Planning to visit Paris and want to know if a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower is worth it and right for you? This article will go over what to expect from an Eiffel Tower tour and the benefits. This way, you can decide if it’s right for you.
Pro Tip: It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Create a browser folder and bookmark this post along with our dedicated guide to Paris and the Eiffel Tower to help you plan your trip. Also, check out our article on the best Paris tours.
What Does It Mean to “See the Eiffel Tower”?
The Eiffel Tower is synonymous with Paris and even France. If there was a symbol for the city or country aside from the French flag, it would be the Eiffel Tower. It is likely one of the most recognized monuments in western civilization, next to the Statue of Liberty. Did you know that Gustav Eiffel, the man credited with the tower’s construction, also had a hand in the Statue of Liberty’s construction? Cool, right?
Anyway, you can see the Eiffel Tower from almost any point in the center of Paris. No tall buildings exist in the city center, and the tower majestically rises above the skyline. You may be lucky enough to see it from your hotel balcony or while walking around the city, but this monument’s true beauty is seeing Paris from on top of it!
Areas of Interest
The Eiffel Tower stands tall in Champs de Mars on the left bank of Paris. Not sure what “left bank” means? Check out our article on the right and left banks of Paris. Champs de Mars and Trocadero are great vantage points to see the Eiffel Tower from the ground.
Both areas are free to explore and see the Eiffel Tower, but if you’ve traveled all the way to Paris, you should set aside money in your budget to go up the tower. It’s so iconic and absolutely worth the money.
You can purchase tickets to visit the Eiffel Tower individually, but you’ll need to decide which areas you want to explore here. There are three main levels: the first floor, second floor, and the summit.
First Floor
The first floor is the lowest part of the Eiffel Tower. You can reach it by climbing 328 stairs or taking the elevator. The views from this area are not too bad at all, but the coolest part is the glass floor that lets you look straight under you to the base of the tower.
You can also see a piece of the original spiral staircase that was used by Gustav Eiffel when he headed up to his office on the summit level. Oh, and there are a couple of great restaurants that are worth trying if you want to round out your trip here.
Second Floor
The second floor is likely the most popular area that visitors choose. It has really great views of the city since it sits higher on the tower. You can use the elevator to get here or climb the stairs as well.
There are actually two areas you can use to view the city from here, the main level and the observation deck. Plus, there are more great places to eat, enjoy macaroons, or shop for souvenirs. The line for this elevator can take hours in the summer, but not if you’re booked on a tour with skip-the-line access!
Summit
The summit is the smallest area you can visit, but it has the most incredible views. From up here, you can see for miles and miles. Take photos of the City of Lights below as the tower sparkles around you at night.
To get to the summit, you’ll first stop at the second floor to explore this level, then you’ll get in the elevator that goes up to the summit. At 906 feet above the city, it’s probably worth ordering a glass of champagne up here to celebrate.
Not ready to jump into a tour? Read more about the Eiffel Tower.
Is a Tour of the Eiffel Tower Worth It?
Short answer: Yes, of course, it is worth it.
We’re a tour company, so we obviously will lean towards encouraging a tour. Why? Because a great tour guide can make a something as boring as a rock interesting. And since the Eiffel Tower is a megamonument so deeply intertwined into French and Parisian culture, you’re sure to learn a lot and enjoy the experience more with a guide.
Not only that but there is a lot to see. Read up on the top things to see at the Eiffel Tower for a great overview of what you can explore at the Eiffel Tower. Ultimately, we’d love to lead you on a tour of the tower, but if you prefer exploring on your own, then our top goal is to enrich the global community with culture and knowledge.
There are other great advantages for why an Eiffel Tower tour is worth it. You probably know how hard it can be to get tickets on your own, or decide which tickets you want. With a guided tour, your access is guaranteed and you can skip the long admission lines. Plus you might even combine a river cruise! Here are a few reasons why we (and many of our customers) think a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower is totally worth it.
Guaranteed Eiffel Tower Tickets
Tickets to the Eiffel Tower sell out quickly and can be hard to find. Fortunately, we have been doing tours for a long time and are great at obtaining tickets like this. Yes, even we sell out during the busy summer months, but with our tickets, you’re guaranteed entry to the area of the Eiffel Tower you choose. There’s no guessing or hoping you got legitimate tickets—entry is guaranteed with us.
Skip-the-Line Entry
The Eiffel Tower’s status as a megamonument means you’ll see lines of hundreds people waiting to enter and head up the elevator. With a guided tour or our skip-the-line tickets, you’ll have access to the shorter line reserved for tour operators like us. Skip the line and don’t waste your valuable time in Paris!
River Cruise Combo
Why not make for the most memorable evening in Paris ever? Our guided tours of the Eiffel Tower usually include a Seine River cruise, which means you can see Paris and the Iron Lady from a new perspective. Float along the river for an hour before heading up to the Eiffel Tower. If you book an evening tour, the cruise happens around sunset as the Eiffel Tower lights up, which makes for a truly unforgettable evening with photos you’ll love forever.
How High Should You Go?
Short answer: Up to the summit!
If you can find tickets to see the Eiffel Tower summit, you should 100% go up to see it. Absolutely. The views of Paris from that height after ascending the tower on a glass elevator are unparalleled.
If you go to the summit in the day, we recommend spending around 2 hours at the tower and consider eating a meal there. If you’re there at night, consider bringing a light jacket as it’s often windy. And definitely order a glass of champagne to toast a memorable vacation. For info on visiting and restaurant options (there are many) check out our article on how to visit the Eiffel Tower.
Summit tickets are difficult to come by, even for a tour operator like us, and they often sell out quickly. That said, you’ll want to book these months in advance if you’re coming in the middle of summer.
Elevator or Stairs
There are a total of 1,665 steps at the Eiffel Tower. Fortunately, you can get to the second level by climbing only 674 of them! Of course, that’s only if you’re up for the extra exercise and the weather is nice (think: not during a heat wave). It’s a great way to work off the calories from all those crepes!
But if you just want to take it easy on your vacation, then take the elevator as high as you can go. You’ll be walking around the city all day, so save your energy to explore even more of Paris. Be sure to purchase tickets that include elevator access to the first, second, or summit floors as you prefer.
Not ready to jump into a tour? Read more about the Eiffel Tower.
Most Popular Tours of the Eiffel Tower
So now that you see why an Eiffel Tower tour is worth it, which one should you choose? That depends on budget, time, energy, and your travel goals. Below are our most popular tours of the Eiffel Tower.
Privileged Access Eiffel Tower Night Tour (includes river cruise)
This top-rated tour is one of the best Eiffel Tower tours for families, solo travelers, and couples looking for a romantic evening. Your evening starts with a serene cruise on the Seine seeing the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, and Notre Dam as the sun begins to set. On your way back, the Eiffel Tower will be lit up to guide your way to the elevator that will take you to the popular second floor. And with skip-the-line tickets, you’ll avoid the extra long lines in the evening!
See tour itinerary, price, and description
Paris in a Day Tour with Eiffel Tower (includes river cruise)
Paris is home to three famous attractions and you’ll see all of them on this tour. It’s the perfect way to get to know this incredible city from the streets of Montmarte to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. In just one day, you’ll take pictures of the famous Mona Lisa, gaze upon Notre Dame, cruise the Seine River, and view Paris from the second floor of the Eiffel Tower!
See tour itinerary, price, and description
Eiffel Tower Summit Evening Tour (includes river cruise)
This Eiffel Tower Summit Evening Tour is the most sought-after tour we have in Paris. Not only do you sip champagne on a river cruise, skip the line past the general public, and get a local tour guide, but you also get to visit the summit of the tower for the best view in Paris! Oh, and you’ll even stop at the second floor before heading to the top. It’s an incredible deal that is worth every penny for the memories you’ll make.
See tour itinerary, price, and description
Private Eiffel Tower Tour (includes a river cruise)
Booking a private tour is always the way to go if your budget allows. With a private guide, you’ll hear explanations about what you’ll see during your Seine River cruise, then be escorted at your own pace past the lines at the Eiffel Tower. The private Eiffel Tower tour with a Seine River cruise is the most elegant way to visit the Eiffel Tower!
See tour itinerary, price, and description
Eiffel Tower Climbing Tour with Summit Access
For the active traveler, this climbing tour of the Eiffel Tower is another solid choice. With skip-the-line tickets and a local guide, you’ll climb 674 steps to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Take in the awesome views from this popular level before getting in the elevator to the summit. You can enjoy your time on either level as long as you like, so don’t forget to make a restaurant reservation!
See tour itinerary, price, and description
Not ready to jump into a tour? Read more about the Eiffel Tower.
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