You’ve seen the photos. You’ve dreamed about it. Now that you’re planning your Paris trip an Eiffel Tower visit is a top priority. If your online research has left you confused about your options this guide will help explain everything you need to know about planning your Eiffel Tower visit. We will walk you though how to get tickets for the Eiffel Tower and all the options including: advanced purchase and timed entry, the Eiffel Tower summit versus the second floor and other tips you need to enjoy your visit to this iconic Paris site.
Here’s the short version: book your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance — ideally 4 to 6 weeks before your visit. If you’re traveling between April and October the walk-up ticketing lines at the Eiffel Tower regularly stretch to 2 or 3 hours. We’ve heard the concerns from people whose experience was not what they dreamed about after the frustration and exhaustion of the crowds. Advanced purchase tickets cost the same as walk-up tickets (approximately €36 for the Eiffel Tower summit). The advantage is you get a timed entry window so you walk straight to the dedicated entrance and head up within minutes of arriving.
Below, we break down every ticket option, explain what each floor actually looks like, and walk you through exactly how to book.
⚡ Quick Facts — Eiffel Tower
📍 Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris. 📅 Opening hours: Oct-June Daily 9:30am–11pm (last entry 10:30pm) | June–Sept: Daily 9am–midnight
💵 Summit lift ticket: ~€36 adults | ~€16 youth (12–24) | ~€8 children (4–11) | Free under 4
💵 2nd floor lift: ~€23 adults | Stairs to 2nd floor: ~€14 adults (cheapest option)
🗼 Free entry: EU residents under 26 (bring ID) | Children under 4 ⭐ Sparkling lights: Every hour after dark for 5 minutes — free from outside
Ⓜ️ Metro: Bir-Hakeim Line 6 (base of tower) | Trocadéro Line 9 (best photo spot)
♿ Accessibility: Tower is fully accessible by elevator
Book tickets: → Timed access via Tiqets
Your Eiffel Tower Access Options at a Glance
Three types of access, one tower. Here’s how they compare before we go deeper:
|
Floor |
Height |
Ticket |
Highlight |
Our Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st Floor |
57m |
~€14 |
Glass floor, history, exhibits, champagne bar |
★★★☆☆ — Worth 15 min on the way down; not a destination |
|
✓ 2nd Floor |
115m |
~€23 |
Best view detail, Madame Brasserie restaurant |
★★★★★ — Sweet spot: panoramic + affordable. Antoine’s pick. |
|
★ Summit |
276m |
~€36 |
360° panorama, champagne bar, standing above Paris |
★★★★★ — Go here. €13 more than 2nd floor for a completely different experience. |
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Tip
Buy the summit ticket and you automatically get all three floors — there’s no need to buy a lower-floor ticket. The only reason to choose the 2nd-floor-only ticket is budget. If you’re buying the summit, you’re buying access to everything.
Why Buy Eiffel Tower Tickets in Advance
Let’s be direct: the Eiffel Tower attracts approximately 6 million visitors a year — making it one of the most visited monuments in the world. Between June and September, the wait for walk-up tickets routinely exceeds 2 hours. Sometimes 3. Beyond the lines, the wait is uncomfortable – on an exposed plaza in the heat of summer with no shade. This is why we are so strongly advising you buy your tickets in advance.
The Eiffel Tower timed entry system allows you to choose a date and a 30-minute arrival window when you book. On the day of your Eiffel Tower visit, you pass through security, present your QR code at the dedicated entrance and you’re inside within minutes. The cost is the same when booked through a reputable platform — and the time saved is real and significant.
For a Paris trip where every day counts, an effient visit to the Eiffel Tower gives you back time you can spend at the Marais, in a bistro, or anywhere else on your list in one of the most extraordinary cities on earth.
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Tip. The best time slot is the first of the day, around 9:30am. Crowds are at their thinnest, the morning light is beautiful for photos, and you’ll have the full experience done before the midday heat and tourist peak arrives. These early slots disappear first — book them well in advance.
Second Floor vs. Summit: Which Ticket Should You Buy?
This is the most common question we receive about the Eiffel Tower, and the honest answer is: for many visitors, the second floor delivers the better overall experience.
The Eiffel Tower Second Floor (115m / 377ft)
The second floor is the main observation level and where the majority of the experience actually happens. It has open-air observation decks on all four sides, giving you a complete 360° view of Paris. Here’s what you’ll find up there:
- Open-air observation decks with unobstructed views across the entire city
- A glass floor section you can stand on directly above the Seine and the Trocadéro gardens — more dramatic than it sounds
- A champagne bar
- Madame Brasserie, a restaurant run by Michelin-starred chef Thierry Marx (book in advance separately)
- Gustave Eiffel’s private salon, recreated with period furniture and wax figures of Eiffel meeting Thomas Edison
- A gift shop and light snack counter
The views from the second floor are expansive without being remote. You’re high enough to take in the full sweep of Paris — the Seine curving through the city, Sacré-Cœur in the distance, the Arc de Triomphe to the west, Notre-Dame to the east — but not so high that what you are seeing is more of an overview of the city.
The Eiffel Tower Summit (276m / 906ft)
The summit is smaller and mostly enclosed in glass panels, with one narrow exterior observation walkway. The views are undeniably higher, but the experience is more compressed. Standing at the summit, everything below looks small and the view is more of an overview of the city’s layout and the Seine River versus one that allows you to recognize landmarks. Photography is can be dramatic but is more challenging than shooting from the 2nd floor open deck because of the glass panels.
The summit is worth it if you want to say you’ve stood above Paris or if you are looking for a romantic sunset experience. The view at sunset can truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, the summit is not the better photography experience or observation experience — the second floor wins clearly on both. However, it is important to remember that the summit ticket includes the second floor as part of the route up. You go through the second floor to reach the summit and you don’t need to buy separate tickets. If you want both floors, buy the summit ticket.
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies – Good to Know
For more on our advice about an Eiffel Tower visit read the article – “Is The Eiffel Tower Worth It? Answers From Paris Locals.”
How to Book Your Eiffel Tower Tickets: Step by Step
There are several options to buy your timed-entry Eiffel Tower tickets. Here’s our honest assessment of each:
Option 1: Tiqets (Our Top Recommendation)
Tiqets is our preferred platform for Eiffel Tower tickets. The booking interface is clear and straightforward, pricing is fully transparent before checkout, tickets are guaranteed genuine, and the mobile QR codes work reliably at the entrance. They also have strong customer support if anything goes wrong.
- Go to the Eiffel Tower listing on Tiqets (or click the button below)
- Choose your visit date from the calendar
- Select your ticket type: second floor (lift), summit (lift), or stairs options
- Pick your preferred 30-minute arrival window
- Enter your details and complete payment (cards and PayPal accepted)
- Save your QR code to your phone — screenshot it as a backup in case of connectivity issues
On the day, head to your designated pillar entrance (North, South, East, or West — specified on your ticket), show your QR code at the timed entry gate, and proceed straight through to security screening.
Option 2: The Official Eiffel Tower Website (toureiffel.paris)
The official site does sell direct tickets. The advantages: no booking fees and the most complete availability. The disadvantages: the interface is difficult to navigate, it sells out months in advance for peak-season slots, and the process can be frustrating. For most visitors, a reputable ticket distributor like Tiqets offers a significantly smoother experience for the same or very slightly higher price.
Option 3: Other Reputable Ticket Distributors
Other reputable ticket operators offer timed-entry booking for the Eiffel Tower including GetYourGuide and Viator. These sites also offer options to book tours and like Tiquets offer frequent availability updates and a smooth booking flow. It’s particularly useful when Tiqets shows sold out for your preferred slot — the booking platforms draw from overlapping but not identical inventory pools, so it’s worth checking both.
How Far in Advance Should You Book Your Eiffel Tower Tickets?
- June through September (peak season): 6–8 weeks in advance
- April, May, October: 3–4 weeks ahead is safe
- November through March: 1–2 weeks is typically fine — though weekend slots and holiday periods fill faster
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Tip
Sold out for your date? Check Tiqets and other platforms for cancellations 24–48 hours before your preferred slot. Cancellation releases happen regularly, especially midweek. Early morning and late evening slots often reopen before popular afternoon windows. Refresh at different times of day.
What to Expect on Your Visit Day
Arriving at the Tower
The Eiffel Tower has four pillar entrances: North, South, East, and West. Your ticket will specify which pillar to use. This is important — read it before you leave your hotel. Arriving at the wrong pillar and walking around to the correct one eats directly into your timed entry window. The pillars are clearly marked and the distance between them is significant.
Even with a timed-entry ticket, you will pass through a security screening: a metal detector and bag check, similar to an airport. Plan for 5 to 10 minutes. Arrive at the entrance 10 minutes before your timed slot opens to be comfortable.
Getting Up: Lift vs. Stairs
Lift tickets take you by elevator directly from ground level to the second floor, and then by a separate elevator from the second floor to the summit. Stairs tickets (cheaper, from approximately €13 for adults) let you climb the 674 steps to the second floor. The stairs do not go to the summit — you’ll take the lift for that final section.
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Tip: The stairs are genuinely worth considering if you’re physically comfortable with the climb. They take 20–30 minutes for most adults to get to the second floor. (Note you cannot climb up to the summit using the stairs). The views through the iron lattice as you ascend are completely different from the elevator experience — you watch Paris slowly expand below you as you go. Comfortable, flat-soled shoes are essential.
What’s Up There: Eiffel Tower Second Floor in Detail
The second floor has more to see and do than most visitors expect. People often rush through to get photos and leave without noticing Gustave Eiffel’s salon — his private apartment at the top of the tower, recreated with period furniture and wax figures showing his meeting with Thomas Edison. It’s a genuinely charming detail tucked into one corner of the level.
The glass floor section sits in the East pillar area. You step onto a transparent floor panel and look straight down 57 meters to the ground below. Most adults find it more unnerving than they expected, and children are uniformly thrilled by it.
Madame Brasserie is Paris’s highest restaurant — a sit-down dining experience on the first floor (one level below the second floor observation deck), not a cafeteria. Book separately, well in advance via their website if you want a meal. The second floor also has a champagne bar and a light snacks counter for something more casual.
What’s Up There: Eiffel Tower Summit in Detail
The summit is a smaller, more intimate space. The observation area has glass panels on all sides with a narrow exterior walkway at the very top where you can feel the open air. Gustave Eiffel’s 1889 office has been recreated here — the desk, the instruments, the feel of the workspace at the top of what was then the tallest structure in the world. There is also a champagne bar on the summit level, if you want to mark the moment properly.
What About the Eiffel Tower First Level?
The first level of the tower is an exhibition space with an excellent overview of the history of the tower. It also has a glass floor in part that kids love. You have access to this floor if you buy either a summit or a second floor ticket. You can buy a ticket that gives you access to the first floor but it is not a destination. We recommend stopping there during or after your visit to other levels to understand more about the tower and its place in French history.
Eiffel Tower Visit – Practical Details
- The Eiffel Tower has a security checkpoint prior to entry. No alcohol, sharp objects or luggage are allowed.
- There is no cloakroom at the base — leave large items (luggage, backpacks) at your hotel
- Restrooms are at ground level and on the second floor — the summit has none
- Use the restrooms before heading to the summit; the summit elevator queue can delay your return
- Food and drink prices are high but not unreasonable for a central Paris landmark
- Champagne is available at the tower on the second and summit levels – a nice way to partake in an apero in the evening!
Eiffel Tower Tickets Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Eiffel Tower Tickets
How to Buy Eiffel Tower Tickets
When planning your Eiffel Tower visit you can buy tickets at the official website (eiffeltower.paris) or through a reputable ticket distributor (Tiqets, Viator, Get Your Guide). We recommend you purchase tickets 4-6 weeks in advance of your visit in high season (April-October). If your time or date is not available, check back 24-48 hours in advance – there are frequently cancellations.
Do I need to book Eiffel Tower tickets in advance?
Yes — strongly recommended between April and October. The walk-up line regularly reaches 1.5 to 3 hours in peak season. Timed access Eiffel Tower tickets are available from the official website (eiffeltower.paris) or through reputable ticket distributors (Tiqets, Viator, Get Your Guide) and let you walk straight to a dedicated timed entrance. Outside peak season, booking 1–2 weeks ahead is generally sufficient, though weekends and holidays fill faster.
How much do Eiffel Tower tickets cost?
Second floor lift tickets start at approximately €23 per adult. Summit lift tickets start at approximately €36. Stairs-only tickets to the second floor start at approximately €14. Children aged 4–11 receive a reduced rate; children under 4 enter free. Small booking fees may apply on third-party platforms. Always verify current pricing before booking — rates are updated periodically.
Can I buy Eiffel Tower tickets at the door?
Yes, walk-up tickets are sold at the tower base. However, between May and September the queue routinely exceeds 2 hours under full sun with no shade. We do not recommend walk-up purchasing during peak season for any traveler and highly recommend online booking in advance.
What is the difference between the Eiffel Tower second floor and the Eiffel Tower summit ticket?
The Eiffel Tower second floor ticket (approximately €23) takes you to the main observation level at 115m with open-air decks, the glass floor, and the champagne bar. The Eiffel Tower summit ticket (approximately €36) includes the second floor as part of the route and continues to the top at 276m. With the summit ticket, you only buy one ticket — the summit price includes all floors. The first floor (where you can find a historical overview of the Eiffel Tower) is included in both the second floor ticket and the summit ticket.
Is the Eiffel Tower summit worth the extra cost?
For many first-time visitors, the second floor delivers the complete Eiffel Tower experience and is our standard recommendation. However, the summit adds height and a genuine “I was at the very top” moment. It can be among Paris’s most romantic settings at sunset or if you are there when the sparkling lights show begins. However, the views are mostly behind glass and the observation space is smaller and can be crowded. If it’s a bucket-list trip and you want to maximize it, the price difference is worth it. If you’re focused on photos and overall comfort, second floor is a good value.
How long does an Eiffel Tower Visit take?
Plan 1.5 to 2 hours for the second floor, 2 to 2.5 hours if you’re visiting the summit. Add time if you’re dining at Madame Brasserie on the first floor (note separate reservation required for this sit-down meal experience). Generally the Eiffel Tower is not a quick stop and we recommend during your visit you visit the first floor to learn about the history of the tower (included in your ticket).
What time is the best time to visit The Eiffel Tower?
First slot of the day (9:30am) is consistently the quietest and offers the best morning light for photography — golden hour is just ending as the tower opens. Evening visits are spectacular, particularly around sunset, but these slots are extremely popular in summer and can book up 8 or more weeks in advance. Midday is the busiest, hottest, and most crowded time of day — avoid it if your schedule allows.
Can I visit the Eiffel Tower at night?
Yes. The tower is open until 11:45pm nightly (until 12:45am in July and August). Evening visits are one of the most memorable Paris experiences — with the city glittering in every direction. The famous light show (5 minutes of sparkle on the hour, every hour after dark, until 1am) is a great experience from the second floor and summit observation decks if you time your slot right.
Are Eiffel Tower Guided tours worth it?
For first-time visitors who want context and stories alongside the experience, yes — a good guide transforms the Eiffel Tower from a remarkable structure into a full narrative. The 1889 World’s Fair, the controversy when it was first built, Gustave Eiffel’s use of the summit, the engineering that makes the tower still standing 130+ years later. Tours typically run €80–€250 per adult dependent on the experience you are looking for. There are also tailored tours for families. See our Best Guided Tours guide for more information.
What should I wear and bring on An Eiffel Tower Visit?
Comfortable walking shoes are essential — you’ll be on your feet for 1.5 to 2 hours minimum. Bring a light jacket or layer even in summer: it’s noticeably windier and cooler at the observation levels than on the ground, particularly in the evenings. No large bags, luggage, alcohol or sharp objects are permitted up the tower. Make sure your phone is charged so you can show your timed-ticket QR code and to capture photos of the views!
I don’t want to go up the Eiffel Tower – Should I still Go?
The answer is YES! Do not skip a visit to the Eiffel Tower. Seeing the Eiffel Tower from the ground is still worth it. We recommend those with fear of heights who still want to experience the Eiffel Tower or those who simply are not interested in going up to visit. Bring a picnic in the evening, spread out on the Champs du Mars and enjoy the Eiffel Tower sparkling lights show (every hour in the evening for 5 minutes). It is truly an extrodinary and special experience.
🇫🇷 About Antoine — Our Paris Local Expert
Antoine is a native Parisian and the local expert voice behind Les Frenchies Travel. He has lived in Paris his entire life and has guided hundreds of American visitors through the city’s most iconic experiences – including up the Eiffel Tower – more times than he can count. His recommendations come from what he’d genuinely tell a friend visiting for the first time.
Last updated: April 2026. Check all prices quoted on platform listings for current rates before booking.