Versailles and Giverny in One Day on Public Transport: Mission Impossible?

Versailles and Giverny in One Day on Public Transport: Mission Impossible?

When I first got to Paris for the first time, just for a short visit, I wanted to see it all in a matter of a week. I had known deep down it was my city even before the plane landed in God-forsaken Beauvais. I should have gone straight to Giverny then, instead of getting into a taxi that cost my daily budget.

After visiting the Louvre and Orsay, on the third day, I wanted to check two more icons off my list—the Royal Château of Versailles and Claude Monet’s gardens in Giverny—before heading south to visit my school friend who had moved to France right after graduation.

To cut a long story short: I made the rookie mistake of going to Giverny first. Two hours later, I was surrounded by serene ponds and blooming flowers, only to realize there was no direct connection to Versailles. They may be just 60 kilometers apart as the crow flies, but unless you’re that crow, you’ll be forced to go back to Paris, change stations, and somehow navigate public transport again.

By the time I reached Montparnasse station, it was already 3 PM. I spent 20 precious minutes looking for the right train, missed one, and finally got to Versailles by 4 PM. After queuing for nearly an hour, I sat down on a marble bench in the palace courtyard and promptly fell asleep. No one noticed until closing time, when a guard woke me up in French that didn’t sound as gentle as I expected the language of love to be. 

That day became a personal cautionary tale. Now, after nine years of living in Paris and knowing every strike signal and secret metro exit, here’s my hard-won truth: Yes, it is technically possible to do Versailles and Giverny in one day by public transport—but it’s an endurance sport, not a relaxing day out.

Here’s what you need to know if you still want to attempt this mission.

What’s the Distance? What’s the Drama?

Let’s start with geography. Versailles lies southwest of Paris, reachable in about 30–40 minutes via the RER C train or RER N from Montparnasse train station.  Giverny, meanwhile, is to the northwest, taking at least 1 hour 15 minutes from Gare Saint-Lazare (or Gare Montparnasse depending on your route) to Vernon, followed by a shuttle bus or local bus/taxi to reach Monet’s home.

Even if Versailles and Giverny are just over 60 km apart, there is no direct route between them by train or bus. You must return to Paris in between—which means, in practical terms: two train journeys, two metro transfers, and two destination shuttles. Add inevitable delays or strikes, and you’ll spend over 5 hours just in transit.

A Suggested (and Tight) DIY Timeline

If you’re dead set on doing this independently, here’s the only order that makes sense:

Start with Versailles:

• 08:30 AM – Depart from Paris (RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche) or RER N from Montparnasse.
  
• 09:30 AM – Arrive & queue
  
• 10:00 AM – Visit begins
  
• 12:00 AM – Finish Palace & Gardens (this is fast)
  
• 1:00 PM – Return to Paris by RER
  
• 1:30 PM – Metro to Gare Saint-Lazare or Montparnasse
  

Giverny:

• 02:00 PM – Train to Vernon
  
• 03:20 PM – Shuttle to Giverny
  
• 03:30 PM – Visit Monet’s house & gardens
  
• 05:30 PM – Back to Vernon
  
• 06:45 PM – Return train to Paris
  

Best-case scenario? You’ll be back in Paris by 7:00 PM—exhausted, sweaty, and wondering if it was worth the stress.

Let’s Talk Trains: RER N, TER & Timing Nightmares

To get to Giverny from Paris, you’ll need to catch a TER train from Gare Saint-Lazare or Montparnasse to Vernon-Giverny, and then connect to the shuttle. The trains aren’t hourly. If you miss one, you could be stuck for 60–90 minutes.

Versailles is easier: take the RER C or the N line from Montparnasse. But be warned: Montparnasse is a maze, and the RER lines can be unpredictably disrupted by strikes or maintenance—especially in spring and summer. 

In other words: even the best-laid plans can unravel quickly. And if you’re short on time or patience, public transport becomes a gamble. 

A More Elegant Alternative: Book a Combined Private Tour

There is, of course, a better way to experience these two legendary sites without spiraling into panic, Google Maps, and missed connections. This option makes the impossible not just possible—but pleasurable. 

Conclusion: Should You Still Try to DIY It?

If you’re young, determined, and wearing good shoes—maybe. But know what you’re signing up for: 5+ hours on trains and buses, zero time for croissants, and the risk of missing both sites at their best.

But if you believe travel should be immersive—not a logistical nightmare—opt for a curated day where all the beauty is yours, and none of the stress.

Want to turn the impossible into the unforgettable?
Book our Giverny & Versailles Full-Day Tour and let us handle the timing, the tickets, and the transport—so you can focus on the gardens, the gold, and the glory.