If you’re traveling to Paris any time soon, then no doubt you’ll also be considering a side excursion to Versailles at some point during your stay. A former hunting lodge turned opulent by none other than Louis XIV (i.e., the sun's rays King), this guide is about helping you pick a qualified Versailles tickets, in addition to some insider tips about how to visit and items to know before you go!
Before looking over this guide and deciding which tickets to purchase, please be aware that the Palace of Versailles, the Trianon Estate, and also the Gardens and Park can visit for under 18s, in addition to those under 26 who are residents of the EU. However, there are some exceptions; for example, around the Fountains Shows and Musical Gardens, days, accessibility gardens is free just for children from 0 to 5 years of age.
Next, if you’re seeking to enjoy Versailles on a budget, then the Palace is free to everyone on the first Sunday of each and every month from November to March. These days can become particularly busy, using the queues, lasting for hours, and thus make sure to arrive well before opening time for you to take full advantage of this free admissions!
Types of Versailles tickets
When it comes to purchasing Versailles tickets, you will find essentially three possibilities. The first choice is to purchase an all-in-one selection including return transport from Paris, in addition to entrance towards the Ch^ateau (with some of those options offering a tour and entrance into other parts from the Versailles estate).
The second would be to purchase a guided tour of the Palace, all the while arranging your own transportation back and forth from Paris. The ultimate choice is to purchase an easy entrance ticket, taking care of arrangements to get back and forth from Paris yourself, in addition to forgoing a choice of using a guide.
Each ticket selection will depend entirely on your financial allowance and your travel style. Do you prefer relaxed guided excursions where all of the facts are looked after for you? Or would you prefer to take a self-guided excursion towards the Palace and visit everything at your own pace? The option is entirely an individual decision.
You should also observe that once at Versailles, there's a plethora of things to complete. If you can choose to visit the Palace in two a day, you’ll need a full-day trip from Paris to enjoy all the attractions and highlights that Versailles (as well as the town of Versailles) have to give you.
Not every ticket includes every Versailles attraction and thus read the small print prior to making your choice. Here’s a rest down of all things in the Palace and grounds;
Palace of Versailles: Of course, the center of attention of Versailles is its main palace. The Palace includes the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors If you opt to buy a Versailles ticket, then Palace entrance is typically always included, unless you only purchase a Gardens entry ticket. The Palace ticket can also be valid for the gardens except on Musical Fountain Shows or Musical Gardens days.
Gardens & Park of Versailles: If you’re visiting Versailles on a budget, then i’s important to note the Gardens are usually free to visit, with some exceptions, notably on the Fountains Shows and Musical Gardens, days, accessibility gardens is free just for children from 0 to 5 years old (buy the tickets here). Check prior to leaving to see whether one of these shows is going to be held on the day of your visit.
Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon & Hameau en Reine (Known collectively as the Estate of Trianon): The Grand Trianon is another smaller palace in which the King would have gone to escape the court of Versailles. Meanwhile, the Petit Trianon is where the Queen might have attended escape Palace life, though this ‘little’ palace continues to be enormous by any standard!
Finally, one of my favourite areas of Versailles is secluded and far away from the hustle and bustle from the busy crowded main palace. The reconstructed ‘play farm’ of Hameau en Reine (Marie Antoinette’s Estate) is where Marie Antoinette might have gone with her ladies in waiting to escape her regal life. All three of these attractions in many cases are reffered to collectively because the Estate of Trianon and if you want to visit, you’ll need to purchase a ticket that includes these attractions.
You can buy a ticket to the Palace & Gardens, a ticket to the Trianon Estate, or a ticket to both the Palace, Gardens and Trianon Estate (known as the ‘Passport’). On Musical Fountain Shows or Musical Gardens days, you may well need to buy an extra ticket to visit the Gardens. There is also a Saturday Night Fountains Show that you can buy an additional ticket (begin to see the full details here).
Which Versailles tickets in the event you buy?
All in one Versailles tickets (guided transport from Paris included)
For people who desire to take the Parisian day trip stress-free, a guide excursion from the French capital is definitely an absolute must. Contained in these tickets are gets in and from Paris, as well as entrance into various parts of the Ch^ateau and grounds.
Versailles & Gardens by Train: Full-Access Ticket Options: This all-in-one ticket includes an escorted visit in the French capital to Versailles via train. The trip also includes entry in to the Versailles Palace, Gardens, and Trinaon Domain, in addition to whether live or audio help guide to the palace. If you’re looking for the best all-inclusive tour to Versailles, then buy this ticket. Purchase this ticket here in advance.
Versailles Palace & Gardens: Ticket, Audio Guide & Transfer: This all-in-one-ticket is similar to the main one above, though instead of train transport, you’ll get to the Palace and town of Versailles by bus. Included in the entry fee is an audio help guide to the Palace, as well as access to the Gardens, Petit Trianon, Grand Trianon, and Hameau de la Reine. Purchase this ticket within advance.
Versailles tickets having a guided tour (without transport from Paris)
If you would like more flexibility with your schedule, make your own arrangements to reach Versailles and book a guided visit that begins only once you’re in the Palace itself. These tours are either by having an in-person guide or audioguide and provide an in-depth history of the Ch^ateau and its grounds.
Ultimate Versailles: Skip-the-Queue Guided Tour: For all those looking for the ultimate guided experience of Versailles, this is actually the ticket you must book. Included in the tour is access to the Palace gardens in addition to a 90-minute guided tour of the Palace. The ticket does not include entrance to Marie Antoinette’s estate. Purchase this ticket within advance.
Skip the Queue Versailles and Trianon Audio Pen Tour: For those who wish to benefit from the Ch^ateau, Gardens, and also the Trianons in their own pace, this ticket includes admission plus an audioguide providing details about the whole domain. Purchase the ticket ahead of time here.
Skip-the-Queue Tour: This Versailles ticket includes a guided visit from the Palace. Happening over approximately an hour, be blown away by the Hall of Mirrors and find out about the history of the French Monarchy. Please note that the meeting point with this tour isn't at the palace itself. The ticket doesn't include entrance to Marie Antoinette’s estate. Purchase the ticket within advance.
Versailles tickets with a self-guided tour (without transport from Paris)
The cheapest way to visit the French Ch^ateau is undoubtedly to make your own method to Versailles after which buy a simple entrance ticket that will allow you to explore the palace and grounds at your own pace. If you have short time, this is also the easiest method to benefit from the Ch^ateau.
Versailles Palace & Gardens Full Access Ticket & Audio Guide (Versailles Passport): This full-access ticket provides you with entrance to the entirety from the Versailles domain. This includes the Palace of Versailles, the Gardens and Park, and the Trianons, as well as Marie Antoinette’s hamlet. Food, drinks, and a guide aren't included. Purchase the ticket here in advance.
Versailles Palace & Gardens Timed Ticket with Audio Guide: If you have limited time look around the Ch^ateau, i quickly recommend prioritising a visit to the main palace and gardens, as well as ensuring to book a timed ticket in order to avoid waiting in queues for too long. Purchase your ticket here in advance.
Night Fountains Show: If you want to enjoy the better of Versailles by night, then you’ll are interested the fountains show ticket. Though the ticket doesn’t include entry in to the Palace of Versailles, the fountains are decorated with countless colourful lights and the gardens look simply magical on Saturday nights during the summer. Purchase check in within advance.
Musical Gardens and Fountains Shows Ticket: The beautiful garden show happens on select days throughout the summer months. Though the garden is generally liberated to visit, on these days you’ll need to buy an entry ticket, where there are various fountains and musical displays at various points throughout the grounds. This ticket doesn’t include entrance in to the main palace. Purchase the ticket within advance.
Marie-Antoinette's Estate and also the Trianon Palaces: If you want to forgo the crowds of the main palace, then you might wish to skip the primary regal building and instead head to the Petit Trianon, Grand Trianon, and the Hameau en Reine, which can be visited on a single ticket. This ticket doesn’t include entrance into the main palace. Buy the ticket here in advance.
Specialised Versailles tickets (unusual tours and things you can do)
Monet's Giverny & Versailles Palace Full-Day Trip from Paris: If you wish to see two of the best day trips from Paris, then you may well wish to book this guided excursion from the city, which takes place during the period of a day. Contained in the excursion is round trip transportation from Paris, entrance into Monet’s House and Gardens, and skip-the-queue entrance to the Ch^ateau de Versailles and it is gardens. Buy your ticket within advance.
Versailles Palace Tour with Access to Secret Rooms: If you’re looking for the best-kept strategies of Versailles, then this tour may be the ticket for you! Included in the entrance fee is priority entrance to the Palace, as well as access to the gardens, along with a glimpse of the non-public Apartments plus a professional guide. Buy your tickets here in advance.
Versailles Park: 1-Hour Guided Segway Tour: If you’re looking for a sporty and quirky way to benefit from the better of Versailles, then you’ll wish to book this Segway Tour. Contained in the prices are an orientation session, along with the rental of a Segway and helmet. Overall, this is a great way to experience Versailles from the unique perspective having a professional guide. Please be aware that this tour is in French and doesn’t include entrance in to the palace. Book your tour here.
Full-Day Guided Tour of Versailles with Lunch: Should you don’t want to bring an open-air picnic or buy a meal at one of the restaurants while at Versailles, then booking this ticket includes lunch at La Petite Venise restaurant (and even drinks!) Contained in the cost of check in is entrance to the Palace of Versailles, along with the Trianons, and transport to and from Paris within an air-conditioned coach. Book your Versailles tour here.
Versailles Guided Bike & Palace Tour: For those who wish to see Versailles grounds from another perspective, this guided grounds visit by bike will highlight a lot of gardens than you'd have otherwise seen by walking. Other inclusions of this ticket is entrance towards the Versailles Palace as well as entry to the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Marie Antoinette’s farm. Check prices and availability here.
Things to know before purchasing your Versailles Tickets
If you’re planning for a visit to Versailles, then it’s important to note that the Palace is significantly busier at high season; in other words from mid-May and right through to no more September. The Palace is also much busier during weekends and school holidays.
As such, choose to visit within the European shoulder seasons and mid-week if possible. It's also wise to realize that while the gardens are open to the public every single day each week, the Palace is closed on Mondays. Otherwise, pack a picnic, bring lots of water, you should get some comfiest shoes, and revel in your day out only at that popular tourist hotspot (which sees upwards of Ten million visitors annually!)
F.A.Q about Versailles Tickets (and going to the Palace)
Can you buy tickets at Versailles?
While it’s quite possible to buy entrance tickets once at the Palace itself, I recommend purchasing them online instead, ahead of time. This way, you won’t have to stand in multiple lines to gain access to the Ch^ateau and save energy you could otherwise use to explore the Palace and grounds.
What must i wear to Versailles?
Depending on the season is determined by the way you dress to visit the Palace. If you’re going to the Palace during Spring or Autumn, then realize that the weather is usually unpredictable and thus you’ll wish to bring along an umbrella or rain jacket such as this one.
For those visiting during the winter, be sure to summary warm and wear plenty of layers. Purchase a coat like this one to help you stay warm! During the summer time, the weather is often in the mid-twenties, if not higher, and thus wear light clothing and pack plenty of suncream.
Whatever time of the season that you’re visiting, be sure to wear comfortable shoes as it’s not uncommon to clock up over 20,000 steps during your Versailles visit! I own a set of trainers like these tennis ones and love these pretty vegan sandals. Otherwise, these cute boots are well-reviewed and therefore are perfect for stomping the streets of Palace and keeping warm.
Do I need a ticket to go in Versailles if I’m eligible for free entrance?
No. You don’t will need to go anywhere to gather a totally free ticket if you’re eligible for the free entrance (you do at other Parisian attractions such as the Arc de Triomphe). Instead, head to the entrance of the part of the Versailles Estate you wish to visit and offer your valid ID or documentation.
