Versailles Tickets Guide – Types, Prices, Skip‑the‑Line, Passport & Trianon

Buying the right ticket for the Palace of Versailles saves you time, money, and energy for what really matters: the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s State Apartments, the Gardens, the Grand and Petit Trianon, and Marie‑Antoinette’s Hamlet. This guide explains the main ticket types, what they include (and don’t), realistic prices, the best time slots, and how to plan around the famous Musical Fountains Shows.

Ticket types at a glance

1. Palace Ticket (Château only)

• Includes: Palace (King’s State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Royal Chapel access when open), temporary exhibitions inside the Palace.
• Excludes: Trianon Estate (Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, Hamlet), most special shows.
• Good for: First visit focused on the Palace interior, short half‑day trips.

2. Passport (All‑Access)

• Includes: Palace + Gardens + Estate of Trianon (Grand & Petit Trianon) + Hamlet. On Musical Fountains/Jardins musicaux days, the Passport typically includes garden access on those paid days.
• Good for: Full‑day visits; seeing everything at your own pace.

3. Passport with Timed Entry (Skip‑the‑Line into the Palace)

• Same as Passport but adds a timed access to the Palace, significantly reducing queue time at the Château entrance.
• Good for: Peak season and weekends; travelers who value time certainty.

4. Gardens Ticket (only on show days)

• On Musical Fountains or Musical Gardens days, the Gardens are paid and require a ticket unless you hold a Passport.
• Good for: Repeat visitors focusing on the outdoors, photography days, picnics (outside restricted areas).

5. Special events (Musical Fountains Night Show, Serenade in the Hall of Mirrors)

• Separate evening tickets; not included in standard day tickets. Magical but distinct experiences.

Prices and what affects them

• Palace: roughly €18–€21.
• Passport: roughly €20–€32+ (varies by season and inclusions).
• Gardens (show days): ~€10–€12.
• Special evenings (Night Fountains, Serenades): higher, variable and date‑dependent.

Price drivers: season (Apr–Oct busiest), day of week (Fri–Sun higher demand), whether your visit coincides with Musical Fountains/Jardins musicaux days, and add‑ons like guided tours.

Do you need skip‑the‑line?

For the Palace entrance, yes in peak months. A Passport with timed entry dramatically cuts wait time at the Dufour Pavilion. Note: security screening still applies, but timed access avoids the long general queue.

Suggested itineraries by ticket

• Palace Ticket (half day):

  1. Arrive for an early timed slot (09:00–09:30). 2) Visit King’s Apartments → Hall of Mirrors → Royal Chapel. 3) Coffee break at the Oeil‑de‑Boeuf or nearby cafés. 4) Stroll part of the Parterre and Orangery before heading back to Paris.

• Passport (full day): Morning: Palace timed entry. Midday: Gardens and lunch by the Grand Canal. Afternoon: Petit Trianon → Hamlet → Grand Trianon. Return to the main parterres for late‑day light and photos.

When to book and what time to go

• Book 5–14 days ahead for spring–summer weekends; 2–5 days ahead in shoulder seasons. Timed entries for 09:00–10:00 sell first.
• If you prefer fewer crowds in the Hall of Mirrors, choose the first hour (09:00) or late afternoon slots (after 15:30), then circle to the Gardens.

Garden show days explained

• Musical Gardens (Jardins musicaux): select weekdays; background baroque music among the groves.
• Musical Fountains (Grandes Eaux musicales): select weekends/holidays; fountains run at set times.
• Night Fountains (Grandes Eaux nocturnes): spectacular evening events with lights and fireworks — a separate ticket.

On these show days, garden access is paid unless you have a Passport. Check the official calendar and align your ticket accordingly.

Add‑ons: audio guides and guided tours

• Audio guide: handy for the Palace; bring wired earbuds for comfort.
• Guided tour: small‑group or private tours access extra rooms or provide richer context; good value if you love history or architecture.

What to bring and what not to

• Bring: light layer (gardens are breezy), water bottle, comfortable shoes, portable battery, and a small snack.
• Avoid: large bags (security slows you down), bulky tripods (restricted), and oversized umbrellas on show days.

Bottom line

If you want everything in one day, buy the Passport with timed Palace entry and arrive early. If you’re short on time, a Palace ticket with a morning slot plus a garden stroll still delivers Versailles’s essence without overwhelm.