When people think of Paris, they no doubt think of the Eiffel Tower, one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. So it’s only natural that visitors to Paris will want to include a trip to the Eiffel Tower in their Paris itinerary. But because the tower is such a popular tourist attraction, it’s essential that you plan your visit and arrange your tickets for the Eiffel Tower in advance. That way you can have a stress-free time admiring this Paris icon.
To help you out, we’ve put together this guide on how to buy tickets for the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Quick Answer – How to Buy Tickets to the Eiffel Tower: Unless you like spending your vacation waiting in long lines, we highly recommended you either book your skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets in advance here or book a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower.
Best Ways to Get Tickets to the Eiffel Tower
Given how popular the Eiffel Tower is with visitors to Paris, it’s really no surprise that there are a whole bunch of different ways for you to buy tickets for the Eiffel Tower. Deciding which way you get them will depend on how organized you are, how you want to see the tower, and what else you have planned for your time in Paris. Below we cover each of your options to help you find what best works for you.
1. Line Up in Person (Not Recommended)
As with most popular tourist attractions around the world, standing in line for Eiffel Tower tickets is rarely the best way to get them. Lines for tickets at the Eiffel Tower are notoriously long, with a wait of one to two hours quite common and even worse wait times when things are really busy. That’s not how you want to spend your precious time in the City of Lights.
The only scenario in which lining up in person for tickets is a good idea is when online tickets are sold out, as there is always a small reserve of tickets at the on-site ticket office that you can purchase for immediate entry. If you do need to buy tickets in person, aim to get there first thing in the morning just before the tower opens to minimize how long you need to wait.
2. Book Online (Recommended)
A much better solution that will save you time and stress is to buy skip-the-line tickets for the Eiffel Tower online. Booking these tickets in advance will give you peace of mind that you’re not going to miss out on seeing this incredible Paris attraction.
Tickets can be booked up to two months in advance; given that tickets to the summit of the Eiffel Tower are always the most in-demand, it’s really best that you book them as far in advance as possible. Tourists can book their tickets through the official website of the Eiffel Tower. However, these tickets cannot be exchanged, modified, or refunded.
If you’d prefer some flexibility in case your plans change, then you’re better off getting this ticket for the second floor or this ticket for the summit. Although more expensive, these options allow you to cancel up to 24 hours in advance and receive a full refund. Plans change when you travel, and knowing you have that flexibility can be priceless.
Even if you do purchase skip-the-line tickets, you may experience short wait times for the tower’s elevators, going both up and down.
3. Book a Guided Tour
Looking for a bit more out of your Eiffel Tower experience? Then why not consider a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower. With an Eiffel Tower tour, you not only get to see the incredible vistas that the tower offers and enjoy its romantic atmosphere, you also get to learn the history of the Eiffel Tower and be shown about. If you’re after a more in-depth visit and don’t want the hassle of finding your own way about, then we recommend booking this guided tour with skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets.
4. Take a Combined Paris Tour
A popular combination for visitors to Paris looking to see the city at its best is to take a Seine River cruise after enjoying the sights of the Eiffel Tower on a guided tour. That way you can follow up seeing the city from the sky by watching it pass you by as you gently float along the river. If this sounds like something your Paris vacation needs, we recommend this convenient combined tour.
5. Purchase a Paris Pass
If you’re planning on doing lots of sightseeing during your time in Paris, then you may want to look into the Paris Pass. This city pass is like many you find around the world in popular tourist destinations and is a great way to save money when visiting lots of attractions.
With the Paris Pass, you get free access to over 75 attractions across the city, one of which is the Eiffel Tower. The Pass provides free admission to the second floor of the tower by the stairs but unfortunately does not include access to the observation deck at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Other Paris landmarks and museums covered by the Paris Pass include the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Palace of Versailles. It also covers experiences like French wine tasting at Les Caves du Louvre and a walking tour of Montmartre and Sacré Coeur. There are different durations available for the pass, from two days to six days.
Useful Information for Visiting the Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower Hours of Operation
The Eiffel Tower is open every day of the week and is closed for all or part of a day only in exceptional circumstances. Opening hours for evenings are adjusted seasonally and usually extend past midnight during summer.
General opening hours are currently from 9:30 to 17:30 by both stairs and lift, with the main entrance closing to new visitors an hour earlier, except on weekends when the tower is open until 22.45. From October 22 until November 14, 2021, the Eiffel Tower is open every day from 9:30 to 22:45 by both stairs and lift.
Do note that access to the top of the tower may be prohibited in the event of severe weather or peak visitor numbers.
What’s the Best Time to Visit the Eiffel Tower?
There are better times than others to visit the Eiffel Tower if you want to avoid dealing with the crowds. Not only will it be really busy at the tower when visiting at peak times, you’ll be met with longer lines to get in and may have trouble even getting a ticket.
Typically, the Eiffel Tower is at its quietest during the months of January, February, October, and November, well away from the notoriously hectic summer months of July and August. Weekends tend to be the busiest time of the week to visit, whereas Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are usually much quieter.
The Eiffel Tower is normally quietest first thing in the morning until 11:00 and then again later in the evenings after 20:00 when the tower is open that late.
How to Get to the Eiffel Tower
Getting to the Eiffel Tower once you’re in Paris couldn’t be easier thanks to the city’s comprehensive public transport network. The best specific route for you will depend on where you’re staying or coming from but will basically involve taking the city’s metro, RER train, or bus lines, or a combination of them.
There are three metro stations close to the Eiffel Tower: Trocadéro on Line 9, Bir-Hakeim on Line 6, and Ecole Militaire on Line 8. Near Bir-Hakeim, you’ll also find the Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel station for the RER Line C. When traveling by bus, you’ll want the Tour Eiffel stop on buses 30 and 82, the Champ de Mars stop on buses 69 and 86, or the Pont d’Iena stop on bus 72. All of these stations and bus stops put you within a short walk from the Eiffel Tower.
How Do Eiffel Tower Tickets Work?
Before we can take you through how much the tickets are for the Eiffel Tower, it’s best to explain the different types of visits that are possible. Visitors to the Eiffel Tower have the choice of deciding how far up the tower they’d like to go and how they’d like to get there.
During your visit, you can choose to go as far as the panoramic terrace on the second floor 116 meters (381 feet) above the ground or continue to the very top platform (summit) of the tower (276 meters, 906 feet). To reach the second floor, visitors can either choose to take the 674 stairs from the esplanade or head up in an elevator. Access to the top is only possible via a glass-walled elevator.
Both visits to the second floor and summit include access to the first floor, where you can look down through its glass floor down to the esplanade and see a section of the original spiral staircase that once ran right to the top.
Tickets for the Eiffel Tower are available for booking 60 days in advance for elevator tickets and 14 days in advance for stair tickets. When you book tickets for the Eiffel Tower online through the official website, you’ll be asked to choose a scheduled time slot for your visit from those still available. E-tickets can be either printed out or shown on a smartphone, so long as the barcode is readable.
How Much Do Tickets for the Eiffel Tower Cost?
Ticket prices for the Eiffel Tower start at €10.50 for adults who choose to take the stairs to the second floor and range up to €26.10 for elevator access to the top.
Meanwhile, youths aged 12 to 24 pay roughly half price for tickets: €5.20 for the stairs to the second floor and €13.10 for elevator access to the top. Cheaper prices are available for children aged 4 to 11 years old and for those with disabilities, while children under four years of age enter free.
Discounts are sometimes available through the official website for bookings made in advance for the quieter seasons.
Hotels Near the Eiffel Tower in Paris
When visiting Paris, many travelers wish to stay as close to the Eiffel Tower as possible, and it’s easy to understand why. Who doesn’t want a stunning view of the tower out of their bedroom window or the chance to wander over whenever they like? However, in reality the best views of the Eiffel Tower are enjoyed from a little distance, so you’ll probably need to choose between places offering an unbeatable view and those that are close by.
To really treat yourself during your time in Paris, look no further than the decadent Tour Eiffel Suite at the La Clef Tour Eiffel Paris. From this huge suite, you’ll enjoy a sublime view of the tower while also surrounding yourself with five-star decadence, complete with an on-site spa, hammam, and fitness center.
A great mid-range hotel that puts you close to the Eiffel Tower but also offers a good view of it is the Jardins Eiffel hotel. Staying at this three-star hotel, you’ll be just a 15-minute walk from the tower and enjoy smart and comfortable rooms.
Unfortunately, you won’t find too many budget options in Paris close to the tower. Your best bet is the 3 Ducks Boutique Hostel and Bar, as it’s roughly 20 minutes by foot to the tower. This well-established hostel in a historic building offers clean dorms, private rooms, and super-friendly staff.
Looking for more accommodation suggestions? Be sure to check out our guide to the best hotels in Paris as well as our guide to the best Airbnbs in Paris.
Security Process at the Eiffel Tower
All visitors to the Eiffel Tower will need to go through security procedures upon entering the Eiffel Tower entrance on the esplanade. Knowing what to expect in regard to this process will ensure a smooth start to your visit.
There is a wide range of prohibited items that visitors are not allowed to bring in with them to the Eiffel Tower, including luggage, pets, non-foldaway pushchairs, and drinks in glass or cans. It’s worth noting that there is no cloakroom or luggage storage at the tower, so you will need to arrange to store your bags before you go to the tower.
Following the pandemic, visitors to the Eiffel Tower must go through a COVID-19 check. Requirements differ for visitors from France, the EU, and the rest of the world, but generally proof of vaccination or a recent negative test is required. See the statement on the official website for more details.
Dining at the Eiffel Tower
Seeing incredible views of Paris isn’t the only thing you can do up on the Eiffel Tower. Inside the Eiffel Tower, there are actually two restaurants, one on the first floor and one on the second, as well as a champagne bar up on the top deck. On the first floor, you’ll find 58 Tour Eiffel, an informal bistro, while the second hosts Le Jules Verne, a luxurious MICHELIN-starred restaurant that is sure to make for a special dining experience.
Reservations to 58 Tour Eiffel include tickets providing access to the first floor of the tower, but you’ll need to purchase separate tickets to go higher. Access to Le Jules Verne is via a private lift direct to the restaurant, so again, you’ll need to get separate tickets if you want to see the rest of the tower.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower With a Disability
Facilities have been added to the Eiffel Tower to improve the experience of visitors with disabilities and accessibility needs. These include large capacity elevator cabins, the replacement of the balustrade with windows on the second floor, and disabled toilets on each level. However, management does not permit access to the top of the tower for those in wheelchairs due to safety reasons related to emergency evacuations.
FAQ – Facts About the Eiffel Tower
When Was the Eiffel Tower Built?
Construction of the Eiffel Tower began on January 26, 1887, and ended on March 31, 1889, meaning the project took two years, two months, and five days.
Why Was the Eiffel Tower Built?
The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, a World’s Fair held in Paris. The exposition was held to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, an event that ushered in the French Revolution. Interestingly, the tower was only meant to stand for 20 years after the exposition but was repurposed for scientific experiments and telecommunications.
Who Built the Eiffel Tower?
Civil engineer Gustave Eiffel is the man mainly credited with the construction of the Eiffel Tower, but he was not alone in creating the Paris landmark.
Two engineers who worked for Eiffel’s company, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, were the ones who came up with the original design for the tower, while architect Stephen Sauvestre contributed to the design by enhancing the tower’s appearance.
As for those who actually worked on the tower, there were between 150 and 300 workers on site and another 150 workers in a nearby factory responsible for making its components.
How Tall is the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower is 324 meters (1,063 feet) tall but was only 312 meters (1,024 feet) before its antenna was added in 1957. From the time it was finished in 1889 to 1930, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest tower in the world.
What is the Eiffel Tower Made Of?
There is 7,300 tons of wrought iron in the Eiffel Tower, which is why the tower is often known as the Iron Lady or La dame de fer in French.
Where Is the Eiffel Tower Located?
You will find the Eiffel Tower by the River Seine on the Champ de Mars, a large park in the 7th arrondissement of Paris.
You should be well prepared for touring the Eiffel Tower now that you have all this information at your fingertips. Knowing how Eiffel Tower tickets work will make getting the right ones that suit you and your trip much easier.
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