How to Visit the Palace of Versailles: Tickets, Tips, and What to See

I’ve always believed that visiting the Palace of Versailles is a must when in Paris, even on a backpacker’s budget. On a sunny summer morning, I set out from Paris armed with a daypack of snacks, a pre-booked ticket, and a sense of adventure.

What followed was a memorable day trip to Versailles that didn’t drain my wallet. In this guide, I’ll share how I got there cheaply.

Getting to Versailles on a Budget

Arriving at Versailles is half the adventure. I started my journey at a Paris RER station just after dawn, clutching a €2.50 train ticket that would take me straight to Versailles Château Rive Gauche.

Yes, you read that right – public transport to Versailles is surprisingly affordable now. Since January 2025, a single Ile-de-France ticket (€2.50 each way) covers the RER C train ride from central Paris to Versailles, and even includes any necessary Metro connection.

In about 30 minutes, the RER C whisked me from the city center to Versailles Château – Rive Gauche station, just a 5-10 minute walk from the palace gates. The train ride itself was a treat: as we rattled along the Seine’s Left Bank, I glimpsed Paris slowly giving way to greenery and suburbs.

Of course, the RER C isn’t the only way. Depending on where you’re staying, you can also hop an SNCF suburban train: Line N from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles-Chantiers, or Line L from Gare Saint-Lazare to Versailles-Rive Droite. These options cost the same flat €2.50 fare and take roughly 30-40 minutes.

A friend of mine staying near Montparnasse took Line N and arrived at a different station in Versailles – only a 15-minute walk from the palace. If you’re exploring on a tight budget and a tight schedule, just choose the route most convenient to you.

For an even more penny-pinching route, there’s the Bus 171 from Pont de Sèvres (the end of Metro line 9) which drops you at the palace gates. The bus costs only €2 per ride.

I’ve done this on a previous trip: I took the metro to Pont de Sèvres, then caught the 171. It’s slower (about 30-40 minutes on the bus, longer in traffic), and note you cannot transfer for free between metro and bus on a single ticket.

So unless you already have an unlimited transit pass, the RER train is usually the faster and easier choice (and in summer 2025, RER C had maintenance closures, making trains from Montparnasse or St-Lazare or the bus essential alternatives).

Budget Tip: If you’ve invested in a Navigo weekly pass or Paris Museum Pass that includes transit, your trip to Versailles won’t cost a cent extra – all Paris zones (including Versailles and even CDG Airport) are covered.

And if not, buying a round-trip RER ticket (€5 total) is still a steal compared to pricey guided coach tours from Paris.

Tickets & Prices

Arriving at Versailles, I was immediately relieved that I’d booked my ticket online in advance. By 9:00 AM, the entrance courtyard was already filling with tour groups and day-trippers.

Versailles draws nearly 10 million visitors a year, so smart ticket choices help you avoid both unnecessary costs and long lines.

Here are the main ticket options with prices current as of July 2025:

All prices are for adults. Reduced prices or free entry may apply – for example, EU residents under 26, and children under 18, get in free with ID (more on that below). It’s highly recommended to book online through the official Château de Versailles website to secure a timed entry and avoid potential markups or sold-out dates.

In my case, I bought the Passport ticket online for €32, since I wanted the full experience. It acted as a golden key to everything: the main Palace (with a timed entry slot), the expansive gardens (including the musical fountain show that day), and the Trianon palaces and Queen’s Hamlet.

If you’re keen to see “everything” at Versailles in one day, the Passport is your best value. On the other hand, if you’re on a tighter budget or only interested in the main palace interiors, the Palace ticket for €21 covers the Château and temporary exhibitions.

Just note that in high season (Apr–Oct), a Palace-only ticket does not include access to the formal gardens on days when fountain shows are running. On those days, you’d need to pay extra (around €10) for garden access – which is where the math often favors just getting a Passport ticket if you want to roam the gardens too.

For travelers who might have visited the main palace before or are especially interested in Marie Antoinette’s domain, a standalone Estate of Trianon ticket is available (~€12) allowing entry to the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, the Queen’s Hamlet and their gardens from noon onward.

I met a couple at the train station who chose this option because they’d seen the Hall of Mirrors on a previous trip and this time wanted a relaxed afternoon exploring the hamlet’s rustic cottages.

Finally, if you only want to enjoy the Versailles gardens on a fountain show day without going inside the palace, you can purchase a garden-only ticket at the gate or online (roughly €10, while gardens are free on non-show days and in winter).

Where to buy: Stick with the official Versailles online ticket office for the best price and guaranteed entry. Third-party resellers or tour companies often charge extra fees.

Buying in advance online also means you’ll have a timed entry reservation for the palace, which is now required for all visitors and helps regulate the flow. While you can buy tickets in person at Versailles, the line at the on-site ticket booth can be painfully long (and on busy days, certain ticket types might even sell out).

In peak season, a walk-up visitor might wait over an hour just to buy a ticket – something I was happy to skip!

How to Avoid Lines

Standing outside the golden Grille d’Honneur gate, I joined the security queue for Entrance A (for individual visitors) feeling like I’d already won half the battle by having my ticket in hand.

But tickets aside, Versailles is famous for its lines. Here’s how I managed to minimize waiting and maximize sightseeing:

• Go on the right day: If possible, avoid Tuesdays and weekends. Versailles is closed on Mondays, so Tuesdays are notoriously busy (all those tourists whose Monday visit got pushed a day). Weekends, especially Saturdays, also see large crowds of both travelers and locals. I opted for a Wednesday, and the palace felt noticeably less congested than my previous Saturday visit. Wednesday and Thursday tend to be the calmest days. (If your schedule only allows a weekend, Sunday can be slightly calmer than Saturday, but expect crowds regardless.)
• Go early… or late: The palace opens at 9:00 AM. I arrived around 8:15 AM and there was already a small queue forming at security. The first hour of opening (9–10 AM) is one of the best times to enter – tour buses usually reach around 10 AM, and by then the line can swell dramatically. Being among the first inside, I enjoyed the State Apartments at a leisurely pace before the tour groups caught up. Another trick, if you’re not an early bird, is to go later in the afternoon – entry slots after 3:30 PM see fewer visitors, and the tour groups have mostly left by then. Just remember the palace stops admitting at 5:45 PM, and you’ll want at least 1.5-2 hours inside. On a past trip, I tried an afternoon visit: I spent the morning in the town of Versailles and gardens, then entered the palace at 4 PM. The rooms were indeed less crowded and it was easier to linger in the Hall of Mirrors. Choose morning or late-day based on your style (and maybe weather), but aim to avoid the 11 AM–3 PM peak when every room feels like a metro at rush hour.
• Book a guided tour or special access: Here’s a little-known hack – Versailles offers its own guided tours of private or closed-off rooms (like the King’s private apartments) for a small extra fee. These tours meet at a separate entrance (Gate B, for groups) and skip the general entry line. I once splurged on the official guided tour (€10 extra) and felt like a VIP breezing through a quieter door on the right side of the courtyard. After the tour, you’re allowed to continue exploring the rest of the palace on your own without re-queuing. It’s an option to consider if you want a richer experience and shorter wait. Alternatively, some travelers opt for third-party skip-the-line tours that include transport from Paris – convenient, but usually far more expensive than DIY. For budget travelers, I recommend the official Versailles-guided tours or simply careful planning.
• Offload the audioguide and use the app: The palace offers free audioguides (included in ticket), but picking them up can involve a line, and carrying the device is one more thing. Instead, download the free “Palace of Versailles” mobile app, which has all the audioguide content and maps on your phone. I downloaded it the night before, so as I wandered through the Salon of Hercules and the Hall of Mirrors, I had my own phone narrating the history in my earbuds – no extra device or queue required. This not only saved time but a few euros (if you consider data or any rental deposit).
• Pack light for security: The security line (bag check and metal detector) is separate from ticket purchase. Even with a timed ticket, you’ll go through airport-style screening. To speed this up, I carried only a small backpack with the essentials. Large suitcases are a no-go, and even handbags are inspected. Luckily, the line moved quickly for us – I was through in about 15 minutes after opening. By 10 AM, I noticed the security queue snaking much longer outside. So, another reason to come early!

Despite all these measures, be mentally prepared that you’ll spend some time waiting – it’s part of visiting such a popular site. But every minute saved in line is a minute more in the gardens or galleries of Versailles, so smart planning pays off.

What to See at Versailles

Versailles isn’t just a palace – it’s a gigantic estate. With a full-access Passport ticket, I found I could easily fill an entire day. B

ut not everyone has a whole day or unlimited budget, so it’s important to prioritize. Here’s my personal take on the must-sees and how to make the most of your time:

The Palace (Château de Versailles)

The main palace is the star attraction – if you see nothing else, see the Château’s interior.

I entered through the shiny gold entrance and followed the visitor route up the Ambassador’s Staircase into the lavish State Apartments. Every room here could be a tour in itself. I lingered in King Louis XIV’s Grand Apartments, gaping at painted ceilings, marble busts, and gilded doors.

The audio commentary (and admittedly, some prior knowledge from history class) made the rooms come alive with stories of court life.

The Hall of Mirrors is as awe-inspiring as everyone says – 357 mirrors glinting in the morning light, reflecting the gardens through the arched windows. I got there just as a trickle of people were inside, which meant I could actually snap a few photos without elbowing through a crowd.

By the time I left the hall, it was a sea of tour groups, which reaffirmed my early-bird strategy. A tip: if it’s crowded, don’t stress – walk slowly along the sides of the hall, which tend to be a tad clearer, and you’ll still soak in the opulence.

Beyond the famous Hall, other palace highlights for me were the King’s Bedchamber, with its elaborate royal bed and balcony where courtiers once watched the king wake up, and the Queen’s Apartments, including Marie Antoinette’s bedroom.

I imagined the drama that unfolded in those spaces (the guidebook recounts how the Queen fled through a secret door during the Revolution – you can spot that door next to the bed!).

The War Room and Peace Room at each end of the Hall of Mirrors are also stunning oval salons with massive paintings glorifying Louis XIV’s reign. In one of them, a string quartet was playing baroque music (sometimes they have live musicians for ambiance), which felt like stepping back in time.

If you’re on a Palace-only ticket or short on time, focus on the main circuit: the Grand Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Royal Chapel (peek in from the entrance), and the Royal Apartments. These are all included in the basic route and will take about 1.5 to 2 hours at a decent pace.

There are free restrooms and a water fountain near the Dauphin’s Apartments half-way through – a good pit stop to refill your bottle. By the end, you’ll exit through the Gallery of Battles (an impressive 19th-century gallery of paintings) and out into the gardens.

If time or budget is extremely tight: It’s possible, though heartbreaking, to skip the palace interior and still enjoy Versailles. The gardens and park are open to all (free on non-show days) and offer magnificent views of the palace’s exterior.

I met a backpacker outside who decided not to pay for a ticket at all; he spent his day wandering the grounds, gazing at the palace from outside, and said he still felt the trip was worthwhile.

But if it’s your first time and you can swing it, go inside the Palace – there is simply no free equivalent to standing in the Hall of Mirrors or seeing the King’s throne room in person.

The Gardens and Park

Stepping out from the Château, I was greeted by a vision of manicured French gardens stretching to the horizon. The formal Gardens of Versailles (the geometrically designed lawns, flowerbeds, fountains, and groves directly behind the palace) are a highlight in their own right.

On most days from November to March, these gardens are free to enter for everyone. In high season, they remain free early in the morning and on Mondays, but on days with the special fountain or music shows, an entry fee applies for those without a Passport ticket.

I planned my visit for a Friday specifically because the Musical Fountains Show was scheduled – and since my Passport covered it, I wanted to catch it without extra cost.

Around 11 AM, I took a break from the crowded palace rooms to stroll the gardens. Baroque music floated through hidden groves, and periodically the fountains would spring to life, dancing in sync with the melodies.

One magical moment was at the Mirror Pool fountain: classical music started playing and water jets began leaping in a coordinated ballet. Even as a budget traveler, I felt it was worth experiencing at least a few fountains on show day – it added a layer of 17th-century atmosphere that made my picnic lunch feel like a royal affair.

The sprawling formal gardens of Versailles are perfect for wandering, and free on many days outside of special fountain show events.

The gardens cover a huge area, so budget plenty of time if you plan to explore. Some parts not to miss: the view from the Latona Fountain (which aligns perfectly with the palace behind you and the Grand Canal ahead), the Apollo Fountain at the foot of the Grand Canal, and at least one of the tucked-away groves (I loved the Bosquet de la Salle de Bal – a semi-circular outdoor ballroom where fountains cascade like a waterfall over rocks).

If you’re visiting on a non-fountain day, the good news is you can see all these for free. If you’re there on a fountain show day but don’t want to pay for gardens, note that you can still access the park and Grand Canal without entering the paid garden section (there are side paths that lead straight to the park).

Beyond the formal gardens lies the Park – essentially the wider estate grounds including the Grand Canal and surrounding woods. This area is free entry every day for everyone.

It’s a perfect place to relax and soak up the grandeur of Versailles without spending a euro. I walked down to the Grand Canal, where locals and visitors alike were lounging on the grass, and even a few were rowing rental boats on the water (I checked the price out of curiosity: €20 per hour for a rowboat – fun but not exactly a budget activity, so I passed).

Instead, I found a spot under a tree with a perfect view of the palace in the distance and boats drifting by.

If you have limited time: You might not make it much past the Apollo Fountain. The gardens immediately behind the palace are the most elaborate, so prioritize those.

If you only have an hour for gardens, do a loop from the palace terrace down to Latona Fountain, then to Apollo Fountain at the start of the canal, and back. That will give you the quintessential vistas. Skip the far end of the canal and save the Trianon area for another trip.

The Trianon Palaces and Queen’s Hamlet

Around midday, I made my way to the Estate of Trianon, which opens at 12:00 PM daily (except Monday). It’s about a 20-30 minute walk from the main palace through the gardens/park to reach the Trianon area – a lovely stroll, but here’s where Versailles can catch out the weary: the distance.

Many people underestimate how spread out everything is. There is a little shuttle “train” that ferries visitors from the palace to Trianon for a fee, but as a budget traveler I decided my feet were free transportation. I enjoyed the walk along tree-lined paths, watching swans in the Grand Canal and passing joggers from town.

The Grand Trianon is a pink-marbled neoclassical palace that Louis XIV built as a retreat from the formal pomp of the main court. Compared to the main palace, it’s relatively modest (still an opulent mansion by normal standards!).

With my Passport, I showed my ticket at the Grand Trianon entrance and wandered its cool marble corridors and breezy colonnades. The atmosphere here was peaceful – only a handful of visitors in each room. It was a nice change after the hustle of the Château.

I especially loved the Peristyle – an open-air columned walkway where you can look out at the formal gardens of the Grand Trianon. The rooms have period furnishings, and some personal items of Napoléon (who later used Trianon) are on display.

Next, I headed to the Petit Trianon, a smaller villa that was famously Marie Antoinette’s personal haven. She would escape here to enjoy a more private life. Entrance to Petit Trianon was included in my ticket as well. Inside, you see her elegant yet comparatively simple (again, comparative to the main palace) quarters.

But the real gem for me was outside: Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet – a short walk from Petit Trianon through winding leafy paths. The Hamlet is a faux-rustic village the Queen had built, complete with thatched-roof cottages, a mill, a farm, and a lake. It looks like something out of a fairytale or a film set, and it was delightful to explore.

I felt a world away from the grandeur of Versailles; here chickens clucked and water lilies swayed in a pond while a quaint farmhouse stood nearby. It’s easy to see why Marie Antoinette preferred spending time here in her pretend peasant village.

Even on a budget trip, I’d say the Hamlet alone made the Passport worth it for me – it’s unlike anything else at Versailles and you can only see it if you have access to the Trianon estate.

If you have a full day and a Passport ticket, absolutely venture out to the Trianons and Hamlet. They typically close around 6:30 PM (last admission around 5:45), just like the main palace. Many day-trippers miss these due to time constraints, so the area is quieter.

However, if you’re short on time (say a half-day trip), it might be wise to skip the Trianon estate. It’s a substantial detour, and you’d enjoy the main palace and gardens more fully by not rushing. Likewise, if you only bought a Palace ticket (no Trianon access), you can skip this and not feel FOMO if you didn’t know what you were missing.

One compromise if time is tight: you can peek at the Grand Trianon and hamlet from outside. The park is open access, so you can walk near the Trianon area even without a ticket – you just won’t be able to enter the buildings or the hamlet’s inner paths.

But honestly, if you come all the way to them, you’ll probably wish you could go in. So plan accordingly.

Essential Tips for Budget Travelers

By the late afternoon, my legs were aching (in a satisfied way), and my phone was brimming with photos. Versailles can be done on a budget, but it helps to come prepared. Here are some essential tips and hacks I learned from my day trip:

• Leverage Free Entry: If you’re an EU resident under 26, or a child under 18 from anywhere, congrats – Versailles is free for you (except on fountain show days you might just pay gardens). You’ll still need to reserve a free timed ticket online, but you won’t pay a euro to see the palace and Trianon. Also, note that from November through March, on the first Sunday of each month, Versailles grants free entry to all visitors. This is a fantastic deal if you’re around in winter – but be warned, the free Sundays are extremely popular. Expect huge crowds and go very early. I skipped the free Sunday in March after hearing horror stories of 3-hour lines, opting to visit on a paid day with fewer people. If you do go on a free Sunday, the palace will be packed, so consider focusing on the gardens or Trianon which might be less crowded.
• Bring Your Own Food and Water: Food options at Versailles are pricey. There are restaurants and cafés on site (Angelina has a café inside, and there are snack kiosks in the gardens), but a simple ham sandwich can cost €8+ and a coffee €4-5. As a budget traveler, I packed sandwiches, fruit, and a bottle of water in my bag. There are water fountains in the palace and at some rest areas where I could refill my bottle for free. For lunch, I found a lovely shaded spot by the Grand Canal to picnic – enjoying my baguette with a view of the palace in the distance. Picnicking is allowed in the Versailles park areas (like around the canal or on the Saint Anthony Plain between the palace and Trianon). You can’t picnic in the formal manicured gardens themselves (except in one designated area near the Lake of the Swiss Guard), but there are plenty of scenic grassy spots just beyond, which cost nothing. This saved me a lot, because a sit-down meal at Versailles could easily run €20-30 per person. Instead, I spent maybe €7 total on groceries I brought along.
• Use the Town of Versailles: If you don’t bring food, consider popping into the town before or after your visit. Just opposite the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, there are bakeries and cafes where locals grab breakfast – I picked up a croissant and espresso for a few euros to fuel my morning. The Notre-Dame Market (about 10 minutes from the palace) is open on certain days, selling fresh breads, cheeses, etc., which could make for a great budget picnic haul. Even simple things like buying water or snacks at a Versailles grocery store (there’s a Carrefour City near the station) instead of on-site can save a lot.
• Avoid Souvenir Traps: The official gift shops in the palace are fun to browse but very expensive (I saw Versailles-branded tea towels for €20 and fancy teas for even more). For budget keepsakes, I sometimes keep an eye out in town – a postcard from a local newsstand or an inexpensive magnet. But honestly, the best souvenir might be your photos and memories. I allowed myself one small treat: a €5 booklet from the ticket office that had information and pictures – not bad as a guide and memento in one.
• Comfort = Budget: This might sound odd, but taking care of your comfort saves money. Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll walk miles – if you get too tired, you might be tempted to pay for the little hop-on/off mini-train in the gardens (about €8 one-way). I skipped the train and walked everywhere, which was doable in good sneakers and with short rest breaks. Also, weather prep: bring a cheap poncho or umbrella if rain is forecast, or a sunhat in summer. They do sell umbrellas on-site but at a premium. Because I had a hat and sunscreen I brought from Paris, I didn’t need to buy an overpriced one when the afternoon sun got strong.
• Plan Your Route: Versailles can be overwhelming, so it helps to plan loosely what you want to see. A strategy for one day could be: Morning – arrive early, tour the Palace; Midday – picnic lunch and relax by the Canal; Early Afternoon – explore Gardens and catch any musical fountain shows (usually scheduled around certain times, check the program); Afternoon – head to Trianon and Hamlet (they open at noon, so no rush to get there before that); Late Afternoon – wander back toward the palace as things wind down, maybe revisit a favorite garden spot in the golden afternoon light. By 6:00 PM I was making my way out, tired but thoroughly satisfied. If you’re really stretched for time, you could reverse things: do the Trianon first after lunch (when many people are still in the palace), then palace at the end of the day (last entry). Some seasoned visitors suggest this to avoid crowds. Just keep an eye on the clock.
• Utilize Free Extras: Apart from the app audioguide I mentioned, Versailles offers some free gems. The Gallery of Coaches (an exhibit of historic carriages) is open on weekends for free – I checked it out briefly near the end; it’s in a side building by the main entrance. If you’re a fan of old carriages and royal coaches, it’s a neat 20-minute visit and doesn’t cost anything. Also, wandering the Versailles gardens after closing of palace is free and lovely – in summer the gardens actually stay open longer than the palace itself. On my way out, I sat by the Orangery overlooking its parterre as the sun started to lower, and it was a peaceful cap to the day, no ticket needed at that point.

I managed to enjoy a full Versailles day trip on roughly €40-45 total (for transport, a Passport ticket, and a bit of food). That’s incredible value considering the sheer amount of history and beauty I experienced. It does require some planning and willingness to forgo luxuries (no fancy restaurant lunch or guided bus tour), but the payoff was huge.

Final Thoughts

My budget adventure to Versailles proved that you can live a champagne experience on a beer budget, or perhaps in this case, a hall-of-mirrors experience on a baguette budget.

From the moment I boarded the local train in Paris to the last steps in the Versailles gardens at dusk, I felt immersed in a rich story: one of kings and queens, revolution and art, but also my own story of exploration and resourcefulness.

If you’re a budget traveler reading this, know that Versailles is within your reach. Plan ahead, go at your own pace, and don’t be intimidated by the lavishness, you belong there just as much as any high-end tour group.