still find the time to visit the palace. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is the perfect destination for a day tour from Paris.

And if a day doesn’t suffice to explore everything you desire, spend the night overlooking the Palace of Versailles.

Btw, did you know you can also visit several of France’s neighbors by train as well? Check out these awesome day trips from Paris to other countries to learn more.

Now, it’s your turn:

Have you done a day trip from Paris to Versailles? How did you like the experience?

Let me know in the comments below.