The comparison at a glance
| Offer | Duration | "From" price | What's included | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private tour with a ballet artist | 2.5 hours | About $344 per person | Ballet-artist guide, private tour | Dance fans, groups wanting something special | See |
| Private tour with a live guide | 1.5 hours | About $210 per person, 2 adults minimum | Live guide, private group | Couples, families, your own pace | See |
| Self-guided visit of the Palais Garnier | Free pace | €15 | Timed ticket, access to the public areas | Budget, independent visitors | See |
What you are really buying
The Palais Garnier can only be visited with an online booking; there is no sale on site. The official ticket costs €15 (France and EEA) or €25 (outside the EEA), according to our Opéra Garnier guide. The self-guided ticket sold by GetYourGuide is therefore a dated ticket like any other: it saves you using another site, not queuing at security. What you really choose is the company: nothing, a group guide, or a guide just for you.
Private tour with a ballet artist
The most expensive option, about $344 per person (seen in October 2026, varies by date), for 2.5 hours with a ballet-artist guide. One snapshot rates it 3.6 out of 5 from only 9 reviews; one traveller found the content far from the description, so read what is included before paying. See the offer.
Private tour with a live guide
About $210 per person (two adults minimum) for 1.5 hours in a private group, in French, English or Spanish according to the listing. One snapshot rates it 5 out of 5 from 68 reviews. The listing warns that access to the auditorium may be restricted on rehearsal days. See the offer.
Self-guided visit of the Palais Garnier
The best seller, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 19,624 reviews, from €15. It opens the grand staircase, the foyers and the library-museum at your own pace. An audio guide can be rented on site, according to one listing. See the offer.
What is not included and the pitfalls
- The auditorium is not guaranteed. Rehearsals often close it without warning, whatever ticket you hold.
- Security still applies: allow 20 to 30 minutes according to one traveller.
- The time slot. The ticket is valid up to 30 minutes after the chosen time; suitcases and travel bags are not allowed.
- Concessions. €10 for ages 13-25 (France and EEA), free under 12, €25 outside the EEA. We could not verify whether resold tickets apply these rates.
- Dollars and euros. Private tours are shown in dollars, tickets in euros.
- The guide's language varies: check it before paying.
Which offer should you choose?
- Tight budget or independent visitor: the self-guided visit, then see our tips for the Opéra district.
- Couple or family: the 1.5-hour private tour. See also Paris with kids.
- Dance lover, special occasion: the ballet-artist tour, after checking the content.
- Several sights in one week: compare with the Paris pass comparison.
Booking at the right time
Book a few days ahead, earlier in high season, as slots are limited. Then continue to the Galeries Lafayette or the Palais-Royal. For other sights, read booking ahead in Paris.
