Ticket to the Eiffel Tower | Which One To Buy

Buy Eiffel Tower summit lift access for the full view; choose second-floor stairs if price matters more.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Choosing a Ticket to the Eiffel Tower sounds simple until the official site shows elevators, stairs, summit access, youth rates, guided visits, champagne add-ons, and sold-out sunset slots. The right pick comes down to one decision: do you want the cheapest way onto the tower, the full summit view, or the lowest-stress timed entry?

For most first-time visitors to Paris, the summit elevator ticket is the right splurge because it reaches the top viewing deck at 276 meters. Travelers who care more about value should choose the stairs to the second floor, which still gives a strong Paris view from about 116 meters for far less money.

For live ticket availability by time slot, compare current Eiffel Tower entry options before you shape the rest of your Paris day:

Which Eiffel Tower Ticket Should You Buy?

The summit elevator ticket is the strongest all-round choice for a first visit, while the stairs-to-second-floor ticket is the value pick. The second-floor elevator ticket works well for families, travelers short on time, and anyone who wants the view without the climb.

The Eiffel Tower has three public levels: the first floor at 57 meters, the second floor at about 116 meters, and the summit at 276 meters. A second-floor ticket gives wide views over the Seine, Trocadéro, Les Invalides, and the Paris rooftops. A summit ticket adds the top-level experience, higher wind, tighter space, and a more complete sense of the tower’s height.

• Choose summit by elevator if this is your first Paris trip and you want the full tower experience.
• Choose second floor by stairs if you want the lowest official adult price and can handle 674 steps.
• Choose second floor by elevator if you want the view with less physical effort.
• Choose stairs plus summit elevator if you want value and still want the top.

Practical gate: the official site says the summit and stairways are not suitable for people with limited mobility, so elevator access to the lower levels is the safer plan for many travelers.

How Much Does A Ticket To The Eiffel Tower Cost?

Eiffel Tower adult tickets currently run from €14.80 for second-floor stairs to €36.70 for summit access by elevator. Using a rough €1 to $1.14 conversion, that puts the main adult tickets at about $17 to $42 before any exchange-card fees.

The official Eiffel Tower rates page lists the current public prices, access rules, and closure notes; check Eiffel Tower ticket rates and opening times before paying, because summit access can be restricted during severe weather or heavy visitor periods.

Children under 4 need a free ticket, and reduced rates require proof. Youth pricing usually applies to ages 12 to 24, while child pricing applies to ages 4 to 11.

Summit, Second Floor, Or Stairs

The summit is the right choice for the classic once-only Eiffel Tower visit, but the second floor is better value for many travelers. The second floor has more space, clearer landmarks, and less of the boxed-in feeling that can happen at the top.

The summit matters most if you want the highest public viewpoint on the Eiffel Tower. The viewing area is smaller, colder, and windier, but it gives the bragging-rights view and a sharper sense of scale over Paris.

The second floor is the practical sweet spot. The monuments are easier to identify from there, the city feels close enough to read, and the lower price leaves room in the budget for a Seine cruise, museum ticket, or dinner nearby.

The stairs option is not a minor walk. The climb to the second floor covers 674 steps, so it suits active travelers, not anyone managing knee pain, tight timing, or young children who may tire halfway up.

Best Time Slot For Your Eiffel Tower Visit

Morning slots usually give the calmest visit, while sunset slots sell out faster and feel busier. Night visits trade some long-distance detail for the Paris lights and the tower’s after-dark atmosphere.

The Eiffel Tower is showing 9:00 a.m. to midnight hours across early July dates, and the official calendar notes that times can change. The tower is also listed as closed to the public on July 13, 2026, rather than July 14.

• Morning: easier security flow, clearer air on many days, and better odds of a smoother elevator queue.
• Late afternoon: strong light for photos, with higher demand as sunset approaches.
• Evening: a better city-lights mood, but landmark spotting becomes harder from the upper levels.

Arrive early for your timed entry. Security screening happens before you reach the elevators or stairs, and large luggage is not allowed because there is no left-luggage facility at the tower.

Buying Official Tickets Versus Timed Entry Tours

Official tickets are the lowest-price route when your preferred date and level are available. Timed entry tours cost more, but they can make sense when official summit tickets are gone or when you want help getting through the entry flow.

Start with the official ticket office for price. Then compare timed entry options only if your date is sold out, your group needs an English-speaking host, or you want to bundle the tower with a Seine River cruise or another Paris attraction.

Avoid vague “Eiffel Tower view” products when you mean tower entry. Some experiences include photos from outside, a nearby meal, or a guided walk without admission to the summit, so read the access level before paying.

Where To Stay Near The Eiffel Tower

Paris travelers who want the easiest Eiffel Tower visit should stay in the 7th arrondissement, Trocadéro, or around Dupleix and La Motte-Picquet. Those areas keep the tower close without forcing every meal and museum visit into the same corner of the city.

The 7th arrondissement is closest for walking, Trocadéro is better for photos and views, and the Dupleix area often feels more residential with better Metro access for the rest of Paris. Staying farther east near Saint-Germain-des-Prés or the Louvre can also work if the Eiffel Tower is one stop in a wider Paris plan.

Use a hotel map after you pick your ticket time, because walking distance matters more for early morning and late evening slots:

Your Ticket Pick By Trip Style

The right Eiffel Tower ticket is the one that matches your energy, budget, and reason for going up the tower. For a once-in-a-lifetime Paris visit, buy summit elevator access; for value, choose the stairs to the second floor; for comfort, choose the second-floor elevator ticket.

• First Paris trip: summit by elevator, because the full-height view is the memory most travelers came for.
• Budget trip: second floor by stairs, because it is the lowest official adult ticket and still gives a real tower visit.
• Family trip: second floor by elevator, because it avoids the climb and keeps the visit simpler.
• Active travelers: stairs plus summit elevator, because it cuts the price while keeping summit access.
• Sold-out date: compare timed entry ticket options, then check that the listing says second floor or summit access clearly.

If summit access is the point of your visit, secure that slot first and plan the rest of the day around it: