Versailles Tickets 2026: Prices, Passport, Train from Paris & Tips

The Palace of Versailles — Louis XIV’s dazzling royal residence, with the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s and Queen’s apartments and 800 hectares of gardens — is the most popular day trip from Paris. It’s also one of the busiest sites in France, so the right ticket, the right day and an early start make all the difference.

This guide explains Versailles ticket prices in 2026 (including the new higher rate for non-European visitors), which ticket to choose, free entry, opening hours, how to get there from Paris by train, a suggested one-day plan, and tips to beat the crowds. Prices come from Art Visit Guide (July 2026) and Sortir à Paris; always check the official Château de Versailles website before you go.

Versailles ticket prices 2026

Sources: Art Visit Guide and Art Visit Guide Versailles tickets, 2026. Versailles raised its price for visitors from outside the EEA from €32 to €35 on 14 January 2026 (Sortir à Paris). The free official app includes the audio guide.

Which Versailles ticket should you buy?

• Passport: the best choice for a full day — the palace, Marie-Antoinette’s estate at the Trianon (her hamlet and the Petit and Grand Trianon), and the gardens with the fountain shows in season.
• Palace ticket: if you only have a half-day or don’t mind skipping the Trianon. You can still walk in the gardens (free on most days).
• Guided tour with transport: convenient if you don’t want to deal with trains — many include a skip-the-line entry and a guide for the Hall of Mirrors. Compare Versailles tours from Paris.
• Paris Museum Pass: includes the palace and Trianon. Versailles is often the visit that makes the pass worth buying — see our Paris Museum Pass guide. You still need a free timed reservation, and the pass doesn’t cover the gardens on Musical Fountains days (source).

Free entry to Versailles

• Under 18s of any nationality (timed slot still required; ID for ages 12–17).
• EU/EEA residents aged 18–25 with ID.
• Disabled visitors and one companion.
• First Sunday of the month from November to March — the palace is free for everyone (not the Trianon), but you must book a free timed slot (source).

Versailles opening hours

• Closed on Mondays (palace and Trianon) (source).
• Palace: 9:00 am – 6:30 pm from April to October; 9:00 am – 5:30 pm from November to March.
• Trianon estate: opens at 12:00.
• Gardens: open daily.

Hours can change on public holidays and event days — check the official calendar.

How to get from Paris to Versailles

Sources: Art Visit Guide. Versailles is inside the Île-de-France region, so a single Metro-Train-RER ticket (€2.55 in 2026) or a Navigo pass covers the trip. Budget about an hour door to door from central Paris (source).

A perfect day at Versailles

1. 8:15 – Take the RER C from central Paris.
2. 9:00 – Palace at opening: the Grand Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s apartments before the tour groups arrive (about 1.5–2 hours).
3. 11:00 – Gardens: walk down to the Grand Canal. On Musical Fountain days, the fountains play to baroque music.
4. 12:30 – Lunch at a café in the gardens or a picnic by the Grand Canal (rent a rowing boat in summer).
5. 14:00 – Trianon estate: the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet — about a 25-minute walk, or rent a bike or take the little train.
6. 17:00 – Back to Paris, or stay for an evening event in summer.

Best time to visit Versailles

• Best days: Thursday or Friday (source). Avoid Tuesdays (very busy because the Louvre is closed) and weekends.
• Best time: 9:00 am at opening, or after 3 pm for the palace.
• Best months: March or October for fewer crowds; April–October for fountains and gardens in bloom.
• Book ahead: timed slots can sell out 1–2 weeks in advance in summer (source).

Tips for visiting Versailles

• Wear comfortable shoes — you’ll easily walk 8–10 km in the gardens and estate.
• Download the official app for the free audio guide.
• Bring water and a picnic in summer; there is little shade in the gardens.
• Large bags aren’t allowed in the palace — travel light.
• Combine Versailles with a relaxed evening in Paris — it’s a full day. See our day trips from Paris for other ideas.

More Paris guides

• Paris Museum Pass: is it worth it?
• Paris in 3 days (add Versailles as Day 4)
• Best day trips from Paris
• Where to stay in Paris
• Paris travel guide

Still to book: hotels in Paris and travel insurance for France.

FAQ: Versailles tickets

How much are Versailles tickets in 2026?

The Passport costs €35 for non-EEA adults and €32 for EEA adults from April to October, and €25 / €22 from November to March. Under-18s are free.

What day is Versailles closed?

The palace and Trianon are closed on Mondays. The gardens are open daily.

How do I get from Paris to Versailles?

Take the RER C to Versailles Château – Rive Gauche (35–40 minutes) with a standard €2.55 Île-de-France ticket each way.

Do I need to book Versailles tickets in advance?

Yes. Timed slots are required — even with the Paris Museum Pass or free entry — and they sell out in summer.

How long do you need at Versailles?

A full day for the palace, gardens and Trianon; 3–4 hours for the palace and a short garden walk.

Are the Versailles gardens free?

Yes, on most days. On Musical Fountain Show and Musical Gardens days, a ticket of about €10.50 is needed.

Is Versailles free on the first Sunday?

Only from November to March, for the palace (not the Trianon), and you must book a free time slot.