Giverny Transport Guide
Four ways to reach Monet's Gardens from Paris. Honest pros and cons, real cost ranges, and the traveler profile each option actually suits. Updated for the 2026 garden season (1 April – 1 November 2026).
Private driver
Paris hotel / airport → Giverny gardens entrance
Duration
1h15 from central Paris · 1h25 from CDG · 1h25 from Orly
Typical cost
From €220 one-way (sedan, up to 3 pax)
Best for
Couples, families, seniors, time-poor travelers, large luggage, multi-stop Normandy days
Pros
- Door-to-door — no walking with luggage, no connection from Vernon
- Per-head cost competitive from 3 passengers
- Flexible schedule, you control departure and return
- English-speaking driver and local Giverny knowledge
- Airport flight tracking included
Cons
- More expensive solo than the train
- Subject to Paris ring-road traffic in peak commuter windows
Train + connecting taxi
Paris Saint-Lazare → Vernon-Giverny station → taxi to the village
Duration
~50 min train + 10–15 min wait + 10 min taxi · ~1h45 door-to-door
Typical cost
Train €16–€30 / pax + taxi flat €17 / car
Best for
Solo travelers, budget-conscious couples without heavy luggage
Pros
- Cheapest option for 1–2 people
- Frequent SNCF service from Paris Saint-Lazare
- No traffic risk on the train leg
Cons
- You manage the connection at Vernon-Giverny station
- Taxi queue can be long Apr–Oct mid-morning
- Hard with strollers, multiple bags or limited mobility
- Last train back from Vernon is early — check schedules carefully
Seasonal shuttle bus
Vernon station → Giverny (operates April to October only)
Duration
15–20 min from Vernon station
Typical cost
~€10 round-trip per passenger
Best for
Solo or pair travelers already taking the train, on a budget, with light bags
Pros
- Cheap when paired with the train
- Direct to Giverny center
Cons
- Operates April to October only — no winter service
- Fixed timetable; missed bus = long wait or expensive last-minute taxi
- No luggage hold, limited capacity in peak season
- Crowded in July–August
Self-drive car rental
Paris rental desk → Giverny parking
Duration
~1h15 from central Paris (off-peak)
Typical cost
From €60 / day + fuel + Paris ring-road risk + parking
Best for
Multi-day Normandy road trips, drivers comfortable in left-hand-drive France
Pros
- Maximum flexibility for multi-day Normandy tours
- Useful if Giverny is one stop of many
Cons
- Heavy Paris traffic on A13 westbound on summer Saturdays
- Paris parking expense if combining with the city stay
- Insurance, fuel, return logistics add up against a fixed private driver fare
- Not suitable for travelers unfamiliar with French signage / roundabouts
Our honest recommendation
Solo or budget pair, light bags, flexible time — take the train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon-Giverny, then either the seasonal shuttle (Apr–Oct) or the flat €17 taxi. Plan your return train carefully.
Couple wanting a stress-free day, family, seniors, heavy luggage, or airport same-day arrival — book a private driver. Door-to-door at the gardens entrance, 3-hour wait included, and the per-head cost is competitive from 3 passengers.
Multi-day Normandy road trip starting from Paris — rent a car. For a single Giverny day, the private driver is almost always less stressful and not much more expensive once parking, fuel and ring-road risk are factored in.