Paris to Versailles--clarification, please

The métro and RER have common ticketing. Just go to your nearest métro station, and buy your tickets to Versailles-Château - Rive Gauche. The ticket will be good for the métro and the RER by whatever combination of métro or RER lines is the quickest route.
You can use a machine or queue up for a human being, but if you use a machine make sure you get the correct Versailles station, there are three!

When you arrive in Paris, you should locate your nearest métro station, and that will become your transport hub.

The best source of info for all transport in Paris (bus, métro, RER) is the official site: http://www.ratp.fr/
The full métro map is here: http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orienter/f_plan.php?fm=pdf&loc=reseaux&nompdf=metro
If you look at the bottom left corner, it shows RER line C going off the map in the direction of Versailles-Château.

Be sure to get to Versailles at least half an hour before the chateau opens as the lines gets crazy fast. If you ride the metro to the RER, you will use the ticket to enter the metro, then to enter the RER and then to exit the RER. The system knows you are on a single trip. And be sure to hang onto the ticket on the metro till you have exited the system even though you won't need to use it to exit; there are occasional ticket checks and the fines are steep if you don't have a validated ticket. You need a specific ticket Paris to Versaille Rive Gauche/Chateau. And a second to return of course. The tickets are about 7 Euro for the two you need.

Glad I asked--I thought I'd need to use a separate metro ticket (plan on getting a book of 10, at least) to get to/from the RER station.

I checked and my nearest metro station will be St Placide, on line 4, which seems to go directly to St Michel RER--this is seeming easier by the minute!

We went in October and it was super easy! Like the PP stated we located the closest RER C station, ours was ST Michel Notre Dame, which was walking distance from our apartment. There is a manned window there were we purchased our tickets . There is a board that tells you which train is going where. You will see other tourist taking the same train, we made conversation with a few to make sure we were on the right train and they were like "I was wondering the same thing"..LOL. I followed directions and made it just fine.

try this link:

http://parisbytrain.com/paris-rer-c-schedule/

The trick that catches some people up is that you can transfer from the Metro to the RER seamlessly on the same ticket, but to get to Versailles is a different zone from central Paris. You have to have a ticket valid all the way to Versailles. Last time I went there a few years ago, you had to use your ticket to exit the Versailles station. In the old days, we just had to avoid the occasional conductor checking tickets ;-)

And be sure to board the correct train. The RER C line splits off to several different terminal stations (Versailles Chateau is one of them).

christa,

A few additional points to mention.....

The RER which goes to Versailles has "Vick" in the sign above the driver's window. When you arrive at the Versailles station, it's about a 10-15 minute walk to the Chateau from the station. As you exit the station, turn right for about a block, and you'll see the Chateau in the distance to the left. Just follow the herd as most will be heading in that direction.

You may find it helpful to have a look at this website.....

http://parisbytrain.com/paris-to-chateau-versailles-by-train/

Are you planning to buy a Paris Museum Pass? While that's still a good option for entry to the Chateau, you may find a LONG queue when you get there. Also, as I recall the Pass doesn't cover entry to the gardens if the fountains are running, so you'll have to pay extra for that (the cost is very reasonable).

Ken--thank you for the link, more good advice to add to the other info I found. I will already have my Museum Pass, arrive on a Monday so the 6 day option will suit my trip exactly right. I know there will still be a security line to wait in. I am actually most excited about seeing Marie Antoinette's Estate, especially the Hamlet.

christa, if you are most interested in seeing Marie Antoinette's Hamlet, you can take a shuttle bus or walk around to the Trianon entrance and enter there (the lines should be considerably shorter than up front at the main entrance). You used to be able to walk a bit further and start your visit at the Petit Hameau but it appears that that gate (Porte St Antoine) is not open at present. Either way, it's our favorite part of Versailles.
It's a fairly long walk, but interesting in that it takes you along some (town of ) Versailles streets, and also gives you a sense of how big the Royal estate was.
RS covers this in both his Paris and France books.

Here's what it says on the Versailles website http://en.chateauversailles.fr/prepare-my-visit-/single/access:
Entry to the Trianon palaces and the estate of Marie-Antoinette
You can enter the Trianon palaces and the estate of Marie-Antoinette either by going first through the Palace via the Grille d'Honneur gate, or directly via the Queen’s gate or the Saint Anthony gate. Anti terrorist security plan : only the gate of Honor and the Queen's gate are open. Find the gates on the interactive map.
Some bus services stop at these gates:
www.phebus.tm.fr / Horaires / Trajet

Yes Christa, you can buy your RER tickets at any metro station. It is very easy. A machine is perfect.
This guide is also useful: http://www.paristoversailles.com/paris-to-versailles-by-train-rer/paris-versailles-by-train-rer/
I hope it can help you,
Tom

Do realize that Marie Antoinette's estate does not open until 12:00. There is a green door to the left of the gold gates in front of the estate. It is about a 30 minute walk from exiting the main palace. If you are doing the main palace/chateau first, as another poster stated, be there early. When approaching the main courtyard/entrance there are three main line locations, the far Left are those entering the side building to purchase tickets, those in the middle are lining up to enter the security check (white covering) and grounds and those to the far Right are meeting for scheduled tours.

Yes, I noted the opening times and will do the palace first, then perhaps lunch before heading to Marie's estate, etc. in the afternoon. I plan to leave my hotel by 7-ish to allow for metro and RER travel time, does that sound about right to get me to Versailles a bit before opening?

If you leave at 8am to arrive at 9am it is fine. The palace doesn't open before 9am.

We are doing this a few months after christa and appreciate all the advice.

Can the long main security line be avoided by signing up for the guided tour of the apartments? Looks like that line enters to the right, a different wing of the Chateau rather than the main entrance to the left.

Thanks again for all advice.