Eiffel Tower Paris Guide: Tickets, Floors & Visit Tips for 2026

The Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. The iron tower is both an amazing feat of engineering and an inspiring symbol of the City of Lights, and it’s a must see for almost everyone visiting Paris.

The problem is, everyone else wants to visit the Eiffel Tower too. The Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid monument in the world and receives an average of 25,000 visitors a day. Security screenings can slow down the visiting process, and tickets often sell out. If you value your time, you’ll want to do a bit of pre-planning before visiting.

Laurence and I have visited the Eiffel Tower multiple times together, including by stairs, by elevator to the second floor, and by elevator to the summit. I also first visited as a 16 year old on my first trip to Europe. This guide pulls together everything we’ve learned across those visits to help you plan your own.

You’ll find sections covering whether you should actually go up at all (a question we get asked a lot), how to choose between the second floor and the summit, current 2026 ticket prices, how to get there, where to take photos of the tower, where to stay nearby, and what to do if tickets are sold out online. We’ve also added an FAQ section at the end with answers to the questions readers most often ask us.

Should You Go Up the Eiffel Tower?

The Eiffel Tower is on almost every Paris visitor’s must-see list, and it should be. But there is a question worth asking before you commit to going up: do you actually want to visit the inside of the tower, or do you mostly want to see it?

The two are different experiences, and the most common mistake we see first-time visitors make is treating the ascent as the only way to “do” the Eiffel Tower. It is not. Many of our most memorable moments with the tower have happened from outside it, looking up.

Here is the framework we’d suggest using to make the call.

Going up is worth it if:

• This is your first or only Paris trip and you’d regret not having done it
• The weather is clear (the views drop off sharply on hazy or overcast days)
• You want the bird’s eye perspective from the summit specifically
• You want to dine at Madame Brasserie or Le Jules Verne (both inside the tower)
• You’re booking the evening to coincide with the sparkle light show from the second floor

Consider skipping the ascent if:

• You have a tight half-day window and the queues are long (security plus elevator queues can run 2 to 3 hours combined at peak times)
• You’re traveling with older relatives or anyone with mobility considerations and the elevator queues are particularly bad
• It’s a hot summer day (heat at altitude on packed observation decks is unpleasant)
• The weather is poor (a cloudy day looks dramatic from below but mostly looks gray from above)
• You’d rather spend that time at a sit-down meal somewhere else in Paris

The Trocadéro alternative (and a recent change worth knowing)

If you decide not to go up, the best free view of the Eiffel Tower is from the Place du Trocadéro, just across the Seine. We’ve watched the sunset from there several times. The combination of the Palais de Chaillot’s two curved wings, the wide stairs leading down toward the river, and the tower rising directly across is one of the most photographed views in Paris for good reason. It’s free to access, doesn’t require a ticket, and gives you the kind of postcard photo people travel to Paris hoping to take.

Just note that until March 2026, many guides recommended the rooftop of Tour Montparnasse as the alternative high view across the city to the Eiffel Tower. Tour Montparnasse closed at the end of March 2026 for a multi-year renovation, so that option is currently off the table. The remaining high alternatives for views including the Eiffel Tower are the rooftop of the Arc de Triomphe (paid, but free with the Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass) and the Galeries Lafayette rooftop in the 9th arrondissement (free).

For travelers who want the satisfying feeling of a Paris view from height without the Eiffel Tower’s queues and ticket cost, the Arc de Triomphe rooftop is our current top pick. There’s a fee, but if you have either of the major Paris passes the entry is included.

Which Floor of the Eiffel Tower Should You Choose?

If you’ve decided to go up, the next decision is which level. The tower has three accessible levels: the first floor, with exhibitions and the Madame Brasserie restaurant; the second floor, with the largest observation deck and Le Jules Verne; and the summit, which is the highest accessible point.

Tickets are tiered: you can buy a ticket to the second floor only (cheaper), or a ticket that includes the summit (more expensive). You cannot buy a “summit only” ticket once you’re already in the tower with a second floor ticket, so this is a decision to make before you book.

Here is how we’d think about which to choose, based on visitor type.

First trip to Paris and clear weather: Pick the summit. The bird’s eye view from 276 meters up is unlike anything else in the city, and if you’ve come this far, see the very top.

Photographer or someone who cares about identifying landmarks: Stop at the second floor. From the second floor (about 115 meters up) you can clearly pick out the Louvre, Notre Dame, Sacré-Cœur, and the curve of the Seine. From the summit, you’re high enough that the city flattens out and the details become harder to read. The second floor is our personal favorite for the view.

Traveling with older relatives or anyone with mobility considerations: Take the elevator to the second floor. The summit elevator queue can be long even with a pre-booked ticket, and the second floor experience is the bigger payoff. The summit’s appeal is mostly the height itself, plus the recreated Gustave Eiffel office. Worth knowing: the summit is not currently accessible to wheelchair users.

Budget-conscious and reasonably fit: Take the stairs to the second floor. It’s the cheapest ticket (€14.80 in 2026, vs €23.50 for the lift to the same floor), the queue is usually shorter than the elevator queue, and the climb itself is one of the best ways to appreciate the tower’s structure. There are 674 steps and most people take about 30 minutes to climb. If you decide once you’re up there that you also want the summit, you can buy a stairs-plus-summit-elevator combination ticket at the tower itself, although you can’t pre-buy that one online (more on this below).

Hot summer day or limited time: Reconsider going up at all. The queue patterns in July and August are at their worst, the observation decks are crowded, and heat at altitude on a packed deck is unpleasant. The Trocadéro view from the ground will be a better experience.

Our Experience Visiting the Eiffel Tower

Laurence and I have both visited the Eiffel Tower multiple times. My first experience was visiting the Eiffel Tower when I was 16 years old on my first trip to Europe. I was visiting as part of a tour arranged by a community college and it mainly consisted of college professors and students. We visited the tower and had dinner at the 58 Tour Eiffel (now called Madame Brasserie) on our first night, which was an amazing experience.

It is a strange thing to see one of the most famous landmarks in the world in real life. It is something that almost everyone in the world has seen in books, in films, and on posters, so it is both a familiar and an awe-inspiring sight.

Each time we come here we seem to notice something new, whether it is an architectural detail, an exhibition, or a new angle. We’ve visited by the stairs (more than once, and good to do at least once) and by elevator. The stairs let you avoid the elevator lines, buy a less expensive ticket, and get a better sense of the size of the structure and the architectural details. All those rivets!

The views are the main reason people visit, but be sure to walk around and explore what else you can discover on each floor. Make sure to stop at the first floor if you have time as it generally has exhibitions where you can learn more about the tower and you can walk across the transparent floor.

Although the actual structure of the Tour Eiffel has changed relatively little since its creation, security has changed the nature of the visit here significantly. During our first visits to the Eiffel Tower, you could simply walk underneath and around the tower without going through any sort of security. The bullet-proof glass perimeter went up after the 2015 attacks, and on our last visit, we had to wait for over 40 minutes in line just to get through the perimeter security.

If you come here during a particularly busy period without tickets, you could spend 3 hours in various lines before reaching the second floor. So I would definitely book your tickets in advance to be able to join the priority line for the elevators or stairs. Or join a tour. But don’t waste your limited vacation time standing in line here if you can avoid it.

There are lots of dining options here, from casual takeaway food and snacks to a fancy multi-course meal at Le Jules Verne. We’ve done everything from not eating at all to having dinner at Le Jules Verne. If you are on a tighter budget, I’d recommend eating before or after your visit to avoid the higher food prices here. But if you have a bigger budget and have some time, you might enjoy booking a sit-down menu at one of the two restaurants within the tower.

Although we’ve visited a number of times, there are always things we missed and the views of Paris are always a little different. This is why we keep coming back.

Best Views of the Eiffel Tower (from outside the tower)

One of our favorite ways to see the Eiffel Tower is from a distance. Looking up at it, walking towards it, finding it framed at the end of a street: the tower’s silhouette is the City of Lights in shorthand. Below are the spots we return to.

Place du Trocadéro is our top pick. The view from the terrace between the two wings of the Palais de Chaillot puts the Eiffel Tower directly across the Seine, with the wide stairs and gardens leading down to the river. It’s particularly good at sunset and during the evening sparkle. It’s free, no ticket required, and there’s a Metro stop right there (Line 9, Trocadéro). For your best chance of photographing the tower without lots of other visitors in the foreground, arrive before 9 a.m.

Champ de Mars is the long park stretching south from the foot of the tower. It’s the classic ground-level “look up at the tower” view and a popular picnic spot. From the southern end of the park you can frame the tower with the École Militaire as a backdrop.

Pont de Bir-Hakeim is a double-decker bridge with a pedestrian walkway alongside the metro line. It frames the Eiffel Tower beautifully through its iron arches and is a favorite of Paris photographers. The Bir-Hakeim Metro stop (Line 6) is the closest to the tower itself if you’re walking in.

Pont d’Iéna is the bridge directly between the Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower. It’s a great spot to pause if you’re walking from the Trocadéro down to the tower itself.

The Arc de Triomphe rooftop gives you a high view of the Eiffel Tower with the Champs-Élysées radiating out below. There is a fee to access the rooftop, although it’s included with both the Paris Museum Pass and the Paris Pass. With Tour Montparnasse closed for renovation through the late 2020s, the Arc de Triomphe rooftop has become our top recommendation for a high alternative view.

For a more comprehensive list of photo locations across the city, our friends at Finding the Universe have a detailed Paris photography locations guide with shooting tips for each spot.

Some Eiffel Tower Facts and History

Before we get into the practical planning details, here is a brief history of the tower and some facts about how it came to be.

What is the Eiffel Tower?

The Eiffel Tower is a 1,083 foot tall (330 m) wrought iron lattice tower in Paris, France. It’s both a marvel of 19th century engineering and a symbol of the city. A popular nickname for the tower is “La Dame de Fer” or “The Iron Lady”.

It is Paris’ most famous and most visited tourist attraction. Every day thousands of visitors flock to the tower to enjoy the views from the top and the evening light shows.

The Eiffel Tower is composed of three levels: the first floor, the second floor, and the summit (top level). The first floor has museum exhibits, a glass floor, changing exhibitions, souvenir shops, and restaurants. The second floor has more eateries and shops, the Le Jules Verne restaurant, and an observation area.

The summit is primarily an observation area that is 276 meters (905 feet) above the ground, making it the highest observation deck in the European Union. The top floor is split across two levels and you’ll also find a champagne bar and a recreation of Gustave Eiffel’s office.

In addition to being used as a tourist attraction, the Eiffel Tower has long been used as a communications tower. Today, it is still used to transmit both radio and digital television signals.

Who Built the Eiffel Tower?

The Eiffel Tower takes its name from the primary engineer of the firm who created the design for the structure, Gustave Eiffel. Gustave Eiffel was a French civil engineer who also built the framework for the equally iconic Statue of Liberty in New York City.

Eiffel did not design the tower himself; the design for the tower was created primarily by two of his employees, Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier. The design of the tower was inspired by the former wooden Latting Observatory Tower in New York City, but with greater attention paid to both form and beauty.

The Eiffel Tower is made from wrought iron (puddled iron to be more specific) and is the most famous example of a lattice, or free-standing framework, tower. At the time of its construction it was quite a daring design due to its delicate form and economy of design.

Today you can pay homage to Gustave Eiffel by checking out a bronze bust of Eiffel at the base of the north leg of the tower that was created by French sculptor Antoine Bourdelle in 1929. You can also see a restored version of Eiffel’s office with wax figures at the very top of the Eiffel Tower.

Why was the Eiffel Tower built?

The tower was commissioned as a centerpiece of the World’s Fair (Exposition Universelle) of 1889 held in Paris. The design for the Eiffel Tower was selected from over 100 proposals. The tower was not meant to serve any practical purpose, it was merely to impress visitors as they entered the fair and to show off the technological skills of the French.

Construction of the tower began on January 28, 1887 with foundation work, and took 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days from start to inauguration. This was an amazing speed given the building practices of the day. When it opened it had three restaurants and a bar on the first floor. It was initially painted a reddish-brown color.

Originally the tower was only supposed to stand for 20 years, and part of the selection criteria for the building for the Exposition Universelle was that it would be easy to disassemble. However, by 1909 the tower was so well liked and useful for communications that the government decided to keep it.

The Eiffel Tower celebrated its 135th anniversary in 2024.

Why is the Eiffel Tower so popular?

While the tower’s construction was initially controversial, over time it has become the most iconic structure in Paris. In fact, it is one of the most well-known buildings in the entire world.

People flock to the Eiffel Tower to take pictures in front of its classic facade, to enjoy the views from the observation decks inside, and to see its dazzling nightly light shows. It’s also the focal point of many important events, including Paris’ Bastille Day and New Year’s fireworks celebrations.

The Eiffel Tower is more than an important architectural landmark; it’s a cultural symbol that has appeared in hundreds of books, television shows, video games, posters, and movies. It has been used in hundreds of films as a way of letting the audience know that a scene is taking place in the City of Lights without having to state it.

Interesting Facts about the Eiffel Tower

• At the time of its construction the Eiffel Tower was the tallest man-made structure in the world, surpassing the Washington Monument by over 100 meters. It remained the tallest building until 1930, when the Chrysler Building in New York City was completed.
• The Eiffel Tower is composed of over 18,000 metallic parts, including 7,300 tons of iron. It’s held together by 2,500,000 rivets.
• Not everyone has always loved the Eiffel Tower, and a group called The Committee of Three Hundred, composed mainly of French artists, writers, and intellectuals, tried to have its construction stopped. Opponents at the time described it as “monstrous”, “vulgar”, and “useless”, and compared it to a “metal asparagus” and a “black smokestack”.
• Gustave Eiffel built a personal office at the very top of the Eiffel Tower. The apartment has been restored and you can visit it on the top floor of the tower.
• The tower is the most visited paid monument in the world, with approximately 7 million people paying for entrance annually. Since 1889, it has hosted over 300 million visitors.
• The Eiffel Tower has to be repainted by hand about every 7 years to prevent rust and damage by pollution, requiring about 60 tonnes of paint. The initial color of the Eiffel Tower was reddish brown and it has changed over the years. The current “Eiffel Tower Brown” paint color has been used since 1968.
• The Eiffel Tower has inspired buildings around the world. There are over a dozen near-exact replicas (usually on a much smaller scale) in places including China, Mexico, Russia, and several places in the United States. You can also find its influence in many buildings around the world, including the Tokyo Tower.
• It takes 20,000 light bulbs to illuminate the Eiffel Tower. Originally the tower was lit by gas lamps until electric lights were installed in 1958.
• An American woman, Erika Labrie, took such a love to the Parisian monument during her 2004 visit that she “married” the Eiffel Tower in a commitment ceremony in 2007. She even changed her name to Erika Eiffel.
• The Eiffel Tower continues to grow taller over time. The initial total tower height was 312 meters when it was completed but it has gotten taller due to the addition of various communications antennas. Its most recent height adjustment came in March 2022 when a new digital radio antenna was installed making the tower a total height of 1,083 feet (330 meters), adding 20 feet (6 meters) to its prior height of 1,063 feet (324 meters).

Planning your Visit to the Eiffel Tower in Paris

You definitely need a strategy for visiting one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, especially if you plan to visit in summer. Below you will find all the details you need to plan your trip, including how to get to the Eiffel Tower, how much it costs to visit, how to save time, and how to avoid the crowds.

Where is the Eiffel Tower Located?

The Eiffel Tower is located on the north end of the Champ de Mars, a large public park in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. You can find the tower at the intersection of the Quai Branly and the Pont d’Iéna.

Once you are within walking distance of the tower, it’s pretty hard to miss. As you explore Paris, you’ll probably find yourself getting glimpses of it from across the city.

How to Get to the Eiffel Tower in Paris

There are a number of ways to reach the Eiffel Tower in Paris, including public transport, car, sightseeing bus, river boat, and day tour. Our overview of getting around Paris has more general transport tips for the city as a whole.

Eiffel Tower by Public Transport

This is probably the least stressful way to arrive at the Eiffel Tower because you don’t need to worry about parking or time restraints. You can easily get to the tower via Metro, RER commuter rail, or public bus.

By Metro and RER: there are three Metro stops and one RER commuter rail stop within walking distance of the tower:

• Line 6 (Nation – Charles de Gaulle Etoile) stop: Bir-Hakeim (8 minute walk)
• Line 9 (Pont de Sévres – Mairie de Montreuil) stop: Trocadéro (12 minute walk)
• Line 8 (Balard – Créteil) stop: École Militaire (15 minute walk)
• RER Line C stop: Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel (7 minute walk)

By public bus: there are several bus stops within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower:

• Bus 82, stops: “tour Eiffel” or “Champ de Mars” (5 minute walk)
• Bus 42, stop: “tour Eiffel” (5 minute walk)
• Bus 87, stop: “Champ de Mars” (6 minute walk)
• Bus 69, stop: “Champ de Mars” (6 minute walk)

Eiffel Tower by Sightseeing Bus

If you are planning to take a hop on, hop off bus while in Paris, all of them have routes that include a stop near the Eiffel Tower. Stops are usually noted as either “Eiffel Tower” or “Champ de Mars”. There are several sightseeing bus companies, which include Big Bus and TootBus.

Note that a one day hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus ticket is included for those who have a Paris Pass.

If you are staying at Disneyland Paris, you can also take a tour which stops at the Eiffel Tower if you want to spend part of a day in the city center.

Eiffel Tower by River Boat

You can actually reach the Eiffel Tower by river if you are taking the hop-on, hop-off river cruise on the Batobus. One of the stops and main spots for embarkation is near the Eiffel Tower. It is about a 3 minute walk from the Tour Eiffel stop to the Eiffel Tower.

You can purchase tickets for the Batobus online here in advance or in person once in Paris. We’ve also written a more detailed guide to choosing the best Seine cruise if you’re considering a longer river boat experience.

Eiffel Tower by Car

If you are driving, there are several paid parking garages located near the Eiffel Tower:

• Parking Pullman Tour Eiffel (18 avenue de Suffren) – 5 minute walk from Eiffel Tower
• Parking Quai Branly (25 quai Branly) – 6 minute walk from Tower
• Parking Bouvard (443 Avenue Joseph Bouvard) – 6 minute walk from Tower
• Parking Sainte Dominique (133 rue Sainte Dominique) – 10 minute walk from Tower
• Parking Joffre Ecole Militaire (2 place Joffre) – 12 minute walk

If you are going to be driving and parking in Paris, you can read more about parking guidelines and tips on the city’s website here.

Note that we don’t recommend driving in central Paris if it can be avoided. If you have a car while in Paris, you may instead wish to park it (parking garages further outside the city center are less expensive) and take public transportation to get around the city.

Eiffel Tower by Day Tour

If you’re staying outside of central Paris, it’s possible to visit the Eiffel Tower on a day tour into the city. Just be sure to check what is included in your tour and what kind of Eiffel Tower ticket is included (is it to the first, second, or summit).

There are several day tours offered from London, for example:

• This tour from London via Eurostar includes a Paris sightseeing bus tour, a champagne lunch at the Eiffel Tower (Madame Brasserie, first floor), Seine cruise, and optional guided Louvre tour.
• This full day tour by Eurostar includes a guided visit to the second floor of Eiffel Tower with lunch, guided bus tour, Seine River cruise, and an optional Louvre museum visit.

What is there to See and Do at the Eiffel Tower?

Most people visit the Eiffel Tower because it is a world-famous landmark and to get the views over Paris. But there is more to do at the tower than just look at the view.

We’ll give you an overview of the main things to do at the Eiffel Tower to help you plan your visit.

Esplanade of the Eiffel Tower

The esplanade is the area of the ground around the tower which is free to visit, although you do need to pass through security to access this area. There are gift shops and fast service food options here, as well as the information center and ticket offices.

If you are on a really tight budget, this is a great place to go to get the free classic view of the Eiffel Tower from below. You can examine the architecture of the structure up close, check out the bronze bust of Gustave Eiffel sculpted by Bourdelle at the base of the north leg of the tower, and peek up at the 19th-century lift machines.

Eiffel Tower Gardens

Depending on which entrance you use, you’ll likely walk through the gardens on your way to the esplanade and to go up the Tower. The gardens were finished in 2018 and there are paths you can follow to explore the different highlights of the gardens which include trees, ponds, belvederes, and even a cave. The gardens offer different views of the tower.

There are fish in the ponds and they often attract birds like ducks and geese. You may even spot what is left of the red-brick chimney that once served to evacuate the steam from the machinery that once powered the Tour Eiffel’s elevators.

The gardens are located within the secure perimeter but are free to visit. We recommend having a short wander through before or after visiting the tower.

First Floor of Eiffel Tower

The first floor of the tower features rotating cultural and educational exhibitions, a cinema projection, a section of the former spiral staircase, a children’s play area, and a transparent floor that allows you to see what’s happening below on the esplanade. There are also a variety of gift shops and dining options, including the Madame Brasserie restaurant (formerly Le 58 Tour Eiffel).

You do get some nice city views from this level, but they are not as good as those you will get from the upper floors.

The first floor is accessible by stairs or the elevators. For those visiting by elevator, you will start your journey at the highest level of your ticket (second floor or summit) and then you can visit the first floor on your way down the tower.

This floor is often skipped by visitors taking the elevator but it is well worth a visit to get a different view and to visit the exhibits here.

Second Floor of Eiffel Tower

The highlight of the second floor of the Eiffel Tower is its large observation deck which provides views over Paris. There are also a variety of gift shops and dining options, including fast service, a macaron bar, and the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne fine dining restaurant.

The second floor of the Eiffel Tower is accessible by stairs or the elevators. This is usually the busiest floor of the attraction.

Summit of Eiffel Tower

The summit allows for a bird’s eye view over Paris and is the top floor that can be visited on the tower. There is also a champagne bar and the former office of Gustave Eiffel.

The top floor of the Eiffel Tower is accessible only by elevator, and is not currently accessible to wheelchair users.

Eiffel Tower Ticket Prices

It is free to visit the Champ de Mars where the Eiffel Tower is located, and this gives you a great view of the tower. Security barriers around the tower prevent you from simply being able to walk up to it as you were able to do in the past.

It is still free to walk underneath the Eiffel Tower, but you have to go through the barriers and security line to access this area.

If, like most people, you want to actually go up into the Eiffel Tower, there is an entrance fee. There are several tiers of pricing for visiting the Eiffel Tower depending on how high you wish to go and whether you want to take the stairs or the elevator.

Here are the current prices for 2026:

• A ticket to the top of the Eiffel Tower with elevator access is 36,70€ for adults, 18,40€ for ages 12-24, and 9,20€ for children aged 4-11 and disabled visitors with proper ID.
• A ticket with stair access to the second floor and the lift to the summit is 28,00€ for adults, 14,00€ for ages 12-24, and 7,00€ for children aged 4-11 and disabled visitors. This ticket is only available to purchase in person at the tower itself, on the day of visit (more on this in the sold out section below).
• A ticket to the second floor with elevator access is 23,50€ for adults, 11,80€ for ages 12-24, and 6,00€ for children aged 4-11 and disabled visitors.
• A ticket to the second floor with stair access only is 14,80€ for adults, 7,40€ for ages 12-24, and 3,80€ for children aged 4-11 and disabled visitors.
• Access to all levels is free for children under age 4 accompanied by their parents or guardians, but they still need to collect a free ticket.
• A summit ticket with a glass of champagne at the top is currently around 60€ for adults (only).

One pricing question we get a lot: are there separate EEA / non-EEA prices?

A growing number of major Paris attractions, including the Louvre, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, and the Opéra Garnier, introduced two-tier pricing in 2025-2026: lower rates for residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) and higher rates for visitors from outside it.

Just note that as of 2026, the Eiffel Tower has not adopted this two-tier pricing system. Eiffel Tower ticket prices are the same regardless of where you live, so visitors from outside the EEA pay the same as everyone else here. This is worth knowing if you’ve been pricing other Paris attractions and assumed the same structure applies at the Eiffel Tower; it doesn’t.

The Eiffel Tower also doesn’t currently offer student discounts or other discounts to any card or pass holders. Discounts are available only to disabled patrons (with proper identification) and to young people under the age of 12 (with children under 4 free).

A couple of Paris attraction passes, including the Paris Pass, include access to the Eiffel Tower via a guided tour. If you plan to purchase one of these passes, you probably won’t want to book separate tickets. More on which passes cover what below.

Visitors who make a reservation online at one of the Eiffel Tower’s two main restaurants (Madame Brasserie or Le Jules Verne) will not need a separate ticket to get to the restaurants as it should be included in your online booking. You just need proof of your restaurant reservation to use the lifts.

However, entrance to the restaurant does not include entrance to the rest of the tower, so you will still need to buy a separate ticket to access the upper level(s).

Those with Madame Brasserie reservations can pick up a first floor lift ticket at the Welcome Desk located at the esplanade and can join the priority queue. Le Jules Verne has its own private elevator to the second floor, so those with reservations should use that elevator to access the restaurant.

How to Buy Tickets to the Eiffel Tower

You can buy tickets to the Eiffel Tower either online or in person at the Eiffel Tower ticket booths (located at the foot of the tower once you pass the barriers and first security checkpoint).

The only tickets you cannot purchase online are the “stairs + summit elevator access” tickets. These can only be purchased at the Tower itself and are for same day use only. The only way to pre-purchase access to the summit via the stairs is to do so as part of a guided tour such as this one.

The prices online on the Eiffel Tower website and in person at the Eiffel Tower are the same. But buying a timed ticket ahead of time online is the best way to save time and skip long lines. If you plan to use the elevators, or do the stairs to the second floor (no summit access), we recommend that you pre-purchase your tickets as you’ll be able to skip the ticket lines and join the priority access elevator security lanes.

While there are many websites and businesses in Paris that are happy to resell you tickets to the Eiffel Tower, there is no benefit to buying an individual ticket anywhere but on the official Eiffel Tower website. The prices are the same no matter where you purchase the tickets.

However, if you want to have a guided tour or extra experience, then it may make sense to purchase your ticket elsewhere as these kinds of experiences are not offered by the Tour Eiffel staff. We discuss this in the Guided Tours section below. Just be sure to read all the inclusions so you know what kind of ticket is included with your tour (e.g., do you have access to the second floor, top floor, etc.).

Keep in mind that tickets purchased online must be presented on a mobile phone with a legible bar code (make sure your phone supports this function), or printed before your arrival on standard white A4 paper.

If you pre-purchase a timed Eiffel Tower ticket, be sure to get to the base of the Eiffel Tower for that time. There are entry lines for those with pre-booked tickets. When planning your arrival, be sure to take into account the initial security check which can take 30 minutes or so.

Eiffel Tower tickets, specifically elevator tickets, often book out well in advance, especially in the summer, holidays, and other peak visitor times. So be sure to book well in advance unless you are flexible with the date and time of your visit.

What to do if Eiffel Tower Tickets are Sold Out Online

Don’t panic if Eiffel Tower tickets are sold out online on the Eiffel Tower website during the dates of your trip. You can still visit the Eiffel Tower.

First, note that tickets for the stairs + elevator to the summit are NOT sold online and are only available for in-person purchase. So just purchase these on the day in person at the ticket booth.

The tickets for the stairs do not normally sell out in advance as these are not as limited as elevator tickets. So if elevator tickets are sold out online, your options for Eiffel Tower stair access tickets are:

• You can purchase them in person at the Eiffel Tower for use that day. You can purchase stairs tickets to the second floor only or the stairs + elevator to the summit tickets. We’ve taken the stairs ourselves more than once and have actually used this in-person walk-up option as a fallback when other tickets were sold out.
• You can book a guided tour that includes stairs access such as this tour (you can upgrade the ticket to include summit access if you wish).
• You can purchase the Paris Pass, which includes a guided Eiffel Tower visit by stairs.

One change to be aware of: starting September 29, 2026, the Eiffel Tower will require advance reservations for stairs tickets, and the group booking process will also change. Until that date, stairs tickets remain walk-up only at the tower itself, which has long been the most reliable fallback when elevator tickets sell out. After September 29, you’ll need to book stairs tickets ahead online. Just note that the official site has not yet released the booking form for post-September stairs tickets, so check back closer to your visit if your trip is after that date.

If you want to access the elevators, here are your options:

• You can purchase tickets in person at the Eiffel Tower for use that day for the elevator. Be aware that you’ll have to wait in the general non-priority elevator line, which can be long, so I’d recommend visiting at non-peak hours if you want to take the elevators with same-day tickets.
• You can book a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower that includes timed entry tickets such as this 2 hour summit tour.
• You can book a walking tour of Paris that includes either Eiffel Tower access or Eiffel Tower tickets such as this Take Walks Paris city tour.
• You can book a Paris pass that includes a guided elevator tour of the Eiffel Tower such as the Go Paris Explorer Pass.
• You can book dinner at Le Jules Verne, which gives you private elevator access to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower (but not the summit). We’ve dined here and it was a wonderful experience. I’d recommend asking for a window seat for the best views.
• If your budget stretches to it, you can check if more expensive options are available such as the ticket to the top with a glass of champagne. We have actually bought this ticket in the past when other types of tickets were sold out. It is more expensive, but it’s hard to beat sipping a glass of champagne with a view of Paris below.

Are Discounted Eiffel Tower Tickets Available?

The Eiffel Tower offers discounts to disabled patrons with proper identification and to young people under the ages of 12. Children under the age of 4 can visit for free, but they still need to collect a free ticket to access the tower.

If you purchase a reduced price ticket or a ticket for a child, be sure to have photo IDs (and proof of disability if relevant) as they may be requested to verify identity, age, or disability status.

The Eiffel Tower does not offer any student discounts or other discounts to any card or pass holders. As mentioned above, there is also no separate EEA / non-EEA tier here as there is at some other Paris attractions.

The Eiffel Tower does not resell any of its tickets at a discounted price as far as we are aware. So if you find tickets that are advertised at a discount to the official price, we’d recommend being wary of them. Only purchase tickets from the official website or reputable travel companies.

Which Paris Passes Cover the Eiffel Tower?

This is one of the most consistently confused topics across the Paris pass landscape, so the most useful place to start is with what doesn’t cover the Eiffel Tower.

The Paris Museum Pass does NOT include entrance to the Eiffel Tower. We mention this first because it’s a very common assumption that it does, and travelers sometimes arrive at the tower with a Paris Museum Pass thinking they can use it to enter. They can’t. If you have a Paris Museum Pass, you will still need to purchase your Eiffel Tower tickets separately.

The Paris passes that DO include the Eiffel Tower are:

• The Go Paris Explorer Pass includes a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower with elevator access to the second floor. The tour runs at certain times of the day and needs to be booked in advance. You can see Eiffel Tower tour times for the Go Paris Explorer Pass here.
• The Paris Pass includes a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower via the stairs. As with the Go Paris Explorer Pass, this tour runs at certain times and must be booked in advance. You can see Paris Pass tour times here.
• The Paris Passlib’ gives you the option of adding a visit to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower as a paid add-on, although this typically does not save money over buying the ticket directly.

One additional Paris pass arithmetic point worth knowing if you’re choosing between options: the 4-day Paris Pass Plus (€239) covers more attractions than the 3-day Paris Pass (€179) plus a separate 2-day Paris Museum Pass (€85, plus a €2.48 booking fee, so €87.48) combination, which together come to €266.48. If you’re considering pairing the Paris Pass with the Paris Museum Pass to cover both the Eiffel Tower and the museums, the longer Paris Pass Plus is usually a cleaner and slightly cheaper option for the same coverage.

Which pass is best for you depends on which attractions you plan to visit and how many days you have in Paris, but our top pick for those who want a pass with the Eiffel Tower included is the Paris Pass. Just note that the Paris Pass version of the Eiffel Tower visit is via stairs, not elevator. If elevator access is important to you, the Go Paris Explorer Pass is the better choice. You can read our full Paris Pass review for more details on which pass to pick.

Is there an AudioGuide Available for the Eiffel Tower?

No, there used to be an audioguide that you could download but they seem to have replaced this with a free mobile tour guide that includes lots of information and maps of the tower. It is free to access and is currently available in 4 languages: English, French, Chinese, and Spanish. The guide can be viewed and accessed with a smartphone.

The Eiffel Tower also has a Follow Gus experience aimed at children aged 6-10 and publishes an activity book (in French and English), which can be downloaded for free from their website.

Booking a Guided Tour of the Eiffel Tower

If you are wanting to learn more about the Eiffel Tower and its construction and history, you might want to consider booking a guided tour. Just make sure to check the fine print to see what kind of tour you are booking. Almost all such tours include pre-purchased timed tickets for faster entry.

Here are several options for guided Eiffel Tower tours:

• 1 Hour Walking Tour – This 1 hour walking tour takes place outside the Eiffel Tower and covers the nearby Trocadéro and the Champ de Mars (great areas for photos of the tower). The guide accompanies guests to the Eiffel Tower elevator and then guests do a self-guided tour of the Eiffel Tower themselves. Includes elevator tickets to the second floor or summit, depending on the option selected.
• 2 Hour Summit Tour – This 2 hour guided tour includes a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower and elevator access to all floors, including the summit (if option is selected). This is a great tour to consider for those who want to use the elevator and have access to the very top.
• 2 to 2.5 Hour Stairs Tour – This 2 hour guided tour includes access to the second floor via the stairs with a guide. A good value if you don’t mind taking the stairs. You can also add on the option at booking to have access to the summit elevator if you wish to see the top floor (not accessible by stairs).

If you plan to purchase the Paris Pass or the Go Paris Explorer Pass, note that guided tours of the Eiffel Tower are currently included as options on those passes. Be sure to check the details and book them in advance.

What is the Average Queue Time at the Eiffel Tower?

The time you will wait in line depends on a number of factors, primarily the time of day, time of year, whether you’ve pre-booked tickets or a tour, and whether you want to take the elevator or the stairs.

Generally speaking, if you wish to be at the top at a specific time (like sunset), it’s advisable to book your timed entry to the tower about 90 minutes ahead of that time to ensure you get there in plenty of time.

Perimeter Security Line: It is advised to allow 30 minutes to go through the perimeter security, more at peak times. There is no way to skip the security line and even if you are not planning to visit the tower, you still need to go through security to walk underneath the tower. Those with pre-booked tickets and restaurant reservations may be able to join a priority fast-track lane.

Elevator Ticket Line: You can skip the ticket-buying line entirely by purchasing a timed entry ticket online ahead of time or booking a guided tour. You may still have to wait to board the elevators, but at least you won’t be stuck in a long ticket line which can be a 1 hour wait at peak times. Those wishing to take the stairs will need to purchase their tickets here.

Elevator to 2nd Floor Line: The general ticket queues for the elevators from the esplanade to the second floor can be long and can take up to 2 hours (although normally 1 hour or less) during peak times of the year. But if you have a timed ticket, you will have access to a fast-track line that you can join to go through the second set of security and access the elevator.

Stairs Ticket Queue: The line is normally fairly short to purchase stairs tickets as more people take the elevator; however, in the busy summer months this line can be over 1 hour long. You can avoid this line by pre-purchasing your stairs access ticket online (until September 29, 2026, when stairs tickets will require advance booking). It’s also currently the only way to purchase a Stairs + Lift to Summit ticket.

Stairs Access Queue: If you have pre-booked your ticket, or after you purchase your ticket, there is normally only a short wait, or no wait, to access the stairs as the line moves quickly. On average it takes visitors about 30 minutes to walk up the stairs (674 steps to the second floor), and a bit less to walk down.

Summit Elevator Line: If you are planning to access the summit, the line during busy times can be up to a 1 hour wait as there is no timed entry. Although this line is normally no longer than 20 to 30 minutes. There are no public stairs to the top floor of the tower, so the elevator is the only access point.

Eiffel Tower Entrance Locations

The Eiffel Tower currently has two entrances open for visitors, which are located in the east and south: the east entrance and the south entrance. This is where you’ll need to wait to go through a security line to get inside the perimeter to visit the Eiffel Tower.

Once inside the perimeter, if you have tickets, you can join the appropriate lines for those with tickets to go up one of the elevators (normally East and West Pillars) or to walk up the stairs (South pillar). If you don’t have tickets, you will need to first go to one of the ticket lines (there are usually two open).

Exits are generally located in the west and north sides of Eiffel Tower (opposite ends of the entrances).

Note, due to security issues, operating issues, and changes, entrance/exit locations and operating elevators do change over time so be sure to follow signs and make sure you are in the correct lines.

If you are meeting a guide or joining a tour to visit the Eiffel Tower, it is likely you will meet off-site (such as at a nearby cafe or tour office) and not at the Eiffel Tower entrance. Please check your booking details to ensure you go to the right place to meet your guide.

Best Ways to Save Money on Visiting the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower ticket prices are standardized, so the best way to save money is buying one of the less expensive ticket options. Here are several ways you can save money at the Eiffel Tower:

• Take the stairs. If you are fit enough to take the stairs (there are 674 steps from the esplanade to the second floor), we recommend this for anyone on a tighter budget. In addition to saving you money, it will also save you time by avoiding the long queues for the elevators and is healthy exercise. Not recommended however for those with mobility issues or those with very young children. Note that if you are visiting outside of the summer, the stairs close much earlier than the elevators (around dark) so be sure to check closing time for the stairs if you want to visit in the evening.
• Only go to the second floor. If you are okay with not going to the summit, you can save money by not going to the top floor. Many people feel the best view is from the second floor anyway.
• Bring your own water. Carry a reusable water bottle (we like our Klean Kanteen) so you can bring your own water. Drink prices at Tour Eiffel can be expensive. Note that glass bottles are not allowed through security.
• Eat before or after your visit to the Eiffel Tower. Meal prices at the Eiffel Tower are more expensive than you can find elsewhere in Paris, so you can save money by eating elsewhere. Note that picnics are not allowed within the Eiffel Tower security zone.
• Buy a pass like the Go Paris Explorer Pass or the Paris Pass, which includes Eiffel Tower access. Of course this will only make sense if you plan on visiting some of the other attractions that the passes cover.

Tips for Going Through Security at the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower has been surrounded by a 3 meter high (almost 10 feet) bullet-proof glass perimeter fence since 2018, in response to terror attacks in France. Anyone trying to access the tower or the area underneath it will need to go through airport-style security that includes metal detectors.

The Eiffel Tower website advises giving yourself at least 30 minutes before your timed elevator time to go through security. The best way to get through the security line efficiently is to ensure that you don’t have any objects that are likely to be confiscated.

The following objects are forbidden inside the Eiffel Tower and will be confiscated at security: weapons, knives (including pocket knives), tools like screwdrivers and wrenches, glass bottles or containers of any kind, and any sort of canned beverage. “Excessive food or drink” is also prohibited although it appears the definition of this is up to security guards.

Non-folding strollers, bulky luggage, and all animals (aside from guide dogs with documents) are also prohibited. There is no left-luggage storage or cloakrooms at the tower, so don’t bring your luggage to the tower.

How to Skip the Security Lines at the Eiffel Tower

Everyone who visits the tower needs to go through security, and there is no way to skip the security checks. There is a security check to get inside the perimeter barriers and then another security check for those entering the monument via the stairs or elevators.

However, patrons who buy their tickets ahead of time online can save time with fast-track security checks for the elevators. The electronic timed tickets purchased online in advance save you time with fast-track security checks and no need to queue at the Eiffel Tower ticket offices.

If you booked a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower, almost all tours include timed tickets with priority access as well. Those with same-day Le Jules Verne restaurant reservations also get priority security access.

Note that even with a pre-booked ticket, there is no guarantee of priority access as security protocol procedures are subject to change at any time.

How to Skip the Entry Queues at the Eiffel Tower

You can avoid queuing at the ticket booths by buying your ticket ahead of time online. Tickets can currently be purchased up to 60 days in advance.

For elevator tickets, the tickets include a pre-booked timed access slot for the lifts. Pre-booked timed tickets include priority line access to the elevators.

For stairs tickets, the tickets include a pre-booked time period for you to access the stairs. Note these tickets do not allow access to the Summit. (As mentioned earlier, stairs tickets currently can be purchased same-day at the tower; from September 29, 2026 onwards, advance reservations will be required.)

There is no such thing as a true “skip the line” ticket for the Eiffel Tower. The “priority entrance tickets” that many companies advertise are simply the pre-booked entrance tickets that anyone can buy on the official Eiffel Tower website. They will get you out of waiting in the ticket line, but you will still have to wait in line to board the elevators with the rest of the pre-booked ticket holders.

Note that you should bring your photo ID if visiting the Eiffel Tower, especially if you have pre-booked tickets or plan to book reduced-price tickets. This may be used to confirm identity, age, or disability status.

How Long Is an Average Visit at the Eiffel Tower?

We would recommend planning to be at the Eiffel Tower for at least 1.5 hours if you plan to visit the second floor or 2.5 hours if you also plan to go up to the summit. These are average times of visits for visitors provided by the Eiffel Tower.

You’ll want to allow more time if you are planning to eat here.

Restaurants at the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower has two major restaurants, a champagne bar, and several other self-service eateries and snack bars.

Le Jules Verne is the gourmet fine dining French restaurant on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. The menu is by Michelin-starred chef Frédéric Anton. The restaurant is best known for its dining views over 400 feet above the ground. Reservations are needed. We’ve dined here and had a lovely experience.

Madame Brasserie (formerly Le 58 Tour Eiffel) is a more casual restaurant on the first floor that can be accessed with or without a reservation (subject to availability). It offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as a lounge area where you can have snacks and drinks. In the evening the ambiance is more formal, with a wine list and 3-course menu featuring classic French dishes. The menu was created by chef Thierry Marx. Reservations recommended.

The Champagne Bar is located on the top floor of the Eiffel Tower. Here visitors can enjoy a glass of bubbly while looking out over Paris. Reservations are not possible here but lines here are generally not too long.

The second floor has a macaron bar that offers a rainbow of macaron choices. There are also several quick-service eateries selling casual sandwiches, meals, and snacks on the first and second floors as well as the esplanade (ground), where diners can grab quick meals to eat in or take away.

If you’re interested in pairing a Paris visit with more high-end French dining, our guide to Paris Michelin lunch splurges covers options across the city at lower price points than dinner service.

Other Facilities at the Eiffel Tower

There are free restrooms on the esplanade, first, second, and top floors of the Eiffel Tower. There are baby changing facilities on the esplanade, first, and second floors.

You’ll find dining options and gift shops on the esplanade, first floor, and second floor of the Eiffel Tower. There is also the champagne bar at the summit.

The first floor also has a children’s play area.

Accessibility at the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower was not built with accessibility or wheelchairs in mind, but modifications have been made to make the tower more accessible.

For those with mobility issues, the first and second floors can be accessed via elevator. There are 674 steps from the ground to reach the second floor. The stairs are obviously not recommended for those with mobility difficulties.

Visitors with wheelchairs can visit the first and second floor via lift, but wheelchair users are prohibited from visiting the top floor for safety reasons.

Disabled toilets are available on the esplanade (behind the East pillar), first, and second floors. Most of the eateries and shops are wheelchair accessible as well.

Walking Tours Visiting the Eiffel Tower

While many walking tours will take you around the outside of the Eiffel Tower, only a few include tickets and a visit inside. Here is a good option:

• This full day Take Walks Paris city tour offers an extensive 9 hour full day Paris tour that includes a guided tour of the Louvre, Notre Dame, Montmartre, and Trocadéro Plaza. It also includes entrance tickets to the Eiffel Tower (access to the second floor via elevator) and Seine River cruise tickets. If you only have one day to see the highlights of Paris, we recommend this tour.

Best Time to Visit the Eiffel Tower

We have enjoyed visits to the Eiffel Tower in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and we can say that there is no bad time to visit. In the morning and afternoon you can really take in views of Paris.

In the evening the tower is illuminated with a yellowish glow and you can see all the city lit up from above. Sunset is a beautiful but very popular time to visit the Eiffel Tower. As it gets later in the evening, you get great city night views over the illuminated city, but it does get harder to see the city and take photos as it gets darker.

If you prefer a quieter and less crowded visit, we recommend visiting either in the morning or the evening after dark. The least busy times are generally 9:00am to 11:00am and 8:00pm to 10:00pm.

The Eiffel Tower is normally open 365 days of the year, but the top observation decks occasionally close for maintenance in the winter and for weather-related reasons. It may also close or close early on Bastille Day.

Although unusual, it has also shut down several times in recent years for terrorist threats, the COVID-19 pandemic, strikes, and riots.

You can find out about any planned closures on the official website.

Best Views from the Eiffel Tower

There are two different main observation areas in the Eiffel Tower: the second floor observation deck, which is 115 meters (377 feet) above Paris, and the summit observation deck, which is a staggering 276 meters (905 feet) above the city. Opinions vary on which is the better view, and both are well worth seeing.

The second floor gives you a better view of Paris and its landmarks. You are still low enough to see some of the nuances and details of the surrounding buildings and areas. You have a clear view of city landmarks like the Louvre, Montmartre, and Notre Dame Cathedral. This is our preferred viewpoint.

The top floor gives you a bird’s eye view of the city. This is the highest viewpoint in the city and all the details below blend together, making it more difficult to make out individual landmarks. The effect can be dizzying.

Timing of the Evening Lights at the Eiffel Tower

Every night 20,000 bulbs twinkle in tandem alongside 336 projector spotlights to create a sparkling light show. The light show occurs every night, on the hour, from sunset until 1:00am.

The shimmering display of sparkling lights lasts 5 minutes, except for the last, 1AM show, which is 10 minutes long. The last show of the night is also the most dramatic because the yellow lights that illuminate the tower itself are turned off, giving the twinkling lights a backdrop of darkness.

The best way to view the Eiffel Tower light show is actually at a distance, not from the Eiffel Tower itself. You can watch the show from anywhere in Paris where you can see the Eiffel Tower.

These locations include along the Seine River between Île de la Cité and the Pont d’Iéna, and you will likely catch the lights from any evening Seine river boat cruise or Seine River dinner cruise. Or you can get a closer view from the Place du Trocadéro or Champ de Mars.

How to Avoid the Crowds at the Eiffel Tower

Because it is such a popular attraction, avoiding the crowds at the Eiffel Tower can be tricky. There is almost always a crowd. Still, there are a few things you can do to work around it:

• Purchase your entrance tickets online ahead of time to avoid long lines for the ticket booth and get priority access to the elevator line to the second floor. Or book a guided tour or walking tour that includes timed tickets.
• The peak times to visit the tower are 11:00am to 5:00pm, with 5:00pm to 8:00pm as moderately busy. The quieter times are 9:00am to 11:00am and 8:00pm to 10:30pm. The late evening hours (after 8:00pm) are almost always the quietest and the best if you want to avoid lines if you don’t mind the dark.
• Weekends are busier than weekdays.
• The best time to visit for the least crowds is a weekday in January, February, November, or December (except around Christmas and New Year’s).
• Take the stairs to avoid long elevator waits. Even if you’ve bought tickets for the elevator you can often cut down your waiting around time by taking the stairs back down the tower.
• If budget is not a concern, you can skip the elevator lines almost entirely by booking a meal reservation at Le Jules Verne. Those with pre-booked reservations at the restaurant have access to a private elevator (to the second floor) and can usually skip ahead in the perimeter security lines (dependent on security conditions).

Where to Stay in Paris Near the Eiffel Tower

The area around the Eiffel Tower can be very pricey, as hotels here are popular and in high demand. Hotel room prices can vary dramatically depending on the time of year. Winter months (with the exception of Christmas, New Years, and Valentine’s Day) typically mean drastically lower rates than summer months.

We’ve selected a wide range of options, from budget and good value spots to luxury hotels, for people who want to stay within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower.

• Mercure Paris Centre – The 4-star Mercure is one of the closest hotels to the Eiffel Tower. This contemporary hotel has standard style rooms, flat screen TVs, breakfast buffet, fitness center, and an on-site restaurant and bar. Great for couples. A 2 minute walk away.
• Résidence Charles Floquet – This luxury aparthotel is practically next door to the Eiffel Tower and offers everything you might need including a fireplace, satellite TVs, well equipped kitchen, as well as a washing machine and dryer in each residence. They offer multi-bedroom apartments which are great for larger groups. Only a 3 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower.
• Pullman Paris – This 4-star hotel is located right next to the Eiffel Tower and offers great views of the tower. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, flat screen TVs, an on-site bar and restaurant, fitness room, and 24-hour front desk. A 5 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. We have stayed here before.
• The Tannery – This Plum Guide apartment offers a spacious lounge, dining table, small kitchen, and great views of the Eiffel Tower. The apartment is located about a 18 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. We stayed here on one of our visits to Paris. You can read our review of this apartment here.
• Hôtel Eiffel Rive Gauche – This 3-star smaller hotel is located in a historical building that used to be a convent. A quirky little hotel that offers a good buffet breakfast and a convenient 24-hour reception desk. Expect small rooms in an older building, but a good option for those on a budget who want to be near the Eiffel Tower. Note that the lower priced rooms have shared bathrooms. A 10 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower.
• Résidence Champ de Mars – Studio apartments with kitchenettes just off the Champ de Mars. This place is no frills but it offers well-rated comfortable rooms, an excellent location, and a helpful reception. A 12 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower.
• The One Alma Paris (formerly Hôtel Juliana Paris) – This 5-star luxury hotel offers large comfortable rooms with flat screen TVs, bathrobes, and luxury toiletries. The hotel offers a fitness center, hammam, sauna, and 24-hour reception desk. There is a rooftop bar with a partial view of the Eiffel Tower. A 12 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower.
• Beatrice et Emmanuel Meublé Eiffel – This aparthotel is good value for the location, offering studio and apartment style rooms with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and kitchenettes. They book up fast so make sure to make your reservation here early. It is about a 13 minute walk from the tower.
• Au Pacific Hotel – This 2-star hotel in the 15th arrondissement offers good value for the area. The rooms are small but affordable with flat screen TVs and private bathrooms. They also offer larger family size rooms. The hotel is about a 17 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower.
• Hôtel Eiffel Turenne – This well-rated 3-star hotel offers comfortable rooms, flat-screen TVs, a bar, and a 24-hour front desk. A 18 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower.
• 3 Ducks Hostel – This well-rated boutique hostel features a shared kitchen, a terrace, a bar, a 24-hour desk, and luggage storage facilities. Most rooms are dormitory style rooms but the hostel also has a few private rooms and family rooms. This is the closest hostel option that we know of and a great place to consider for those on a budget. It is a 22 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower; 2 minute walk to nearest Metro station.

Looking for a room or apartment? Check out these great Paris listings on Plum Guide near the Tower. We stayed in a beautiful Plum Guide apartment on a recent trip to Paris with views of the Eiffel Tower from the windows. You can see our full experience using the Plum Guide in our review here.

Another good value option is to stay with a local using a service like Homestay. We used Homestay in Paris and had a terrific local experience.

Other Attractions Near the Eiffel Tower

There are lots of things to see and do within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower.

Take a River Cruise (1 minute from Eiffel Tower) – The Eiffel Tower is the most popular spot to catch a Seine River cruise; we have a ton of tips in our post on how to choose the best Seine cruise for you.

Champ de Mars (1 minute) – The Eiffel Tower is located on the edge of this large green space, which many people neglect to explore. The 60 acre park is a great place for a picnic, stroll, and photos in the shadow of the mighty tower.

Trocadéro (8 minute walk) – The Trocadéro is a long garden right across from the Eiffel Tower where the Palais de Chaillot is located. There are a number of museums located here and nearby, including the Musée national de la Marine (maritime museum), the Palais de Tokyo (a contemporary art museum), and the Musée d’Art Moderne (modern art museum).

Musée du Quai Branly (8 minute walk) – The Musée Quai Branly is a museum featuring art and cultural objects from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. It is also known for its living garden that covers parts of the museum. Entry is free for those with a Paris Museum Pass or Paris Pass.

Rue Cler (10 minute walk) – If you’re looking to grab an affordable snack and want to get away from the immediate Eiffel Tower area, Rue Cler is a popular and scenic market street where you can shop for fresh produce, snacks, and souvenirs.

Paris Aquarium (14 minute walk) – The Paris Aquarium (formerly known as CinéAqua) is a nice break from history and museums, with over 500 species and 15,000 fish. A popular family attraction, especially on a rainy day. Entry is free for those with a Paris Pass or Go Paris Explorer Pass.

Rodin Museum (23 minute walk) – The Rodin Museum is a museum dedicated to the life and works of French sculptor Auguste Rodin. It is housed in an 18th century mansion, once the home and studio of Rodin, and here you can see some of his most famous works, like The Thinker, in addition to some beautiful gardens. Entry is free with a Paris Museum Pass or Paris Pass.

Avenue des Champs-Élysées (25 minute walk) – The “world’s most beautiful avenue” is full of high-end shops, restaurants, car show rooms, the flagship store for Ladurée macarons, and hotels as well as notable landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe.

If you’d like a longer Paris itinerary that incorporates the Eiffel Tower with other major landmarks, our cross-site partner Finding the Universe has detailed itineraries for 1 day in Paris, 2 days in Paris, and 3 days in Paris, plus a comprehensive Paris transport guide.

Tips for Photographing the Eiffel Tower

Below we provide tips for photographing the Eiffel Tower from both inside the Eiffel Tower as well as from a distance.

Photography from the Eiffel Tower

Once you get inside the security perimeter you are very close to the tower so probably won’t be able to get the full tower into your shot. So instead focus on the wrought iron structure, which is a wonderful photography subject. Classic shots are from different angles underneath the structure from the esplanade. You can also get some nice views from the gardens around the tower.

When you get inside the Eiffel Tower, there are two types of shots to go for: close up shots of the structure and shots of the Paris cityscape from the various levels of the tower.

On the first level, you can get shots of the structure from a lower level, cityscape shots, and also see through the transparent floor to the people milling around on the esplanade.

Once you are on the observation decks of the second floor and summit, you can focus more on the cityscape shots. Some popular subjects to look out for include the Champ de Mars, Arc de Triomphe, the curve of the Seine River, and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica perched above Montmartre. On the top floor, details become more fuzzy and you get more of a bird’s eye view of the city.

For a comparison of the views taken from all three levels, check out the three photos below looking at the Champ de Mars. Each were taken looking in the same direction to give you an idea of views from each of the three levels of the Eiffel Tower.

Whilst tripods are (as of last check) allowed through the security at the Eiffel Tower, they are generally not recommended if you are planning to go up the tower as there is often not much space to set them up on the observation decks. If you do want to use a tripod from outside the tower (Trocadéro is the obvious choice), the Peak Design Travel Tripod is the one Laurence carries on Paris trips because it folds down small enough to take up the tower if needed.

For the best pictures from the tower you should check the weather before visiting. A cloudy, misty day might look dramatic from the ground, but it will likely just look gray from the viewing platforms. Ideally you will want a clear, haze-free day with perhaps a few puffy white clouds for scale and depth.

If you are traveling solo or as a couple, consider these tips for getting photos of yourself or these for getting couple photos together.

Eiffel Tower Photography Tips (from outside the tower)

The Eiffel Tower can be seen from across Paris, and there are many good spots from which to photograph it. Our two current favorite locations are the rooftop of the Arc de Triomphe and the Place du Trocadéro. (Until early 2026 we’d also have included the rooftop of Tour Montparnasse here, but it closed at the end of March 2026 for a multi-year renovation, so it’s currently not an option.)

Place du Trocadéro is, as we mentioned earlier, our top pick. Located just across the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower, this location lets you get photos that convey the true scale of the Eiffel Tower, with the cars and people in the foreground giving your photos a good sense of perspective.

The Trocadéro is a free spot to access and doesn’t require a ticket. This is a popular location though, so for your best chance at photographing the tower without lots of other people in the foreground, arrive before 9am.

The Arc de Triomphe rooftop gives you a high view where you can see how the Eiffel Tower soars high above the city, and there are some lovely roads leading towards the tower that you can use as leading lines. There is a fee to visit the Arc de Triomphe, although it is included with both the Paris Museum Pass and Paris Pass.

Of course, there are many more good spots and angles for photographing the outside of the Eiffel Tower. Consider staking out shots from the Champ de Mars, along the Seine, the Pont de Bir-Hakeim, or in the surrounding neighborhoods. The two best Metro stops for photo ops as you are approaching the Eiffel Tower are the very popular Trocadéro stop and across the Seine at the Bir-Hakeim stop.

If you are trying to photograph the tower at night, time it so you can catch the glittering light show at the top of every hour until 1 am. A travel tripod will help you keep your camera steady and avoid blurry shots. For comprehensive coverage of Paris photography spots beyond the Eiffel Tower, Finding the Universe has a detailed Paris photography locations guide.

If you’d like to develop your travel photography skills more broadly, Laurence runs an online travel photography course that covers everything from gear basics through composition and post-processing.

Overall Tips for Visiting the Eiffel Tower

We have tried to include lots of advice and tips for visiting the Eiffel Tower throughout this article. But here are some key points to remember when planning your visit to the Eiffel Tower and trip to Paris.

• Book your tickets ahead of time online to avoid long wait times. We recommend booking your ticket directly via the official website. Or if you want a guided tour, consider tours that include your timed ticket such as this 2 hour summit tour or this stairs tour.
• The easiest way to access the tower is by public transportation or on foot. There are multiple bus and metro line stops nearby. Parking can be expensive in this area and driving in central Paris is not recommended if you can avoid it.
• Be prepared for the security checks. Leave any forbidden items like non-folding baby strollers, glass bottles, luggage, or pocketknives at your hotel.
• If you are on a budget, save money by taking the stairs and only buying a ticket to the second floor. Bring a reusable water bottle (we like our Klean Kanteen) to avoid purchasing water or drinks at the tower.
• Bring your camera to capture the city views from the Eiffel Tower. You can also get great views of the Eiffel Tower from places around Paris; check out our cross-site Paris photography guide for more photography hot spots.
• It is often windier and cooler than visitors expect, especially at the top, so you may want to bring an extra layer or jacket.
• Try to avoid visiting during peak visitor times which are between 11am and 5pm and around sunset. Holidays and weekends are busier than other days.
• If you are planning to access the Eiffel Tower via the stairs, note that the stairs close down much earlier than the elevators for most of the year for safety reasons. For most of the year, you need to start your ascent of the stairs by 18:00 / 6:00pm. After this, your only option will be to access the tower by lift only. But in the busy summer months (roughly June to August), the stairs are normally open as long as the elevators (usually until midnight). So be sure to check the stairs opening hours if you are planning to visit in the evening.
• If you want to eat a meal at one of the sit-down restaurants (Madame Brasserie or Le Jules Verne) at the Eiffel Tower, we strongly recommend booking your reservation in advance to guarantee a table.
• Have little time in Paris but still want to see all the highlights in only one or two days? You might want to join a local walking tour that includes either a guided Eiffel Tower tour or Eiffel Tower tickets such as this Take Walks Paris city tour.
• If you have purchased a Paris Museum Pass for your visit, the Eiffel Tower entrance is not included and needs to be booked separately. Try to visit the Eiffel Tower on a non-pass day or visit in the evening to get the most out of your passes. Or consider purchasing the Paris Pass, which includes the Paris Museum Pass and the option to visit the Eiffel Tower. You can read our Paris Pass review and Paris Museum Pass review for more tips.
• The Eiffel Tower area (including inside the tower) is a popular place for pickpockets and scammers who prey on tourists. Keep track of your valuables and be aware of common Paris scams.
• Allow plenty of time for your visit. It is a busy attraction and the lines, even with pre-booked tickets, can take longer than expected. If you leave yourself plenty of time, you won’t feel rushed and can really enjoy your experience.
• To maximize your time in Paris, consider planning your itinerary to include other nearby attractions before and/or after your visit to the Eiffel Tower. Perhaps a visit to a nearby museum (e.g., Musée du Quai Branly, Rodin Museum) or attraction (e.g., Paris Aquarium, Arc de Triomphe), a Seine river cruise, or some shopping along the famous Champs-Élysées. Or maybe you want to enjoy a Parisian afternoon tea or book a Michelin star lunch.

Eiffel Tower FAQ

Is the Eiffel Tower worth going up?

For most first-time Paris visitors, yes, going up at least once is worth it. The bird’s eye view from the summit (276 meters up) is unlike anything else in the city.

That said, going up is not the only way to “do” the Eiffel Tower. The view of the tower from outside, particularly from the Place du Trocadéro across the Seine, is one of the most photographed views in Paris and free to access. If you have a tight schedule, mobility considerations, or are visiting on a hot day with peak summer queues, the Trocadéro view from below is often a better experience than fighting through the queues to go up.

If you’ve been to Paris multiple times before, the case for skipping the ascent in favor of the Trocadéro view (or the Arc de Triomphe rooftop, which gives you a high view of the Eiffel Tower in context with the rest of the city) is stronger.

Which floor of the Eiffel Tower is best?

Our personal favorite is the second floor. From 115 meters up, you can clearly see the major Paris landmarks (the Louvre, Notre Dame, Sacré-Cœur, the Seine) and you still feel connected to the city below. The summit, at 276 meters, gives you a more abstract bird’s eye view but the details of the city blur together.

If this is your first or only Paris trip and the weather is clear, the summit is worth doing for the height itself plus the recreated Gustave Eiffel office at the top.

If you’re traveling with older relatives, anyone with mobility considerations, or you have limited time, stop at the second floor. The summit-only elevator queue from the second floor can be long even with a pre-booked ticket.

Do I need to book Eiffel Tower tickets in advance?

For elevator tickets, yes, especially in summer, around major holidays, and on weekends. Elevator tickets routinely sell out weeks in advance during peak times. Online tickets get you into the priority security and elevator lanes, which can save 1 to 2 hours of queueing.

Stairs tickets are more flexible. Until September 29, 2026 they’re available walk-up at the tower itself and rarely sell out. Starting September 29, 2026, stairs tickets will require advance reservations, so the walk-up option will go away. If your visit is after that date, plan to book stairs tickets ahead online.

What if Eiffel Tower tickets are sold out?

You still have options. Stairs tickets are typically still available walk-up at the tower itself (until September 29, 2026 when this will change). You can also book a guided tour that includes timed entry tickets, which is often available even when independent tickets are sold out. The Paris Pass includes a guided Eiffel Tower visit by stairs as another route in.

If your budget stretches to it, a meal reservation at Le Jules Verne (Michelin-starred restaurant on the second floor) gives you private elevator access. We’ve used the summit-with-champagne ticket as a fallback ourselves when other ticket types were sold out: more expensive, but it’s hard to beat a glass of champagne at the top of Paris.

Is the Eiffel Tower included on the Paris Museum Pass?

No, the Paris Museum Pass does NOT include entry to the Eiffel Tower. This is a common assumption but it isn’t correct. If you have a Paris Museum Pass, you’ll need to buy your Eiffel Tower tickets separately.

The Paris passes that DO include the Eiffel Tower are the Go Paris Explorer Pass (elevator tour to the second floor) and the Paris Pass (stairs tour to the second floor).

When is the best time to visit the Eiffel Tower?

Quietest times are 9am to 11am and 8pm to 10pm. Peak crowds are 11am to 5pm, with sunset (a 30 minute window depending on the season) being a particularly busy hour. Weekdays are quieter than weekends.

The least crowded period of the year is generally a weekday in January, February, November, or early December (before the Christmas holiday). Summer (June to August) is the busiest period and we’d avoid it if you have flexibility on dates.

For the best photography, a clear haze-free day is ideal for views from the tower; cloudy days look dramatic from below but mostly gray from the observation decks.

How long does an Eiffel Tower visit take?

Plan for at least 1.5 hours if you’re going to the second floor only, or 2.5 hours if you’re going to the summit. These are average visit times provided by the Eiffel Tower itself. Add another 30 minutes if you’re planning to eat, longer if you have a sit-down restaurant reservation. Allow extra time for the perimeter security check, which can take 30 minutes or more during peak times.

What is the best place to photograph the Eiffel Tower?

The Place du Trocadéro is our top recommendation. The view across the Seine, with the Palais de Chaillot wings framing the tower, is the iconic Paris postcard shot. It’s free, requires no ticket, and is at the Trocadéro Metro stop (Line 9). For your best chance at photographing without lots of other people in your foreground, arrive before 9am.

Other strong options: the Pont de Bir-Hakeim (the double-decker bridge that frames the tower beautifully), the southern end of the Champ de Mars, and the Arc de Triomphe rooftop for a high view that includes the tower in context. (Tour Montparnasse rooftop was historically a favorite spot for sunset Eiffel Tower photography but it closed in March 2026 for a multi-year renovation, so it’s currently not an option.) For a comprehensive list of Paris photography locations, our cross-site partner Finding the Universe has a detailed photography locations guide.

Closing Thoughts

For most people, visiting the Eiffel Tower is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. By doing just a little bit of planning, you can make your visit far more enjoyable. Whether you decide to go up, take the stairs, dine at the top, or simply admire it from the Trocadéro at sunset, the tower delivers something memorable from any of those angles.

If you are planning a trip to the Eiffel Tower, you might want to PIN this article to Pinterest to read later:

Have you been to the Eiffel Tower? What was the experience like for you? Any Eiffel Tower tips we’ve missed?

As always, feel free to ask us any questions you may have about the Eiffel Tower or things to do in Paris.