Built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower was designed and constructed for the World’s Fair. It was only supposed to stay a few years years in the Parisian landscape. But 130 years later, the Eiffel Tower is still standing. And it even became for many the symbol of France, but also one of the most visited monument in the world (about 6.7 millions of visitors in 2019).
The iconic architecture of the Eiffel Tower makes it unique to visit. The view on top is absolutely stunning, but to access it you will need to know some useful tips about it. It is important for example that you book your ticket in advance, or that you don’t take any strollers with you.
Below are some important information you need to know to plan your visit to the Eiffel Tower.
Tips to plan your visit
What ticket to chose to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
The best way to get tickets to the Eiffel Tower is to buy them on the official website of the monument. Beware, tickets are selling fast. You can buy them at a maximum, 60 days in advance. I recommend buying the ticket 5 to 6 weeks prior your visit to ensure availability, especially if you want to go to visit by lift.
Bear in mind, once you bought the tickets, you can’t get any refunds or change of date.
All tickets give you access to the second and the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. You may pay extra to get access to the summit. Although, you do have to note that:
- In case of bad weather the access to the summit will be closed for security purposes.
- If the summit is too crowded, security will close access to the top of the Eiffel Tower. And you may not be allowed to go to the summit yourself.
When buying your ticket you may notice that it is possible to go to the second level of the Eiffel Tower by stairs. It’s indeed a good option for the most sportive and it’s also much cheaper. On the other hand, you can’t purchase these tickets in advance, and they are subject to availability.
How much does it cost to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
To climb the Eiffel Tower, prices vary from 2,60€ to 26€ depending on your age and the option you pick.
- ELEVATOR / LIFT:
- 16,70€ to 26,10€ – Adults
- 8,40€ to 13,10€ – Youth between 12 to 24 years old
- 4,20€ to 6,60€ – Children between 4 to 11 years old
- BY STAIRS:
- 10,50€ to 19,90€ – Adults
- 5,20€ to 9,90€ – Youth between 12 to 24 years old
- 2,60€ to 5,00€ – Children between 4 to 11 years old
Is it worth going to the summit of the Eiffel Tower?
Some like the view on the second floor more, and some others prefer the summit views….The reality is that everyone has a different point of view. While the second floor offers great views and bring you closer to the roofs of Paris, the summit gives you the opportunity to enjoy Paris from the very top. You can appreciate the architecture on how the city was built with all the different avenues, alleys, and buzzing roundabouts of Paris. And you can truly have an idea of the size of Paris from the summit.
If it’s your first time in Paris and on the Eiffel Tower, we recommend you enjoying the experience to the maximum and spend time on the highest point of Paris.
What if all tickets are sold-out for the day I want to visit the Eiffel Tower?
Ouch, it’s always disappointing… Going on the website and seeing that all tickets are sold out. Well, there are other options for you to pick from, so you can still visit the Eiffel Tower! Don’t worry!
- Go to the Eiffel Tower on the day itself to buy stairs tickets. They are only sold at the ticket office, and there are a good alternative if you don’t mind the effort (see prices above).
- Find a third party website such as Get Your Guide. These resellers are more expensive, but overall worthy. They provide more flexibility in terms of dates, potential date changes, etc.
- Book a Tour Guide and get to know the inside out of the Eiffel Tower, as well as many historical and fun facts. The tour guides are usually around 37€ to 70€. If you do need a recommendation of a tour guide, do not hesitate to contact us through our website! Overall, if you decide to book a tour guide, I recommend going to the very top of the Eiffel Tower to enjoy all the anecdotes, and to make your experience in Paris memorable.
Paris Passlib Ticket – Is it worth it?
You may have done your research and are interested to buy the Paris Passlib ticket. It is indeed a great idea if you plan to visit different monuments and museums in Paris. Indeed the pass gives you access to the main landmarks of Paris.
The Paris Passlib is the only one that gives you access to the Eiffel Tower. However you need to get one of these Passlib’ to have the Efiffel Tower included in your pass:
- The Paris Passlib’ CITY (69€),
- The Paris Passlib’ EXPLORE (119€)
- Or the Paris Passlib’ PRESTIGE (189€)
And it won’t grant you the access to the summit of the Eiffel Tower. But it will give you the chance to go to the second floor by lift.
Whether it is worth it basically depends on your trip. If you are planning to see at least 4 museums and monuments included in the Passlib’ City pass, it can be a great option for you. As you can book the Eiffel Tower as your fifth activity.
On the other hand, if you are unsure about what you want to see in Paris, you can still book your ticket to the Eiffel Tower separately. As mentioned above, time slots gets booked in advance for the Eiffel Tower. And if you want to secure your spot on top of the Eiffel Tower, you will need to book your tickets weeks in advance.
Having said that, the Paris Passlib’ ticket gives you the opportunity to book your ticket for the Eiffel Tower separately, once you completed the payment.
So do your math based on what you want to see in Paris. And if you are unsure, I can always help you planing your trip to Paris by providing a tailor-made itinerary based on your interests and what you would like to see.
The best time of day to visit the Eiffel Tower
Elevators and stairs open at 9.30am. While the stairs close earlier – 5.30pm, the elevators give you the chance to stay longer on the Eiffel Tower. The ticket office for the lifts closes at 10.30pm in summer, and the tower officially closes at 11.45pm.
As the most visited monument in France, the Eiffel Tower is always busy. Overall if you want to avoid big crowds, and if you want to have more chance to go to the summit, I recommend the early mornings time slots (before 11am).
However the sunset is a lovely time to visit it. It gives you an amazing light on the city, and provides you the chance to see Paris in the daylight, and illuminated a few minutes later once the sun goes down. Bear in mind a lot of people try to go to the top at that time to enjoy both sceneries. And you may have less chance to reach the summit of the Tower at that time of the day, especially on weekends and bank holidays.
For your information, July and August are the busiest months to visit the Eiffel Tower.
How long does it take to visit the Eiffel Tower?
The visit the first and second floor of the Eiffel Tower, it takes about 1h to 1h30. If you are also visiting the summit, you can add another hour of visit to enjoy it all.
You may have to queue up before taking the elevator to the first and second floor. But also prior going to the summit. And it is a separate elevator that takes you to the summit.
Bear in mind the same elevator that takes you to the very top, also has to bring you down to the second floor. And considering its capacity, you will also have to queue up to go down.
On the Day – Tips to enjoy your visit of the Eiffel Tower
How to get there?
Depending from where you are coming from, you can walk to the Eiffel Tower, or take public transport.
If you go by metro, I highly recommend you stopping at the Trocadero station – Metro line 6 and 9.
From the Trocadero square, you can enjoy one of the best view of the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower will be sitting right in front of you and it offers a great setup for pictures.
Moving on you can walk your way down to the Iron Lady through the Iena bridge, prior climbing to the top of it.
Which entrance do I need to go to?
I know, the bottom of the Eiffel Tower can be quite impressive. Who knew the Iron Lady had such big feet! Here are some basic information to find your way:
VISITING BY LIFT:
- Make your way towards the EAST or WEST pillar.
- If you do have tickets, look for the green flags to get into the right queue.
- And if you do not have tickets, you will need to find the ticket office. Look for the yellow flags. Ticket offices are usually open at the bottom of the two pillars.
VISITING BY STAIRS
- If you would like to climb the Eiffel Tower by stairs, you need to go towards the SOUTH pillar. Look for the blue flag. You can then go to this cashier to buy tickets for the 2nd floor (stairs access); or 2nd Floor (stair access + summit).
When is the Eiffel Tower illuminated?
Ah yes, we all have seen what the Iron Lady looks like by night at least on pictures. And it is absolutely gorgeous! Do not worry, the light show is on every night. It happens every evening, from sunset until 1am, and during the first five minutes of each hour.
For example, if the sunset is at 8.25pm, the first light show will be between 9pm until 9.05pm.
Toilets at the Eiffel Tower
There are toilets on the ground, and you will also find facilities on each floor of the Eiffel Tower. However, if you need to have baby facilities, make sure you find toilets before going to the summit. Indeed the facilities at the summit are more limited.
Strollers, luggage and heavy backpacks forbidden. Let Alfred take a load off your mind.
Beware, it is not accepted to visit the Eiffel Tower with bulky or heavy items. And yes, that is also the case for suitcase, strollers, bikes, and big backpacks. Additionally and due to recent restrictions, there are no official luggage locker at the Eiffel Tower. Leave them at your hotel or Airbnb if you can.
And if you do need some help with your personal belongings or your luggage, feel free to book Alfred Services. And we will come pick-up your items at the location of your choice.
What to wear when visiting the Eiffel Tower?
Do not be fooled by the weather forecast, at the end of the day, your visit to the Eiffel Tower means that you will be 300 meters above the ground – if you have access to the summit. You may not notice from the bottom, but the top of the Tower is usually windy. And it can get chilly quickly, especially when the sun goes down. Thus, don’t forget to take an extra jacket or scarf with you.
I would also recommend you wearing sneakers or any comfortable shoes. You may decide to go down the stairs from the second or the first floor. So make sure you wear shoes that are comfy enough for you to do those steps!
Is there free WIFI at the Eiffel Tower?
Yes there is! You need to connect to _WiFi_Tour_Eiffel and enter your email address to be granted access. That way if you don’t have any data, you’ll be able to share your pictures with your family and friends right away!
Beware of scams around the Eiffel Tower
As the most famous landmark of France, the Eiffel Tower attracts a lot of people, and not necessarily the nicest. Beware of scams when walking around the monument. You may pass some people asking you to sign a petition, or to divert you from what you are doing while their friends try to rob you.
If you are suspicious try walking away. And if they are persistent the best is sometimes to take a picture of them with your smartphone and pretend that you are going to report them to the police! They will usually run away as soon as they see you trying to take a picture of them.
After your visit of the Eiffel Tower
Where to eat on the Eiffel Tower and around:
You may be hungry after or before visiting the Iron Lady. So are some suggestions that can fulfil your stomach:
- During summer you may plan a picnic on the Champs de Mars. The park is big enough for you to find a place to sit on the grass and enjoy a French quiche, or a Jambon-Beurre sandwich previously bought in a bakery. A lovely place for a break, right in front of the Tower!
- If you have more budget and you want to enjoy a restaurant with an amazing view on the Eiffel Tower, I recommend you trying Les Ombres or Café de l’Homme. Both are great restaurants to celebrate a special occasion.
- Right by the Eiffel Tower, you can find Café Constant, which offers great french food in a typical French bistro. It is open from noon to midnight to satisfy all eaters. It doesn’t have a view on the Eiffel Tower, but it’s at walking distance from it. And better than most of restaurants around.
- On the Eiffel Tower itself, you may try the Jules Verne, a gastronomic restaurant (1 Michelin star) on the second floor of the tower. Reservations must be made months in advance. The booking does not include the ticket of the Eiffel Tower, which will need to be bought separately. The lunch is worth it and cost half the price of the dinner. And the observation deck of the restaurant offers amazing views of the city.
- The Champagne bar on the summit of the Eiffel Tower is great for anyone wanting to enjoy the view with a glass of champagne in their hand (15€). The bar is currently closed due to restrictions but may open again soon.
- Last but not least, and for a fully romantic experience you can book a dinner on a river boat. I recommend Le Calife, which offers great food. A must-do if you want to have the best view of the landmarks from the Seine. The dinner finishes with the Eiffel Tower in front of you, sparkling and shining. The menus costs 87€ per person.
Walk around the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower finds itself right in the middle of the 7th Arrondissement, which is one of the richest district of Paris.
Through all the bridges around Paris, and the small and lovely streets, there are many places where you can take a great shot of the Eiffel Tower, especially in the district mentioned above.
Considering all that, there are many walks – big or small – for you to enjoy around the Eiffel Tower. I have prepared all these walks online and I’m happy to share them with you.
Feel free to contact me on Alfred website if you would like to know where are the best local streets to go to, for a perfect shot of the Eiffel Tower!
