Travel Tip: Taking the train to Paris or Versailles

While standing on the platform at the train station yesterday (see photo) I couldn't remember if I'd already blogged about taking the train to Paris. It's so easy that it makes it a very viable alternative to the car for day trips to Paris and Versailles.

Station

Our nearest station is in Epernon, which is a 10-minute drive from the house. The station is on the main Paris-Chartres train line, making it a popular commute. As a result there are frequent trains to Paris.

View Château de Jonvilliers in a larger map

The trip takes 35-45 minutes, depending on the number of stops it makes between Epernon and Paris. It sometimes stops at the next station up the line (Gazeran) and Rambouillet, but the one stop it always makes is Versailles Chantier. This makes it handy for visiting the Palace if you don't feel like driving.

You arrive at the Gare Montparnasse on the Left Bank in Paris. From there you have half a dozen metro lines that will take you just about anywhere in the city.

View Gare Montparnasse in a larger map

Timetable

The trains run every hour from early in the morning until late at night. They put on extra trains during the morning and evening commutes (up to 4 an hour). We always have a stack of timetable on hand and we can show how to read it. The last train back to Epernon leaves Paris at half-past midnight (00:34 AM to be precise).

Parking

Costs €1.50 for all day street parking near the station. You feed the meter with exact change (important) and you put the parking slip on your dashboard. Occasionally station parking can be hard to find. When this happens, park in any available spot on the street. There are a couple of lots 5 minutes away on foot. You won't be towed. If worse comes to worse you'll get an €11 ticket, which you won't have to pay if you have foreign plates.

Fares

A round-trip adult fare is €20.20 in second class. There is a first class, but it's not worth it. Children 4-12 pay half price (€10.20) and teens (12-18) get 25% off, if they have a student ID card. There are also discounts for seniors and students (18-25). We can give you tips on how to ask for reduced fares, even if you don't speak French.