Versailles: Which transport method takes less time/walk the least
 

By searching on the web and this forum, below are a summary of methods I found to get to Versailles from Paris:

1) The most popular one: take metro, then RER-C train, exit at Versailles Rive Gauche.

2) Take SNCF: either from St Lazare to Versailles Rive Droite or from Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers.

3) Take Metro to Pont De Sevres and then take RATP bus 171 to Chateau de Versailles.

Is there a forth way? I will be starting at Metro Republique. Which one is the easiest/most convenient?

If you want to take the least amount of time and walk the least then you would hire a car and driver to pick you up at your hotel/apartment and deliver you to the gates of the chateau. Of course, this depends on time of day and traffic in terms of time but you would definitely not be walking at all except within the chateau.

If you want to use public transportation I would use option 1. It's tremendously easy. It's about a 5 minute walk (or less if you are a fast walker) from the Rive Gauche train station in Versailles to the chateau.

I don't know how much walking you would have to do if you take public transportation since you didn't state where you are staying. Only you will know how far it is from your hotel to the closest metro station.

Don't forget, there's quite a bit of walking to be done once you get to Versailles. BUt it's worth it. Going the RER route is the most effiicent (and economical).

Your best bet is the RER-C. I've taken SNCF from Montparnasse - it is fast (as little as 13minutes to V-Chantier), but Montparnasse is far from where you are and require a Metro change. And V-Chantier is at least 10 minutes more of walking than V-R.G.

White St Lazare is closer and no Metro change, that train is slower (29 minutes), and at least the same walk at Versailles as Chantier.

Therefore, neither SNCF options give you much advantage in time over RER, but it'll mean more walking.

Given the distance from the main part of the palace out to some of the hide away buildings, the Traianon, and the far end of the gardens, this question is somewhat amusing.

It is like comparing pennies to dollars.
Sorry to sound that way, but when I remember the miles it seems that I walked to see the grounds and the buildings away from the main chateau, quibbling over a few hundred yards for a commute from various train stations has touch of ironic humor.

brookwood - I agree that 10 minutes more of walking may sound trivial, but there's enough of walking around Paris already for most people. No need to add any "unnecessary" ones.

But more importantly is the time. The time one save by taking the faster train is offset by the extra time of walking. So goes the advantage.

I just want to point out that if you do take the train to Chantiers rather than R.G. you can take a cab to the palace. It cost about 3 euro, I think. We got to V.C. by accident getting on the wrong train, and since we had no idea how far we were from the palace we decided to save both feet and time and grab a cab.

There's also a bus, route "G" I believe, that goes from V-Chantier to the Hotel de Ville on Rue du Paris, if you don't like walking.

Planning is half the fun of a trip, even though the 10 min here and there may not matter once I go there. The other reason I look for alternatives is there seems to be some bad experiences regarding the use of RER-C. Stations closed down randomly with no English signs. People took wrong trains and wasted 2 hours, etc.

Most people on this forum had success with transferring at Invalides. How about Gare 'd Austerlitz? This station and Republique are both on line 5, which makes it easier for me. Anybody has experience with this RER station? Is there a general rule to make the RER transfer as early as possible or as late as possible to Versailles?

To minimize walking on the grounds at Versailles, which brookwood describes, you can take a tram to the outlying areas. There is a nominal cost.

If you're starting at Republique, you'll need to go to St. Michel first. Then take your option #1, the RER C. You need the C5 that goes to Rive Gauche. Ask someone on the platform if you have any doubts. There will be plenty of people there happy to help you. It's a very easy walk from the Rive Gauche station up to Versailles.

You will do a LOT of walking at Versailles. We took a pedometer and walked 12 miles! If you don't want to walk that much, there are a couple options. One is the little train that scoots all over the place and looked like fun to me. The other option is a magnificent horse and carriage you can hire. Choose your option according to your budget.

Have fun.

We just went to Versailles taking the RER C -for us St. Michel was a close stop from our hotel. Even after all my research we got on the wrong train-listened to my children(too early for teenagers) realized this shortly after we got on the train, no problem though just got off at Champ de Mars, waited about five minutes and then took the correct RER C to Versailles Rive Gauche-easy walk from the train station and still got there about 9:15 am before all the crowds. Recommendation if you can look on the web site and go on a day when the fountains are going it is really worth it-it was 6E a person for the grandes eaux musicales, entrance to the gardens when the fountains are tutned on for 1 and 1/2 hours(music not special but the fountains do add quite a bit)