Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Visiting Versailles can seem daunting because of its size and hordes of visitors. But
if you follow my tips, a trip here during even the busiest times is manageable.
Getting There
By Train:
ThetownofVersailles is35minutessouthwestofParis.Takethe
RER-C train
(4/hour, 35 minutes one-way, €6.60 round-trip) from any of these Paris RER stops: Gare
d'Austerlitz, St. Michel, Musée d'Orsay, Invalides, Pont de l'Alma, or Champ de Mars.
You can buy your train tickets at any Métro ticket window in Paris—for no extra cost it
willincludetheconnectionfromthatMétrostoptotheRER.AttheRERstation,catchany
train listed as “Versailles Château R.G.” or “Versailles Château Rive Gauche” (Château
RiveGaucheistheVersaillesstationclosesttotheChâteau—therearetwoothers).Rideto
the last stop.
At the Versailles Château R.G. train station, exit through the turnstiles by inserting
your ticket. Ignore any hawkers peddling guided Versailles tours and tickets. To reach
the
palace,
simply follow the crowds: Turn right out of the station, then left at the first
boulevard, and walk 10 minutes. When returning to Paris, just catch the first train you see:
All trains serve all downtown Paris RER stops on the C line.
AnhourlyshuttlebuslinkstheVersaillesChâteauR.G.trainstationtoastopnearthe
Trianon/Domaine,
but doesn't go to the palace. It's ideal if you're visiting the Trianon/
Domaine first, before the Château—or if you want to return to the train station from the
Trianon/Domaine(€2—oroneMétroticket,runsmid-April-Octonly,checkcurrentsched-
ule for “Ligne TRI” at
www.phebus.tm.fr
or at the small Phébus office across from the
Versailles R.G. train station, near McDonald's).
By Taxi:
The 30-minute ride (without traffic) between Versailles and Paris costs
about €60.
By Car:
Get on the
périphérique
freeway that circles Paris, and take the toll-free
A-13 autoroute toward Rouen. Exit at Versailles, follow signs to
Versailles Château
, and
park in the huge pay lot at Place d'Armes (€6/2 hours, €10/4 hours, €16/8 hours).
Planning Your Time
Versailles merits a full sightseeing day and is much more enjoyable with a relaxed, unhur-
ried approach. Here's what I'd do on a first visit:
• Get a pass in advance (explained later, under “Passes”).
• Avoid Sundays and Tuesdays, when crowds smother the palace interior.
