How to skip the line at the Eiffel Tower?

If you are in Paris for a day, a weekend or several days, you cannot pass by the Eiffel Tower without visiting it. This must-see monument in the City of Light was built for the 1889 Universal Exhibition by the engineer Gustave Eiffel. From the top of its 324 meters, the Iron Lady attracts numerous visitors every year. This is why it is necessary to prepare your visit to avoid queuing for several hours. 

How to visit the Eiffel Tower?

During your visit to the French capital, we recommend that you opt for a guided tour of Paris which will allow you to take on the emblematic districts and monuments of the City of Light, like the famous Eiffel Tower. Depending on your motivation and physical condition, you can visit the Iron Lady by day or night, on foot or by lift. It is better to visit at low-traffic times such as in the morning between 9 and 11 a.m. or in the evening after 8 p.m. to avoid three-hour-long queues. Keep in mind, however, that it is always crowded to visit this historic Parisian monument. 

Go up to the second floor via the stairs

You can visit the Eiffel Tower up to the second floor by taking the stairs. This is the highest point you can reach on foot. The top of the tower is only accessible by lift. For the record, there are stairs to the third floor, but these are reserved exclusively for the emergency evacuation of tourists. In case of heavy rain, access to the stairs may be closed. To reach the first floor, you must first climb 400 steps. In total, you will have to climb more than 700 steps to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower. So you have to be sure of your choice when you opt for this way of visiting the Parisian monument. Nevertheless, it is the cheapest and most breathtaking option. Walking up the Eiffel Tower is a magical experience that you will not regret. 

Go up to the second floor by lift

The most classic and most popular visit, access to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower by lift allows you to discover the building easily and without bothering too much. If you remember to book your ticket in advance, you will save precious time that will allow you to visit other places in Paris. Once you reach the 2nd floor, you can enjoy an exceptional view of the whole city of Paris and the Seine. This visit is really worth it!

Go up to the third floor (top)

If you have the opportunity to visit the Eiffel Tower on a day when the sky is completely clear, the climb to the top is absolutely incredible. You will get a real sense of height from the 3rd floor of the monument. Those suffering from vertigo should probably refrain from doing so. The view from the top is simply breathtaking and will not disappoint you. To get there, you first have to walk or take a lift up to the 2nd floor and then take another lift to the top. Sensations guaranteed!

When to visit the Tower to avoid excessive waiting?

The number of visitors can vary greatly depending on the time of year, the day of the week or the time of day. To avoid a long queue, or to enjoy a visit without the inconvenience of overcrowding, you can choose the periods when the crowds are lowest.

You can avoid holiday periods in France and neighbouring countries (United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Italy) when the most emblematic monument in Paris is crowded.

Outside of the high season and school holidays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are generally the days when the Eiffel Tower is least crowded. To avoid excessive queuing, we advise you to avoid Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

To enjoy optimal visiting conditions, you can start your visit in the morning, before 10:30 a.m., or prefer the end of the day or the evening, after 5:00 p.m.

Which tickets to avoid the queue at the Eiffel Tower?

You can buy your tickets on the official website of the Eiffel Tower in order to avoid queuing for several hours before getting the coveted grail. By doing so, you will certainly optimise your stay in the capital. The tickets are systematically nominative and valid only on a specific date with a time slot to be respected. However, bear in mind that the number of tickets sold on the official website is limited per person and some tickets are sold exclusively on site. 

The rates decreed by the official ticket office are as follows:

• Ticket to the 2nd floor by stairs: 11,30€ per adult / 5,60€ for 12-24 years old / 2,80€ for 4-11 years old.
• Ticket to the top floor by stairs then elevator: 21,50€ per adult / 10,70€ for 12-24 years old / 5,40€ for 4-11 years old.
• Ticket to the 2nd floor by elevator: 18,10€ per adult / 9,00€ for 12-24 years old / 4,50€ for 4-11 years old.
• Ticket to the top by elevator: 28,30€ per adult / 14,10€ for 12-24 years old / 7,10€ for 4-11 years old.
  

Good to know: the price of a ticket for children under the age of 4 and people receiving the active solidarity income (RSA) is free. Disabled people benefit from a reduced fare (the same as for children aged between 4 and 11) on presentation of proof. 

How to get to the Eiffel Tower?

If you plan to visit the Eiffel Tower during your holiday in Paris, there are many ways to get there:

• By metro: stop at Trocadero (lines 6 and 9), Bir-Hakeim (line 6) or École militaire (line 8)
• By bus: lines 42, 69, 82 and 87 take you to the Champ-de-Mars or Tour Eiffel stop
• By RER: take RER line C to Champ-de-Mars/Tour Eiffel
• By bike or electric scooter: self-service Vélib’, Lime, Dott and Tier stations are available throughout the city
• By car: you can park in a nearby car park (Quai Branly, Pullman, Saint-Dominique…)

However, we advise you to take the metro to Trocadero station. This will give you the opportunity to admire the Eiffel Tower from the esplanade. An exceptional panorama which is immortalized by the traditional photo of the Iron Lady. 

This is also the perfect time to learn more about this French building thanks to our guided tour around the Eiffel Tower, which will reveal unusual, technical and historical facts about it. After enjoying the view and listening to the fascinating stories of our audio guide on your own, it’s a 10-minute walk to the entrance of the Parisian monument. 

Address of the Eiffel Tower: Champ-de-Mars, 5 avenue Anatole France – 75007 Paris