For the Eiffel Tower, buy timed official entry early; summit access gives the widest view, while second floor is cheaper.
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Paris planning gets easier once you know which Eiffel Tower tickets fit your budget, your legs, and your tolerance for lines. The main choice is not whether to visit the tower; it is whether the summit is worth the extra cost over the second floor, and whether stairs save enough money to suit your day.
For most first-time visitors, the summit by elevator is the full version. For tighter budgets, the second floor by elevator still gives the classic Paris view, with less money spent and less waiting once you are inside the monument.
After you choose the level you want, compare live ticket and hosted-entry options here:
How Does Eiffel Tower Entry Work?
Eiffel Tower entry is sold by level and by ascent method: elevator to the second floor, elevator to the summit, stairs to the second floor, or stairs plus elevator to the summit. Every paid visit still passes through security, so timed entry skips the ticket office line, not the security check.
The tower has three public visitor levels: first floor, second floor, and summit. A second-floor ticket includes access to the first floor as you come down. A summit ticket includes the lower levels too, so it is the more complete visit if clouds, wind, and availability cooperate.
Good rule: choose summit access for a once-in-Paris view, second floor for value, and stairs only if your group is fit and happy with 674 steps to the second floor.
Eiffel Tower Ticket Types And Current Prices
Current official adult rates run from €14.80 for stairs to the second floor to €36.70 for summit access by elevator. USD estimates below use about $1.16 per €1, so exchange rates and card fees can shift the final charge a little.
| Ticket Type | What It Includes | Adult Price |
|---|---|---|
| Second floor by elevator | Elevator access to the second floor, with first-floor access on the way down | €23.50, about $27 |
| Summit by elevator | Elevators to the second floor, then onward to the summit | €36.70, about $43 |
| Second floor by stairs | Stair access to the first and second floors | €14.80, about $17 |
| Summit by stairs plus elevator | Stairs to the second floor, then elevator to the summit | €28.00, about $32 |
| Second floor with champagne | Elevator access to the second floor plus a glass served there | €44.50, about $52 |
| Summit with champagne | Summit elevator access plus a glass served at the summit bar | €60.70, about $70 |
| Official guided visit to second floor | Facilitated access with an Eiffel Tower staff guide | €53.50, about $62 |
| Official guided visit to summit | Guided access across the tower levels, ending at the summit | €71.70, about $83 |
Reduced rates apply to visitors ages 12 to 24, children ages 4 to 11, and qualifying disabled visitors. Children under 4 enter free, but the official ticket office says they still need a free ticket attached to the booking.
The Eiffel Tower publishes its current rates, calendar, weather notes, and access limits on the official Eiffel Tower rates and hours page. The official site also notes that the summit can close during harsh weather or peak periods, so a summit booking is still subject to on-site operating conditions.
Official Timed Entry Versus Hosted Access
Official timed entry is usually the cleanest purchase when the date and time you want are still available. Hosted or guided access can make sense when official summit slots are gone, when you want a person managing the meeting point, or when a short explanation of the tower adds value for your group.
The official ticket office usually sells elevator tickets online up to 60 days ahead and stairs tickets to the second floor up to 30 days ahead. High-demand summer dates, weekends, and sunset slots can sell out, with summit slots going first.
- Buy official timed entry when the schedule works and you want the lowest official rate.
- Use a hosted ticket when official time slots are gone but your Paris dates are fixed.
- Choose a staff-led visit when you want context without building a separate Paris tour around it.
- Skip inflated resale offers that do not clearly state the access level, meeting point, and cancellation terms.
If guided entry fits your plan better than a simple ticket, compare current hosted and guided options here:
When To Book For Shorter Lines
At the Eiffel Tower, morning and late-evening entries usually feel calmer than midafternoon, while sunset is popular because the city changes from daylight to lights during one visit. Summer and holiday weeks need earlier booking, especially for summit access.
Timed entry helps at the ticket office stage, but every visitor still goes through security screening before the pillars. Build in buffer time if you have dinner, a Seine cruise, or a train later the same day.
Stairs can be a useful backup when elevator slots are gone, but the stairs are not suitable for everyone. The tower states that the summit and stairways are not suitable for people with reduced mobility, so elevator access to the second floor is the safer planning choice for many travelers.
Where To Stay Near The Tower
Staying near the Eiffel Tower works well for a first Paris night, a special dinner, or a short stay where you want an easy walk back after an evening entry. The 7th arrondissement is the closest base, while Trocadéro across the Seine gives better tower views from some hotels.
For lower nightly rates, compare nearby but less postcard-heavy areas like Invalides, Grenelle, and parts of the 15th arrondissement. Paris Metro access matters more than being directly beside Champ de Mars if you are also visiting the Louvre, Montmartre, or Le Marais.
Use the map to compare hotels around the tower, Trocadéro, and nearby Metro stops:
Ticket Choice By Traveler Type
Eiffel Tower entry depends on view, budget, energy, and timing. This table narrows the choice without repeating the price list.
| Traveler Type | Better Choice | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| First Paris trip | Summit by elevator | The full tower route makes sense when this may be your only visit. |
| Budget traveler | Second floor by stairs | The cheapest paid access still reaches the main viewing deck. |
| Family with young kids | Second floor by elevator | Less time, fewer stairs, and easier exits if children get tired. |
| Sunset planner | Timed elevator entry | A booked slot protects the schedule better than same-day ticket office hopes. |
| Mobility-limited visitor | Second floor by elevator | Stairs and summit access can be restricted or unsuitable. |
| Last-minute visitor | Hosted access or on-site ticket office | Official online slots may be gone, but same-day and partner options can remain. |
Which Eiffel Tower Ticket Should You Buy?
For the Eiffel Tower, buy summit access by elevator if this is your main Paris landmark moment and you can secure a timed slot. Buy second floor by elevator if you want the cleanest balance of view, time, and cost. Buy stairs to the second floor only if saving money matters more than comfort.
For sunset, book the earliest slot that still lets you reach the second floor before the light changes. For families, choose elevator access and keep the visit simple. For a proposal, birthday, or once-only trip, summit access earns the extra spend if the weather is clear.
When official slots are gone, do not panic. Check hosted access, guided options, and on-site availability, then compare cancellation terms before paying above the official rate.
For a final live check of access levels and timed options, use the ticket tool here:
References & Sources
- Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel.“Ticket Rates And Opening Times.”Supports the current official prices, opening calendar, reduced rates, and access-limit notes for tower visits.