How To Get From Paris To Versailles Palace (6 Best Possible Ways)

Are you planning to visit Versailles but not sure how to get there? This article will give you various options on exactly how to get from Paris to Versailles!

The Palace of Versailles is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful royal palaces in the world.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it bears witness to the rich history of the kings of France, particularly the Sun King Louis XIV.

Located only 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from Paris, the Palace of Versailles and its magnificent gardens are one of the most popular day trips from Paris frequented by several tourists and locals alike.

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It hosts approximately 8 million visitors per year, thus making it one of the most visited French monuments!

Being on everyone’s travel bucket list, how to get there is one of the most frequently asked questions, especially for those visiting for the first time.

To help you get your way around with ease, in this post, I will show you how to get from Paris to Versailles Palace effortlessly and help you choose between various options whether by car, bus, train, or even bike so that you opt for what perfectly suits your needs to enjoy one of the most beautiful castles near Paris!

Before You Go, Here’s How to Plan Your Visit To Paris: Practical Quick Tips

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Cabaret at Moulin Rouge: A cabaret in the iconic Moulin Rouge is a must: (4.7/10)

How to Get From Paris to Versailles Palace

Here is a detailed guide on how to get to Versailles from Paris including the pros and cons of each means to help you make an informed decision.

1. How to Get from Paris To Versailles by Organized Tours

Train, bus, roads, and parking spots… so much hassle! If you want to enjoy your visit without the inconvenience of organizing it from scratch, then a guided tour is for you.

This organized day trip from Paris to Versailles will help you benefit from an all-in-one solution, including transportation from Paris, entrance tickets to both the palace and the gardens, and an audio guide. You won’t have to deal with figuring out transportation on your own.

However, if you want to deepen your knowledge about the castle and have fun while doing so, instead of booking the above-organized day trip, opt for this guided tour of Versailles from Paris with a professional guide.

This guided tour offers roundtrip transportation in a comfortable bus and brings a new light on the residence of French royals, as there are many anecdotes and interesting stories about this historical site you can learn from your tour guide.

It is the ideal way to understand what the Palace of Versailles is all about and its role in French history without the hassle of planning anything.

Pros and Cons of Getting from Paris to Versailles By Organized Tours

Psst… If you’re going to Versailles with the options mentioned below (train, bus, car, or taxi), I recommend buying this 1-day Versailles entry ticket to get access to the entire palace domain and the gardens while also skipping queues.

And if you want to take part in a guided tour without transportation (to remain flexible with your schedule), this is the Versailles guided tour I recommend signing up for.

2. How to Get to Versailles from Paris by train

The train is certainly one of the best ways to get from Paris to Versailles as it is both inexpensive and relatively easy. It is a cheap and convenient way to get to the castle; on top of that, it’s eco-friendly!

There are several options to take the train to Versailles from Paris. To choose the best one, you should consider your precise departure point in the capital to figure out what train to ride.

Whether the RER C from the center of Paris, the N line from Montparnasse station, or the L line from Saint- Lazare train station. 

Sounds complicated? Don’t worry! I will guide you step by step to help you understand which line you should choose.

How to get to Versailles from Paris with RER C

If you are located in the center of Paris, near the Seine river, then the best way to get to Versailles from Paris is to take the RER C.

This suburban train runs through Paris alongside the Seine and connects no less than 7 stations in the heart of Paris: Champs de Mars –  Tour Eiffel, Pont de l’Alma, Invalides, Musée d’Orsay, Saint Michel Notre Dame, Paris Austerlitz and Bibliothèque François Mitterrand.

You can board from any of these 7 stations and take a train to Versailles Château -Rive Gauche, sometimes abbreviated to Versailles Rive-Gauche or Versailles RG. This is the closest train station to Versailles Castle.

Beware that the RER C is sprawling and very extensive. Finding the right train can be complicated and confusing, but as long as you follow the directions and station signs, you should be fine.

Make sure that the terminus matches the one mentioned above and don’t hesitate to ask the RATP staff in the station if you’re afraid of making a mistake!

Once you arrive at the Versailles-Rive Gauche train station, you’ll have to walk another 10 minutes to get to the castle. There are signs on the platform to show you the way and don’t worry as you won’t be the only visitor around so you can just follow the crowd!

How long does it take: 30 minutes (if you board from Invalides) + 5 to 10 minutes walk.

How often: every 10 minutes.

Paris to Versailles train cost: 2.5€ per trip per person or €1.25 for reduced-fare tickets. The ticket needed for this trip is the Metro-Train-RER Ticket since it works all around the Île-de-France region.

You can buy the ticket on your phone using the IDF Mobilites App or load it on your Navigo Easy from either the ticket machines or the RATP counters in metro/train stations.

How to get to Versailles from Montparnasse train station

If you are located near Montparnasse train station in the south of Paris, the Transilien line N is the ideal solution to take a train from Paris to Versailles.

To reach the town of Versailles, find the train leading to the Versailles Chantiers station. Please note that this is a different station from Versailles Château I mentioned earlier.

It is slightly further away as you will have to walk 20 minutes to reach the castle. Don’t be afraid to use your phone’s GPS to find your way, even if the route is quite well-marked (look for the brown road signs).

How long does it take: 25 minutes from Gare Montparnasse + 20 minutes walk from the station to the castle.

How often: every 15 minutes.

Paris to Versailles train cost: 2.5€ per trip per person or €1.25 for reduced-fare tickets. The ticket needed for this trip is the Metro-Train-RER Ticket since it works all around the Île-de-France region.

You can buy the ticket on your phone using the IDF Mobilites App or load it on your Navigo Easy from either the ticket machines or the RATP counters in metro/train stations.

How to Get to Versailles Palace from Saint-Lazare train station

If you’re located near Saint-Lazare train station, the Transilien line L is a convenient but relatively slower solution.

Once at the station, check the information screens and hop on the train to the Versailles Rive-Droite station. Once at the terminus, you will have to walk 20 minutes to reach the castle.

How long does it take: 40 minutes from Saint-Lazare + 20 minutes walk.

How often: every 15/20 minutes.

Paris to Versailles train cost: 2.5€ per trip per person or €1.25 for reduced-fare tickets. The ticket needed for this trip is the Metro-Train-RER Ticket since it works all around the Île-de-France region.

You can buy the ticket on your phone using the IDF Mobilites App or load it on your Navigo Easy from either the ticket machines or the RATP counters in metro/train stations.

Practical Tips to Consider Before Your Trip From Paris to Versailles by Train

• Consider buying a round-trip ticket from Paris to avoid queuing at the train station after your visit. The ticket vending machines will be packed with tourists at the end of the day!

• If you travel in July and August, the RER C will most likely be under renovation, so check the notices in the train station and the app to plan your trip and find a different route if that’s the case.

• If you choose the RER C, double-check that you are taking the one going to Versailles Rive-Gauche and not the one to Versailles Chantiers.

Pros and Cons of Getting from Paris to Versailles By Train

3. How to Get to Versailles from Paris by bus

Getting from Paris to Versailles by bus is unquestionably the cheapest way to do it! Unfortunately, it’s also the slowest overall.

Operating from 5:50 am to 12:50 am, Bus 171 from the station Pont de Sèvres stops right in front of the castle.

The buses are reasonably regular as you will hardly wait more than 10 minutes to board.

However, be sure that the bus you are boarding is terminating in Versailles because other buses may have different terminuses even though they are on the same line 171.

Since it takes just 35 minutes from the departure at the Pont-de-Sèvres to reach the entrance to the castle, it might seem appealing and comparingly shorter compared to other means but there is a catch.

This bus station is significantly far from Paris (technically, it’s even outside the city limits), so if you are located in the city center, you will have to reach the bus station by first taking the subway via line 9 (M9), which will greatly increase your travel time to almost an hour!

How long does it take: 35 minutes from the Pont-de-Sèvres bus station.

At what times: from 05:50 am to 00:50 am.

How often: Every 10 minutes.

How much does it cost: €2.00 (or €1.00 for reduced-fare tickets) but €2.50 if bought directly from the bus driver. The ticket needed for this trip is the Bus-Tram Ticket since it works all around the Île-de-France region.

Pros and Cons of Getting to Versailles from Paris By Bus

4. How to Get to Versailles from Paris by bike

If you are in a sporty mood and want to discover the surroundings of Paris, then you can get from Paris to the Palace of Versailles by bike!

The distance from Paris to Versailles is only about 25 km (15.5 miles), so the journey is fairly quick and can be done in less than half a day.

Biking to Versailles will give you a feeling of freedom like no other way of transportation can! It’s the perfect way to enjoy the scenery along the road and discover Paris and its vicinity.

There are two main routes from the center of Paris. You can either follow the Seine river and then leave the capital by the southwest or go straight to the west of Paris through the Bois de Boulogne then head south along the Seine and lastly go west again to reach the city of Versailles.

To organize your trip I advise you to use Google Maps or dedicated bicycle apps like BikeMap and Geovelo.

Those will help you to locate the Bike lanes and anticipate the elevation changes along the way. Even though bicycle lanes will be available for the majority of the trip, stay aware of the traffic, wear a helmet, and be careful!

If you don’t have a bike already, you can easily rent one from the many bike rental companies around Paris.

How long does it take: Between 1h30 to 2h depending on the route you take.

How much it costs: anywhere between 15€ and 50€ per day depending on the rental company and the type of bike (classic or electric).

But, if you don’t want to bike from Paris but still want to visit the Versailles area on a bike, another excellent solution is to join this guided bike tour starting from Versailles.

With this bike tour, the cost of the train from Paris is included, and bikes are picked up right in front of the train station after meeting with the guide. This is ideal if you don’t feel like riding a bike from Paris or searching for a bike rental company yourself.

The bike tour will start somewhere near the castle and you’ll get to explore the town of Versailles and its market, explore the beautiful Versailles gardens and forest, and the entire palace on a bike while your knowledgable tour guide gives you historical facts about the palace.

Pros and Cons of Getting to Versailles from Paris By Bike

5. How to get to the Palace of Versailles from Paris by Car

If you have a car, getting to Versailles from Paris by car is comfortable and convenient.

You can use your GPS to find out the direction. I recommend planning your route with Mappy, Waze, or Google Maps.

How to get to the Palace of Versailles from Paris?

To reach Versailles by car, you can either leave Paris by the west and follow the A13 direction or by the south and follow the A86 direction. 

Both of these free highways will lead you to Versailles. Even though both solutions are valid, I would personally choose the A13 freeway, as I find it more practical and easier to drive on.

Of course, the travel time will depend on the traffic but plan for 35 minutes under normal circumstances or 1 hour or more if it’s congested.

As always, remember to check on the internet to know the traffic situation before leaving, sometimes it’s better to postpone your departure by half an hour to save time!

Once you arrive in Versailles, your adventure is not over because you will have to find a parking spot, and believe me it is not an easy task! This is by far the major drawback of this method of transportation.

How to find Packing at Versailles Palace

To park in Versailles, I recommend three different options!

• The castle’s car park, right in front of the main gate, is vast and very convenient but also very expensive as it costs 30€ for the whole day! (You end up spending more on packing than on the visit to the palace.)

• Drive around the castle along the main boulevards of Versailles, hoping to find a free parking spot. Tip: Download the L’appli Versailles app to know the location of all the parking lots or even to be able to pay online.

• Park at the entrance of the Trianon castle, slightly away from the Palace of Versailles. Parking is free on the outskirts and 12€ if you enter the domain. You can then reach the castle by walking in the gardens or riding the convenient and folkloric little train (8,50€ per person).

How long does it take: 35 to 45 minutes if the traffic is good.

How much does it cost: a few euros for gas, plus 12€ to 30€ to park.

Pros and Cons of Getting to Versailles from Paris By Car

6. How to travel from Paris to Versailles by Taxi/Uber

If driving in Paris is not an option (you’ve probably heard about how Parisians drive) and public transportation makes you nervous, then the Taxi/Uber option is the best way to get from Paris to Versailles!

Paris is all about love, but it is also all about traffic jams! If you want to visit Versailles from Paris, try to organize your arrival and departure times according to the peak traffic periods to avoid losing precious time in traffic.

How to choose between Parisian cabs and Uber

If your main goal is to save money, then Uber (or other shared car apps) is recommended, as it is cheaper than Parisian cabs. Don’t be afraid to compare different apps like FreeNow, Heetch, or BlaBlaCar to find the best rates.

However, if you don’t want to deal with the stress of finding a driver, a Parisian Taxi, although more expensive, will allow you to avoid last-minute cancellations which unfortunately are relatively frequent with Uber!

I recommend downloading the G7 cabs app to book your cab since hailing a taxi from the street is nearly impossible in Paris! 

How long does it take: 35 to 45 minutes without heavy traffic.

How much does it cost: 55€ to 75€ depending on your choice.

Pros and Cons of Getting from Paris to Versailles By Taxi/Uber

An Overview of How to Get from Paris to Versailles

To summarize, here are the best ways to travel from Paris to Versailles according to your personal preferences:

For budget travelers: The train is the best option.

For people who are looking for comfort: Opt for Uber/Taxi.

To discover the Paris region differently: By bike from Paris.

For those who don’t want the hustle of Planning: A guided tour is the ideal option.

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Final Thoughts on How to Get to Versailles From Paris

And that’s it! Hopefully, this post has given you all the information you need to know on how to get from Paris to Versailles.

Remember, there isn’t a “best way” as every solution presented in this article has its pros and cons. It all depends on your budget and the style of journey you would like to enjoy!

But regardless of which option you choose, you’re bound to enjoy your visit as you walk through the footsteps of former French royals.

More articles to help you plan your trip to Paris.

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• Best night tours of Paris
• A complete guide to the 20 arrondissements of Paris
• Best Souvenirs from Paris
• What is Paris famous for
• Fun things to do in Paris in November

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