Hi! I'm trying to get my transportation budget set for my January 04 trip to Paris and I need some help. We will be in Paris for 8 days (arriving on a Sunday) so we'll be purchasing two Carte Orange tickets for zones 1 & 2. While we're there, we would like to go to Versailles. I went to the RATP website and found that I'll need to take the RER C - Versailles Rive Gauche. Does anyone have an idea of the cost of a round-trip ticket from the 12e (Porte Doree) to Versailles? Thanks in advance for your help! DU

Several years ago it used to be about $3 RT, but the prices have gone up since then, and I notice that they went up again August 1, 2003.

The difference in price between Carte Orange for Zones 1-2 and Zones 1-3 is about €5, so it might make sense just to buy the Zone 1-3 C.O. Here's hoping someone has more up-to-date info about individual tickets because I'm durned if I can find anything on the web!

When I was last in Paris at the end of June, the fare each way was EUR2.45 from central paris (Pont de l'Alma) to Versailles-R.G. station. I think the fare from anywhere in the central zone will be the same.

Thanks for the info guys! I appreciate the help. Have a good evening. DU

If you don't have a museum pass for the day you go to Versailles, you can buy your entrance ticket at the RER station when you buy your train ticket. That'll save you waiting in line when you get to Versailles.

Please note that the Château de Versailles is in Zone 4, so if you buy a 3-zone Carte Orange it won't be accepted.
To get a zone 1-4 carte orange, you'll pay about 10 euros more than for a 2-zone.

In addition to RER C, you can take a train from the Gare St. Lazare or from the Gare Montparnasse, for about the same price and passes are good on these I beleive as on RER/metro. Line C is more convenient for many as it slices through the heart of Paris, following the Seine.

Whereas RER C takes you to Versailles-Rive Gauche near the chateau, trains from St. Lazare arrive at Versailles-Rive Droit and those from Montparnasse at Versailles-Chantiers. The latter two stations are a considerable distance from the chateau.

I would recommend the Mikes Bike tour of Versailles. It is all day, and is $50.00, but is well worth it. It includes the bike, the cost of the train to Versailles, the tour guide, admission into the palace, and the audio recording tour of the palace. You get to see all of the grounds of Versaille (there is lots more to see there than just the palace) and have lunch at the end of the grand canal. The tour guides are english speaking. It was wonderful. They have a website--check it out.

Went to Versailles from Invalides station last week. Cost is 2.50 euros each way. If you want to see the fountains in operation you must go on Saturday. Also you must pay an extra 6 euros to see the gardens. The museum pass does not cover the gardens.

Larry J