Paris to Versailles RER Train with Kids + Luggage

You have several options to reach Montparnasse from Gare du Nord, but the easiest is probably taking the RER B to Denfert-Rocherceau and connecting to métro 6 for Montparnasse. Tickets are 2.10€. There may be other transportation fare options but you would need to provide the day of the week you arrive in Paris.

Weekly (M - Sun) zone 1-5 passes (30€ each), loaded on either an Android phone or a Navigo Découverte card (5€) may be a better option.

There may be other transportation fare options but you would need to provide the day of the week you arrive in Paris.

Thanks for the info--we get in on a Saturday.

Since this is the last leg of your trip that day, there’s no need to mess around with the Metro with 2 adults + 2 kids + luggage. Take a taxi from Gare du Nord to Gare Saint Lazare and get Transilien Line L to Versailles Rive Droit.

Lorraine,
In your situation, I’d suggest you consider taking a taxi from Gare du Nord directly to your AirBnB.

Since you plan to take day trips into Paris, consider getting the Navigo Decouverte weekly pass ( valid Monday -Sunday), otherwise you’ll be paying €5/per person ( each way) every time you go to/from Paris.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks everybody! Is the regular taxi queue the way to go, or is there an app-based service I should use?
My husband and I used to live in Rio de Janeiro, and my kids are pretty seasoned travelers, so I'm not too worried about figuring things out at the station, but last time I was at Gare du Nord (1998, when I was a teenager!) I remember it being pretty rough.

The regular taxi queue is the way to go.
There are occasional reports of scams even in the official taxi rank, with some drivers at Gare du Nord pretending that there is a flat fare: there is not. Make sure the meter ("compteur", kohn-TURR) is on.

Alternatively, Gare du Nord (Magenta) to Gare Saint Lazare is just one stop on the RER E. The RER E involves long walks but is fully fitted out with elevators and escalators. Train tickets from Paris to Versailles-Rive-Droite will be valid from Gare du Nord or Gare Saint Lazare, indifferently.

At least the taxi to MOntparnasse. The rER will be about 46 Euro -- so a cab for 62 without having to fuss about carryiing luggage up and down stairs. (oops sorry forgot you were coming into Nord and not CDG so 'nevermind')

But if the cab goes straight to your place in Versailles it will not go through central Paris and might not be incredibly much more. With 4 people hence 4 RER/TER fares, I'd just take a cab all the way and treat yourself to door to door service.

I'd still take a cab to your AirBNB

Have you asked your landlord for a suggestion/recommendation ?

Have you asked your landlord for a suggestion/recommendation ?

Not yet--I thought I'd consult the Rick Steves Forum Brain Trust first, :-)
ETA: I have messaged her for advice; we'll see what she says.

The official Paris Airport website gives taxi estimates of 80 to 95 EUR from CDG to Versailles Palace.
https://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/taxi

He is going from Nord not CDG -- I made the same misread

We just did the reverse! As Philip said, take the RER train from Saint-Lazare to Versaille Rive Droite. The RER train is quite roomy for luggage. Just make sure not to bring overly big bags that the kids can't lift. It is probably easiest to take a cab to Saint-Lazare. although traffic at that time of day can be slow. Download the Bonjour RATP app and you can explore different routes based on the day and time you will be traveling.