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Landmark · Paris

Eiffel Tower Tickets & Guide 2026 | Prices, Tips, Best Times

The Eiffel Tower seen from below through trees in spring blossom
Photo: Jorge Royan, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

By Emma · Updated · 2 min read

TL;DR
  • Book timed lift tickets online as soon as your dates are fixed
  • Stairs to the second floor are cheaper and usually less busy
  • The tower sparkles for five minutes on the hour after dark
  • Trocadéro gives the classic photo; Champ de Mars the close-up
Type
Landmark
Where
Paris
Time needed
2-3 hours
Admission
from about €15 (stairs) to about €36 (lift to the top) (2026), book ahead

When it opened for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, Gustave Eiffel's tower was meant to stand for just 20 years. Instead it became the symbol of Paris and of France, and one of the most visited paid monuments in the world. At 330m, it was the tallest structure on the planet until 1930.

What you'll see

There are three levels open to visitors:

  • First floor (57m): a glass floor, exhibits about the tower's construction and a café.
  • Second floor (116m): arguably the best views, close enough to pick out the Seine, Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and Sacré-Cœur.
  • Summit (276m): an open-air platform with Eiffel's restored office and a champagne bar, reached by a separate lift from the second floor.

After dark, the tower is lit up in gold, and for five minutes at the start of each hour it sparkles with thousands of flashing lights.

Practical information

  • Tickets: expect from about €15 to climb the stairs to the second floor and about €36 for the lift to the summit in 2026. Buy timed tickets on the official website, which opens sales about 60 days ahead, and check current prices.
  • Getting there: Bir-Hakeim (metro line 6) and Trocadéro (lines 6 and 9) are a short walk away, as is Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel on RER C.
  • Security: everyone goes through airport-style checks before entering the site, so allow extra time and travel light.
  • Best time to go: the first slot of the morning, or just before sunset to see the city in daylight and lit up. Summer evenings and school holidays are busiest.

If summit tickets have sold out, book the stairs. The 674 steps to the second floor take about 30 minutes and you'll skip the longest lift queues.

The classic photo is from the Trocadéro gardens across the river. Pair your visit with a Seine cruise from the nearby quays, or with the Louvre on another day.

Where is Eiffel Tower?

Open in OpenStreetMap · 48.85822, 2.29450

Frequently asked questions

How long does a visit to the Eiffel Tower take?

Allow two to three hours including security and queues, or more if you go to the summit at a busy time.

Is it worth going to the top?

For the full experience, yes, but many people find the second floor gives better, more detailed views of Paris.

Can you visit the Eiffel Tower in bad weather?

Yes, though the summit can close in high winds or storms and views may be limited by low cloud.

Written by

Emma City breaks & deals editor

Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.

More from Emma

Opening times and ticket prices change often; check the official website shortly before you visit.