Is Versailles worth it?
Worth itOverhyped · −16Louis XIV's royal palace with the Hall of Mirrors, vast gardens and the Trianon estate
Worth it. Interiors and gardens consistently impress, but recent reviewers say Hall of Mirrors crowds make the palace itself a letdown.
Hype86How famous and hyped it is
Reality70Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
4.6 ★ Google · 171,799 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first
Been to Versailles? Was it worth it?
One tap. No account. Your vote moves the Reality score.Is it worth it for you?
Worth itEditorial verdict until 5 first-timers vote
4.6 across 170,000+ Google reviews; most say it is worth seeing at least once, ideally with a first-entry slot.
Why Reality is 70
Lives up to its fame4/5Interiors and gardens consistently impress, but recent reviewers say Hall of Mirrors crowds make the palace itself a letdown.
Value for money4/5€35 Passport buys palace, Trianon and huge gardens for a full day, plus a cheap €4.50 train; reasonable for a world-class site despite the 2026 non-EU increase.
Can’t get it elsewhere5/5Nothing else in or near Paris matches its scale or its place in French royal history.
Easy to do2/5Timed slots still mean 30–50 min of entry and security queues, peak on-site ticket lines up to 3 hours, a 40-min train each way and long walks.
What people loved
The Hall of Mirrors and gilded state apartments are widely called even more impressive in person than in photosEnormous formal gardens, fountains and the quieter Trianon estate and Queen's Hamlet can fill a whole day€35 Passport covers palace, Trianon and gardens, and the free official app replaces a paid audio guideEasy direct train from central ParisWhat wore them down
The Hall of Mirrors and royal apartments are packed shoulder-to-shoulder, making it hard to appreciate the roomsEven with a timed ticket, entry and security queues can add 30–50 minutesHuge distances on foot across exposed gardens; exhausting in heat and with kidsTuesdays and weekends are especially busy; the palace is closed MondaysPrices rose for non-EU visitors in January 2026Know before you go
See something out of date? Fix it right here.Reservation required. Book a timed Palace slot online in advance; on-site ticket lines can reach about 3 hours in peak season.
EntryPassport (Palace, Trianon, gardens) €35 standard / €32 reduced; Trianon-only €15 / €12. The standard rate for non-EU visitors rose from €32 to €35 on Jan 14, 2026Source · Checked Oct 16, 2026
ReservationPalace requires a timed slot (the Passport guarantees Palace entry); Paris Museum Pass holders must still book a free Passport time slot. Tickets non-refundableSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
HoursPalace 9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; Trianon from 12:00 p.m.; gardens and park 7:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Closed Mondays, Dec 25, Jan 1 and May 1Source · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Getting thereRER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche (about 40 min, €4.50 each way), then a 10 min walk; allow roughly 1 hour from Châtelet / Hôtel de VilleSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Time neededAbout 2.5 hours for the Palace alone; plan a full day (around 8 hours round trip from Paris) with gardens and TrianonSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Getting around the estatePetit Train €4.60 each way; bikes from €10/hour; golf carts about €40 for the first hourSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Current exhibitionSofia Coppola exhibition open from Sept 22, 2026; Passport garden access runs until Oct 31Source · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Opening hours (Google)
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
In their words
“The Hall of Mirrors is absolutely jaw dropping and even more impressive in person than in photos.”
“Versailles is worth visiting once, but I wouldn’t go back. … The palace itself was the biggest letdown.”
“In the scorching heat, it honestly did not feel worth it, and the kids were completely exhausted by the time we were done.”
“We had tickets for the first entry of the morning, still busy, but no coach tours until later in the morning.”
Tips from people who went
No tips yet. Be the first to share one.
0/400 · no links · posts right away
Questions people ask
How much are tickets to Versailles in 2026?
The Passport (Palace, Trianon and gardens) is €35 standard or €32 reduced; the Trianon-only ticket is €15. The standard non-EU price rose to €35 on January 14, 2026.
Do you need to book Versailles in advance?
Yes for the Palace, which requires a timed slot. Paris Museum Pass holders must also book a free time-slot ticket.
What day is Versailles closed?
Mondays, plus December 25, January 1 and May 1.
How do you get to Versailles from Paris?
Take the RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche (about 40 minutes, €4.50 each way), then walk about 10 minutes.
What is the best day to visit Versailles?
Wednesday to Friday; Tuesdays (when the Louvre is closed) and weekends are busiest.
Better fits, according to people who went
Sources
- Château de Versailles — Tickets and prices (official)
- Sortir à Paris — Versailles raises ticket prices for non-EU visitors (Dec 2025)
- Where Are Those Morgans — Palace of Versailles day trip: mistakes to avoid
- Google Maps — Palace of Versailles