Hi all.
I am just checking details for travel from Paris to Giverny and back. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems doable without signing up for a tour.
Does it make sense to just buy a round trip train ticket at the station (Gare St-Lazare, correct?) that day? What is the cost for the ticket?
I understand that the buses from Vernon to Giverny waits for the trains - is that correct? Cost of bus ticket?
And finally, how much time should we leave between train's expected arrival in Vernon and our timed entrance tickets ?
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2472 posts
cathybert,
Yes, you can do it yourself. You don't buy round trip tickets, exactly. You purchase the ticket there and the return ticket on the the SNCF app. I don't know about having to choose a return time for the train back. We always have had a car when there. Yes, there is a bus to the gardens. I wouldn't dilly dally getting to the bus. I believe you may need to pay in cash for that. Make your reservation for the house and gardens for an early time (9:30) and take an early train to get there to be ahead of the crowds. See the gardens first, then the house, which is not too big or time-consuming How long between arrival in Vernon and entry time? Alas, we have always had a car so I don't know, but from what I read on this forum it isn't long. (20 minutes????) Maybe check the RS or other tour book.
Enter something like "Giverny visit" in the search bar above, pick "forum" and 6months or less for threads that may give you better answers.
Posted by
Sarasota,FL
437 posts
Buy a return ticket (it is a round trip ticket). They are regional trains so you can use any train heading back after your garden tour. Just note the times the train stops. The bus is cash and includes a round trip. Also note returning times and the place to meet the bus. I remember it was in the parking lot a short walk around the gardens. You want the first train of the day. Google how long to get to Giverny. I recall it was up to 1 1/2 hours. We have done this tour 2times and would go a third time. It will take much of the day so don’t make other reservations.
Posted by
Sarasota,FL
437 posts
I’m back! The first train is at 8:20 am at Saints Lazare station. If you buy your tickets ahead they will be cheaper. The web site said you get to the 9:30 entry reservation when taking the first train.
Posted by
Tennessee
481 posts
The regular bus to Giverny may or may not wait at the Vernon train station for the train's arrival from Paris.
In May 2025, I arrived at Vernon station around 9:00 a.m. expecting to find 3 transportation options to the garden: 1. taxi 2. local bus 3. "Le Petit train". Instead, there were no taxis or local bus. "Le Petit train" was the only option if I didn't wait to wait. "Le Petit Train" is comprised of about 8 open air carts pulled at slow speed by a driver, sort of like a carnival ride for children. The problem was that although I had not dawdled while walking through the small Vernon station, all of the "Le Petit Train's" cars were full by the time I got there. The only reason I got a space was because payment in cash was required, and several passengers had no cash and exited the cars.