Visit the magnificent Palace of Versailles from Paris. The RER C is the most popular option, putting you just 5-10 minutes from the palace gates.
The Palace of Versailles is located about 20km southwest of Paris. The easiest way to get there is by RER C train, which takes 25-40 minutes and costs just €2.55. The train drops you at Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, just a 5-10 minute walk from the palace gates.
The Palace of Versailles is closed every Monday. Plan your visit for Tuesday-Sunday to avoid disappointment. The gardens remain open.
RER C runs along the Left Bank of the Seine with 9 stations within Paris. Board at any of these stations for Versailles. Arrival station: Versailles Château Rive Gauche.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Orsay Museum
Napoléon's Tomb
Near Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower
Important: RER C has two branches. Only board trains showing 'Versailles Château Rive Gauche' as the final destination. Trains to 'Saint-Quentin en Yvelines' do NOT stop at the palace station.
RER C has 9 stations along the Left Bank: Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Musée d'Orsay, Invalides, Pont de l'Alma, Champ de Mars, Javel, and more. Look for the yellow C symbol.
Buy a Metro-Train-RER ticket (€2.55, €1.30 for ages 4-9) and load it onto a Navigo Easy card (€2.00) or your smartphone. Paper tickets are no longer sold.
Critical: Only board trains showing 'Versailles Château Rive Gauche' as the terminus. Check the platform display - not all RER C trains go there!
Get off at 'Versailles Château Rive Gauche' - this is the closest station. Don't confuse it with 'Versailles Chantiers' or 'Versailles Rive Droite'.
Exit the station and follow signs to the Château. It's about a 5-10 minute walk straight ahead to the palace entrance gates.
€2.55 adult / €1.30 child (ages 4-9). Load onto Navigo Easy card (€2.00) or smartphone. One person per card - no sharing allowed.
Unlimited travel all week including Versailles, Disneyland, and airports. No extra ticket needed!
Unlimited travel for one day. Choose zones 1-4 for Versailles. Includes all Metro, RER, buses, and trains.
Tourist pass for 1-5 days. Zones 1-5 version covers Versailles, Disneyland, and airports.
Ticket controllers (contrôleurs) regularly check tickets on RER trains. If you cannot show a valid ticket, expect a fine of around €50 payable on the spot. You'll also need your ticket to exit through the turnstiles at Versailles.
Yes! The Metro-Train-RER ticket (€2.55) covers all Metro, RER, and Train journeys including Versailles. Load it onto a Navigo Easy card (€2.00) or your smartphone - paper tickets are no longer sold.
Use 'Versailles Château Rive Gauche' (RER C) - it's the closest at 5-10 min walk. 'Versailles Chantiers' is 10-15 min, and 'Versailles Rive Droite' is 15 min from the palace.
If you accidentally board the RER C to Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, get off at Versailles Chantiers. The walk to the Palace is 10-15 minutes instead of 5-10 - not a big setback.
Plan at least 4-5 hours for the palace and main gardens. A full day allows you to explore the Trianon palaces and Marie Antoinette's hamlet.
Yes! Versailles is extremely popular. Book timed-entry tickets online at least a few days ahead, especially in summer and on weekends.