If Versailles is on your must-see list, prioritize snagging a Passport ticket with timed entry from the official website. This ticket grants entry to the Palace, Trianon Estate, Gardens, Park, Gallery of Coaches (on weekends), temporary exhibitions, and fountain shows — and ensures you can enter the Palace within half an hour of your chosen time slot. You can also book a slightly cheaper Standalone Palace timed entry ticket if you would like.

The Palace opens at 9:00 a.m., while the Trianon Estate (including the Grand and Petit Trianon) opens at 12:00 p.m.; both are closed on Mondays. The Gardens and Park, however, are open every day — from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. — and are free most of the year (except during the spectacular Musical Fountains or Musical Gardens shows, when garden access is ticketed)

On your visit day, bring your printed or digital ticket, and make sure you have ID and proof if eligible for reduced or free admission. Those with mobility needs will find thoughtful accessibility features in place: wheelchair-accessible entrances (including Entrance A and dedicated priority gates), lifts serving multiple areas, accessible restrooms, and wheelchairs available from the Gabriel Pavilion and Trianons’ ground floors.

To get to Versailles, the easiest route is the RER C line to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station — just a 10-minute walk from the Palace. SNCF trains from Montparnasse (Chantiers) and Saint-Lazare (Rive Droite) also serve the estate with a slightly longer walk. For those driving, the Place d’Armes car park has spaces reserved for visitors with mobility permits.

Once you're inside the Cour d’Honneur, head straight to Entrance A of the Dufour Pavilion if you have a timed-entry Passport ticket. If you plan a guided tour, you’ll enter via the South Ministers’ Wing. Standalone Palace tickets (with no timed entry) can also be bought online or at the ticket office but still require queuing.

Touring strategy matters: arrive when the Palace opens at 9 a.m. or wait until after 3:30 p.m., when crowds thin out. Guided tours, or early visits, offer the best chance to wander the Hall of Mirrors, King’s State Apartments, and the Gallery of Coaches in relative peace.

For the full experience, download Versailles’ mobile app or use the onsite interactive map—perfect for navigating restaurants, restrooms, and highlights such as the Royal Tennis Court or hidden groves of the gardens. Audioguides are available in twelve languages from the Gabriel Pavilion (closed Mondays).

Regarding tickets and pricing: a Passport ticket with timed entry costs around €24 in low season and €32 in high season — and includes garden access even on fountain-show days. Concessions (based on age and residence) drop prices as low as €10. Standalone Palace tickets cost around €21, with reduced rates available. Guided tours are typically €10 extra.

On weekends, consider extending your visit to include the Gallery of Coaches, which opens around 12:30 p.m. — and is free to all.

To make your Versailles escapade as smooth as royal protocol permits: book your Passport ticket well ahead of time, arrive early or late to dodge the crowds, leverage the accessibility features if needed, and use digital tools to navigate the sprawling estate with ease. With a dash of pre-planning, your visit will feel fit for a king — and unforgettable.