Our easy day trip to Versailles from Paris (by train)

During our recent trip to Paris, we dedicated one day to visiting the iconic Palace of Versailles, also known as the Château de Versailles. This was our second trip to Paris, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to explore a bit beyond the city.

Versailles is an easy day trip from Paris by train, and even though we don’t speak French, we had no trouble getting there or navigating the palace. The palace and gardens are grand and absolutely worth seeing. It felt like stepping back in time as we explored one of the most opulent residences in France.

We planned ahead and took the train from Paris early in the morning, giving ourselves a full day to explore the palace, the gardens, and everything in between. Here’s how we did it.

➡️ If you want to visit Versailles from Paris by train with a guided tour, I recommend this small group Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris – It’s similar to what we did, but with a guide, instead of on your own.

A bit about Versailles

After listening to the full audio tour during our visit, I learned a lot about the palace’s history. The Palace of Versailles started out as a hunting lodge built by King Louis XIII in 1623. His son, Louis XIV, transformed it into a grand royal residence beginning in 1661. Over time, it became the political center of France and a symbol of royal power and luxury.

Booking tickets to Versailles

I booked our tickets online from the official Versailles website. I highly recommend doing this ahead of time, especially in peak season. We visited in early June, and I purchased the tickets a month in advance, as I wanted the 9 AM entrance tickets.

You can choose from several ticket types. We went with the Passport ticket, which includes access to everything at Versailles:

• The Palace
• The Trianon Estate (including the Grand Trianon, Petite Trianon, and Queen’s Hamlet)
• The Gardens (including musical fountain shows on select days)

Here’s what we paid:

• Adult Passport ticket: €32
• Child Passport ticket (under 18): €10
• Audio guide (optional): €8
• Audio guide rate for child (optional): €5

Before our trip, I downloaded the digital tickets in Apple Wallet on my phone, which made it easy to get them scanned at the entrance. I didn’t have to print them out or worry about internet connectivity.

How to get to Versailles from Paris by train

We took the RER C train from Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, which is the closest station to the palace. It was only a 5-minute walk from our hotel, Résidence des Arts, to the Saint-Michel stop, so this route worked out perfectly for us.

To plan all our metro and RER rides in Paris, we used the Bonjour RATP app. It was easy to use and very convenient for navigating the public transport system. We were very impressed by the Paris Metro system. We never had to wait more than a few minutes for a train anywhere.

The train ride took about 45 minutes, and from the Versailles station, it was another 10-minute walk to the entrance of the palace. We started from our hotel about an hour before our 9 AM time slot, which gave us plenty of time to get there without rushing.

You can also take an Uber from Paris to Versailles, which takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. Another option is to book a guided tour that includes transportation, which might be helpful if you prefer a more structured experience with a guide.

A few tips if you’re taking the train:

• Make sure your train is headed toward Versailles Château Rive Gauche, not another Versailles station.
• Buy round-trip RER tickets in advance to avoid lines later in the day. It cost us €5 per round-trip ticket.
• The RER C line has several stops in central Paris, so choose whichever is closest to your hotel.
• Once you get off at the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, you can use Google Maps for the walking route to the palace, or just follow the crowds like we did. Pretty much everyone getting off the train is headed to the palace, so it’s hard to miss.
• You are allowed entry up to 30 minutes after your reserved time slot. So for our 9 AM reservation, we had until 9:30 to enter. We joined the line around 9:10 and had no issues getting in.

Things to do and see in Versailles Palace

With the Passport ticket, we had access to everything— the main palace, the Trianon estates, the gardens, and more.

To get around the massive grounds, we took the Little Train, which stops at key locations across the estate. It was 8 euros per person for a full loop, and we were able to get off at each stop to explore. It was a great way to save time and our walking energy.

Another option is to rent a golf cart, which costs around 42 euros per hour. While it gives you more flexibility, it would have taken us at least three hours to cover the same areas, so the train ended up being much more economical.

We also downloaded the Versailles app on our phones while still at the hotel using WiFi. It includes the full audio tour, so there’s no need to purchase a separate audio guide. That said, we used both. The audio device provided on-site is a little more convenient, as you can simply press the number for each room. In contrast, with the phone app, you have to locate and play the correct section manually.

Main Palace

We began our visit with the main palace, and although we had the earliest entry time, this was by far the most crowded part of the estate. There are a lot of rooms to walk through, each filled with elaborate artwork, gold detailing, and ornate furniture.

We passed through grand halls, galleries, and the king’s and queen’s bed chambers, which were both beautifully decorated. I especially enjoyed all the different chandeliers. They were everywhere, and each one seemed more elaborate than the last.

Some of the ceiling artwork was incredible, painted scenes that made you want to just stop and look up. The grand fireplaces and huge paintings were also exquisite, with a few paintings so large they stretched across the entire length of the room.

The highlight, of course, was the Hall of Mirrors. It really is stunning, with natural light pouring in through the windows and dozens of chandeliers reflecting off the mirrors lining the walls.

It was also the most crowded room by far, so we took our pictures but did not linger too long. It was impossible here to get a picture without other people in the background!

It took us about two hours to explore everything at the main palace at a relaxed pace. By the time we exited the palace, we were definitely ready for a break.

Grand Trianon

After the main palace, we took the Little Train to the Grand Trianon, a pink marble palace that Louis XIV built as a private retreat away from the formalities of court life. It is smaller and more relaxed in style, yet still incredibly elegant, with charming salons, symmetrical gardens, and fountains.

Compared to the main palace, I found it more compact but very beautiful. The whole place is filled with natural light, and the interiors feel refined yet understated. It seemed more livable than the main palace. I could imagine happily living here!

The pink marble exterior is striking, and the long hallways inside are absolutely stunning.

It was less crowded here, which made it easier to slow down and take in the details. The rooms are decorated with soft colors and large windows that look out onto manicured gardens.

Petit Trianon

Next was the Petit Trianon, which Louis XVI gifted to Marie Antoinette. She used it as her personal escape from court life, and it felt quiet and tucked away.

Compared to the rest of the estate, I found the Petit Trianon to be smaller, simpler, and more modern in style. Like the Grand Trianon, it had lots of natural light, and the clean lines and subtle decor made it feel peaceful and livable. It was a nice change of pace from the more ornate spaces earlier in the day.

Queen’s Hamlet

Just a short walk through the gardens from the Petit Trianon is the Queen’s Hamlet, though it was not clearly marked, and we ended up wandering a bit until we spotted the buildings in the distance.

Marie Antoinette had the Queen’s Hamlet built to resemble a rustic village, complete with thatched-roof cottages, a dairy, and a small lake. It is peaceful and a bit whimsical, definitely worth walking through.

It really does look like something straight out of a fairy tale. We could not go inside the buildings, as they are only accessible with a guided tour, but we were still glad we made the ten-minute walk to see Queen’s Hamlet.

It is a beautiful place. If you bring a picnic, this would be the perfect spot to sit near the lake and enjoy it.

Gardens

The gardens at Versailles are enormous, spanning nearly 2,000 acres, and beautifully designed in a formal French style. There are manicured lawns, geometric flower beds, sculpted trees, and wide gravel paths stretching out in every direction. Fountains, pools, and statues are placed throughout, creating a sense of grandeur wherever you walk.

We saw people walking between buildings, but we were really glad we paid for the Little Train. It made getting around so much easier, especially after walking a couple of hours inside the main palace.

The gardens are beautiful to walk around, but there is a lot of ground to cover, and distances between stops, such as the Grand Canal, the Grand Trianon, and the Petit Trianon, are farther than they appear on the map.

At the Grand Canal, we saw the Apollo Fountain, one of the most striking in the gardens. You can rent rowboats on the Grand Canal if you have the time. Classical music played in the gardens, which was a nice touch.

Our Passport ticket included access to the musical fountain show, but we did not catch it during our visit. Even without it, the gardens were peaceful, grand, and a perfect contrast to the ornate interiors of the palace.

Food Options at Versailles

During my research, I found that there are several places to eat inside the Versailles estate, both near the palace and throughout the gardens.

Inside the main palace building, you will find Angelina’s, which offers sandwiches, salads, pastries, and their signature hot chocolate. There is also Ladurée with a selection of macarons and sweets. These are convenient options if you want a quick meal or snack before heading into the gardens.

In the garden area near the Grand Canal, La Petite Venise serves Italian cuisine in a sit-down setting. La Flottille, also near the canal, offers classic French dishes in a more casual setting with outdoor seating.

We had lunch at another Angelina’s, located just outside the Petit Trianon area. It was a good stop for a light meal and a short break before continuing to the Queen’s Hamlet. The hot chocolate here did not come with the side of whipped cream that I had seen in pictures on social media, but it was still tasty.

There are also a few snack stands and cafés scattered throughout the estate for drinks, crepes, and light bites. You can also bring your own picnic and eat in the gardens. There were picnic tables at many places.

Tips for visiting

Here are a few tips from our trip to Versailles:

Final Takeaways

Our day trip to Versailles was one of the highlights of our Paris itinerary. It was easy to reach by train, and with a little planning ahead, we were able to see everything we wanted without feeling rushed.

The estate is massive and full of variety, from the grand palace interiors and historic rooms to the peaceful gardens and charming corners like the Queen’s Hamlet.

If you’re visiting Paris and have a day to spare, Versailles is well worth it. Just go early, wear good shoes, and give yourself time to enjoy the day at a relaxed pace. We’re glad we made the trip.

More Europe Travels

Check out my travels to other European destinations below:

4 Day Paris Itinerary for First-Timers (From Our Own Experience)

London Itinerary: How we spent 7 days on our first visit!

Our memorable 4 Days in Switzerland Itinerary