I have been up the Eiffel Tower twice – once by lift and once by stairs. The stairs, surprisingly, were more memorable. Climbing 674 steps gives you time to appreciate the iron lattice up close, and arriving at the second floor feels earned. Both times the view over Paris took my breath away, but the queue-free stairs visit at 9am on a November Tuesday remains my best memory of the tower.
The Eiffel Tower receives around 7 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited monuments in the world. That means queues. Long ones. But with some planning, you can avoid the worst of them and actually enjoy your visit.
Book Tickets in Advance
This is the single most important piece of advice. Tickets go on sale 60 days ahead for lift access and 14 days ahead for stairs-only tickets. Popular time slots sell out quickly, especially in summer.
Book through the official website. Third-party sites charge more and sometimes sell invalid tickets.
Ticket options:
- Stairs to 2nd floor – The cheapest option. You climb 674 steps to the second level. Takes 30-45 minutes depending on fitness.
- Lift to 2nd floor – Most popular. Gets you to the second level without the climb.
- Lift to summit – Includes access to the top (276m). Requires changing lifts at the second floor.
- Stairs + lift combo – Walk to the second floor, then take the lift to the summit.
If summit tickets are sold out, book to the second floor and buy summit tickets at the tower. There’s a separate queue, but it’s an option.
Opening Hours
The tower opens daily at 9:00am (9:30am in winter). Closing time varies:
- Mid-June to early September: Midnight
- Rest of year: 11:00pm (sometimes extended to midnight during holidays)
Last lift to the summit is 75 minutes before closing. Last lift to the second floor is 45 minutes before closing.
The tower stays open on public holidays but occasionally closes for maintenance or special events. Check the official site before your visit.
The Three Levels
First Floor (57 metres)
The first floor is the most interactive. Features include:
- Glass floor section – Walk over a transparent panel and look straight down to the ground. Not for anyone with vertigo.
- Historical displays – Panels explaining how the tower was built.
- Madame Brasserie – Modern French restaurant with views over the Champ de Mars.
- Gift shop – Smaller than the ones below but less crowded.
The first floor is often overlooked by visitors racing to the top, but it’s worth spending time here.
Second Floor (115 metres)
This is where most visitors spend their time. The views are spectacular – you can see the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Cœur, Notre-Dame (under restoration), and the Seine winding through the city.
Telescopes around the edge help identify landmarks. There’s a macaron bar, another gift shop, and Le Jules Verne restaurant (Michelin-starred, reservations essential, separate lift access).
From here, you can continue to the summit by lift or head back down.
Summit (276 metres)
The summit has both enclosed and open-air observation decks. On clear days, you can see 70km in every direction.
The highlight is Gustave Eiffel’s restored office, with wax figures of Eiffel and Thomas Edison (who visited in 1889). There’s also a champagne bar if you want to mark the occasion.
The summit can close unexpectedly due to weather, overcrowding, or lift issues. If this matters to you, visit early in the day when closures are less likely.
Best Time to Visit
Early morning (9:00-10:00am) – Shortest queues and clearest skies.
Sunset – Beautiful light but busy. Book well ahead.
After dark – The tower sparkles with lights on the hour for 5 minutes (until 1am in summer, 11pm in winter). Seeing this from below is free and just as memorable as seeing it from above.
Avoid mid-afternoon (2:00-5:00pm) when queues peak, and weekends when Parisians bring visiting relatives.
Getting There
Metro: Bir-Hakeim (Line 6) or Trocadéro (Line 9). Trocadéro gives you the classic view across the Jardins du Trocadéro.
RER: Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel (Line C).
Bus: Lines 42, 69, 72, 82, 87.
Walking: From central Paris, it’s about 30 minutes from the Louvre along the Seine.
Eating at the Tower
Madame Brasserie (first floor) – Modern French food, reasonable prices by Eiffel Tower standards. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations recommended.
Le Jules Verne (second floor) – Fine dining with a Michelin star. Expect to pay €200+ per person. Has its own private lift. Book months ahead.
Champagne Bar (summit) – Glass of champagne from €15. The view is the main attraction.
Buffet counters on each level sell sandwiches, pastries, and drinks at tourist prices.
For better value, eat before or after your visit. The 7th arrondissement has excellent bakeries and cafés within walking distance.
Practical Tips
Security screening is required at entry. Arrive 15-30 minutes before your slot.
Wear layers. It’s noticeably colder and windier at the summit.
Keep valuables secure. The area attracts pickpockets targeting distracted tourists.
If you’re afraid of heights, the stairs might actually feel safer than the glass-sided lifts. You’re in control of your pace.
Photography is allowed, but professional equipment requires a permit.
The tower sways. Up to 12cm at the summit on windy days. You won’t feel it.
Nearby Attractions
- Champ de Mars – The park below the tower. Good for picnics and photos.
- Trocadéro Gardens – Best view of the tower from ground level.
- Musée du Quai Branly – Indigenous art museum at the tower’s base.
- Les Invalides – Napoleon’s tomb and military museums.
- Seine River cruises – Depart from nearby piers.
Is It Worth Going Up?
Yes, but it depends what you want. If you’re interested in the views, the second floor delivers most of what the summit offers at lower cost and shorter queues. If you want the full experience and bragging rights, go to the top.
What you shouldn’t miss is seeing the tower itself – lit up at night, framed by the Trocadéro fountains, or glimpsed at the end of a Paris street. Sometimes the view of the Eiffel Tower beats the view from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit the Eiffel Tower?
Tickets vary by access level. Stairs to the 2nd floor cost around €14.50, lift to the 2nd floor costs €18.20, and lift to the summit costs €28.30 for adults (prices as of 2025). Children and youth receive discounted rates. Book through the official website to avoid higher third-party prices.
What are the Eiffel Tower opening hours?
The tower opens daily at 9:00am (9:30am in winter). Closing time is midnight from mid-June to early September, and 11:00pm for the rest of the year (sometimes extended during holidays). Last lift to the summit is 75 minutes before closing.
How do I avoid long queues at the Eiffel Tower?
Book tickets online 60 days in advance for lift access or 14 days ahead for stairs. Visit early morning (9:00-10:00am) for shortest queues, or take the stairs which typically have minimal waiting. Avoid mid-afternoon (2:00-5:00pm) and weekends.
Can I walk up the Eiffel Tower?
Yes, you can climb 674 steps to the 2nd floor via the stairs. This option is cheaper than the lift, has shorter queues, and takes 30-45 minutes depending on fitness. From the 2nd floor, you can purchase tickets to take the lift to the summit.
What’s the best time to visit the Eiffel Tower?
Early morning (9:00-10:00am) offers the shortest queues and clearest skies. Sunset provides beautiful light but is busy. After dark you can see the tower sparkle with lights on the hour for 5 minutes. November through March generally has fewer crowds than summer months.
How do I get to the Eiffel Tower?
Take Metro Line 6 to Bir-Hakeim or Line 9 to Trocadero. RER Line C stops at Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel. Buses 42, 69, 72, 82, and 87 also serve the area. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the Louvre along the Seine.
