Palace of Versailles Tickets — Day Trips from Paris Compared
14 ways to do Versailles — half-day Palace tours, full-day Palace + Gardens + Trianon combos, bike-and-Picnic tours of the estate, and afternoon-only visits for tight schedules.
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$25 EUR
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Palace of Versailles: what to know before booking
14 ways to do Versailles — half-day Palace tours, full-day Palace + Gardens + Trianon combos, bike-and-Picnic tours of the estate, and afternoon-only visits for tight schedules.
- Availability
- 6 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $25 EUR before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.6 stars across 5,099 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Palace of Versailles, Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles (30km SW of Paris)
- Best time
- Wednesday morning 9am; weekends for the Musical Fountains shows in summer
- Ticket note
- Timed-entry for Palace; gardens are open-access on guided tours
Palace of Versailles in Paris
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Everything you should know before you book
The Palace of Versailles is 30km outside Paris — meaning every visit is effectively a half- or full-day trip. The estate has three main attractions: the Palace itself (Hall of Mirrors, Royal Apartments, Chapel), the Gardens (André Le Nôtre's geometric masterpiece spanning 800 hectares), and the Trianon estates (the smaller, more private palaces where Louis XIV escaped his own court — and where Marie Antoinette built her famous farm cottage). Doing all three is a 7-hour visit; the standard "day-trip from Paris" tours cover Palace + Gardens and skip the Trianon to fit a 6-hour round trip.
Four ticket categories. Palace + Gardens day-trip ($55+) is the standard — 7am pickup from central Paris, 90-minute guided palace tour, 90-minute free time in the gardens, return by 3pm. Bike + picnic tours ($95+) replace the gardens-walk with a 2-hour bike loop through the estate including the Grand Canal and Trianon — preferred for active visitors. Full-day combos ($120+) add the Trianon estates and Marie Antoinette's hamlet — 8 hours door-to-door, lunch included. Afternoon-only visits ($45+) leave Paris at 1pm and return by 7pm — the budget option, skip the long lunch break.
Strategy notes: Tuesdays are closed (the palace is in maintenance), Mondays are the busiest tourist day. Wednesday–Friday are the sweet spots. The Musical Fountains run weekends April–October — the gardens' fountains run choreographed to Baroque music, included in the Gardens ticket. The Hall of Mirrors is the iconic photo moment — 73m long, 17 mirrors reflecting the gardens, can be uncomfortably crowded at midday but quiet first thing in the morning.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do Versailles in a half-day?
Yes — the afternoon-only tours (1pm departure, 7pm return) cover the Palace + Hall of Mirrors and skip the gardens. Best for visitors with tight Paris itineraries who want to tick Versailles off without committing a full day.
Should I add the Trianon estates?
Yes if you have a full day. The Petit Trianon (Marie Antoinette's private palace) and the Hamlet (her play-farm with thatched cottages) are completely different in scale and atmosphere from the main palace — quieter, intimate, and arguably more interesting historically. Worth the extra 90 minutes.
What about the gardens — are they worth it?
Absolutely — André Le Nôtre's gardens are considered the prototype for every formal European garden built since (Peterhof, Schönbrunn, Het Loo all copied this template). The Grand Canal is 1.6km long, the topiary is unreal, and on weekends the Musical Fountains add Baroque music. Don't skip them.
Is the Hall of Mirrors really that impressive?
Yes — 73 metres long, 17 mirrored arches reflecting the gardens through 17 windows, ceiling frescoes by Le Brun. The historical weight is heavy too (Treaty of Versailles signed here in 1919). Best photographed first thing in the morning before crowds.
Can I get there cheaper without a tour?
Yes — RER C from central Paris is €4 each way, and the Palace standalone ticket is €19.50. Total ~€30 for a self-guided visit. The guided tours at $55+ add: skip-the-line entry, English-speaking guide, transport with audio commentary, and (on full-day variants) lunch + Trianon access.