Reading several sites, I understand the best way to get tickets to Versailles is to buy the all-in-one ticket which includes the train from Paris. I will be in Paris for two weeks beginning May 14th. Which train station do I go to buy the ticket. I also understand getting there early is the best, that is no problem for the husband and I , but what is considered early. 8 AM / 7 AM ? I would like to avoid really long lines, don't mind a line but not hours

Any help would be appreciated

The Forfait Loisirs ticket for Versailles is no longer available.

http://www.transilien.com/web/site/a...ailles/lang/en

When we went last September, we arrived at the gate about 15 minutes before opening time. (Remember it's a good 5-10min walk from the train station.) We were about 10 & 11 in line to get in.

The all-in-one tickets including transit (Transilien Forfait Loisir) are no longer available. Just as well, since it had to be purchased at a train station or an RER station along Line C, and it was more and more difficult to find ticket windows open.

Now, you can purchase tickets on the Chateau Versailles website, print them at home, and use the ticket holders entrance.

You can buy tickets to Zone 4 at any metro station.

denmal, we purchased our day passes on the Chateau's website. We now have our them saved as .pdf's to be printed before we depart. I'm hoping we'll be early birds, like yk. We'll see... Have a great time!

ChicagoDallasGirl - When do you leave - Are you going before May - Would love to know how it worked out..

I also understand that the Paris Museum Pass (2,4, or 6 day versions) allows entry into Versailles but it isn't clear from the Paris Visitors Bureau's website if the pass is good for all of the attractions or the fountains on the weekend.

May is a gorgeous time to go to Versaille. If you arrive when there is a huge queue, then spend some time in the gardens, which are beautiful. You can also buy your Chateau tickets at a sort of Visitor's Centre in the street that leads to the Chateau. It's on the left hand side of the street when approaching the Chateau. You can bypass the queue if you have this ticket.

I've been there twice and each time by about 3pm the tourist buses have gone and the queues are really short. It gets REALLY crowded in the Chateau when the tour groups arrive, to the extent that I found it really uncomfortable and didn't enjoy it much.

2nd visit HB and I spent the entire day in the gardens - it's so beautiful Make sure you visit Marie Antoinette's little village and gardens.

I hope you love Paris, two weeks will be lovely!! Are you staying in an apartment?

Cathies - We will be staying in an apartment from Vacations in Paris # 125.. We are so looking forward to our trip. Thanks for the advice about Versaille.

Isn't Le Passeport still available for 20 Euros? Includes train fare from London?

I did see on the web that there is no Passeporte from transit anymore. Is anyone aware if FNAC still sells day passes? We would buy online, but having trouble getting all the particulars together with a group coming from opposite ends of the US, etc. I'd hoped we could maybe buy just a day ahead and forego lines.

In response to the question about the Museum Pass, we used ours when we went on a Saturday last September (a fountain day). In addition to entrance to the Chateau, it covers entrance to the Grand and Petit Trianon as well as Le Hameau. It doesn't cover the tram or the entrance to the gardens on days the fountains are running.

If you want to know if FNAC sells tickets, why not just go to their website and see. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't, they sold the regular Versailles daily all-inclusive ticket, not the RATP ones. I think ticketnet.fr does, also.

ok- I am stupid. I did go to their website and my French is not good enough to decipher the different tix. We are just trying to avoid as many lines as possible by buying smart. I am trying to figure out why whenever you ask at question lately on this site you get a sarcastic answer. Isn't the purpose of these forums to exchange information? Please do not reply to any of my questions anymore, Christina.

ps.. Sorry Denmai...I should have started a new thread instead of pulling yours off track...

This might be old news, but I was searching for info on Versailles as well.

www.chateauversailles.fr
LHS click on Your tickets through SNCF and FNAC
This brings up a page headed "Tickets in Advance"

The SNCF offers the possibility of purchasing
the "Transilien leisure package", a ticket combining
return transport with the One Day Pass of the Château of Versailles.

The leisure package makes it possible for you to have the benefit
of a special price and privileged access to the palace

It is on sale:
- at the SNCF Transilien ticket windows in train stations, areas 1 to 6
- at the Espace du Tourisme Ile-de-France in the Carrousel of the Louvre

> further info on the Transilien website (in French)


So, it sounds like it doesn't need to be purchased day of visit. Although, I didn't find any further info on the www.transilien website.

<u>2fun</u> - please see my reply (first response on this thread):
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...omment-5529560

<i>The Forfait Loisirs ticket for Versailles is no longer available.

http://www.transilien.com/web/site/accueil/citylien/forfaits-loisirs/Chateau-de-Versailles/lang/en</i>

The Versailles website has not updated this information yet.

By all means, buy your tickets ahead. We visited the Chateau on April 4, 2009, using our Carte Musee (Paris Museum) passes. We were able to bypass the regular ticket line which was at least one hour long, mid-day.

Enjoy your trip.

bookmarking

FYI: For spring travelers: Some of my travel companions went last week (we were in Paris 4-14) and ended up selling off their tickets after waiting over an hour in the first line (which could have been avoided if they had purchased ahead of time.) And seeing that they had another hour wait ahead in line #2! They also said admission was reduced after three o'clock.

What is line #2 for?