Versailles Tickets: Official Website, Prices, Skip-the-Line Options, and Which One to Choose

Paris is a city with a dizzying number of famous attractions, from the Eiffel Tower to the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur and from the Montparnasse Tower to the Arc de Triomphe. But one attraction on every complete Paris itinerary that isn’t even in the city is the magnificent Palace of Versailles. This UNESCO World Heritage site is packed with royal glamour and can easily take up a full day of your trip. Because of the palace’s popularity among tourists, it is essential to plan your visit in advance, which means knowing your options for getting tickets to the Palace of Versailles before your arrival.

We’ve put together this guide on how to buy tickets for the Palace of Versailles in France, packed with all sorts of information to help you make the most of your visit. Keep reading and enjoy!

How to buy tickets for the Palace of Versailles: unless you enjoy spending your holiday waiting in long lines, we strongly recommend you book your skip-the-line tickets for the Palace of Versailles in advance or book a guided tour of the Palace of Versailles. Of these two, the guided tour is the better option as you can learn about the history of this beautiful palace from an expert guide.

Where to buy tickets for the Palace of Versailles

With such a popular and large attraction like this, it makes sense that there are several ways to book tickets for the Palace of Versailles. Most of the ticket purchase options let you order in advance, but that’s only helpful if you’re organized and know exactly when you want to visit. Ultimately, it’s best to choose the option that best fits you and your itinerary.

1. Standing in line (not recommended)

If you decide not to purchase tickets for the Palace of Versailles in advance, your only option is to line up when you arrive on the day. This is the slowest and riskiest approach, as you will have to queue outside the ticket office just to get your tickets and then join a separate line to enter and go through security. The ticket lines are notoriously long, usually taking from 30 minutes up to two hours, which is really time that should be spent inside the palace.

Where you need to go to purchase tickets in person will depend on the type of ticket you want, as there are different ticket offices for the palace and the Trianon estate. Tickets for the Palace and the Passport are bought on the left side of the Cour d’Honneur, while tickets for the Trianon are purchased at the Grand or Petit Trianon. Guided tours can be booked separately on the right side of the Cour d’Honneur.

2. Book online (recommended)

A much better option for travelers is to book skip-the-line tickets for the Palace of Versailles online before your trip. This allows you to skip the ticket office and go straight to the entrance. It should be noted that all visitors must go through a security line, which can often take from 30 minutes to an hour on its own, but at least with these tickets you’ll skip one line.

Tourists can book their tickets online on the official Palace of Versailles website. However, it should be noted that these tickets are non-refundable, which means you’ll be out of pocket if your plans change. Instead, we recommend booking through this link for your Passport tickets, as this option allows you to cancel up to 24 hours in advance and receive a full refund for nearly no price difference.

3. Book a guided tour

Those who want to get more out of their experience at the palace should consider booking a guided tour of the Palace of Versailles. Visitors who choose this option will spend their time exploring the Palace of Versailles while an expert guide leads them through the history and intricacies of the impressive palace.

We recommend booking this guided tour including the gardens or this guided tour without the gardens. You can also choose to do a guided tour from Paris complete with lunch, saving you the hassle of getting to and from the palace.

4. Purchase a Paris Museum Pass

Another option that might appeal to tourists with big plans for sightseeing is the Paris Museum Pass. Just like other city passes around the world, this pass provides access to a long list of attractions and helps pass holders save money during their trip.

The Paris Museum Pass offers access to over 50 museums and monuments in Paris and beyond. These include the Musée D’orsay, the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe and, most importantly, the Palace of Versailles. Passes are valid for two, four, or six days.

Museum passes can be purchased here and come with free cancellation with more than 24 hours’ notice.

Useful Information for Visiting the Palace of Versailles

Palace of Versailles Opening Hours

The opening hours of the Palace of Versailles vary for the different parts of the palace complex, and are also set differently for high and low season. High season runs from April 1 to October 31, while low season is from November 1 to March 31. The park and palace gardens are open daily throughout the year except in exceptional weather conditions, while the palace and the Trianon estate are closed on Mondays and on January 1, May 1, and December 25.

During high season, opening hours are:

• The Palace: from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, with last entry at 6:00 PM and ticket office closing at 5:45 PM
• Trianon Estate: from 12:00 PM to 6:30 PM, with last entry at 6:00 PM and ticket office closing at 5:50 PM
• Marly Estate: from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:30 PM, although on weekends from late May to September, the park closes at 8:30 PM
• The Gardens: from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM, with last entry at 7:00 PM at the main gate
• The Park: from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM, with last entry at 7:45 PM at the Main Gate and at the Queen’s Gate

In low season, opening hours are:

• The Palace: from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with last entry at 5:00 PM and ticket office closing at 4:50 PM
• Trianon Estate: from 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM, with last entry at 5:00 PM and ticket office closing at 4:50 PM
• Marly Estate: from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:30 PM
• The Gardens: from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with last entry at 5:30 PM at the main gate, chapel gate, and dragon gate
• The Park: from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with last entry at 5:30 PM

The Carriage Gallery is open only during the low season. Normally it is open on Saturdays and Sundays, but it is open exclusively from Tuesday to Sunday during the Christmas holidays from December 18 to January 2, except December 25 and January 1. Opening hours are from 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM, with last entry at 4:45 PM.

What is the best time to visit the Palace of Versailles?

Since the Palace of Versailles is such a major attraction, there are better times than others to visit to avoid being surrounded by crowds of other tourists. But there are also outdoor areas of the palace to explore, which means you’ll also want pleasant weather during your stay there.

While low season with fewer visitors runs from November to March, the best times to plan your tour of the Palace of Versailles are from April to May and from October to November. The crowds during these times of year are still relatively low, but you’ll benefit from milder weather than if you visit in winter.

How to get to the Palace of Versailles

To visit the Palace of Versailles from Paris, travelers have a few options. However, determining the best route for you will depend on where you’re coming from, even though the main options for public transport all involve taking the train. Tickets for the trip must be for zones 1 to 4.

The quickest and closest option is to take the RER C line to the Versailles Château–Rive Gauche train station and then walk 10 minutes to the palace. You can board the train at central stations like Musée d’Orsay and Saint-Michel Notre-Dame.

Alternatively, there are SNCF trains from Gare Montparnasse to the Versailles Chantiers train station and from Gare Saint Lazare to the Versailles Rive Droite. For both routes, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the palace.

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of public transportation, you can also book a guided tour to the palace from Paris here.

For a quieter experience, the best time of day to visit the palace is first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon, though this will be easier in high season when the estate is open later. As for the best day of the week to visit, Wednesday and Thursday are usually the best choices since weekends are crowded and most museums are closed on Tuesdays, leaving the palace as one of the few major attractions open.

How do tickets for the Palace of Versailles work?

Tickets for the Palace of Versailles are designed to give visitors the freedom to choose which parts of the palace they want to explore. The different types of tickets available are based on combinations of attractions within the palace complex, so visitors will need to decide what they want to see before booking. Tickets purchased online can be shown in printed form or on your smartphone.

The most common type of ticket is the Passport, a ticket that allows access everywhere within the palace estate. This includes the incredible Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, as well as the Trianon Estate, Gardens, Park, and all temporary exhibitions. Entry to the palace is based on a timed-entry system and visitors will need to select a time slot for their visit to this part of the palace complex.

For visitors who do not wish to see the entire palace complex due to time, cost, or lack of interest, there are two types of tickets to consider. Each includes access to the palace or to the Trianon Estate, as well as the gardens, the park, and any temporary exhibitions.

There are also special tickets available, including one with full access to the palace estate plus a horse show, and one with full access to the palace estate plus a gourmet meal at the restaurant La Petite Venise.

How much do tickets for the Palace of Versailles cost?

Now that we’ve covered the different types of tickets, you’re probably wondering exactly how much tickets to the Palace of Versailles cost. You can find all the various ticket prices on the official website, but here we’ll cover the most common ticket prices for the Palace of Versailles.

The all-inclusive Passport ticket costs €20 for adults and includes an audio guide for the palace. Meanwhile, tickets for the Trianon estate cost €12 for adults and tickets for the palace only cost €18 for adults and include an audio guide for the palace. Tickets for a guided tour of the palace cost €10 for adults. Children under 18 and EU residents under the age of 26 get in free but must reserve afree ticket.

Entry to the Palace of Versailles and its estate is free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month from November to March.

Hotels near the Palace of Versailles

Travelers may wonder what their options are for places to stay when planning their visit to the Palace of Versailles. Many will choose to stay in Paris, which makes sense considering how much there is to see in the city. However, there are also hotels near the Palace of Versailles if you prefer to stay closer.

For a sumptuous experience that will make you feel like royalty, you can stay at the Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace. This five-star hotel is located at the northern end of the palace gardens and offers grand rooms, spa facilities, a pool, and a MICHELIN-starred restaurant.

If you’re looking to balance comfort and cost, you might consider Hotel des Lys for your visit to Versailles. Located just a short walk from both the train station and the Palace, this three-star hotel offers understated rooms, a convenient location, and a good compromise for visiting Versailles without being too far away.

Versailles isn’t the kind of place for cheap accommodation or hostels, so budget travelers are better off staying in a hostel in Paris. There you have the option of clean dorms and private rooms, plus the benefits of a well-established hostel that includes helpful staff and a social atmosphere.

Do you prefer to stay in Paris rather than Versailles? Then check out our guide to the best hotels in Paris to find something in the city that’s right for you.

Palace of Versailles Safety Rules

Before your visit, it’s useful to check the updated access rules on the official website of the Palace of Versailles, especially regarding bags, luggage, strollers, bulky items, security checks, and storage services. Procedures may vary according to the season, events, and organizational needs of the site.

Visiting the Palace of Versailles with a disability

Accessibility measures have been implemented at the Palace of Versailles to assist visitors with disabilities. These measures include free admission for people with disabilities in certain areas and reduced rates for tours.

Indoor and outdoor spaces have been designed to allow access for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility. Non-motorized wheelchairs are available for use at the Gabriel Pavilion and Petit Trianon during tours.

Guide dogs are allowed with proof of eligibility and a tactile map is available for visually impaired visitors. Audio guides are equipped with induction loops to assist people with hearing aids, and guided tours in French sign language or lip reading are possible upon request.

Exhibitions, Shows, and Events at the Palace of Versailles

Throughout the year, the Palace of Versailles hosts a variety of special exhibitions, events, shows, and concerts. Concerts include operas and orchestral performances. In July and August, the palace regularly hosts shows by the Versailles Equestrian Academy on weekends.

To compare other museums, monuments, and attractions you can book online, also check out the FullTravel section dedicated to skip-the-line tickets.

FAQ – Information about the Palace of Versailles

How old is the Palace of Versailles?

The history of the Palace of Versailles began in 1623 when a small royal hunting lodge was built in the forest and meadows at the site. This makes the site almost 400 years old.

When was the Palace of Versailles built?

In 1631, construction began to replace the hunting lodge with a château, which was completed in 1634, laying the foundation for the palace as it stands today.

Who built the Palace of Versailles?

King Louis XIII had the original hunting lodge and later the château built at Versailles after hunting in the area as a boy. Philibert Le Roy was the architect responsible for designing the château.

Why was the Palace of Versailles built?

The hunting lodge and château were built as a royal country residence for leisure, intended for overnight stays when the king was hunting in the area.

Where is the Palace of Versailles located?

The Palace of Versailles is located in the small town of Versailles in the Yvelines department. It lies about 19 km (12 miles) southwest of Paris.

What is the Palace of Versailles used for?

No longer used as a royal residence, the Palace of Versailles is now managed by the French Ministry of Culture as a tourist attraction, museum, and event venue.

Now you should have everything you need to know about the benefits of skip-the-line tickets for the Palace of Versailles and visiting this incredible Paris attraction. All that’s left is to get your tickets and experience this truly dazzling place for yourself.