The basics: Versailles is located 12 miles away from Paris and it takes about a half hour to get there via RER. From the station to the gates of the palace it’s about a five minute walk.

RER C
To get to the palace of Versailles, make sure to buy a “Paris – Versailles Rive Gauche” ticket (zones 1-4) (T+ ticket is not valid for this journey).

SNCF Trains
Arrive at Versailles Chantiers station from Paris Montparnasse
Arrive at Versailles Rive Droite station from Paris Saint Lazare

The train will say either Versailles Rive Gauche or Chateau de Versailles. Be careful catching this train because not every train heading in this direction through Paris goes to Chateau Versailles.YOU DO NOT WANT TO CATCH THE RER TO VERSAILLES CHANTIERS.

Here’s the train schedule: http://www.transilien.com

Admission to the French gardens is free except on the days of the Grandes Eaux musicales et Jardins musicaux shows. From November to March admission to the gardens is free every day. From April to October there is an admission charge for the gardens on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The Palace of Versailles is open from 9am to 5:30pm (6:30pm in high season).
The Trianon palaces and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet are open from noon to 5:30pm (6:30pm in high season). The French gardens are open from 8am to 6pm (8:30pm in high season). The park is open from 8am to 6pm (7am to 8:30pm in high season).

The domain of Versailles is free on the first Sunday of every month from November to March. The Trianon Palaces and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet ticket entitles you to admission to those places only. Price is 10 euros.

Rent a bike (on the premises) to cover more ground.