Buy Eiffel Tower tickets through the official site first; use vetted ticket platforms when summit slots are sold out.
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For most visitors deciding where to buy tickets for the Eiffel Tower, the smartest order is simple: try the official Eiffel Tower ticket office first, then compare reputable attraction platforms if your preferred date, summit access, or guided visit is unavailable.
The Eiffel Tower uses timed tickets, and the most popular elevator-to-summit slots can disappear before peak travel dates. Buying ahead matters more than choosing a fancy ticket name: the real decision is whether you want the lowest official price, a hosted entry, a guided visit, or a fallback when official inventory is gone.
Buying Eiffel Tower Tickets: Official, Partner, And On-Site Choices
The Eiffel Tower’s official online ticket office is the safest place to buy regular 2nd-floor and summit tickets at the published rate. Third-party sellers make sense when official tickets are gone, when you want a guide, or when a combo ticket fits your Paris day.
The official site sells time-stamped e-tickets for the 2nd floor or summit, usually with the lowest direct price. You receive the ticket by email and show it on your phone or printed copy at the entrance.
Use this order when choosing where to buy:
- Official Eiffel Tower ticket office: lowest direct price for standard access, with timed entry.
- Official on-site ticket counters: useful for same-day attempts, but lines can be long and summit access can be limited.
- Reputable ticket platforms: useful for guided visits, hosted entry, last-minute availability, or bundles with a Seine cruise.
- Hotel concierge or tour desk: fine for convenience, but check the exact ticket type and total cost before paying.
Compare current Eiffel Tower ticket options before you lock in a time slot:
How Far Ahead Should You Buy Eiffel Tower Tickets?
Eiffel Tower tickets should be bought as soon as your Paris dates are firm, especially for June through September, school vacations, weekends, and sunset visits. Elevator tickets are typically released up to 60 days ahead, while stair tickets are typically released closer to the visit date.
The official Eiffel Tower ticket office states that elevator tickets are sold online up to 60 days in advance and stair tickets up to 30 days in advance. Same-day online tickets may appear, but the most flexible plan is to book early and treat last-minute tickets as a backup.
Morning slots work well for shorter lines and clearer pacing. Sunset slots are popular because visitors can see Paris in daylight, then stay for the city lights if timing works. Late evening tickets can feel calmer in warm months, but top-floor access can still close during harsh weather or peak crowding.
Scam check: no ticket lets you skip Eiffel Tower security screening. A seller can offer hosted entry or reserved access, but every visitor still passes required security checks.
Current Eiffel Tower Ticket Types And Prices
Eiffel Tower ticket prices depend on how high you go and whether you use stairs, elevators, or a guided visit. The official Eiffel Tower site lists adult standard access from €14.80 for stairs to the 2nd floor to €36.70 for summit access by elevator, which is roughly $17 to $43 at recent exchange rates.
The official Eiffel Tower rates and opening times page is the source to check before paying, since prices, closures, and access rules can change by date.
| Ticket Type | What It Includes | Rough Adult Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd floor by stairs | Stair access to the 1st and 2nd floors | €14.80, about $17 |
| 2nd floor by elevator | Elevator access to the 2nd floor | €23.50, about $27 |
| Summit by stairs and elevator | Stairs to the 2nd floor, then elevator to the top | €28.00, about $32 |
| Summit by elevator | Elevators to the 2nd floor and top | €36.70, about $43 |
| Guided tour to the 2nd floor | Official guide with facilitated access to the 2nd floor | €53.50, about $62 |
| Guided visit with summit access | Guided 2nd-floor visit plus access to the top | €66.70, about $77 |
| Guided tour to the top | Official guide through all public levels | €71.70, about $83 |
Reduced rates apply for eligible youth, children, and disabled visitors with proof. Children under 4 need a free ticket, and the accompanying adult still pays the adult fare.
Should You Use Third-Party Sellers?
Third-party sellers are useful when the official Eiffel Tower site has no ticket for your preferred time, but the right seller depends on what is actually included. A standard resale-style ticket at a high markup is weak value, while a guided visit can be worth the extra cost for a first visit.
Check three details before paying any non-official seller:
- Floor access: 2nd floor access is not the same as summit access.
- Entry style: hosted entry, guided tour, and audio guide are different products.
- Final cost: compare the total per adult after fees, not the first price shown.
A guided Eiffel Tower visit can be helpful if you want context, a host to manage entry, or a smoother plan with kids or older travelers. A basic official ticket is better if you only want the view and can find the time slot you want.
For a guided Paris visit that includes Eiffel Tower access or pairs the tower with nearby sights, compare current tour options here:
What To Do If Official Tickets Are Sold Out
Official Eiffel Tower tickets selling out online does not always mean your visit is impossible. Same-day on-site tickets may still be sold for immediate entry, and reputable platforms may have guided or hosted options for the same date.
Start by checking nearby time slots, then switch between summit and 2nd-floor access. The 2nd floor still gives the classic Paris view, and it is often easier to secure than the summit.
If nothing works, try this fallback order:
- Check early morning and late evening slots on the official ticket office.
- Look for 2nd-floor access instead of summit access.
- Compare guided-entry tickets from reputable platforms.
- Arrive at the on-site ticket office before your preferred visiting window.
- Choose a nearby viewpoint such as Trocadéro if weather or sellouts wreck the plan.
Large groups need extra care. Starting September 29, 2026, groups of more than nine people, including the guide, must buy through the professional online system rather than the public ticket office.
Where To Stay Near The Eiffel Tower
Staying near the Eiffel Tower works well for first-time visitors who want an easy evening walk to the tower and a short ride to the Seine, Invalides, and the museums on the Left Bank. The trade-off is that hotel prices around the 7th arrondissement can run higher than in neighborhoods farther east.
Good nearby bases include the 7th arrondissement for quiet streets and classic views, Passy for a more residential feel across the river, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés if you want better dining and metro access with a short ride to the tower.
Compare Paris hotel locations on a map before choosing a room near the tower:
Which Eiffel Tower Ticket Should You Buy?
The right Eiffel Tower ticket is the cheapest one that matches your mobility, time, and view goal. For most first-time visitors, summit by elevator is the simple choice; for budget travelers, stairs to the 2nd floor gives the strongest value.
- Buy 2nd floor by stairs if you want the lowest price and can handle the climb.
- Buy 2nd floor by elevator if you want a shorter, easier visit without paying for the top.
- Buy summit by elevator if this is your first Eiffel Tower visit and the top is the point of the trip.
- Buy stairs plus summit elevator if you want to save money and still reach the top.
- Buy a guided ticket if official slots are gone or you want a host to handle the flow.
Wheelchair users and visitors with reduced mobility should avoid summit and stair tickets, since the official site says the top and stairways are not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Choose 2nd-floor elevator access and confirm the current access rules before purchase.
If your date is firm, compare ticket availability before the best times disappear:
References & Sources
- Eiffel Tower Official Website.“Ticket Rates And Opening Times.”Supports current ticket types, adult prices, reduced-rate notes, access rules, and opening-time cautions.