Day Trip to Chateau Versailles

We took the RER train from Paris and it was very easy. Once you got off the train, just a short walk to the Palace. The train was not crowded at all, but it was first thing on a Saturday morning. To me, not worth an expensive day tour.

We also got tickets for the Kings Apartment Tour, which was nice because you got a group guided tour of some rooms that are not part of the general admission ticket (it was inexpensive, but I can’t remember the price). After the KA Tour you went right into the public rooms without any additional waiting. We booked this ahead online, and it worked well for us.

It’s very easy to get there on the RER. We were there in November 2019 and went to Versailles on a weekday morning from the St Michel stop. The train was crowded (packed) for about 15 minutes. Probably because it was morning rush hour. I think we left around 8 am. But it soon cleared out a bit and we got seats for the remainder of the time.

We also did the Kings Apartments tour and I highly recommend it.

Returning from Versailles is super easy because you get on the train at the end of the line, so no worries about getting a seat.

We are staying at the 7th Arr so I think the closest RER C station for us will be the Champ de Mars or the Invalides. Does the return train at the end of the line have a destination that I should look for like Champ de Mars or Eiffel Tower? And we will surely visit the Kings Apartment! Thank you!

We hve done it several times just on our own --

I have also done the King's apartment and don't recommend it -- it does give you a place to wait before the start and avoid the long lines -- but it is fairly boring compared to the public rooms -- the back rooms are just like the gilded rooms you see in any chateau. And it sucks up a lot of energy before touring the public rooms and then the gardens.

I would get a timed ticket and do the chateau and would do it on a fountain day

It is easy to do by train from Paris.

We also had an easy DIY time on the RER and were very pleased with the Kings Apartment tour arrangement. I’d only suggest carrying ample change and or bills. My memory isn’t that great but I recall arriving at an RER station where only kiosks dispensed tickets and they did not accept all currency denominations. We played banker to several folks, dolling out change. The route typically suggested was closed due to construction so maybe that was part of the issue. Safe travels.

Thanks for all of the answers. When do the fountains start up again? I will be there in March.

A few years back I have visited the Gallery of Coaches opposite the main entrance. There is a beautiful and impressive collection of horse-drawn-carriages and a few litters, the entrance is free, it's open on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Maybe more days during high season or possible when the covid restrictions will be lesser or lifted. Think the place is hardly known as there were not so much others inside, nevertheless very much worth to go there if you have time left.

It can easily be done on your own. The trains are not crowded at all, and the station is just a short walk from the palace.