Quick answer: The official Passport (€35, reduced €32) covers the whole estate — the Palace with a timed slot, the Trianon estate and Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet, and the gardens even on Musical Fountain days — and is the right ticket for a full day. The Palace-only ticket (timed) suits a half-day; the Trianon ticket (€15) is the quiet alternative in the afternoon. Entry is free for under-18s and EU residents under 26, and the Paris Museum Pass includes the Passport, so families and pass-holders should buy official and go by RER (about €10 return). Book a guided tour or day trip ($60–150) when you want the King’s Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors explained, when Palace slots are gone, or when you would rather not manage the RER and the notorious entrance queue yourself.
Related: Paris to Versailles: Best Multi-Day Tours (2026)
Versailles Options Compared
| Option | Price | Includes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport (official) | €35 / €32 reduced | Palace (timed), Trianon estate, gardens incl. fountain-show days, exhibitions | Full day |
| Passport + VR “Light of Liberty” | €42 | Passport + VR experience + Palace skip-the-line | Tech-curious visitors |
| Palace ticket (official) | Timed; discounted from 15:00 | Palace only (Hall of Mirrors, apartments) | Half day |
| Trianon estate (official) | €15 / €12 reduced | Grand & Petit Trianon, Hamlet (from noon), gardens | Afternoon, second visit |
| Gardens | Free most days; charged on Musical Fountain/Garden days | Gardens and park | Picnics, cyclists |
| Free entry | €0 | Under 18; EU under 26; first Sunday Nov–Mar; disabled + companion | Eligible with ID (slot still needed) |
| Paris Museum Pass | 2/4/6 days | Passport & Trianon included; reserve Palace slot | Pass holders |
| Guided tour at Versailles (2h, small-group) | ~$60–100 | Passport/Palace ticket + guide, priority entrance | Sold-out slots, context |
| Day trip from Paris (coach/train) | ~$90–150 | Transport + tickets + guide; some add gardens/Trianon | Zero logistics |
| Private tour from Paris | ~$400–800 per group | Private transport + guide + tickets | Families, groups |
Official prices from chateauversailles.fr (checked September 2026). The Palace is open 9:00–18:30 and closed Mondays; the Trianon estate opens at noon; the gardens and park are open 7:00–20:30. Only the Palace requires a time-slot reservation. Discounted Palace entry applies from 15:00 and a discounted Passport from 16:00.
Top-Rated Versailles Tours & Tickets
Passport vs Palace Ticket
The Palace alone — Hall of Mirrors, State Apartments, Royal Chapel — takes 1.5–2 hours and is where the crowds are. The Trianon estate and Hamlet are a 30-minute walk (or a small train ride) away and are the most charming part of Versailles, with a fraction of the visitors. If you have a full day, the Passport is worth the extra; if you only have a morning, buy the Palace ticket and see the gardens, which are free on non-fountain days.
Musical Fountains and Gardens Days
On Musical Fountains (weekends April–October) and Musical Gardens days, the gardens are ticketed (roughly €10–11) unless you hold a Passport, which includes them. The fountains run at set times; the Passport is clearly the better buy on those days.
When a Tour Wins
The Palace queue at the entrance can exceed an hour in summer even with a timed ticket; guided tours use a dedicated group entrance. A guide also makes sense of the court rituals, which the audio guide (included) explains more dryly. Day trips from Paris (above) bundle the RER or coach, tickets and a guide for $90–150 — the price of convenience, since the DIY version costs about €45 including transport. See our Versailles tour vs DIY comparison for the full maths.
| Tour | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Versailles Palace Guided Tour with Reserved Entry | $81 | ★ 4.6 (2,681 reviews) |
| Versailles Full Day Bike Tour with Palace, Gardens, & Picnic | $126 | ★ 4.8 (2,289 reviews) |
| From Paris: Versailles Palace Live Tour with Gardens Access | $110 | ★ 4.6 (882 reviews) |
| Versailles Château and Gardens Walking Tour | $75 | ★ 4.5 (742 reviews) |
| Versailles Palace Guided Tour with Gardens Access | $98 | ★ 4.6 (709 reviews) |
| Versailles Palace Guided Tour with Full access | $87 | ★ 4.5 (578 reviews) |
Practical Tips
Book the 9:00 Palace slot or go after 15:00 for the discounted, quieter afternoon. Arrive by RER C to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche (10-minute walk). Bring ID for free categories. Rent a bike or golf cart for the park. Closed Mondays. Related: Louvre tickets compared, and our Paris hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Versailles ticket in 2026?
The Passport covering the whole estate is €35 (€32 reduced); the Trianon estate is €15; the Palace ticket is timed with discounted entry from 15:00. Under-18s and EU residents under 26 are free.
Is the Versailles Passport worth it?
For a full day including the Trianon estate and Hamlet, or on Musical Fountain days when the gardens are ticketed, yes. For a half-day Palace visit, the Palace ticket is enough.
Do I need a timed slot for Versailles?
For the Palace, yes — including free-entry visitors and Paris Museum Pass holders. The Trianon and gardens do not require slots.
Is Versailles free?
For under-18s, EU residents under 26 and on the first Sunday of the month from November to March; gardens are free except on fountain-show days.
Is a guided tour of Versailles worth it?
For a first visit, a guide explains the court and uses a group entrance that avoids the main queue; day trips from Paris add transport. Independently it costs about €45 including the RER.
What day is Versailles closed?
Mondays, plus 25 December, 1 January and 1 May.
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