We have a party of four staying in Paris. Shuttle-Paris.com offers a full day guided tour with pick up at the hotel limited to 8 people for 74 euro per person. None of us speak French and would prefer not to travel by train. Has anyone had any experience with the company? And if so was it good or bad?
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2092 posts
Hi Pam, You might find something you like better if you do a comparison with parisvision.com. Personally, I prefer the minibus tours with lunch which is a completely guided tour rather than a tour with an audioguide. (I especially prefer the minitour rather than the big bus tour because I think the smaller tours are much more educational and fun.) Of course, it is also possible to do the tour on your own...I have visited Versailles on my own and by tour depending on who's with me on vacation.
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
I wouldn't pay that much for a tour when it is easy to catch a metro train out and back. Walking the grounds is easy and a self-guided tour was perfect for us.
Speaking French is not required. You will find many travelers wherever you are who can speak English and will be eager to help you.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Pam - what is your concern about taking the train? It's a simple commmuter route to Versailles. And Versailles isn't that complicated. For the nearly 300 Euro you'd spend on the guided tour, you could get four round-trip tickets, a good English language Versailles guidebook and have a very nice dinner back in Paris.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Pam, you are paying alot extra out of fear.
A train and admission pass ( Forfait Loisirs) for Versailles costs about 20 euros , or 27 on weekend when fountain show is running. Thsi gives you full admission and line skipping privilidges.
YOu are paying an extra 50 euros or more each ,, becuase you don't speak french,, heck , most tourists don't,, only the french ones speak french,, LOL
Ok, I will give you a break, if you are really nervous then take the tour, but why not google the name of that company, and the word "reviews" and see if you can find anything there.. Forums like these are filled with alot of people who want to try and do it themselves, although , there is NOTHING wrong with taking a tour,, its just it usaully costs more and can be a bit more restrictive..
Hope you find the info you need, if not, do reconsider doing Versailles on your own, it really is one of the easiest and cheapest daytrips from Paris, I have done it alone, and alone with a child, and I can only grunt along in french,, in a pathetic monkey type manner,, LOL I once even got lost , and everyone I met was so helpful, but all I could understand was everyone telling me to either go left , right , or straight ahead,, until someone brought out their DIL who did speak english,, everyone wants to be helpful.. You will be fine.
Posted by
OH, OH, USA
1158 posts
Pam,
I wonder what information you have about Pariasian trains being so bad that you want to avoid them....
You don't need to speak Franch. Get a good map, use your brain and you'll be fine.
So many people get ripped off.
Posted by
OP
Seal Beach, ca
3 posts
We decided to take the train. Thanks
Posted by
Rocky Mount, USA
108 posts
If you're going to be in Paris, you'll probably buy a museum pass. Versailles is covered by the pass.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Pam,
Take the Metro to any station on the RER C line and transfer to a train going to Versailles-Rive Gauche. Be aware that the RER C line divides on the west side of Paris so be sure to get on the right train. (All trains with the nameplate VICK go to Versailles-Rive Gauche.)
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Yeah Pam, good for you, now with the groups saved 400 euros you can have a nice dinner out or even a night or two extra in Paris! Or perhaps a lovely scarf or box of to die for macaroons( yes they can be that expensive, try Ladurees) .
Have a good time