Planning to visit Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower? Every year, over 7 million people climb the tower to see the breathtaking views of the City of Light. Because it’s so busy, it’s a good idea to plan ahead, especially if you’re traveling from afar. To make sure your experience of the Eiffel Tower is hassle-free and filled with positive memories, here are a few important things to know.
Pro Tip: Planning what to do on 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.
How To Plan Ahead for your Eiffel Tower Visit
The Eiffel Tower is instantly recognizable and stands as a beacon for architecture in Paris and the world. For most travelers, it will be a top highlight of their stay in Paris. If you’re planning to visit the Eiffel Tower, you’ll find all the practical information you need to prevent long waits, avoid disappointment, and make the most of your visit. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Tickets and opening hours
- Best time to visit
- How to get there
- Access for the mobility-impaired
- Guided tours and tickets
- Things to do near the Eiffel Tower
Opening Hours and Tickets
Before you visit the Iron Lady, you need to think about how far up you want to go and how you want to get there. The Eiffel Tower lift price costs slightly more, but it will save you plenty of time and energy. The Eiffel Tower stairs price is more economical, but also more exhausting.
Opening Hours:
Visiting the Eiffel Tower is a magical experience regardless of when you visit. Seeing the Iron Lady during the day allows you to take in every inch of the structure while visiting it at night gives you one of the most romantic vistas the city has to offer.
To accommodate 7 million visitors a year, the Eiffel Tower is open all year round and even has extended hours of operation, so that it can host as many travelers as possible.
September 1 – October 20:
- 9:30 am – 10:45 pm by lift (last admission), monument closes at 12:45 am
- 9:30 am – 6 pm by stairs
Hours for the rest of the year:
- 9:30 am – 10:45 pm by lift (last admission), monument closes at 11:45 pm
- 9:30 am – 10:45 pm by stairs
Tickets:
Ticket with Access Lift (second floor):
- Adult – €17.10
- Youth (12 – 24) – €8.60
- Child (4 – 11) / Disabled – €4.30
- Under 4 – Free
Ticket with Access Lift (top floor):
- Adult – €26.80
- Youth (12 – 24) – €13.40
- Child (4 – 11) / Disabled – €6.70
- Under 4 – Free
Ticket with Access Stairs (second floor):
- Adult – €10.70
- Youth (12 – 24) – €5.40
- Child (4 – 11) / Disabled – €2.70
- Under 4 – Free
Ticket with Access Stairs and Lift (second and top floor):
- Adult – €20.40
- Youth (12 – 24) – €10.20
- Child (4 -11)/Disabled – €5.10
- Under 4 – Free
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Eiffel Tower tours to take and why.
The Best Time To Visit the Eiffel Tower
When people contact us about the Eiffel Tower, they typically want to know if they should visit the Eiffel Tower during the day or at night. The truth is, you’re going to have a unique experience regardless of when you see the tower.
If possible, try going at night and during the day. Trust us, you could see the tower one thousand times and every time you would walk away with a new perspective.
Eiffel Tower During the Day
As a general rule of thumb, going during the day will offer you a better opportunity to see the finer details of the structure and of the city, especially when you are on the second level looking out over the Parisian skyline. When the sky is clear, you can see over 50 miles away.
From the second level, you can see a whole swath of famous sites and monuments, including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Hôtel de Ville, and the Arc de Triomphe. You can see practically all of Paris’ architectural beauty in a single view. Want a selfie with a panoramic view of the city in the background? Then, you’re going to want to go during the day.
Eiffel Tower at Night
Everyone loves to see the Eiffel Tower during the day. We get it. You want to see it in all of its glory. But if you want to see magic, then you have to see it at night.
Every night, there’s an Eiffel Tower light show that we can’t possibly put into words (but we’re going to try to). The tower is powered by 336 spotlights that feature a twinkling effect, which brings the tower to life for the first five minutes of each hour from nightfall to 1 am.
If you go to the second level of the tower, you’ll also be able to see other illuminated monuments, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and more.
Did you know that during commemorations, Christmas, and other world events, the tower has a special light concept that is completely unique to that event?
Please keep in mind that no matter when you go, hours are subject to safety recommendations. Before you go to the tower, make sure you check for inclement weather, because admission and hours of operation may be temporarily restricted.
Likely to Sell out
Privileged Access Eiffel Night Tour with Seine River Cruise
Sometimes the most amazing moments happen by chance. Other times, they are orchestrated by professionals. In this case, you’ll have an evening to remember as you cruise the Seine for an hour, sipping champagne and taking in the sites like Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and more. Afterwards, follow your guide past the long lines and take the elevator to the Eiffel Tower’s second floor for an unforgettable view.
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Likely to Sell Out
Skip the Line Palace of Versailles and Gardens Tour from Paris
Versailles isn’t that difficult to get to by train, but why deal with the stress on your own? Our guide will meet you in central Paris, purchase your train tickets, and ensure you get off at the right stop in Versailles. With skip-the-line tickets, you’ll bypass the crowds and get right into this incredible palace as your guide explains the most incredible (and controversial) history of France’s favorite palace.
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Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Paris tours to take and why.
How To Get To the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is located on the Champs de Mars at 5 Avenue Anatole France in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. There are a few different ways to get there including the metro and bus.
Metro/Rer:
The best way to get around Paris is by train. It helps you avoid traffic jams and saves you time. Depending on what app you use, if you enter the Eiffel Tower’s address into your smartphone you’ll likely see one of four lines:
- Bir-Hakeim
- Line 6 (Metro) Ecole Militaire
- Line 8 (Metro) Etienne Marcel
- Line 4 (Metro) Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel, (RER C line)
Bus:
If you’re not familiar with the metro system, it might be a good idea to take a bus to the Eiffel Tower. There are several stops that will take you close to the tower’s base:
- Tour Eiffel
- Line 42 Tour Eiffel
- Line 82 Champ de Mars
- Line 82 Champ de Mars
- Line 87 Champs de Mars
- Line 69 Champs de Mars
Eiffel Tower Access for the Mobility-Impaired
If you or a loved one is mobility-impaired, the Eiffel Tower has reserved access to the pillars without steps and turnstiles. People with reduced mobility will have complete access to the first and second levels via elevator. Unfortunately, the very top of the tower is inaccessible for safety reasons.
Eiffel Tower Tours and Tickets
While seeing the Iron Lady is a wonderful experience if you go by yourself or with friends, the historical value is often lost on visitors. Joining a small group tour of the Eiffel Tower guarantees you get to skip all of the lines, learn from a professional historian, and see Paris’ most famous structure in all of its splendor. Here are our most popular Eiffel Tower tours:
Privileged Access Eiffel Tower Night Tour with Seine 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 Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame (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
Twilight Magic: Eiffel Tower Summit Tour with Seine Cruise
This Eiffel Tower 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 with Champagne and Seine 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 book a tour? Find out if an Eiffel Tower tour is worth it.
Things To Do Near the Eiffel Tower
When you’re done visiting the Eiffel Tower, your journey isn’t complete. You should check out the Trocadéro Gardens, where you’ll get excellent views of the tower and Warsaw Fountain.
Also nearby is the Champs de Mars gardens. It’s a great spot for some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower. For more cool options, check out our article on the top things to do near the Eiffel Tower. Going to see the Louvre? Make sure you read our Know Before You Go Louvre Travel Guide to plan an amazing experience.
Where To Stay in Paris
With a city as magnificent as Paris, it can be hard to find the perfect hotel at the perfect price. Explore the best hotels and places to stay in these incredible neighborhoods in Paris.
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