The Palace of Versailles is one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, and for good reason. The former royal residence is simply stunning, from the massive gardens to the lavish interior of the palace itself. Paris is a fantastic city with plenty of things to do. But if you’re already in Paris, it’s easy to take a trip to Versailles! The two cities are about 16 miles apart. Here are all the tips you need for visiting Versailles palace and gardens. Happy travels!

1- RER C

If you’re planning a trip to Versailles, there’s no need to worry about which train to take – the RER C goes directly to the palace. Of course, that also means that it can be quite crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. But don’t let that deter you – the trip is well worth the effort. 

You can take the train from any line C station. The main C line stations from Central Paris include St-Michel, Musée d’Orsay, Invalides, Pont de l’Alma, and Champs de Mars – Tour Eiffel. 

The train arrives at Versailles Château – Rive Gauche Train Station.

 The travel time is around 40 minutes. You can book your ticket in advance using a booking engine like Omio or Trainline.

And once you get there, you can explore the incredible grounds, visit the charming town of Versailles, or simply relax in one of the many gardens. 

Just be sure to purchase your ticket in advance, so you can avoid the long lines at the ticket office. With a little planning, your trip to Versailles will be a breeze.

Things to know

• You can buy the RER C ticket from any metro or RER station in Paris
• You can buy the ticket from the ticket machine or at a ticket counter
• If you have an unexpired Paris Visite,Mobilis pass or Navigo that’s valid for zones 1-4, you don’t need an extra ticket
• The trains usually run once in 20 minutes
• You need to keep your ticket to exit through the turnstiles

2- Other SNCF trains

The French national railway (SNCF) also operates two other train services between Paris and Versailles and you can use them to get to Versailles too

1. SNCF Line N train from Gare Montparnasse Station to Versailles Chantiers Train Station
2. SNCF Line L train that leaves from Gare Saint-Lazare Station to Versailles Rive Droite Train Station

Things to know

• The walk from Versailles Chantiers Station to the palace takes about 18 minutes
• The walk from Versailles Rive Droite Train Station takes about 17 minutes

2- Rideshare

The RER is the easiest way to get to Versailles from Paris. However, if you don’t want to take the train for some reason or if you’re on a tight budget, take a rideshare! 

It’s a convenient way to get around, and it’s not as expensive as you might think. Rideshares tend to be cheaper than RER and would cost you around 3 euros per ride in 2022.

The only downside is that you’ll have to share the ride with a few other people. But who knows, you might even make some new friends along the way. The most popular rideshare platform in Paris is Blablacar. You can use their website or download the app on your phone.

Just be sure to bring your camera, because you’re going to want to take lots of photos of the beautiful buildings and gardens at Versailles!

Things to know

• The most popular rideshare platform in Paris is Blablacar. 
• You can use the Blablacar website or download the app on your phone.
• Travel time will depend on traffic

3- Taxi 

While there are several ways to make the journey, taking a taxi is a good option if you want to avoid trains and rideshares. Taxi fares vary depending on the company and the time of day, but you can expect to pay around 50 euros for a one-way trip. 

Keep in mind that traffic can be heavy during peak times, so it’s always best to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to get to your destination.

Things to know

• Popular taxi services in Paris include Easy Go Shuttle and Welcome Pickups
• You can also hail a taxi from the street
• Travel time will depend on traffic

4- Rental cars

There’s nothing like the open road and rental cars are perfect for visitors who want to see towns around Paris. But before you can hit the highway, you need to choose your rental car company. Do you want the dependability of Hertz? The style of Sixt? Or the affordability of Enterprise? 

Whichever company you choose, make sure you’re prepared for the drive from Paris to Versailles. It’s about 45 minutes outside of the city, so you’ll need a full tank of gas and GPS (or a map at the very least). 

Once you get on the road, enjoy the sights and sounds of France. And try not to get lost.

Things to know

• You should pay for car GPS or make sure you have GPS on your phone. 
• Google Maps is one of the best options for driving directions.
• Travel time will depend on traffic and time of travel

5- Buses

If you want to look out of your moving vehicle and take in the sights of Paris, buses are a fabulous option for you. There are buses that run regularly between Paris and Versailles. 

They start from the Pont de Sèvres bus stop in Paris to the Place d’Armes Versailles bus stop.

The RATP bus line 171 runs every 15-20 minutes from Pont de Sèvres bus stop, the last stop on line 9 of Paris metro.

Things to know

• Take the RATP bus line 171 
• Buses usually run between 6 a.m. and 12 a.m.
• They run once in 15 to 20 minutes.
• Travel time will depend on traffic but usually takes around 40 minutes
• You can book your bus ticket in advance on Omio or Checkmybus
• You can also buy your ticket in person

6- Car sharing

If you need to go to Versailles from Paris, car-sharing is another option available to you. The idea may be new but there are several car sharing service providers similar to bike sharing service providers in Paris. 

Share Now, Ubeeqo, and Free2move are just a few of the many car sharing companies that have sprung up in Paris in recent years. For visitors to the city, car sharing can be a convenient and affordable way to get around. For residents, it can be a great way to save money on transportation costs. And for the environment, it can help to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

Things to know

• Share Now is one of the leading car sharing companies in Paris. With over 1,000 vehicles in its fleet, Share Now offers customers a wide range of options for getting around the city. 

• Ubeeqo is another popular choice for car sharing in Paris. With more than 700 vehicles in its fleet, Ubeeqo offers customers a variety of choices for getting around the city. 

• Free2move is a newer option for car sharing in Paris. Free2move has more than 500 vehicles in its fleet and offers customers a variety of choices for getting around the city.

7- Cycles/ bikes

If you’re feeling a bit daring or adventurous, you can consider cycling from Paris to Versailles and back. The trip will take you around 1.5 hours one way but the experience can be very exciting. 

There are plenty of cycle rental shops dotted all over Paris. It’s best to opt for a 24 hour rental so that you can also bike around the Versailles area and not just to the palace and back

Things to know

• Cycling from Paris to Versailles can be tiring if you’re not in good health
• E-bikes would make the hornet easier
• Cycling is not advisable if you’re in town just on a short trip. Best to take the RER and save time.