Get your RER return tix before leaving station

Just visited Versailles on Sunday (May 28) and thought I%26#39;d share this experience.

Confused as to whether our tickets from Paris to Versailles-Rive Gauche was one-way or roundtrip we walked back to the train station after arriving and asked the attendant who told us the tickets were just one-way. We decided to go ahead and get return tickets then and, wow, I%26#39;m glad we did.

We spent the afternoon touring the gardens and state apartments and stayed until the site closed. We joined a tired mob returning to the station and while the rest had to wait in a long line to purchase their return tickets, we went around them and straight through the carousel to our train seats.

There are several machines that are supposed to dispense tickets but none were operating so there was just the attendant. Perhaps with all machines working it would have eased the wait, but I%26#39;d still advocate getting your tickets before going to the chateau.

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These are the little items that I mentally add to my %26quot;coping%26quot; list for my next Europe visit... I hope anyone who has encountered any day-to-day travel moments like this will post their experience. Thanks.

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When you went, did you have advanced tickets purchased, or did you just purchase these tickets in Paris when you were there? I might like to do a day trip to Versailles but don%26#39;t know if time will allow. If we simply decide to go one day, I assume we can buy a ticket that day? Will the prices be higher than if we%26#39;d had an advanced reservation? Would it be best to just buy the roundtrip at the start of the trip?

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MarylinKK,

Let me preface my responses by noting that this was my first trip to Versailles so I%26#39;m not sure if I went about it in the most efficient manner.

In any case, we got our RER tickets at the station as we were leaving for Versailles. We used the electronic ticket machines in Paris and I don%26#39;t recall if there was an option for roundtrip tickets.

I believe I%26#39;ve read on some posts in the Paris forum that you can buy a package ticket via the rail line that includes a roundtrip RER ticket and admission to Versailles. However, if you already have a Museum Pass, that will also get you into Versailles (at least into the state apartments and Hall of Mirrors).

Hope you have a chance to check it out, but even if you don%26#39;t, enjoy your trip!

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