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The Eiffel Tower is the one landmark almost every Paris visitor wants to see in person. It is also the one where poor planning costs you the most time. Show up without a ticket on a summer afternoon and you can lose half your day in lines. Book the right ticket at the right time and you walk in, ride up, and spend your hours enjoying the view instead of queuing for it.
This guide covers the ticket options and current prices, where to buy, the best times to visit, how to skip the worst lines, the best photo spots, and where to stay nearby.
Table of Contents
Eiffel Tower ticket options and prices
The tower has three levels open to visitors: the first floor, the second floor, and the summit. You buy a ticket for a specific combination of levels and a specific way up (elevator or stairs). These are the current official adult rates. Prices change from time to time, so treat these as a guide and check the official site before you go.
- Summit by elevator: around €36.70. This is the full experience, top to bottom.
- Stairs to the second floor, then elevator to the summit: around €28.00. You climb 674 steps to the second floor, then ride the glass elevator the rest of the way.
- Second floor by elevator: around €23.50. No summit, but plenty of view.
- Second floor by stairs: around €14.80. The cheapest way up, and the stair lines are usually shorter.
- Children under 4: free, but they still need a ticket.
There are reduced rates for youths aged 12 to 24, children aged 4 to 11, and disabled visitors.
One rule that catches people out: you cannot upgrade a second floor ticket to the summit once you are inside. If you think you might want the top, buy the summit ticket from the start.
Where to buy Eiffel Tower tickets
Buy from the official site, toureiffel.paris. It is the cheapest source and the only one that sells the standard tickets described above.
Timing matters more than most people expect. Elevator tickets go on sale 60 days in advance, and the popular time slots sell out fast in spring and summer. Stair tickets go on sale 14 days in advance. If your dates are fixed, set a reminder and book the moment your day opens up.
If the official site is sold out for your dates, resellers still have availability, usually bundled with a guided tour or a Seine cruise. You pay more than the official price, but for a sold out day it beats missing the tower entirely.
Do you need tickets in advance?
For the summit, yes, unless you enjoy uncertainty. Summit elevator tickets are the first to sell out, often weeks ahead in peak season. Second floor tickets are easier to get, and the stairs almost always have same day availability. If you are visiting Paris in July or August, or on a weekend, book everything in advance.
Summit or second floor: which should you choose?
This is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer depends on what you want.
The second floor sits at 115 meters. From here Paris still looks like Paris. You can pick out Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and Sacre Coeur without a map. The decks are open air, which makes it the better floor for photography.
The summit is at 276 meters, the highest public viewing platform in the European Union. The view is enormous. On a clear day you can see up to 70 kilometers. But the city below turns into a miniature model, and most of the summit is enclosed in glass, which dulls the experience a little. What the summit gives you is the feeling of standing at the very top, plus Gustave Eiffel’s restored private office and a champagne bar.
If you want the best photos and the best value, the second floor wins. If you want to say you stood at the top, get the summit ticket.
Best time to visit the Eiffel Tower
Early morning is the quietest. The tower opens at 9:30 am most days, and the first hour has the shortest security lines and the calmest viewing decks.
Sunset is the prettiest. Time your visit so you are on the tower as the sun goes down, then watch the city lights come on. Sunset slots are the most popular of the day, so book them earliest.
Night is the most magical. After dark the tower glows golden, and on the hour it sparkles for five minutes. Seeing the sparkle from the Champ de Mars below is one of the great free experiences in Paris. The tower stays open late, with last entry usually around 10:30 or 11 pm depending on the season.
Midday in summer is the worst combination: biggest crowds, harshest light for photos, and the longest waits. Avoid it if you can.
How to skip the lines
No ticket skips every line. Everyone goes through security. But you can cut the waiting down a lot:
- Book a timed ticket online. This is the single biggest time saver. Walk up visitors wait in the ticket line plus the elevator line. Timed ticket holders skip the first one.
- Take the stairs. The stair entrance rarely has much of a line, the ticket is cheaper, and the climb is part of the fun if you are reasonably fit.
- Go early or late. The 11 am to 4 pm window is peak. Everything outside it moves faster.
- Travel light. There is no left luggage at the tower, and large bags are not allowed. Security goes faster with just a small day bag.
Best photo spots for the Eiffel Tower
You do not need to be on the tower to photograph it. Some of the best shots are from across the river.
- Trocadero: The classic postcard view. Cross the Pont d’Iena to the Trocadero esplanade for the full tower framed over the fountains. Go at sunrise for the thinnest crowds.
- Champ de Mars: The lawns behind the tower. Great for picnic shots with the tower rising above you, and the best seat for the hourly night sparkle.
- Rue de l’Universite: A quiet street where the tower appears perfectly framed between Parisian buildings. A favorite of photographers.
- Pont de Bir-Hakeim: The bridge with the tower in the distance. Lovely at blue hour.
- Arc de Triomphe rooftop: For the reverse shot. The tower as part of the Paris skyline, with the avenues radiating below you.
Where to stay near the Eiffel Tower
The 7th arrondissement, the tower’s own neighborhood, is quiet, elegant, and made for walking. You will pay more here than in most of Paris, but you can step out of your hotel and see the tower from your street. The neighboring 15th arrondissement is a short walk away and usually cheaper, with the same easy metro access.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy Eiffel Tower tickets in advance?
For the summit, yes. Summit elevator tickets sell out weeks ahead in peak season. Second floor and stair tickets are easier to get, sometimes on the same day outside summer.
How long does a visit to the Eiffel Tower take?
Plan two to three hours. That covers security, the ride up, time on the decks, and the way down. Add an hour if you eat at one of the restaurants.
Can you visit the Eiffel Tower at night?
Yes, and you should. The tower is open late every evening, the city lights are spectacular from the top, and the hourly sparkling light show is worth timing your visit around.
Is the summit worth the extra cost?
If standing at the very top matters to you, yes. If you mainly want great views and photos, the second floor is better and cheaper. Remember you cannot upgrade once inside, so decide before you buy.
Can I bring luggage to the Eiffel Tower?
No. Large bags and suitcases are not allowed, and there is no left luggage facility. Bring only a small bag.
About the author: Admin is the editorial voice behind Landmarks Landscapes, writing practical guides to the world’s great landmarks and natural landscapes.
