Paris, the city of dreams and romance, is one of the world’s top destinations. Nothing captures its essence better than the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Built for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, this masterpiece by engineer Gustave Eiffel is a must-see attraction.
With its rich history, architectural brilliance, and stunning city views, the Eiffel Tower attracts travelers worldwide.
This article covers everything you need to know before booking your tickets to the Eiffel Tower.
Top Eiffel Tower Tickets
# Second-floor access + Summit (optional)
It is better to buy your tickets online in advance to avoid last-minute disappointment.
# Elevator Access to the Second Floor + Audio Guide
# Climbing Experience
# Small-group Guided Visit to the Summit
# Dining at Madame Brasserie
Things to know before booking tickets
Eiffel Tower tickets are available online and at the attraction.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out. Booking early also helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
To book tickets, go to the ticket page and select the number of tickets and preferred date and time slot.
Once you complete the bookings, tickets will be mailed to you. You do not need to carry printouts.
You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone and walk in. Please carry a valid ID.
Eiffel Tower tickets
Here are some tours and itineraries to help you plan your visit to this iconic attraction.
Second-floor access + Summit (optional)
Experience the iconic Eiffel Tower with an expert, English-speaking guide, beginning with a brief history session a short walk from the tower.
This ticket includes priority access and elevator rides to the first and second floors, where you’ll learn about the tower’s 18,000-part construction.
Enhance your visit with optional summit access for breathtaking views of Paris, including the Arc de Triomphe and the River Seine.
At the summit, explore Gustave Eiffel’s former office or enjoy a drink at the bar.
Please note: Summit access must be selected at checkout.
Ticket Price: €99
Buy This TicketIf you need assistance navigating to the Eiffel Tower entrance, opt for the second-floor elevator access with a host and an optional Summit ticket. This ticket includes priority access to the Eiffel Tower.
Elevator Access to the Second Floor + Audio Guide
With this ticket, you can enjoy swift entry to the Eiffel Tower, with priority access that lets you bypass the queues and head straight to the first and second floors via elevator.
From these vantage points, take in panoramic views of Paris, including landmarks like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and La Grande Arche de la Défense.
Learn about the tower’s rich history and the city itself with a downloadable audio guide.
On the second floor, challenge yourself to walk on the transparent walkway 57 meters above the ground.
This ticket includes a tour escort to guide you through the first security check, ensuring a seamless and informative visit to Paris’s most iconic monument.
Ticket Price (4+ years): €79
Buy This TicketClimbing Experience
With this ticket, you can enter the Eiffel Tower with access to the 1st and 2nd floors. This is a climbing adventure.
You will not be taking the elevators but will be challenging yourself to a 704-stair climb to the second floor of the Tower.
If you add the Summit Tour option, you will take the elevator from the second floor, as the general populace is only allowed to climb the stairs up to the second floor.
An English-speaking guide will accompany you on the tour.
If you have booked the summit tour, it will be unguided.
Please note that you will have to queue at the Tower ticketing booth to collect your tickets for this tour.
It will take you around 30-40 minutes to ascend the stairs to the second floor, depending on your fitness level.
Food and drinks are not included in the tour expenses.
Ticket Prices
Adult (19+ years): €54
Child (4 to 18 years): €49
Infant (up to 3 years): Free
Small-group Guided Visit to the Summit
With this priority access ticket, you can take an elevator ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower and soak up spectacular panoramic views.
Join a small group of no more than 10 people and a professional English-speaking guide for an insider’s tour of Paris’s number one landmark.
Begin at the base, where your guide will take you to the second floor by elevator, sharing fascinating facts about the tower’s controversial history and near-demolition.
From there, ascend to the summit for unparalleled views of Parisian landmarks such as Montmartre, the Louvre Museum, and the Arc de Triomphe.
You can even peek inside Gustave Eiffel’s apartment.
Your ticket includes elevator access to the first, second, and top floors, as well as access to security check shortcuts, ensuring a smooth and informative visit.
Ticket Price: €140
Buy This TicketDining at Madame Brasserie
Elevate your Parisian experience with a luxurious meal at Madame Brasserie, the elegant restaurant on the first level of the Eiffel Tower.
Enjoy spectacular city views through large windows while savoring gourmet French cuisine crafted by committed artisan chef Thierry Marx, who infuses his dishes with local, seasonal ingredients and a touch of Asian inspiration.
Whether for lunch or dinner, guests receive priority access to the Eiffel Tower, including a dedicated queue for the restaurant and elevator access to the first floor.
The welcoming wait staff and beautifully adorned Parisian-style interior featuring classic French artwork create an unforgettable dining atmosphere.
Indulge in traditional French dishes paired with fine wines, making your visit to the Eiffel Tower a truly memorable culinary adventure.
Ticket Prices
Lunch at Madame Brasserie
Menu Brasserie – Adult (12+ years): €62
Menu Madame without drinks – Adult (12+ years): €80
Menu Madame – Adult (12+ years): €96
Child (4 to 11 years): €39
Dinner at Madame Brasserie
Menu Crustave – Adult (12+ years): €129
Menu Grande Dame – Adult (12+ years): €186
Child (4 to 11 years): €46
How long does the tour take
The Eiffel Tower tour takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to complete.
For those planning to visit the second floor exclusively, 2 hours should suffice.
If you intend to explore the summit or dine at one of the restaurants, it’s advisable to budget an additional hour.
However, it’s good to plan for an extra hour as the waiting times for security checks and elevator rides result in delays at times.
Best time to visit Eiffel Tower
The best time to visit is before 11 am in the morning on non-holiday weekdays.
The Tower is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and gets heavy footfall, especially in the peak tourist months of mid-June to September.
Visiting during off-peak hours and months will let you tour the tower in relative leisure and lessen the arduous security check and elevator waiting times, which can go as high as 40 minutes during peak hours.
After twilight, every hour strike till closing, the Tower sparkles for five minutes in a dazzling show of thousands of lights.
FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions visitors ask before booking tickets for the Eiffel Tower.
While the summit view is jaw-dropping, and you can see a transcendent view of Paris from a giddy, incredible height, most people prefer the second-floor view.
The second-floor view allows you to soar over all of Paris while still allowing you to spot and distinguish between Paris’ legendary attractions and buildings.
The summit view is too high for you to spot everything you are looking for.
The Tower is approximately 330 meters (1083 feet) tall, including its antennas.
The Tower has a total of 1710 steps. However, visitors are allowed to climb only to the second level using the staircase, which has 674 steps. The rest of the ascent to the top level must be done by elevator.
Yes, the Tower provides wheelchair access and also allows service animals.
What to expect at Eiffel Tower
Admire the Eiffel Tower’s intricate lattice-work as you approach this 324-meter marvel of 19th-century engineering, made from over 18,000 iron pieces and 2.5 million rivets.
Explore the Champ de Mars, then ascend to the first floor with skip-the-line tickets to enjoy breathtaking views of Paris.
Savor a three-course lunch by chef Thierry Marx, and walk on the thrilling glass floor.
Continue to the second level for stunning city views, and reach the summit for the ultimate panorama, complete with a glass of champagne.
End with a scenic Seine River cruise.
Eiffel Tower restaurants
Le Jules Verne
Le Jules Verne, on the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower, offers a captivating dining experience with stunning views of Paris.
The restaurant features three dining rooms overlooking Quai Branly, Trocadéro, and Champ de Mars.
Diners can enjoy the culinary creations of chef Frédéric Anton, including inventive dishes from the 5 or 7 course Tasting Menu.
An intimate alcove for four and the exclusive Le Comptoir provide unique perspectives of the Tower’s mechanics.
Master sommeliers curate premier wines to complement the exquisite meals, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
Madame Brasserie
Madame Brasserie, located in the Eiffel Tower, offers a sophisticated dining experience with a focus on contemporary and sustainable cuisine.
Chef Thierry Marx uses locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to create dishes like blue lobster with quinoa and chicken cannelloni gratin.
The menu caters to both families during the day and offers a refined evening experience.
Lunch starts at €48 with two services, while dinner begins at €90. Reservations are recommended.
The brasserie operates from 10 am to 11 pm, aligning with the Tower’s seasonal opening hours.
