The Palace of Versailles offers three motorised ways to cover its 800-hectare estate: self-drive electric golf carts (€42/person for the first hour, from South Terrace or Petite Venise), the Little Train shuttle (€9 return, Château to Trianon), and the Private Golf Cart Tour with a historian guide (from €246/person, 3 hours). All three reach the Trianon Estate. Golf carts include a built-in audio guide in 8 languages. The Little Train is the quickest, cheapest, and most accessible option for reaching the Trianon.
The estate of Versailles covers 800 hectares. The walk from the main palace to the Trianon Estate takes 25–30 minutes each way; from the Trianon to Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet is another 10–15 minutes. Motorised transport makes a real difference to how much of the estate you can cover comfortably. Here’s a complete guide to every option.
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Table of Contents
Option 1: Self-Drive Electric Golf Cart
Self-drive electric golf carts are the most popular motorised option at Versailles. Each cart seats 4 adults, or 3 adults plus 2 children. A built-in audio guide in 8 languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese) provides commentary as you drive. Carts are fitted with a geolocation system to help navigate the estate.
| Detail | Information |
| Hire points | South Terrace (adjacent to palace) and Petite Venise (near Grand Canal) |
| Minimum hire | 60 minutes |
| Price | €42 per person for first 60 minutes |
| Additional time | €10 per additional 15 minutes |
| Driver requirements | Minimum age 24; valid driving licence required if group is 4+ adults |
| Accessibility | 6 specially equipped carts available; 40% discount for disabled visitors |
| Audio guide | 8 languages; built-in |
| High season hours | 10 am – 6:45 pm (last departure 5:45 pm) |
| Low season hours | 10 am – 5 pm (last departure 4 pm) |
Golf carts can access the formal gardens, the Park, and the Trianon Estate. They follow designated routes and cannot enter pedestrian-only areas. This is the most flexible motorised option — stop wherever you like, spend as long as you want at each location, and return at any time. See our full vehicle rentals guide for complete seasonal hours.
Option 2: The Little Train (Petit Train)
The Little Train is a hop-on hop-off shuttle that runs between the Château and the Trianon Estate, with stops at the Grand Canal, Grand Trianon, and Petit Trianon. It is the fastest and cheapest way to reach the Trianon Estate without walking, and the best option for visitors with limited mobility.
| Ticket | Price |
| Return (adult) | €9 |
| One way (adult) | €5 |
| Reduced (13–18 years) | €7 |
| Child (up to 12) | Free |
The full circuit (Château → Grand Canal → Grand Trianon → Petit Trianon → Château) takes approximately 50 minutes. A return ticket allows you to board and alight at any stop and re-board the next train. The train runs every day except Mondays from approximately 11 am, closing between 5 pm (winter) and 6:10 pm (summer). It can accommodate 1–2 wheelchairs with driver assistance.
Option 3: Private Golf Cart Tour with Historian Guide
The Private Golf Cart Tour is a fully guided 3-hour private experience that combines 1 hour by golf cart through the gardens with a walking tour of the palace interiors. A private historian guide accompanies your group throughout. Two slots: 10 am and 2:30 pm. Price from €412 per adult, €246 per child.
This is fundamentally different from the self-drive option — it includes an expert guide, covers both the gardens and the palace interior, and is a premium private experience rather than a transport solution. See our Private Golf Cart Tour guide for full details.
Comparison: Which Option Is Right for You?
| Self-Drive Golf Cart | Little Train | Private Golf Cart Tour | |
| Price | €42/person first hour | €9 return | From €412/adult (private) |
| Flexibility | High — stop anywhere | Fixed stops | Guide-led route |
| Guide | Audio guide only (8 lang) | None | Private historian guide |
| Covers palace interior | No | No | Yes (walking tour) |
| Best for | Families, couples, exploring gardens freely | Quickest Trianon access; limited mobility | Premium private experience |
| Accessibility | 6 accessible carts; 40% discount | Wheelchair spaces | Not wheelchair accessible |
| Duration | From 60 min | 50 min full circuit | 3 hours |
Practical Tips
- Book the Private Golf Cart Tour well in advance — limited slots at 10 am and 2:30 pm daily
- Self-drive golf carts are first-come first-served at hire points; arrive early on busy days
- The Little Train is the best single option for visitors who primarily want to reach the Trianon and return without extra walking
- Golf carts are not permitted in the formal gardens — only in the Park. If you want to explore the garden parterres and groves, you’ll need to walk them
- Combine options: walk the formal gardens (10 am–1 pm), then hire a golf cart or take the Little Train to the Trianon (from 1:30 pm)
