How to Reach from Paris to Versailles

Many people plan to visit Versailles Palace and ask, Is Versailles a day trip from Paris? What is the easiest way to get there? How much does it cost? Etc.

The majestic Palace of Versailles is located 19 kilometers (12 mi) west of Paris,France.

If you are also planning to visit Versailles Palace from Paris, there are various ways to do so, with the train being one of the cheapest options.

However, there are many other ways!

This guide will explain everything about traveling from Paris to Versailles, including the distance, fare, and time taken by different transport options.

Let’s start with the easiest and best one!

Is Versailles a day trip from Paris?

Yes, Versailles is a perfect day trip from Paris. It is just about 19 kilometers (12 miles) away, making it easily accessible by many transport options.

What is the Best Way to get from Paris to Versailles?

Are you someone who doesn’t like the hassle of arranging and switching different transport options to get somewhere?

Well, if it is so, the easiest and best way to reach the palace is by taking a day trip to Versailles from Paris.

A variety of day trips from Paris to Versailles are available online. 

These tours provide round-trip transportation to the palace by AC bus and include entry tickets and tour guides.

These trips don’t cost much and start at just €45 for adult visitors. If you want more privacy, you can even take a private tour starting at €119.

Here are some of the popular day trip tours available online. You can choose any of them based on your preferences:

Tour	Price
From Paris: Palace of Versailles & Gardens w/ Transportation	€45
From Paris: Versailles Skip-the-Line Tour & Gardens Access	€60
From Paris: Versailles Palace & Garden Bike Tour w/ Tickets	€119

Why take a day trip tour?

Are you confused about whether a day trip to Versailles from Paris is a good idea? Here are a few reasons to consider it:

Effortless Travel:  Day trip tours take care of all the transportation logistics, eliminating the stress of figuring out train schedules, navigating unfamiliar routes, purchasing tickets or missing the last train back to Paris.

Maximize Your Time: You can save your time by skipping the hassle of researching public transportation and saving yourself from potential delays.

Day tours also offer more efficiency, allowing you to utilize your time for exploring.

Expert Insights: Many day trip tours include knowledgeable guides or audio guides who bring the palace to life.

They can share fascinating historical details, architectural secrets, and stories about the interesting history of the Versailles Palace.

Other ways to get from Paris to Versailles Palace:

A day trip tour is certainly the best way to visit Versailles Palace. 
However, if you want to explore the palace on your own, you can do so by train, bus, car or taxi.

Train from Paris to Versailles

Time taken: 1- 1.5 hours
Cost: €7

One of the most popular and cheapest ways to reach Versailles Palace is by taking the RER C train.

This train runs from east to west across Paris, following the Seine River.

The RER C has numerous stations throughout Paris, with trains running every 15 minutes.

Depending on your starting location in Paris, the journey can take between 1 and 1.5 hours. 

A round-trip ticket for the trip will cost 7 euros, which is valid for both the metro and RER trains.

Once you board the train, you can get off at the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, which is just a 10-minute walk from the Palace of Versailles.

One tip: There are various RER C trains. Make sure you board the one heading towards Versailles Château —Rive Gauche.

The RER C train is the best option for most people staying in central Paris. However, there are other trains if you are staying in northern or southern Paris.

Visitors staying in the north of Paris can take the train line L from Saint Lazare station.

This train will take you to Versailles Rive Droite station, which is also a 10-minute walk from the palace.

This route takes around 45 minutes if you’re near Montmartre or the famous department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps.

Alternatively, visitors staying in the southern part of Paris can take the train line N from Montparnasse station.

This train will take you to Versailles-Chantiers station, approximately 10 minutes from the palace.

Montparnasse station is located in the chic district of Saint Germain des Prés. This journey takes about 50 minutes.

To clear up the confusion, you can take a glance at the simplified table below:

Area in Paris	Departure Station	Arrival Station	Time Taken	Round Price
Central Paris	Any nearby RER Train station	Versailles Château Rive Gauche	1 to 1.5 hours	€7
Northern Paris	Saint Lazare	Versailles Rive Droite	45 minutes	€7
Southern Paris	Montparnasse	Versailles Chantiers	50 minutes	€7

How to get to Versailles from Paris on a Bus

Time taken: 45 to 50  minutes
Cost: €4 to €6 

Another cost-effective way to travel from Paris to Versailles is by taking a bus.

The bus ride offers a chance to see more of the Paris suburbs and the countryside of Ile de France.

Although there is no direct bus from Paris to the Palace of Versailles, here’s a way to cover the distance:

Step 1: Take the Metro to Pont de Sèvres

First, you’ll need to take the metro to Pont de Sèvres station, which is located on the western edge of Paris. This station is accessible via Line 9 of the Paris Metro.

Step 2: Catch the Bus #171

Once you arrive at Pont de Sèvres, head outside the station and look for the bus stop for the #171 bus heading southwest. This bus will take you directly to Versailles.

Please note that not all #171 buses go all the way to Versailles. 

Once you find the bus, make sure to ask, “Bonjour, Monsieur or Madame. Versailles?” (Hello, Sir or Ma’am. Versailles).

They will understand and let you know if you’re on the correct bus. Watch their gestures to know if you should stay on or wait for the next bus. 

Step 3: The Bus Ride

The bus ride from Pont de Sèvres to Versailles takes about 30 minutes. It might take a bit longer if there is traffic or road construction. 

The cost is usually one metro/bus ticket per way unless your trip exceeds 90 minutes.

One tip: You can also check the schedule of the #171 bus on the RATP website or app for accurate timings.

Reaching Versailles by Car

Time taken: 50-60 minutes

Although driving in Paris is not recommended due to heavy traffic and high parking costs, you can rent a car in central Paris if you still plan to drive.

There are three routes to drive from Paris to Versailles: via Rue de Vaugirard, via Av. de Versailles and via Rue de Versailles/D985.

They are all approximately 20 km long and take 50 minutes to an hour, depending on speed and traffic.

You can use GPS or a navigation app to guide you along the quickest route based on current traffic conditions in the city.

Before planning to drive, make sure to book a slot for parking near Versailles Palace in advance. Some of the nearby options are:

Place d’Armes: This is the official car park located right in front of the Palace. It offers paid parking for cars, minibusses, and coaches. While convenient, it can be crowded and expensive.

One park – Parking Versailles – Château de Versailles: This parking garage is across Boulevard de la Reine, offering a covered and potentially less crowded option than Place d’Armes.

Parking Cathédrale Saint Louis: This underground parking lot is located on Rue du Général Leclerc, a short walk from the Palace.

One tip: To avoid heavy traffic, you can consider departing Paris in the evening and staying at a hotel near the Versailles Palace.

This way, you can avoid traffic and visit the palace in the morning hours, which is the best time to visit Versailles Palace and avoid crowds.

Taxi or Uber from Paris to Versailles

Cost: €35 to €40 or more
Time taken: 50 minutes

Taxis are readily available in Paris. You can either book them online or hail them at the nearby stands or roads.

Taking a taxi is the most convenient way to get from Paris to Versailles, especially if you are on a family trip or have luggage.

The taxi fare in Paris starts at €1 to €2 per km, with additional costs for waiting times.

However, the prices are not fixed and vary depending on factors such as distance traveled, time of day, and the number of people.

Alternatively, you can also book an Uber online, which costs similar to a taxi.

Similarly, you can reach back from Versailles to Paris using these means of transport.

Bike ride from Paris to Versailles

If you enjoy biking, cycling from Paris to Versailles can be a memorable experience during your trip.

The route spans 15 miles (24 km) and is both easy and scenic.

It begins with a delightful ride through the Bois de Boulogne in Paris’s 16th arrondissement.

And as you pedal towards the Palace of Versailles, you’ll pass through picturesque landscapes, including charming woods and open meadows.

If you don’t have a bike, you can rent one at various rental shops in Paris. 

There, you can find road bikes and even electric bikes suitable for the trip to Versailles.

Besides this, various bike ride tours are available online, including group biking for adventurous trips.

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