More about: Eiffel Tower Tickets and Tours
There are many ways to enjoy the Eiffel Tower, but you have to go up to see the whole city from the top. Here are the best options:
Paris Eiffel Tower Tickets and Optional Summit
Get a more authentic experience with these tickets to climb the stairs of the Eiffel Tower.
Save on entrance fees to the iconic Paris landmark and climb the steps to the 2nd floor of the tower.
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If you want to save as much as possible on your visit to the Eiffel Tower and you're not afraid of the 600+ steps you have to climb , these stair tickets are your best option.
Like the lift tickets, this ticket takes you up to the first floor of the tower for the best panoramic views of the city. As they are the cheapest tickets, they are also the most popular (bear in mind that the 30-minute climb is comfortable), so I advise you to book them in advance.
Why I like this option: You climb at your own pace, in a relaxed and safe way, enjoying the views and making the stops you need to rest. It's a different way of discovering the Eiffel Tower and paying less.
Eiffel Tower Ticket by Elevator
Avoid the 600 steps of the Eiffel Tower and take the lift straight to the 2nd floor thanks to these tickets.
Don't waste time walking up the Eiffel Tower and go up to the 2nd floor for the best panoramic view of Paris.
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The best way to access the Eiffel Tower is to get your tickets online in advance to avoid waiting in the long queues at the ticket offices. Thanks to these priority tickets you will be able to go up to the 2nd floor of this emblematic landmark of the city, but you will do it by lift, thus avoiding the 672 steps it has.
This way you can go straight to the top to admire the best views of the city. You will also have an audio guide that will tell you all about the history of the construction of Gustave Eiffel's work.
Why I like this option: There is a lot to see in Paris and if you don't have much time on your trip, this is the best option to see the Eiffel Tower because you won't waste time at the ticket office or going up to the 2nd floor.
Eiffel Tower Tickets and Optional Seine River Cruise
Climb the Eiffel Tower and enjoy a night-time cruise on the Seine River
You can't leave Paris without climbing the Eiffel Tower, but you also can't leave Paris without taking a stroll along the Seine and enjoying the romantic views of the city.
As an emblematic monument in Paris, it is easy to find tourist offers that combine a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower with any other activity that is characteristic of the city. One of the most relevant options is the one that includes the entrance to the Eiffel Tower without queues and a cruise along the banks of the Seine from where you will enjoy the views of the Louvre or the Notre Dame Cathedral.
During this excursion you will be accompanied at all times by a specialised guide who will not only show you details of the city of Paris, but will also be at your disposal to give you the advice and recommendations you need to make the most of your trip to the city of light. A recommended option to visit two of the city's main tourist attractions without stress and without waiting, while saving money.
Why I like this option: if you're planning a trip to Paris, the idea of climbing the Eiffel Tower has probably crossed your mind. But enjoying a cruise on the Seine is also a 'must' in Paris. With this combo, you can enjoy a super complete experience.
We compare the options
Avoid the 600 steps of the Eiffel Tower and take the lift straight to the 2nd floor thanks to these tickets.
Don't waste time walking up the Eiffel Tower and go up to the 2nd floor for the best panoramic view of Paris.
Get a more authentic experience with these tickets to climb the stairs of the Eiffel Tower.
Save on entrance fees to the iconic Paris landmark and climb the steps to the 2nd floor of the tower.
Climb the Eiffel Tower and enjoy a night-time cruise on the Seine River
You can't leave Paris without climbing the Eiffel Tower, but you also can't leave Paris without taking a stroll along the Seine and enjoying the romantic views of the city.
How much do tickets to the Eiffel Tower cost?
You can go up the Eiffel Tower from around 20 euros. However, prices will depend on several factors: whether you choose to go up on foot or by lift, the time of day (night tickets are priced at around 39 euros) and whether you choose a guided tour.
Access to the first floor is included in all tickets, but the views from there are not as good as they could be; to see them you will have to go up to the first floor (on foot or by lift depending on the ticket you buy) or to the top (only accessible by lift).
Children under the age of four are free, and discounts are available for children and young people up to the age of 25. Paris Pass holders, however, will have to buy their tickets in the normal way. If you want to know more, you have all the information here: Eiffel Tower Ticket Prices
How to buy tickets for the Eiffel Tower
You can buy your tickets by queuing at the ticket office or on the official Hellotickets website in advance. You will have all the tickets available to book the one you like the most and you will be able to select the day and time at the time of purchase.
My advice: book as soon as possible. The Eiffel Tower is the most visited monument in Paris and thousands of tickets are bought daily. And if you leave it to chance and decide to buy them at the monument itself, you run the risk of not having tickets available, in addition to the queues.
Are there guided tours of the Eiffel Tower?
Regardless of whether you take the stairs or the lift and whether or not you get to the top, the added value of the Eiffel Tower guided tour is that you will be told the history of the monument (because it has one) and when you get to the top you will be shown the different areas and monuments of Paris and told about the history of the city and everything you need to know to enjoy it to the full.
This guided tour includes a lift to the first floor and the option to book the climb to the top separately. If you're fit, I recommend using the stairs, even if it's just to go down, as part of the experience; they'll give you plenty of time to do it at your own pace.
Throughout the tour you'll be accompanied by a specialised guide who, when you get to the top, will guide you through the view of the city and describe interesting details about all the monuments that make it up. Here is our post on The best guided tours of the Eiffel Tower where I tell you all about the different tours.
Climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower
The entrances to the Eiffel Tower are the four legs of the Eiffel Tower and at each of them there are queues of tourists queuing to buy tickets. That is why the best option is to book your tickets in advance; this way you will only have to wait in the entrance queue (essential so that the tower is not saturated with visitors and you can enjoy the views) and not also at the ticket offices which are the longest.
My advice is that it is worth paying the difference in price (about 9 euros) to go all the way to the top. An intermediate option, which for me is the best, is to take the stairs to the first floor and the lift to the top. However, tickets to the top are usually sold out. I tell you more about this in our post on How to climb the Eiffel Tower.
Times and best time to go to the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is open every day of the year; from 9am to midnight in summer and from 9.30am to 11pm in winter. Unlike many museums in Paris, the monument is not closed on any day of the week, but access may be suspended from time to time due to repairs, weather conditions or crowds.
In my opinion, the views are worth seeing both day and night, and for that, going up before sunset is the best time if you don't want to do it twice. However, it is also one of the most crowded times of the day. If you want to enjoy the views with a small crowd, the best time is at dusk and early morning if there is no fog (which is common in Paris and can spoil the view).
Eiffel Tower Night Illumination
The Eiffel Tower's illumination schedule begins at nightfall. At the stroke of midnight the tower flashes for five minutes until one o'clock in the morning; these flashes were implemented to celebrate the arrival of the year 2000 and are still active today. Also, on certain dates or days the lighting of the Eiffel Tower changes, so it's a good idea to check the calendar during your trip in case you get the chance to see a different type of lighting.
Plan your visit to the Eiffel Tower
How to get to the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is the most central and well-known monument in Paris and can be seen from practically all over the city. You'll have no trouble walking to it from anywhere in the centre by looking at a map, and it's also very well connected by public transport. If you use metro line 6, the stop is Bir-Hakeim, although if you have time, I recommend walking from the Trocadero stop on the same line. More information here.
Duration of the visit
You can spend as much time as you want on your visit to the Eiffel Tower depending on how many photos you want to take and how much time you spend climbing stairs or waiting for the lifts. Most people spend about an hour and a half on the tour, but guided tours tend to last about two hours as they go into much more detail and leave you free to enjoy the tower at your leisure.
Where to eat in the vicinity
At the Eiffel Tower there are two bars where you can buy some takeaway food, a Parisian macaron shop and two restaurants with views where you can make reservations and enjoy seasonal French cuisine. If you want to enjoy the experience and indulge in a luxurious treat, I recommend the nearby restaurants; the food in the bars is expensive and is only for snacks.
If you want to eat in the area you'll have to go a little further afield to find restaurants, but I recommend ordering a fabulous crepe from the street stall between the Champs de Mars and Trocadero as they make them on the spot and sitting in the area to enjoy the view gives you a more authentic experience than the average restaurant.
Climb the Eiffel Tower with children
Can you climb the Eiffel Tower with children? Of course you can! The Eiffel Tower has sufficient security measures in place so that you can visit it with children with complete peace of mind. All areas are protected by a safety fence and as long as they are careful on the stairs, children are safe.
Ana's Traveller Tip
Before planning your visit, check the weather and make sure there is no fog; early mornings are often foggy in Paris and you won't be able to enjoy the views as much.
Around the Eiffel Tower
Just as important as climbing the Eiffel Tower is the view from the bottom. The tower is located between the Champs de Mars and the gardens of the Trocadero Palace and the area is ideal, especially in warm weather, for a leisurely stroll with a crepe in hand. In summer, moreover, you are allowed to lie on the lawns of the Champs de Mars, and in the evening many groups gather there for picnics and to watch the illumination of the tower.
Lying there, unhurried and simply looking up and seeing the tower is a unique experience in Paris. If I may give you a piece of advice, be careful with bags, backpacks, purses, etc. This area tends to be quite crowded and especially after dark, pickpockets often try to make a killing off of clueless tourists who leave their belongings unattended while taking pictures of the Iron Lady. Be sure to read our post on tips for visiting the Eiffel Tower.
The best photos of the Eiffel Tower
As well as being one of the most visited monuments in Paris, the Eiffel Tower is also one of the most photographed, but where to take the best photos of the Eiffel Tower from? To suit all tastes, I suggest several places.
If you're in the area, maybe it's a good time to take one of the Seine River cruises (in fact, there are packages that sell the entrance to the Tower and the Seine River cruise, so you can save money by buying them together). I explain it all in my article on: Seine River Cruises in Paris.
From Trocadero
You will easily identify the spot because it is the one where all the tourists gather to take the "typical photo" with the Eiffel Tower in the background. It used to be allowed to climb the curb of the stairs, but in recent years it has been fenced off to protect the area and prevent falls; even so, it is easy to miss the fence if you use the right perspective.
From the nearby lawn
The first thing you will realise when you see the Eiffel Tower for the first time is that, no matter how many photos you have seen, you can't get an idea of its size. Photographing the whole thing up close without a wide-angle lens is virtually impossible, but I personally like the image of the top of the tower peeking through the trees.
From the Peace Wall
At the end of the Champs de Mars, the "Wall for Peace" offers a nice perspective to photograph the Eiffel Tower. The monument consists of two glass walls on which the word "Peace" can be read in 32 languages and 18 different alphabets.
From the Alexander III Bridge
The railing of this bridge and the ornamentation of the bridge also allow for beautiful photos of the Eiffel Tower with the river in the background. Be sure to take a stroll across this bridge from the French Third Republic, which crosses the Seine and leads to Les Invalides.
From the rest of Paris
You don't have to take the perfect, framed, close-up photo of the Eiffel Tower; you can easily photograph it from different parts of Paris due to its sheer size. Try climbing the Arc de Triomphe and taking your photo from there, or explore the back of the Sacre Coeur to get a perspective of the Eiffel Tower illuminating Paris. If you've got the observation skills, you'll have a whole album at your disposal when you get back from your trip.
Attractions with a similar view to the Eiffel Tower in Paris
The views from the top of the Eiffel Tower are breathtaking and the highest in Paris. Does that mean they're the best? Not necessarily; although climbing the Eiffel Tower is a must, there are many other places in the city from which you can enjoy aerial views of Paris and in many of them with more detail than from the top of the Eiffel Tower for the simple reason that a lower height allows you to better appreciate the details.
I personally recommend three of them:
Notre Dame
The gargoyles of the Paris cathedral give a special air to the views of the city. It really looks like the gargoyles are watching over the city and the cathedral's location in the centre of Paris allows you to appreciate several of the city's monuments. This spot right now is closed after the fire in 2019, but I'm sure that sooner or later, it will be available again.
Montparnasse Tower
Personally, I think that this is one of the few elements of Paris that breaks the aesthetics of the city. Why climb it then? Because, precisely, from the top of the tower, located in the south of the city, you can't see the tower itself but you can see the rest of the great monuments of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower.
Sacre-Coeur
Perhaps it's because of the atmosphere of the Montmartre district, but the truth is that the experience of seeing the whole of Paris from the top of the Sacre-Coeur stairs is an impressive experience that unites you even more with a city that grabs you even before you set foot in it for the first time. The Montmartre district, in general, is a must-see attraction that you can't miss on your visit to the city. I have written a guide about Paris Tours in which I tell you how to visit this neighbourhood and the places you should not miss.
Tourist bus
Whether you choose one or several of the attractions in Paris, you should know that the distances between them are not short, so don't underestimate them. A good way to get around the city between the main sights while taking a break from the inevitable walking is the sightseeing bus. Here's a handy guide to everything you need to know before you get your ticket: Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Buses.