Climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower is a must on any trip to Paris. It means getting up close to a monument that is in itself the symbol of a country, admiring the iron structure designed by Gustave Eiffel, and enjoying a breathtaking view of the capital. We tell you everything you need to know about this unique experience that will leave a lasting impression on your memory.
Is it worth climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
Yes, climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower is a truly worthwhile experience. For a start, it gives you an inside view of the structure designed by Gustave Eiffel. But on top of that, the view from the different floors is simply spectacular. What's more, the spectacle changes according to the light: the atmosphere is calmer and the light diffused in the early morning, while sunsets can be magical, and at nightfall, the nickname of City of Light takes on its full meaning.
What are the different options for climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
The building has three floors open to the public. Here are the different options for climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower:
- 2nd floor ticket by the stairs: you will climb to the second floor, 115 metres above ground level, entirely on foot, by climbing 674 steps. It will take you around 15 minutes to reach the first floor, which you can visit freely, and a further 15 minutes to reach the second floor. This is the cheapest option for climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
- 2nd floor ticket by lift: you will go up to the first and second floors of the Eiffel Tower using the historic lift. You can choose to come back down on foot or by lift. This tour takes 1 hour 30 minutes in total and can be booked here.
Book my access to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower
- 3rd floor ticket by stairs and lift: you'll walk up to the first floor, then the second floor, and finally take a lift to the top, the nickname given to the third floor, 276 metres above the ground. This is the most complete tour, as it combines visits on foot and by lift, and includes all the floors. This offer takes 2 hours in total and can be booked here.
- 3rd floor ticket by lift: you will first board the lift to the2nd floor, then immediately another lift to the3rd floor. At the top there is a champagne bar and a reconstruction of Gustave Eiffel's office. On the way back down, you can stop off at the second and first floors. From the second, you can choose to descend on foot or by lift.
In addition to these four main offers, you can book special offers, such as sipping a glass of champagne, treating yourself to brunch at Madame Brasserie on the first floor or taking a guided tour , bookable here.
What you need to know before climbing the Eiffel Tower
Here is all the information you need to know about climbing the Eiffel Tower.
What are the prices and opening times?
Here are the different prices for climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower:
- 2nd floor ticket via the stairs: €14.50 full price. 7.30 for young people (aged 12 to 24). 3.70 for children (aged 4 to 11) or people with disabilities. Free for children under 4.
- 2nd floor ticket by lift: €23.10 full price. 11.60 for young people (aged 12 to 24). 5.90 for children (aged 4 to 11) or disabled visitors. Free for children under 4.
- Ticket for3rd floor via stairs and lift: €27.50 full price. 13.80 for young people (aged 12 to 24). 6.90 for children (aged 4 to 11) or people with disabilities. Free for children under 4.
- Ticket for3rd floor via lift: €36.10 full price. 18.10 for young people (aged 12 to 24). 9.10 for children (aged 4 to 11) or disabled visitors. Free for children under 4.
Times vary depending on the date, attendance and conditions on the day. Generally speaking, it is possible to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower from 9.30am to around 11.45pm. The last entrance is allowed one hour before the site closes. The staircases sometimes close earlier. Access to the upper floors may also be closed in bad weather. In this case, consult our guide to activities in Paris when it rains for more ideas, or our selection ofactivities in Paris with children when it rains.
Article to read: for those on a budget, check out our ideas forfree activities in Paris.
Where do I buy tickets to get in?
You can buy tickets to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower either on site or online here. By booking online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket offices.
Tickets to the third floor of the Eiffel Tower are in great demand and go quickly. So buy them as early as possible. Please note that they go on sale 60 days in advance. They are also sold on site, but the ticket offices stop selling them as soon as the summit is saturated.
Go here to book your ticket to the Eiffel Tower with optional access to the summit.
Article to read: see our guide to activities in Paris with children for more family outings.
How do I get to the Eiffel Tower?
There are three metro stations nearby, as well as an RER station:
- Bir Hakeim station, on line 6 (closest to the Eiffel Tower)
- Trocadéro station on line 9 (the station offers a great view of the Tower as soon as you get off the metro)
- École Militaire station on line 8
- Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel station on RER line C
Article to read: plan your stay in Paris with our 3-day itinerary.
What can you see from the top of the tower?
From the different floors of the Eiffel Tower, you can see the whole of Paris in a single glance, making for a highly romantic moment that's ideal for a romantic outing in Paris, but also for families or friends. You can admire the Trocadero, the golden dome of the Invalides, the Louvre, one of the best museums in Paris, Notre-Dame cathedral, the Montmartre hill and the La Défense business district.
Are there guided tours to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
There are several options for guided tours, up to the second or third floor. Guided tours are available in small groups, in French or English, and last around 1 hour 30 minutes. The guide will explain the history of the Eiffel Tower, its structure, how its historic lifts work and anecdotes about Gustave Eiffel.
Book my guided tour of the Eiffel Tower
Who can get to the top of the Eiffel Tower? Is there PRM access?
The top of the Eiffel Tower, i.e. the third floor, is not accessible to people with reduced mobility, for safety reasons. However, the first and second floors are accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Please also note that non-folding pushchairs, bicycles and scooters are not accepted. Pets are not allowed either, with the exception of those trained to accompany people recognised as disabled.
See also the most popular options for climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower:
