I would say if you want to be at the side entrance at 9:30 and you take the train arriving at 9:10 you will need to take a taxi instead of walking or taking the bus.

We loved Monet's lily pond and garden SO much!! The house was great too but the pond and garden...oooh la la

Thank you everyone for all the advice. Our morning today was a bit of a disaster so it didn't unravel as planned but here are some tips to others who plan future visits.

Upon exiting the train station, you can either take a taxi or shuttle bus. There were 3 buses in a row, get on the very first one...very impt, and it fills up fast.

You will see the taxi stand immediately upon exit {angled at 10 o'clock} and the bus will be right in front. If you decide to take a cab, sprint to the stand because there were only 2 cabs waiting and none showed up after those 2 left.

If you take the bus, highly recommend sitting in the very front {which means you might have to be first in line to get on bus} to have unobstructed views of the town, river, etc upon entry to Giverny...and the yellow flower fields.

Bus is 8 bucks roundtrip, cash only. Make sure to keep the return ticket handy on your way back to enter the shuttle again. A couple of girls were not allowed in until they found their tickets.

When the bus finally arrives Giverny, turn right and walk on the main road towards the Fondation.

On that same road, you will see a sign that reads, "ENTREE GROUPES" and "Entry with pass"...follow those arrows down that same road. Both signs are attached to the pole of a red do not enter sign.

From that road, make a left and the side door entry is immediately on the right, GREEN DOORS.

When you enter, have your ticket ready, attendant will be there to check. Make a sharp right down the stairs, into the tunnel then you will come out and see a stream that's part of the pond...keep going and the pond is on the left. You have to cross the tiny green bridge and the magical lily pond will open itself up to you :)

Once at the lily pond, if you can get to the bridge that goes across the lily pond, take pics from there...or better yet, go on the opposite end {to the right} so you can include the bridge on your shots. The bridge gets packed quickly.

I, too, suggest the lily pond first, then the garden which is soooo beautiful, then the house. You exit from the bookstore.

Upon exit from the Fondation, turn left and follow the road to the Musee des impressionnismes, 2 minute walk, and it will be on your right, hard to miss. We had a nice lunch there. Besides the actual museum, it also has a glorious garden in the front you can stroll around regardless if you decide to see the art inside, very few Monet. Current exhibit is Degas.

There is a public toilet across the road from where the buses park. There is a plate for donation. To avoid this, use the clean ones at this museum, again whether or not you decide to see the art. Also lockers are available inside this museum that requires a coin that you eventually get back.

We took the train that arrived at 9:10. It was not packed but there WILL be people in your shots if you don't hustle. I would take the earlier train if possible, have coffee there, and just chill and wait it out. Our morning getting to the lily pond was in such a panic because of my OCD to get there as soon as they opened for the no-people shots that it turned into a hellish comedic runaround. We're laughing about it now... not so funny then!

Try to see if you can charm/convince the attendant to let you back in later in the day to see the pond on a different sunlight. We got the combo ticket so it didn't have the actual date but the date of the other museum we first visited. If one entrance says No, try the other. It really is the most enchanting pond and garden I've ever seen and the flowers are in full bloom!

The crowds were not bad at all especially around 1-ish when we went back to do another stroll/loop...everyone seemed to have gone to lunch.

Thank you again for all the detailed suggestions and advice. We're very happy we picked Giverny as a day trip especially this time of the year and after seeing his waterlily paintings in Paris. It was such an incredible sight to see...a real life Monet masterpiece!

"Try to see if you can charm/convince the attendant to let you back in later in the day to see the pond on a different sunlight."

I was there so long that the light changed of its own accord! :-) Glad you enjoyed it, tessietoes.

Thanks for getting back to us tessietoes. Happy you loved it so much. We loved it too.

O this is excellent information - thank you. I will be going there in July and am looking forward to it so much!

Thanks for sharing all your wonderful tips on how best to experience Giverny. We will be there in late June and I have a couple of questions.
<< I would take the earlier train if possible, have coffee there, and just chill and wait it out. >>
Weare big Monet fans, and so we'll take the train (from Gare-St-Lazare)that arrives in Vernon at 8:05am - but the first shuttle bus to Giverny is not till after 9am, is there a local bus that we can hop on that will take us to Giverny? If not, I guess we can take a taxi - do we need to pre-arrange for a taxi or are they always available at the train station? Thanks!

Thank you for the detailed report, tessietoes, but you make it sound a lot more complicated than it actually is! :-)

Milaedg - I don't think you can go in before 9:30.

Micheline, yes but we want to be first in line when they open...

Good to hear your day was a success and you enjoyed the Gardens very much. Thanks for reporting back in with even more info!