Millions visit Paris’s most iconic landmark each year—and many get stuck in endless lines, buy the wrong tickets, or show up at the worst time. This guide on how to visit the Eiffel Tower helps you skip the chaos and actually enjoy the experience, from where to go and what to see to what not to do.
👉 Ready to skip the lines and see the tower the right way? Check out our Privileged Access Eiffel Tower Night Tour with Seine River Cruise.
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How to Get to the Eiffel Tower
Getting to the Eiffel Tower is easy, but it’s also easy to get tripped up by confusing metro connections and bus stops that sound closer than they are.
Metro/RER:
- RER C: Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel
- Metro Line 6: Bir-Hakeim
- Metro Line 8: École Militaire
Bus:
- Take lines 30, 42, 69, 72, 82, or 86 to Champ de Mars or Tour Eiffel stops.
Walking:
- You’ll likely see the Eiffel Tower from wherever you are, so follow the skyline! It’s about a 25-minute walk from the Louvre.
Taxi:
- Say “Tour Eiffel, entrée principale.” Be warned: cars can only get so close, so expect a short walk.
Intéressant Fact: The tower sits 17 cm taller in August heat—the iron lattice expands when Paris sizzles.
👉 Want to pair your Eiffel Tower visit with the Louvre and Notre Dame? Check out our Paris in a Day Tour.
What to See at the Eiffel Tower
Don’t make a sprint for the summit. Every level has its own “wow” moment, if you know where to look.
- First Floor (57 m):
- Glass Floor: Look 187 feet straight down.
- Historical Interactive Gallery: Compare the world’s tallest skyscrapers.
- Gustave’s Spiral Staircase fragment: 15 feet of original wrought‑iron steps.
- Glass Floor: Look 187 feet straight down.
- Second Floor (115 m):
- 360° Panorama Deck: Spot Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, maybe even Versailles on a clear day.
- Le Jules Verne (1‑Michelin‑star): Lunch from €105, dinner from €190.
- 360° Panorama Deck: Spot Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, maybe even Versailles on a clear day.
- Summit (276 m):
- Champagne Bar: Celebrate 906 feet above Paris.
- Gustave Eiffel’s tiny office: Complete with wax figures.
- Champagne Bar: Celebrate 906 feet above Paris.
Intéressant Fact: The summit platform is just 820 sq ft, which is about the size of a cozy Parisian apartment.
👉 Want to see and do it all? Join our Private Eiffel Tower Tour with Champagne and Seine River Cruise.
Best Guided Tours
Because snagging summit tickets on your own can feel like winning the lottery.
Privileged Access Eiffel Tower Night Tour with Seine River Cruise
2.5 hrs | €€
Watch Paris light up from a river cruise, then skip the line to the Eiffel’s second floor for nighttime views.
Premium Access Eiffel Tower Summit Tour with Seine River Cruise
3 hrs | €€€
Includes the summit, a guided visit, and a river cruise.
Eiffel Tower Climbing Tour with Summit Access
2.5 hrs | €€
Climb 674 steps to the second floor before taking the lift to the summit.
Private Eiffel Tower Tour with Champagne and Seine River Cruise
2.5 hrs | €€€€
Ultimate flexibility with a private guide, river cruise, and skip-the-line tickets.
Intéressant Fact: In 1905 a local newspaper held a stair‑climbing race. The winner reached the 2nd floor in 3 minutes and 12 seconds.
👉 Not ready to book? Compare every option in our article Best Eiffel Tower Tours to Take & Why.
Tickets & Hours
If you’re not booking a tour, this section is critical.
Opening Hours:
- Daily: 9:30 am – 11:45 pm (last lift entry)
- Summit closes earlier in winter; check exact hours before your visit.
Ticket Prices:
| Ticket Type | Adults | Youth (12–24) | Child (4–11) |
| Stairs to 2nd Floor | €14.20 | €7.10 | €3.60 |
| Elevator to 2nd Floor | €22.60 | €11.30 | €5.70 |
| Stairs to 2nd + Elevator to Summit | €26.90 | €13.50 | €6.80 |
| Elevator to Summit | €35.50 | €17.70 | €8.90 |
Intéressant Fact: Eiffel’s critics called the tower “useless and monstrous.” Today, it’s the most visited paid monument on Earth.
👉 Hate logistics? All our Eiffel Tower tours include tickets, skip-the-line access, and a local guide.
What to Skip & Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying tickets day-of: They’re often sold out by the time you arrive.
- Midday summer visits: Heat, glare, and peak crowds make for a rough combo.
- Street sellers and fake souvenir peddlers: Skip the 3-for-€10 keychains.
- Not giving yourself enough time: It takes at least three hours to get there, wait in line, ride to the top, and look around.
- Not bringing layers: Even in summer, you’d be surprised how chilly it can get at the summit.
Intéressant Fact: In 1905, a con artist named Victor Lustig “sold” the Eiffel Tower for scrap metal—twice.
Secret Tip – Claim the Best Glass-Elevator Spot
If you want the best view on the ride up, head for the west-facing window in the elevator—it’s the one with sweeping views of the Seine and Trocadéro. The moment the doors close, you’ll have the perfect angle to film Paris unfurling beneath you.
Where to Eat Inside & Nearby
These are our team’s go-tos:
Inside the Tower:
- Le Jules Verne: €€€€ | 2nd Floor | Michelin-star dining with a view.
- Madame Brasserie: €€ | 1st Floor | Sustainable cuisine by Thierry Marx.
- Champagne Bar: €€€ | Summit | Yes, it’s overpriced—but when in Paris…
Steps Away:
- Café de l’Homme: €€€€ | Upscale bistro with Eiffel views, reserve in advance.
- Arnaud Nicolas: €€ | Award-winning meats and French classics.
- Les Cocottes: €€ | Casual-chic spot by Chef Christian Constant.
👉 Need more options? Browse our Best Restaurants Near the Eiffel Tower.
How to Visit the Eiffel Tower: Final Thoughts
Skipping the ascent is like staring at the Louvre’s façade and ignoring the Mona Lisa. Plan ahead, lock in your time slot (or better, a tour), and savor Paris from every level.
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