Visiting the Eiffel Tower: Tickets, Tips & What to Expect

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world and a symbol of Paris. Built in 1889 for the World’s Fair, it was originally meant to be temporary — yet today, it attracts millions of visitors every year and remains one of the most visited monuments on the planet.

I’ve visited the Eiffel Tower twice, and it was a memorable experience both times, although quite different over the years.

Traveling with a baby and a stroller, our arrival felt a bit stressful — especially since this was the first major attraction we visited in Paris with airport-style security checks. It took a little time to figure out the entrance, the queues, and where exactly to go.

But once we stepped into the elevator and slowly started rising above the city, the stress quickly disappeared.

Watching Paris unfold beneath us felt truly special. Seeing the city from this perspective gives you a completely different appreciation for Paris, and the atmosphere at the top is worth the effort.

If you’re still planning your trip, we recommend also checking our guide on where to stay in Paris, where we break down the best areas and hotels based on our experience.

In this guide, we share everything you need to know before visiting the Eiffel Tower, including whether it’s worth going up, ticket options, what to expect, and practical tips based on our experience.

Is it worth going up the Eiffel Tower?

We’d say definitely yes.

The views over Paris are incredible, but what makes the experience special isn’t just the panorama — it’s being inside the structure itself, surrounded by the massive iron beams and seeing this engineering masterpiece up close.

Even the elevator ride feels like an attraction on its own. As you slowly move up through the metal framework, you can watch the city gradually reveal itself beneath you.

If you’re travelling on a tighter budget, you can still visit the Eiffel Tower for a relatively affordable price. One of the best ways to save money is to climb the stairs to the second floor, which costs less than the elevator.

How To Get There

The Eiffel Tower is very easy to reach using public transport, especially the Paris metro.

Closest metro stations:

• Bir-Hakeim (Line 6) – about 8-minute walk
• Trocadéro (Lines 6 & 9) – about 12-minute walk, great if you want to first enjoy the famous viewpoint
• École Militaire (Line 8) – about 15-minute walk

You can also take the RER C train to Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel, which is one of the closest stations to the tower.

If you’re unsure which ticket or pass to choose, see our guide to public transport in Paris, where we explain zones, tickets, and the best transport passes for tourists.

Eiffel Tower Tickets & Prices

Ticket prices depend on whether you take the stairs or elevator and how high you want to go.

Lift to the second floor

• Adult: €23.50
• Youth (12–24): €11.80
• Child (4–11): €6.00
• Under 4: free

Stairs to the second floor (cheapest option)

• Adult: €14.80
• Youth (12–24): €7.40
• Child (4–11): €3.80

Lift to the summit (top floor)

• Adult: €36.70

It’s also possible to choose a slightly cheaper combination ticket where you take the stairs to the second floor and then the elevator to the summit, which can help reduce the total price a bit.

You can also purchase a guided tour, which can be a good option if you want to learn more about the history and construction. We recommend this guided tour of the Eiffel Tower.

We recommend buying tickets in advance on the official website, as time slots often sell out — especially in high season. Avoid random resellers unless they are verified platforms.

If official tickets are sold out, trusted providers such as GetYourGuide can sometimes still have availability bundled with guided experiences.

What to Expect When Visiting the Eiffel Tower

Entrance & Security Check

There are two main entrances to the Eiffel Tower area — East and South. The entire base of the tower is surrounded by a glass security perimeter, but the area inside is free to enter even without a ticket.

The first security check applies to everyone entering the fenced area. Here you’ll see separate lines depending on whether you already have a ticket or not.

If you don’t have tickets yet, you can still buy them at the ticket counters located at the pillars.

Elevator Ride or Stairs

If you already have a ticket, you’ll continue to another security check at one of the pillars depending on your ticket type (East, North, or West for the elevator, South for the stairs).

Queues for the stairs are usually shorter, while elevator lines can be longer in peak season. We visited in low season early in the morning and had almost no waiting time.

If you’re visiting with a stroller, keep in mind that strollers usually need to be folded before entering the elevator to save space.

Before entering the pillar, you’ll pass one more security check.

The elevator ride itself feels like part of the experience, slowly moving through the iron structure while the view opens up more and more with every meter.

The 2nd Floor

The elevator first takes you to the 2nd floor, which is actually split into two levels.

The lower level is where the elevator arrives. Here you’ll find toilets, souvenir shops, and facilities, but the views are slightly obstructed by a tall safety fence.

If you booked a guided tour, this is usually where your guide will share the main explanations before the guided part ends and you can explore at your own pace.

The upper level of the 2nd floor is slightly smaller but offers much clearer panoramic views, as there is no tall fence blocking the view. From here, you can see many of Paris’ most famous landmarks, including Notre Dame, Montmartre, Arc de Triomphe, and truly appreciate the scale of the city.

You can spot the area around the Louvre, one of the most famous museums in the world. If you plan to visit, see our complete guide to visiting the Louvre, including ticket tips and must-see highlights.

Note that selfie sticks are not allowed, as they could fall and cause serious injury to people below.

The 1st Floor

When descending, you can choose between the elevator or the stairs to reach the 1st floor. Taking the stairs only takes about 5 minutes and is an experience on its own — walking down through the iron structure gives you a completely different perspective of the tower.

The 1st floor is much more spacious and offers plenty to see and do. There’s a bar, snack stand, souvenir shop, and also Madame Brasserie, where you can enjoy a proper lunch inside the tower.

One of the highlights here is the glass floor, which lets you look straight down below your feet — a fun attraction for both adults and kids. It’s a great place to grab a coffee, take a short break, and enjoy the views before continuing down.

Summit

We personally haven’t visited the summit yet, but this is the highest accessible point of the Eiffel Tower, located at 276 meters, offering one of the most impressive panoramic views of Paris.

From the top, you can enjoy 360° views across the entire city, and on a clear day, visibility can reach up to 70 km. The summit is divided into two levels — a covered indoor viewing area and a small open-air terrace at the very top.

One interesting detail is the recreated office of Gustave Eiffel, featuring wax figures that show how the engineer once welcomed guests here. There is also a champagne bar, making this level feel a bit more special and celebratory compared to the lower floors.

Reaching the summit requires taking an additional elevator from the 2nd floor, and queues here can sometimes be longer, especially in peak season.

How Much Time You Need

Overall, we recommend planning around 2–3 hours for your visit to comfortably explore all levels without rushing. If you plan to visit the summit or stop for a drink or meal on the 1st floor, you may want to allow even a bit more time.

We definitely spent more time here than we expected. Between listening to the guide, enjoying the views from each level, and simply taking in the atmosphere, the visit ended up being longer than we originally planned.

Even though the accessible areas are not huge, it can take a bit of time to find the right elevators and exits, especially if it’s your first visit. Signage is not always as straightforward as you might expect.

It’s also important to factor in waiting times, as queues for elevators can build up quickly — particularly in high season or during the middle of the day.

Practical Tips for Visiting the Eiffel Tower

• Book tickets in advance – Time slots can sell out quickly, especially in high season. Booking online helps you avoid unnecessary waiting.
• Arrive early or late in the day – The busiest times are usually midday. Morning and evening visits tend to be more pleasant with shorter queues.
• Consider taking the stairs – If the elevator lines are long, the stairs to the 2nd floor are a great alternative and cheaper too.
• Allow extra time for security checks – Airport-style controls can slow things down, particularly during peak hours.
• Prepare to fold your stroller – If you’re visiting with a stroller, you’ll likely need to fold it before entering the elevator.
• Check the weather forecast – Visibility makes a big difference to the experience. On foggy or rainy days, the views can be limited.

Best Viewpoints of the Eiffel Tower

Even though the views from the tower are impressive, seeing the Eiffel Tower from the outside is just as special. These were our favorite viewpoints where you can enjoy great angles and take beautiful photos:

• Trocadéro – One of the most famous viewpoints, directly opposite the tower. From the elevated terrace, you get a perfect frontal view, especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset.
• Port Debilly – Located along the Seine, this spot offers a nice riverside perspective with fewer crowds compared to Trocadéro.
• Rue de Buenos Ayres – A quieter street close to Trocadéro with a great framed view of the Eiffel Tower between elegant Parisian buildings.
• Port de Suffren – A pleasant riverside walk area near the tower where you can capture close-up views of the structure.
• Rue de l’Université – One of the most popular photo spots, known for its classic Paris street view with the Eiffel Tower perfectly aligned in the background.
• Av. Joseph Bouvard – A lesser-known location offering a nice open perspective of the tower without large crowds.

If you have time, we recommend visiting at least one viewpoint during the day and another one after sunset, when the Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour and creates a completely different atmosphere.

If you’d like to enjoy the view even longer, some of the best hotels with Eiffel Tower view in Paris allow you to watch the tower and its evening sparkle right from your bed or private balcony, which makes the experience even more memorable.

FAQ

Final Thoughts

Visiting the Eiffel Tower is one of those experiences that truly feels special, even if it’s your first time in Paris or a return visit years later. Standing inside this iconic structure and seeing the city from above gives you a completely different perspective of Paris.

While the visit does require a bit of planning, we think the experience is absolutely worth it. The combination of impressive engineering, panoramic views, and the atmosphere on each level makes it much more than just another viewpoint.

If your schedule allows, we recommend pairing your visit with one of the nearby viewpoints to see the Eiffel Tower from the outside as well — especially in the evening when it lights up and sparkles.

Overall, the Eiffel Tower remains one of those places that lives up to expectations and is very likely to become one of the most memorable highlights of your trip to Paris.