Versailles entry

If you have a museum pass it includes most everything except the private Kings Apartment tour.. and if its a fountain show day ( sat and sun during season.. think that starts in April) then you have to pay an 8 euro supplement .. but not at palace entrance.. at garden entrance. If you go on a non fountain show day , no extra fee. ( personally I went once on a fountain show day and found it highly overrated considering the extra crowds in an already crowded site)..
There is no need to purchase the passport , if you want to do the tour you would have to purchase that separately.

Although with the pass in hand you can skip the very long line for tickets.. you still have to line up for security.. and that line can be long too.. so still plan on arriving before opening. We arrived at 10.30 one day in the summer.. with passes,, and still waited in security line for 45 minutes.. in hot sun.. so its worth it to get there by 9 am if you can. ( or a bit earlier)

Note the Pass does not reduce your time standing in the security line, which in the summer at times can be up to 2 hours long (on some days and at certain hours). The Pass only allows you to by-pass the ticket buying line.

Ok I think I have it. The museum pass covers everything except the musical fountains and guided tours of the private apartments. That is great.

One more question - I see where people who sign up for the Private Apartments of the Kings private tours go to a designated spot to begin the tour. Is that AFTER you get through security or do they have their own security? I read somewhere that the private tours bypass the long security line. Just want to make sure so we can arrive in time for the tour if we decide to do this. Thanks again!

The guided tours have a separate entry door and security check from outside the gate.

I definitely agree with Kent's comments about the waiting times, as I've experienced that. Even with a Paris Museum Pass, you could have long wait to get into the Chateau (I waited about 1.5 hours). If you have a choice, it's NOT a good idea to go to Versailles on a Tuesday or Sunday, as the crowds will probably be thicker on those days. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, so the masses seem to head for Versailles on that day. You can also minimize crowds to some extent by going first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon.

As I said in my post, arrive at or before the nine am opening . I did say that didn't I?

Kathy, I agree with Pat. I went to Versailles this past Oct, arrived at 08:30 and was about number 5 in line. The line started at the portable aluminum barriers in front of the Gold laden gates. By 09:00 there was already about 50 people in line, this was on a Friday. With the museum pass you just show it once clearing security and your in. I chose not to get the audio walk around they rent and followed the signs directly to the Hall of Mirrors. When I arrive it was myself, another women and two security guards. We both took many pictures of the empty hall and of each other for ourselves. Then I headed back through and began my leisure stroll through the palace and when I got back to the Hall of Mirrors it was already filling up with people. Its nice having pictures with the empty hall and seeing straight through to the other end.

If you are taking the RER-C to Versailles - Chateau - Rive Gauche, exit the main station & take a Left, head to the intersection and take a Right on Avenue de Sceaux, this takes you to Versailles, you can walk on the island between the streets. The second main street on your Left is Rue de Satory. Half way down that street on the Left side is Catherine & Pascal's Boulangeri & Patisserie, they are open early and have fresh pastries and drinks you can enjoy on the remainder of your walk down Ave de Sceaux to Versailles. Enjoy.

Brushtim, this is fantastic information! Thank you so much! It is so nice to have as much practical information as you can. There is so much to think about! Thanks for all the responses!