Versailles Tickets - Don't be Duped!
Apr 24th, 2012, 08:02 AM
#21
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They do that even in Rome near the Vatican. One did lure me to a Cafeteria, saying that I would be able to skip queues, but I just refused to buy tickets from them. I think they would have their people waiting in line for you like to enter the museum, etc probably paying extra for it.
We only entered the Vatican, and since we have a child with disability, they give you priority at entrance anyway, I had told her about this, but she still made me try to buy tickets from them.
Yes, you always have to be on the lookout for these sales people. They wear badge and uniform to try and fool us tourists. Yes, there had been a queue at Versailles to purchase the tickets, which again skipped as they let us in from another entrance to buy the tickets due to our daughter, and even had a guide with us all the time taking us to private lifts etc, that is a place I really called good service.
We only entered the Vatican, and since we have a child with disability, they give you priority at entrance anyway, I had told her about this, but she still made me try to buy tickets from them.
Yes, you always have to be on the lookout for these sales people. They wear badge and uniform to try and fool us tourists. Yes, there had been a queue at Versailles to purchase the tickets, which again skipped as they let us in from another entrance to buy the tickets due to our daughter, and even had a guide with us all the time taking us to private lifts etc, that is a place I really called good service.
Apr 24th, 2012, 09:42 AM
#24
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Kcolli - If you take the train that arrives at Versailles-Chantiers there is a bike rental place right outside the station that rents bikes for 12€ for an entire day. I think you can even get a cheaper rate if you have some sort of Paris visit/museum pass but check the website:
http://www.velo-versailles.fr/phebusveloan/index.html
http://www.velo-versailles.fr/phebusveloan/index.html
Apr 24th, 2012, 10:21 AM
#27
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I've been trying to find out if you still buy the <blue>tram/train tickets</blue> at the booth where you board the train, as I read elsewhere that you now have to buy them at the main ticket window (you know, where the lines are!). No one answered my TA post...
thanks!
thanks!
Apr 25th, 2012, 06:10 AM
#28
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Kcolli - The info on the tram is under "Facilities" on the main Versailles website. The direct link is http://www.train-versailles.com/. Full fare is close to 7 euros (good all day) but young children are free. We ended up not using it since we did not go to the Trianons. It would have been well worth it if we had though!
Apr 25th, 2012, 07:10 AM
#29
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Yes, thank you, I saw that site however it does not state <red>*where*</red> you buy the tickets. That is my only question. We used it quite a few years ago and there was a booth by the train/tram area. Is that still true?
Apr 25th, 2012, 07:29 AM
#31
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I sent an email to the contact on that page, maybe they will respond. I would hate to have to go to the main ticket windows, b/c we're entering with a tour and won't otherwise have to go to that line.
Apr 26th, 2012, 09:10 PM
#35
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Wayfinder, I hope you don't feel too bad about what happened. It is just part of travel and in the great scheme of things, pretty minimal. There are so many crazy, sometimes embarrassing ways to lose a little money. Sometimes it is a taxi or tipping too much. Sometimes, even a hotel or rooms for rent that send people out to round up takers. We've done it a few times when we were too tired to care - just chuck it up to experience and enjoy the story. Still, it is kind that you took time to let others know so they can perhaps avoid it.
Apr 26th, 2012, 11:39 PM
#36
Re above diatribe, I have been to Versailles twice and there was no line either time.
So I find it incredibly believable that the OP saw no line.
I don't recall how much the tram was, but it seemed quite expensive so we walked.
It is a long walk.
So I find it incredibly believable that the OP saw no line.
I don't recall how much the tram was, but it seemed quite expensive so we walked.
It is a long walk.
Apr 27th, 2012, 01:08 AM
#37
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Sassafrass is absolutely right, you can get scammed anywhere, in any country during any holiday, even when you are extra careful, these people just know what to do to try to lure tourists to buy their products or services to make good profits.
I also join others in thanking you FOR sharing your experience so that others who go there are warned AND may not fall for it. The more fodorites tell of of similar experiences the better.
In the end, as Sassafrass said, experiences like these we should "just chuck it up to experience".
I also join others in thanking you FOR sharing your experience so that others who go there are warned AND may not fall for it. The more fodorites tell of of similar experiences the better.
In the end, as Sassafrass said, experiences like these we should "just chuck it up to experience".
Apr 27th, 2012, 07:20 AM
#38
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nyse,, no line, twice,, please tell, when were these visits, dead of winter, or at end of day? , I have yet to be so very lucky,, in fact,, on tripadvisor.com its never been reported by any poster that they have encountered "no line" at Versailles.. so I guess Fodorites have some secret?This is a genuine question,, I would love to go at a no line time( who wouldn't) no need to prebuy tickets or use the Msueum pass then .
It is good that the OP reported this though I suppose, it never occurred to me one could confuse buying tickets from the palace to buying tickets from a storefront in town, but apparently many have,, so perhaps this will help others. It is an eye opener to me that some people are more easily herded then others, I am serious, it just never occurred to me that people aren't a bit more wary when they travel. Perhaps because I have travelled solo I am more cautious.
It is good that the OP reported this though I suppose, it never occurred to me one could confuse buying tickets from the palace to buying tickets from a storefront in town, but apparently many have,, so perhaps this will help others. It is an eye opener to me that some people are more easily herded then others, I am serious, it just never occurred to me that people aren't a bit more wary when they travel. Perhaps because I have travelled solo I am more cautious.
Apr 27th, 2012, 03:17 PM
#40
First visit (see my post "Late Afternoon at Versailles") was in early October 2009 and we waited for the 3pm reduced admission.
Second visit was mid-October 2011 and we visited on a weekday morning, this time with the Paris Museum Pass.
Second visit was mid-October 2011 and we visited on a weekday morning, this time with the Paris Museum Pass.
