The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark in Paris, France.
Gustave Eiffel built it for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, which was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
The Eiffel Tower in Paris welcomes more than 7 million visitors every year, making it the most-visited paid monument in the world.
You cannot holiday in Paris and not visit this 324-meter (1063-foot) tall structure, which is made of 18,000 iron parts and held together by 2.5 million rivets.
The Eiffel Tower in Paris is one of the most photographed landmarks in the world.
This article shares everything you must know before buying Eiffel Tower tickets.
Top Eiffel Tower Tickets
# Eiffel Tower tickets
# Eiffel Tower Climb tickets
# Guided Eiffel Tower climb
Table of contents
Where to buy tickets
Tickets for the Eiffel Tower can be purchased online or at the ticket booth.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.
Booking online also helps you get exclusive discounts and offers, and you can avoid paying a ‘ticketing window surcharge.’
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
Because some attractions sell limited number of tickets, booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
This is why we always recommend tourists to buy Eiffel Tower tickets, online.
How do online tickets work
Visit the booking page for the Eiffel Tower.
Select the number of tickets, preferred date, and time slot, and buy the tickets immediately.
Once you complete the booking process, the tickets will be mailed to you.
There is no need to get printouts of the ticket.
Ticket price
The cost of your Eiffel Tower ticket depends on many factors –
1. The floor you plan to visit
2. How do you plan to go up – the stairs or the lift
3. Whether you select a guided tour or self-guided tour
4. Are you buying your tickets online or at the venue (online tickets are cheaper)
The second floor direct access ticket costs you €35.
On the other hand, Summit tickets are priced at €50 for all visitors.
Kids below the age of 3 years are not permitted.
Eiffel Tower tickets
Tickets for the Eiffel Tower Summit and 2nd floor
This ticket allows you to explore the second floor or ascend to the summit of the Eiffel Tower.
The tour guide will share interesting facts about the tower throughout the journey.
Enjoy as long as you like on the tower and take in stunning views from the top.
Ticket Prices
Second Floor Access: €35
Summit Access: €50
Skip the lines tickets for 2nd floor and Summit
Get priority access to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, and if you wish to see unrivaled views of Paris, select the Summit option on the booking page before checkout.
Meet your tour guide next to the tower to get a brief introduction about the attraction and the tour.
The guide will accompany you to the second floor, sharing many stories about the Notre Dame, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, etc., and then leaving you to enjoy everything at your own pace.
Ticket Cost: €75
Eiffel Tower Guided Climb Tour by Stairs
Get your hands on this ticket for an adventurous tour with a guide.
Climb 704 steps to the 2nd floor of the tower to take spectacular views of the Louvre, Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Seine River.
Ticket Prices
Guided Climb Tour + Summit
Adult Ticket (12+ years): €53
Child Ticket (4 to 11 years): €48
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Guided Climb Tour + Summit + Cruise
Adult Ticket (12+ years): €75
Child Ticket (4 to 11 years): €60
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Guided Climb Tour without Summit
Adult Ticket (12+ years): €38
Child Ticket (4 to 11 years): €33
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Funny but true: Do you know about the time when a kiss on the Eiffel Tower resulted in a massive manhunt?
If you would prefer a live tour guide to accompany you when you go up, check out this guided Eiffel Tower climb
Eiffel Tower timings
During the peak season of mid-June to the beginning of September, the Eiffel Tower opens at 9 am and closes at 0.45 am the next day.
The Parisian attraction welcomes visitors from 9.30 am to 11 pm the rest of the year.
During the peak season, tourists can’t go up to the Summit (the topmost floor) after 11 pm, and during the lean season after 10.30 pm.
The last entry is 45 minutes before the day’s closure.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit the Eiffel Tower if you want to avoid the crowd is as soon as they open at 9.30 am or after sunset.
For fascinating views of the Paris skyline, the best time to visit is an hour before sunset.
Sunset times in Paris vary from 5.30 pm to 10 pm, so we recommend you check the sunset timings before you plan.
If you go up the Eiffel Tower 60 minutes before sunset, you can see the sun go down and then hang around to see the city shimmering at night.
The Eiffel Tower sunset is one of the most romantic things to do in Paris.
If you are an early bird, check out this tour of the Eiffel Tower Summit, which starts at 8.45 am.
What to expect at Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower has four levels – The Esplanade, first floor, second floor, and The Summit.
You can reach the first floor only by stairs.
Visitors can reach the second floor of the Eiffel Tower both by stairs and the lift.
Visitors must take an elevator to the Eiffel Tower’s topmost floor, also known as the Summit, from the second floor.
Image: Toureiffel.paris
In this section, we list out all the must-see exhibits at the Eiffel Tower.
The Esplanade
The Esplanade is a large area below the Eiffel Tower.
Four pillars (East, South, North, and West) hold the puddled iron structure and help it reach 324 meters (1062 feet) above the ground.
On the north leg of the tower, a bronze bust of Gustave Eiffel is installed.
On the west leg, the Information Desk can be found. Here, you can learn about ticket prices, a map, elevators, waiting times, and more.
The four legs of the Eiffel Tower house the lifts and stairways to go up.
Bust of Gustave Eiffel
This statue of Gustave Eiffel stands at the foot of the Tower, in the corner of the North pillar.
Antoine Bourdelle sculpted this bust and has been an attraction since 1929.
Eiffel Tower elevators
The elevators in the East and West Pillars of the Eiffel Tower use hydraulic machines more than a century old.
You may not see the hydraulic machines because they are in the basement, but you can see the lifts.
Gustave Eiffel designed these imposing hydraulic machines himself.
*The Esplanade is also home to the information desk (at the West pillar).
First floor, Eiffel Tower
There are lots of exhibits and shows to see on the first floor.
The immersion show
The Immersion show takes you on a journey into the World of the Eiffel Tower.
The show, which happens in Ferrié Pavilion, is projected on three walls by seven projectors.
The New Cultural Path
This path is along the outer passageway.
This exhibit narrates the history of the Eiffel Tower using various mediums, such as screens, touch screens, displays, digital albums, and reproductions of items.
You will be surprised at how little you know about the Eiffel Tower.
The Glass floor
Don’t miss the transparent walkway on the first floor, which has become a massive hit with visitors.
The glass floor offers dramatic views above 57 meters (187 feet).
Spiral Staircase
Gustave Eiffel had a small office at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Before he built an elevator from the second floor to the third floor, he used a spiral staircase to reach his office.
However, in 1983, this spiral staircase was removed, and a part of it was displayed on the first floor.
The 1st floor also houses the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant and the souvenir shop.
Second floor, Eiffel Tower
There is no exhibit on the 2nd floor.
However, you can enjoy unobstructed views of Paris city, including views of monuments such as The Louvre, Notre Dane, Grand Palais, Montmartre, Invalides, the Seine River, etc.
Jules Verne, the Michelin-starred restaurant, is also on this floor.
The Summit, Eiffel Tower
The Summit of the Eiffel Tower is made up of two levels – one indoors and the other outside.
Gustave Eiffel’s office
Gustave Eiffel’s office at the top of the Eiffel Tower is maintained as it was during its heydays.
His office depicts Gustav and his daughter Claire welcoming American inventor Thomas Edison with life-like wax models.
During their meeting, Edison gifted Gustave Eiffel a Gramaphone, which is also available in the office.
The panoramic maps
At the Summit, you can find panoramic maps at various places.
These maps help identify other tall monuments in different cities and give their relative direction and distance from the Eiffel Tower.
You also get to compare the height of the tall monuments/buildings with that of Eiffel Tower.
Model of the Top floor
One of the must-see exhibits on the Eiffel Tower Summit is the model of the top of the Tower from 1889.
This model is on a 1:50 scale and is in the Tower’s original reddish-brown color.
The Tower’s Summit also has a champagne bar that serves rose and white champagne.
Eiffel Tower map
Once you reach the Eiffel Tower, getting in and around can be confusing for some visitors.
However, you can follow our recommendation for a smooth visit and exit.
Getting inside The Esplanade
Esplanade is the area under the Eiffel Tower.
There are two entrances to Eiffel Tower’s Esplanade – the South and East entrances.
We recommend you enter through the East entrance because it is usually less crowded.
After a brief security check, you can walk past the landscaped gardens to reach the Esplanade.
Visitors opting for elevators
If you plan to go up the Eiffel Tower in an elevator, you must head to the EAST or WEST pillars of the Tower.
If you aren’t sure, ask anybody, and they can guide you.
If you have already bought tickets online, look for a queue with a Green flag for direct entry.
You will find green-marked queues under both pillars.
If you haven’t yet booked your tickets, you must join the queue for the Eiffel Tower’s ticket office.
This queue will have a yellow flag and will most likely be long.
Tip: Purchase your Eiffel Tower tickets online to avoid wasting time in ticket counter queues.
Ticket offices are available on both the East and West pillars of the Tower.
Visitors opting for stairs
If you plan to climb the stairs to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, you must head towards the South pillar and look for a Blue flag.
Stand in the queue marked by a Blue flag if you have to buy tickets for the stairs up to the second floor or stairs plus lift tickets to the Summit.
Your path within the Eiffel Tower
All visitors start on the second floor.
However, the path you will follow depends on the Eiffel Tower ticket you have in your hand.
Second-floor tickets
If you have the 2nd-floor tickets, you can take the lift or stairs to the second floor.
After taking in the Parisian views, you climb to the first floor to see numerous exhibits, including the glass floor.
You then get down to the Esplanade and exit the Eiffel Tower.
Summit tickets
If you have the Summit tickets, you take a lift to the top after visiting the second floor.
Once you have explored the Summit, you come down to the first floor to see the exhibits and finally get off the Tower.
Stairs tickets
If you have the stairs tickets, your path will be linear.
You will first climb to the first floor and then to the second floor.
Once you enjoy the fantastic views from the second floor, you will climb to the third floor (the Summit).
Finally, you will climb down all the floors, with the option to revisit the first and second floors on your way down.
Best photos of the Eiffel Tower: If you want a classic full-length shot of the Eiffel Tower, you must visit Place du Trocadero. It is right across the River Seine, about 1 Km away from the Eiffel Tower.
Eiffel Tower at night
At night, the Eiffel Tower is the main attraction of the ‘City of Lights.’
The Eiffel Tower looks mesmerizing during the night, and the night view from the Tower is even better.
Once you are on top, you can see the other Parisian landmarks lit up – Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, etc.
Eiffel Tower lights
The Eiffel Tower sparkles every night – for five minutes every hour.
The sparkling starts at dusk when the city lights up and usually ends at 1 am in the night.
However, on special nights such as Christmas, etc., it ends at 2 am.
During the sparkling, the tower is covered with golden lights, and 20000 light bulbs power the sparkling.
Eiffel Tower at day or night?
If you want to see the panoramic view and want to take pictures with Paris in the backdrop, you must schedule your visit during the day.
But if you want to experience the sunset and light shows, you must visit the Eiffel Tower at night.
Having said that, it isn’t easy to choose between the Eiffel Tower during the day and the Eiffel Tower at night.
If you are in Paris for more than five days, we suggest you make two visits – one during the day and another at night.
Are you planning to visit the Eiffel Tower at night? Follow the link to learn in detail about the lights show, sparkling, climbing the Tower, tickets, image rights, etc.
Crazy but true: Sid Frisjes is known as the Eiffel Tower finger guy for trying to ‘touch’ the Eiffel Tower.
View from the Eiffel Tower
View from the top of the Eiffel Tower is to die for. It is both romantic and thrilling.
No wonder more than 250 million visitors have climbed the Eiffel Tower in its 125-year history.
Check out some of the best views from Eiffel Tower observation decks –
Eiffel Tower restaurants
Eiffel Tower restaurants in Paris are popular with both locals and tourists.
This tourist attraction has two restaurants – 58 Tour Eiffel and Le Jules Verne.
The dress code for both restaurants is smart casual. Sportswear such as t-shirts, shorts, trainers, etc., is not allowed.
58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant
58 Tour Eiffel is a luxurious, newly redesigned restaurant located on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
It serves classic French cuisine with a variety of drinks.
Height: 58 meters (190 feet)
Le Jules Verne Restaurant
Le Jules Verne is a small yet excellent restaurant on the Eiffel Tower’s second floor.
It offers its visitors a variety of food, such as seafood, fusion, street food, French and European, and extraordinary views.
Height: 125 meters (410 feet)
For details such as timings, prices, menu, dress code, reservations, kid-friendliness etc of the Eiffel Tower restaurants, follow the link.
Dinner at Eiffel Tower
Dinner at the Eiffel Tower can be an unforgettable night out experience.
The fact that it is a combination of two classical Parisian experiences – exquisite French food and panoramic views from the Eiffel Tower makes it a unique experience.
If you opt for 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant, we recommend their 4-course dinner of classic French cuisine.
You can choose the 6.30 service or, if you prefer a late dinner, the 9.30 service.
Dinner time at Le Jules Verne is between 6 pm to 9.30 pm. Unfortunately, it does not serve dinner on 14 July.
Eiffel tower lunch
You don’t need to reserve a table for lunch at 58 Tour Eiffel.
You can walk in anytime between 11.30 am and 3.30 pm, and a table will be allocated to you, subject to availability.
Lunchtime at Le Jules Verne is from 12 pm to 1.30 pm.
Restaurants with a view of the Eiffel Tower
We recommend the below given three restaurants –
Le Ciel de Paris
Restaurant Le Ciel de Paris is on the 56th floor of Tour Montparnasse and offers a panoramic view of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower.
Even though this is a pricey restaurant, you will have to reserve in advance.
Le New York
This Cafe on Avenue de New York offers a great view of the tower from just across the Seine.
Chez Francis
Many tourists recommend Chez Francis as the perfect place for a spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower.
This classic brasserie is at Place de l’Alma and boasts a large terrace from which diners can enjoy the Parisian masterpiece.
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How to reach
The Eiffel Tower is in the center of Paris, on the banks of the River Seine.
It is on the Champs de Mars, a sizeable public greenspace in Paris, at 5 Avenue Anatole France in the 7th arrondissement of Paris.
Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France. Get Directions
You can reach the attraction by subway, bus, or car.
By Subway
Bir Hakeim station, served by Line 6, is just 650 meters from Eiffel Tower.
Ecole Militaire, served by Line 8, and Trocadéro, served by Line 9, are also nearby—around 1 km and can be reached in 15 minutes by walk.
If you take the RER C, Line 4, you must get down at Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel, which is just a five-minute walk from the monument.
By Bus
Depending on where you are starting, you can also board bus routes 82, 42, 69, 87, and 72 to get to the Eiffel Tower.
By Car
If you’re traveling by car, turn on Google Maps and get started.
There are a few car parking garages where you can park your vehicle.
FAQs about the Eiffel Tower
Here are a few questions visitors usually ask before visiting the Eiffel Tower.
How many stairs are there in the Eiffel Tower?
There are 1665 steps from the Esplanade (ground level) to the top level of the Eiffel Tower.
What is the Summit at the Eiffel Tower?
The third floor, or the topmost floor of the Eiffel Tower, is usually referred to as Eiffel Tower Summit.
It is accessible to all tourists who have an Eiffel Tower Summit ticket.
Which floor offers the best view – the 2nd floor or 3rd floor (Summit)?
The second floor offers more beautiful and better views than the top floor, as it’s a little bit harder to see the city’s beautiful landmarks from the top floor or the Summit.
Many times, just because of its height, the city becomes cloudier and hazier at the top, and viewers might not see it clearly.
Is it worth going up to the Eiffel Tower Summit?
If you are visiting the Eiffel Tower, you must also visit the Eiffel Tower Summit.
Though it costs extra to visit the top, it’s totally worth it.
To see Gustav Eiffel’s office on top of the Eiffel Tower is a lifetime opportunity.
Do I have to take stairs or an elevator to go up to the Eiffel Tower Summit?
Only an elevator can take you up the Eiffel Tower Summit. There is no option to climb the stairs.
The lift for the top floor must be taken from the second floor as no single elevator works from the ground directly to the top of the tower.
Where can I buy tickets for the Eiffel Tower Summit?
To visit the Summit, you must buy your tickets from the ground floor or purchase them online in advance.
Some visitors prefer to go up to the second floor and then decide if they want to visit the Tower’s Summit.
For such visitors, a limited number of Eiffel Tower Summit tickets are sold on the second floor. However, there is no guarantee that you will get one on the day of your visit.
That’s why buying Eiffel Tower Summit tickets in advance is better.
Can I buy last-minute tickets to the Eiffel Tower?
If you decide to visit the Parisian attraction on a whim, buying the Eiffel Tower tickets at the last minute is possible.
You have two options: either arrive early and line up at the ticketing queue or buy your tickets online up to three hours before your visit.
Source
# Toureiffel.paris
# Wikipedia.org
# Britannica.com
# Tripadvisor.com
The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.
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