The comparison at a glance
| Offer | Duration | Price "from" | What is included | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private family day by minivan | About 10 h | $2,028 per group of up to 5 | Private round-trip minivan, safari zoo entrance, drive through the park | Family wanting everything organised | See |
| Private castle and safari tour | About 6 h | About $250 to $400 (to check: per person or per vehicle) | Private transport, drive through the park, castle access per the listing | Couple or small group | See |
| Guided safari and castle tour | About 8 h | $261 per person | Hotel pick-up, safari zoo and castle entry, lunch | No car, all included | See |
| Entry ticket only | Day | From $37 per person | Skip-the-line day ticket, no transport | With a car or public transport | See |
Private family day by minivan
This day lasts about 10 hours: departure from Paris around 7:15 am and return sometimes after 9 pm depending on traffic. It costs $2,028 for up to 5 people, which suits families who want a private minivan and no organising.
Private castle and safari tour
This private tour of about 6 hours combines the drive through the park and Thoiry château. Prices seen range from about $250 to $400 depending on the date; we could not confirm whether they are per person or per vehicle.
Guided safari and castle tour
This tour lasts about 8 hours, with hotel pick-up, safari zoo and château entry, and lunch. At $261 per person, it is the most affordable all-inclusive option with transport.
Entry ticket only
The ticket on its own from $37 is the cheapest, but you handle the journey. On site, the official prices found run from about €30 to €34 for an adult and €21 to €25 for a child aged 3 to 11, free under 3 (sources differ: check the official site).
Getting there on your own
By car, allow about 45 minutes from Paris via the A13, then the A12 and N12 towards Dreux, exit Thoiry; parking is free. By train, line N runs from Paris-Montparnasse to Montfort-l'Amaury - Méré, then a shuttle serves the park, but it does not run all year: check before leaving. The park is visited by car or in the park's own bush truck (about €10 extra, according to one source); you do not get out of the vehicle in the safari zones and animals are neither fed nor touched. This page only covers tickets and access.
What is not included and the pitfalls
- Price per person or per vehicle: tours are sometimes priced per group ($2,028 for 5 people). Work out the price per person before comparing.
- Long day: departures are early and the return can be late. Check the times with young children.
- Meals: lunch is only mentioned for the 8-hour guided tour. Food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicles according to one operator.
- Reduced mobility: one listing says the tour is not suitable for wheelchairs. Check before booking.
Which offer should you choose?
- You have a car: the entry ticket alone, the cheapest.
- No car, full day: the 8-hour guided tour.
- Couple or small group, a little château: the 6-hour private tour.
- Family, no organising: the private minivan day; see also our ideas for outings with children.
- A zoo without leaving the city: the Paris zoological park.
