The Best Eiffel Tower Tours To Take in 2023 and Why
Brie Greenhalgh
It’s easy to see the Eiffel Tower from the ground and grab those incredible photos, but it’s not so easy to get tickets to see the view from the tower itself. In fact, many people miss out on the chance to go up the Eiffel Tower, which is a true tragedy with an easy solution. We’ve put together a helpful list of the best Eiffel Tower tours to ensure you have a magical vacation in Paris.
Pro Tip: Planning your trip to the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our guide to Paris and the Eiffel Tower for more planning resources, our top Paris tours for a memorable trip, and find out if a tour of the Eiffel Tower is worth it.
Should You Take a Tour of the Eiffel Tower?
There’s only one possible answer here: yes. Ok, we’re a tour company, so of course we would say that. But let’s face it. The Eiffel Tower is a megamonument of Paris, which means there are huge crowds. Not to mention there’s limited ticket availability to see this iconic attraction.
That’s why we definitely think anyone going to Paris should join a tour of the Eiffel Tower—not to mention how much more you’ll learn from the local guide who has awesome stories and facts to share! Eiffel Tower tours can totally elevate your experience since you can skip the lines, combine attractions (think: river cruise), and be entertained by an engaging guide. Check out some of our reviews!
The 6 Best Tours of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
You might be thinking that there’s only one kind of Eiffel Tower tour, right? Nope. First, there are three levels you can visit at the Eiffel Tower. Second, you could just explore the Eiffel Tower on its own, or you could combine it with a scenic cruise down the Seine River. Third, you could choose to climb the stairs to the second level. And fourth, you could choose to visit during the day or the evening.
So with all of those options, you simply have to decide what works best for your schedule and activity level. You can rest assured that your guide will help you navigate the crowds, skip the lines, and learn about this incredible monument. Now it’s time to learn about the most popular Eiffel Tower tours below!
Privileged Access Eiffel Tower Night Tour with Seine River Cruise
Seeing the Eiffel Tower at night is just about the most iconic thing you can do in Paris. In fact, it probably is the most iconic thing to do here. That’s why this is one of the best tours of the Eiffel Tower you can take. Just plan ahead—it often sells out!
You’ll start your evening on an easy river cruise on the gentle waters of the Seine River. From here, you’ll see views of the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame, and more from a new perspective. A complimentary glass of champagne or soft drink is included with each ticket.
Depending on the time of your tour, the sun will set during your cruise or as you head to the Eiffel Tower. (We can’t control the sun, but it always makes a great sunset view here!) That’s when the magic happens while the tower lights up with golden hues.
You’ll skip the super long lines that are literally hours long and head right to the elevator with your guide. From the second floor, take in the better-than-you-think views of the City of Lights. Learn about the cool (and controversial) history of the Eiffel Tower, then stay as long as you like!
Highlights:
2.5 hours
Evening river cruise
See the Eiffel Tower lights at night with your guide
Skip-the-line elevator tickets to the second floor
Eiffel Tower Summit Evening Tour with Seine River Cruise
If you’ve ever wondered if it’s worth going to the top of the Eiffel Tower—it totally is. That’s why we created the most incredible experience that includes all of our favorite things: an evening Seine River cruise, skip-the-line tickets to the second floor, and access to the summit of the Eiffel Tower!
It can be difficult to get tickets to the summit, and just going to the summit isn’t as cool as combining a river cruise with it. You’ll cruise the Seine at dusk and follow your guide to the Eiffel Tower. Sparkling and glittering in the night, this will be a night to remember for sure.
Combining these three experiences almost guarantees you’ll enjoy the best Eiffel Tower summit tour. And depending on the night, you might even enjoy seeing a beautiful moonrise while you’re enjoying your free time at the summit.
Highlights:
3 hours
Evening river cruise
Guided visit at the Eiffel Tower
Skip-the-line elevator tickets to the second floor
Skip the Line Eiffel Tower Tour with Seine River Cruise
Seeing the Eiffel Tower during the day is a great way to experience the best of Paris while leaving your evening free for the opera or a food tour. With this tour, you’ll get a daytime river cruise to see the Louvre, Notre Dame, and more. Since the evening Eiffel Tower tours often sell it, this is also a great option to check for availability during those busy summer months.
Best of all, you get skip-the-line access to the elevator to the second floor. If you’ve ever been to Paris, you’ve seen those hours-long lines to get into the Eiffel Tower. While you might still have a bit of a wait depending on the time of day, your skip-the-line tickets will absolutely be faster. There’s no point in wasting your precious vacation time waiting in lines!
You also get a local guide during your tour who will make sure you get to know what’s so cool and interesting about the Eiffel Tower. For example, did you know it was a detested monument at first? Yep! Find out more on your tour!
Highlights:
2.5 hours
Daytime river cruise
Guided visit at the Eiffel Tower
Skip-the-line elevator tickets to the second floor
If you love staying active, then you’ll love this active tour that won’t totally wear you out. Why? Well, you’ll have tickets that give you access to climb to the first and second floors of the Eiffel Tower. That’s 674 steps to be precise, but you’ll have a break when you stop at the first floor to look below through the glass floor. Keep an eye out for the original set of stairs here!
After your guided tour of the first floor, you’ll head up the stairs to the second floor for even more impressive views. Enjoy a little more time with your guide here. Then you’re on your own to head up the elevator to the summit for the best view in Paris. For an active budget-friendly ticket to the Eiffel Tower, then this tour is your best bet.
One of the best affordable tours of the Eiffel Tower gives you climbing access to the popular second floor with a guide. This tour runs in the morning so you can avoid the heat of the day. You’ll meet your guide at the tower and follow them up the steps to the first floor to explore the glass floor and original steps from the tower’s early days.
And of course, you’ll also climb to the second floor—674 steps from the ground. A tour of the second floor will round out this climbing Eiffel Tower tour, then you’re free to explore on your own or eat at one of the restaurants here. Be sure to make a reservation to ensure a spot!
Private Eiffel Tower Tour with Champagne and Seine River Cruise
Looking for all the romance but without having to share your guide? Then make sure to book our private tour of the Eiffel Tower after cruising the Seine River. You get all the perks of our regular tour, but with the exclusivity of more time alone with your local tour guide.
Even though we only run small group tours, there’s something even more special about a private tour where you can interact more with your guide. They’ll be able to sit with you on the river cruise and talk about each of the incredible buildings you glide past. And at the tower, you’ll have a chance to learn more about the interesting stories behind its history and construction.
Private Eiffel Tower tours are a great way to get even more out of your evening in Paris as you take in the view from the second floor.
Highlights:
2.5 hours
Evening river cruise
Private guide the entire tour
Skip-the-line elevator tickets to the second floor
Writer, editor, teacher, hiker, traveler, dreamer. With a book or pen in hand and a majestic sunset on the horizon, life is never short of fulfilling moments for Brie. She has a background in history and writing, and enjoys writing and editing for BobVila.com, The Tour Guy, and her own business.
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