Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links or booking widgets. If you book through them, Dreaming of Paris may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How our affiliate links work.
The Eiffel Tower is simple to see and surprisingly easy to plan badly. The mistake is usually not choosing the “wrong” ticket; it is booking a ticket without understanding what it actually includes, arriving with luggage that cannot enter, or placing the visit at a time that breaks the rest of the day.
Check tickets and Paris experiences
Compare current tours, timed-entry tickets and experiences before fixing your itinerary.
GetYourGuideTiqetsCivitatisViatorAffiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The Tower has four main standard ticket combinations: second floor by stairs, second floor by elevator, summit via stairs to the second floor plus elevator, and summit by elevators. In 2026 adult prices published by the official Tower are €14.80 for stairs to the second floor, €23.50 for elevator to the second floor, €28 for stairs plus summit elevator, and €36.70 for elevator access to the summit. Children, young people aged 12–24 and eligible disabled visitors have reduced prices; under-4s need a free ticket.
2026 standard Eiffel Tower ticket prices
| Ticket | Adult price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Stairs to second floor | €14.80 | Climb 674 steps to the second floor |
| Elevator to second floor | €23.50 | Elevator access to the second floor |
| Stairs + elevator to summit | €28.00 | Stairs to second floor, then elevator to top |
| Elevators to summit | €36.70 | Elevator journey with transfer at second floor |
Prices and opening times can change, so verify the official Eiffel Tower rates and calendar before booking. The official site notes that from September 29, 2026, advance reservations are required for stair tickets.
Second floor or summit: which is actually better?
The summit is the famous choice, but it is not automatically the best view. From the second floor, Paris is close enough that you can identify buildings, streets and the geometry of the Seine. From the summit, the scale is grander and the experience of being at the top is the attraction itself. On hazy days, distant details can disappear.
If this is your only visit and you have always dreamed of reaching the top, book the summit. If you dislike heights, have limited time, or care more about the cityscape than the achievement, the second floor is a very satisfying destination. The summit can also be restricted during severe weather or peak periods, so access is never absolutely guaranteed simply because you bought a ticket.
Stairs or elevator?
The stairs are not a token staircase: there are 674 steps from the ground to the second floor. They make the Tower feel like a structure rather than just an observation deck. You see the ironwork change around you and get intermediate views that elevator passengers pass quickly.
The stairs are a good option if you are reasonably fit, do not mind exposed climbing and want a more active visit. They are not suitable for visitors with limited mobility. The official site also states that the summit and stairways are not suitable for people with limited mobility. For families with young children, consider whether the climb will still feel fun after a full day of walking Paris.
When should you visit?
There is no universally best time because the experience changes. Morning is useful if you want to protect the rest of the day and often gives cleaner logistics. Late afternoon can let you see the city in daylight and then move toward evening. Night gives maximum atmosphere but can be colder and windier, and a late slot may require you to plan dinner around it.
If your trip is short, I prefer not to place the Eiffel Tower at noon. A middle-of-the-day timed reservation splits the day into two awkward halves. An early or later booking creates a cleaner geographic block that can be combined with Invalides, the Seine or Saint-Germain. See our first-time Paris itinerary for a practical way to group the area.
How early should you arrive?
For timed e-tickets, the official Tower advises allowing roughly 15–20 minutes for the initial security check before reaching the forecourt under the Tower, but queues can vary. There are two security stages. A ticket reduces ticket-purchase uncertainty; it does not eliminate security or every possible line.
Do not plan a tight restaurant reservation immediately after your expected descent. Elevators, crowds, weather restrictions and the simple temptation to stay longer can all stretch the visit.
Luggage: the rule that catches travelers on departure day
Large luggage is not allowed and the Eiffel Tower has no left-luggage facility. This is crucial if you were thinking of visiting after hotel checkout on the way to a train or airport. The Tower cannot store prohibited items or oversized bags for you. Arrange luggage storage elsewhere before heading to the site.
Security also prohibits objects that could pose a safety risk. Even a small pocketknife can be rejected. Check your bag before leaving the hotel rather than discovering the issue at security.
Strollers and family visits
The official visitor guidance accepts foldable strollers, but large non-folding strollers can be a problem. Families should also think about wind and temperature at height. A warm day on the ground can feel much cooler on an exposed platform. If you are visiting with children, our Paris with kids guide includes pacing advice that matters more than squeezing every floor into the schedule.
Where to stand for the best Eiffel Tower photos
The best photograph of the Eiffel Tower usually comes from not being on the Eiffel Tower. The Trocadéro offers the classic frontal composition but can be extremely busy. The Champ de Mars gives closer ground-level angles. Bridges and Seine-side paths provide more context, while side streets in the 7th arrondissement can frame parts of the structure between buildings.
A useful strategy is to separate your photo session from your ascent. If your tower slot is in the evening, take daylight photographs elsewhere earlier in the trip. That way you are not trying to force perfect weather, perfect light, security and a timed entry into the same thirty minutes.
What you actually see from the Tower
Many first-time visitors look for the Eiffel Tower in the skyline while standing on it. The view is instead about the rest of Paris: the Seine, Champ de Mars, Trocadéro, Les Invalides, Montparnasse and the dense pale fabric of the city. If your priority is a skyline with the Eiffel Tower in it, consider another viewpoint on a different day.
Sacré-Cœur’s dome gives a northern perspective, while hilltop areas such as Belleville provide a more local panorama. This is one reason we recommend pairing the Tower with our Montmartre route or Belleville and eastern Paris day on a different day: you see Paris from different heights and directions.
Is the summit worth the extra money?
Think of the price difference as paying for an experience, not simply a “better view.” The summit is more exposed, more dramatic and more symbolic. The second floor is arguably easier for recognizing the city. If €36.70 per adult is comfortable in your budget and this is a once-in-a-lifetime priority, the summit is easy to justify. If you are choosing between the summit and another museum or meal you care about more, you are not getting a second-rate Eiffel Tower experience by stopping at the second floor.
What to do before or after the Tower
Stay in the area instead of wasting the reservation day on cross-city transport. Invalides, Musée Rodin, Champ de Mars and the Seine fit naturally. If you have an evening ticket, use the afternoon for the Left Bank. If you have a morning ticket, walk toward Invalides and Saint-Germain afterward.
Avoid the common schedule of “Eiffel Tower at 10, Louvre at 1, Montmartre at 5.” It is technically possible and geographically incoherent. Paris becomes more enjoyable when one expensive reservation anchors a neighborhood, not an entire citywide race.
What if official tickets are sold out?
First, check different dates and ticket types on the official site. Stairs, second-floor and summit availability can differ. Do not buy from unauthorized street sellers or mirror websites. If you consider a guided tour or reseller, understand exactly what is included, the meeting process, cancellation terms and whether the product guarantees the floor you want. The official Tower itself publishes warnings about unofficial ticket sources.
Eiffel Tower FAQ
How long should I allow?
Two to three hours is a comfortable planning block for security, ascent, time on the platforms and descent. You may be faster, but using a short planning window creates unnecessary stress.
Can I take luggage up the Eiffel Tower?
Large luggage is not accepted, and there is no on-site left-luggage service. Store it elsewhere before your visit.
Can I climb all the way to the summit?
No. Public stair access goes to the second floor; summit visitors using the stairs ticket continue by elevator from the second floor.
Is it better at sunset?
Sunset can be beautiful, but exact timing, weather and crowds are unpredictable. Book the slot that works for your itinerary rather than sacrificing an entire day to chase one light condition.
Do I need a separate ticket for a child under 4?
Yes. The price is €0, but the official rules state that children under 4 must still have a free admission ticket.
Best practical approach: decide first whether the summit matters, then choose stairs or elevator, book through the official site, arrive without luggage and keep the rest of the day geographically close. That simple sequence prevents most Eiffel Tower frustrations.
Les Invalides and Musée Rodin nearby
Two major nearby visits are Les Invalides and Napoleon’s Tomb and Musée Rodin.
Plan the rest of your timed tickets
Before you lock your Eiffel Tower slot, use our 2026 Paris attraction booking strategy to see which other tickets should be reserved first—and which should stay flexible.
Compare Eiffel Tower tickets and guided visits
The live options below are useful if you want a guided visit, reserved experience or packaged activity for this specific part of the trip. Compare the exact inclusions, meeting point, language and cancellation terms before booking.
Photographing Paris beyond the tower
For sunrise, blue-hour and composition ideas across the city, continue with our best photography spots in Paris guide.