The Palace of Versailles is just outside Paris, and most visitors go as a half-day or full-day trip. For first-time visitors, the best overall choice is train: it’s the most reliable way to avoid traffic, and it puts you within an easy walk of the palace. The simplest “default” is RER C to Versailles Château – Rive Gauche, which is designed for visitors and is listed as the easiest option by Paris transport guidance.
That said, Versailles has three useful stations, and your best route depends on where you’re staying in Paris (or whether there’s disruption on your usual lin.
If you prefer to stay above ground, bus 171 is a practical alternative from the edge of Paris. If you’re traveling with luggage, kids, or mobility concerns, a taxi/private car can be the most comfortable—just plan for traffic and a possible short walk at the end.
How to get to Palace of Versailles by Train
For Versailles, “train” can mean RER or SNCF suburban trains. The good news is that the palace is well served and you can choose the station that best fits your day.
The three stations to know
The Palace of Versailles’ official visitor information highlights three stations, each with a slightly different walking time to the palace
- Versailles Château – Rive Gauche (RER C): about 10 minutes on foot to the palace.
- Versailles Chantiers (SNCF from Gare Montparnasse; lines N or U): about 18 minutes on foot.
- Versailles Rive Droite (SNCF from Gare Saint-Lazare; Line L): about 17 minutes on foot.
Which train option should you pick?
- Choose RER C (Versailles Château – Rive Gauche) if you want the classic, tourist-friendly arrival and the shortest walk. RATP specifically describes this as the easiest way to reach the palace.
- Choose Versailles Chantiers if you’re staying near Montparnasse (or your route naturally leads there). The walk is longer, but the station can be convenient depending on where you start.
- Choose Versailles Rive Droite if you’re starting from the Saint-Lazare area or the northwest side of Paris. It’s a strong backup when other services are disrupted.
Tickets and planning (important)
Versailles is outside central Paris, so treat it like a short regional trip, not a “single Metro ticket” outing. The palace’s official guidance suggests buying a round trip to the appropriate Versailles station or using a valid regional pass (for example Navigo/Mobilis/Paris Visite, depending on what you have).
Because planned works and disruptions can happen—especially on weekends—the palace recommends checking real-time traffic status and planned works calendars (Transilien / Île-de-France Mobilités). A real example: the palace notes that RER C may not serve Versailles during some work periods and suggests using other train lines instead.
How to get to Palace of Versailles by Bus
If you prefer an above-ground ride or you want an option that feels simpler than navigating big stations, bus 171 is the standout public bus choice.
RATP and the Palace of Versailles both point to bus line 171 as a direct connection from Pont de Sèvres (the end of Metro line 9) to the palace area. The palace notes that it can take about 30 minutes without traffic.
When the bus is a good idea
- You’re staying in western/southwestern Paris and Metro line 9 is convenient
- You’d rather avoid train platforms and large interchanges
- You enjoy a street-level ride and don’t mind variable timing
Trade-offs to expect
- Traffic sensitivity: Versailles routes can slow down on sunny weekends and busy afternoons.
- Timing variability: if you have a timed plan, trains are usually more predictable than buses.
If you choose the bus, think of it as “comfortable and simple” rather than “fastest possible.”
How to get to Palace of Versailles by Taxi
A taxi (or ride-hailing/private car) is the most comfortable option, especially if you’re traveling as a family, carrying bags, or want a single door-to-door ride.
Why taxis can work well for Versailles
- Comfort: no transfers, no station stairs
- Convenient for groups: splitting the fare can make sense
- Flexible timing: useful early morning or late evening
What to keep in mind
- Traffic can be heavy leaving Paris and around Versailles on peak days.
- Drop-off is typically near the palace forecourt area. The official address is Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, which is a useful reference point for drivers.
If you’re trying to optimize your day, a common strategy is train one way, taxi the other—for example, train out in the morning (predictable timing), taxi back when you’re tired.
How to get to Palace of Versailles by From the Airport
Most international visitors arrive via Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY). For both airports, the key decision is: public transport for predictability vs car for comfort.
From Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Public transport is often the best balance of cost and reliability. Paris Aéroport describes RER B as the simplest and most direct public transport link between Paris and CDG.From central Paris, you can connect onward to Versailles via RER C to Versailles Château – Rive Gauche or via an SNCF train route to Versailles Chantiers (depending on what’s most convenient that day).
Choose a taxi/private transfer from CDG if you have several suitcases, small children, or you’re arriving very late—just plan for traffic.
From Orly (ORY)
Orly is now connected directly by Metro line 14, which Paris Aéroport highlights as a fast link (around 25 minutes into Paris). Once you’re in Paris, you can connect onward to Versailles by train (often via the Montparnasse or RER network, depending on your route).
Orly also has bus options that can link into the regional rail network—for example, bus 183 can connect toward RER C via the Choisy-le-Roi area, which can be useful depending on where you’re headed.
Comparison table
| Option | Best for | Main arrival point | Convenience | Reliability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train (RER C) | Most first-timers | Versailles Château – Rive Gauche | High | High | Shortest walk (about 10 min) |
| Train (SNCF) | Starting near Montparnasse or Saint-Lazare | Versailles Chantiers / Versailles Rive Droite | High | High | Great backups during disruptions |
| Bus | Above-ground ride, simple route | Bus 171 from Pont de Sèvres | Medium | Medium | Direct bus; traffic-dependent |
| Taxi / car | Comfort, luggage, groups | Place d’Armes area | High | Medium | Fast when roads are clear; can be slow at peak times |
| From CDG / ORY | Airport arrivals | Connect via central Paris | Medium | High (public) / Medium (car) | RER B from CDG; Metro 14 from ORY |
FAQ
Which is the best station for the Palace of Versailles?
For most visitors, Versailles Château – Rive Gauche is the easiest choice because it’s a short walk and is widely recommended for palace access.
Are there alternatives if RER C is disrupted?
Yes. The palace itself recommends using other SNCF options such as routes to Versailles Chantiers or Versailles Rive Droite during certain disruption periods.
Can I use a normal Paris Metro ticket to get to Versailles?
Usually, no. Versailles is a regional trip, so you typically need a ticket/pass valid to the Versailles stations or an appropriate regional pass.
Is the bus a good option?
Yes if you want a simple, above-ground ride. Bus 171 is the main recommended route, but it’s more affected by traffic than trains.
Sources: Official website of https://en.chateauversailles.fr/