Eiffel Tower Tickets Explained: Stairs vs Lift, 2nd Floor vs Top

Planning to go up the Eiffel Tower? The ticket you choose changes everything: how long you wait, how much you pay, how far you go, and whether you climb or ride. This guide lays out the four official ticket types, the booking timeline that catches travelers off guard, and the practical decisions that make or break the visit.

The Tower welcomes over 6.3 million visitors a year, and elevator tickets to the summit can sell out 60 days ahead during summer and school holidays. The biggest single mistake is waiting until you are in Paris to book—by then, only stairs tickets or on-site same-day tickets may be left, and neither guarantees a top-floor visit.

What to know first

• You must choose between the 2nd floor (116 m) only and the top (276 m summit) before buying. You cannot upgrade from the 2nd floor once inside.
• Four ticket types exist: 2nd floor by elevator (€23.50 adult), 2nd floor by stairs (€14.80), top by elevator (€36.70), and top by stairs plus elevator (€28.00). Youth (12–24), child (4–11), and disabled rates are available for all types.
• The top and stairs are not accessible for people with reduced mobility, wheelchair users, or anyone using crutches. Choose a 2nd-floor elevator ticket instead.
• Online elevator tickets open 60 days ahead on the official site. Stairs tickets open 30 days ahead. From September 29, 2026, stairs tickets also require advance reservation.
• Each e-ticket is personal and nominative. Bring ID for every person in your group, including children and infants under 4.
• The summit may close without notice during harsh weather, high winds, or peak crowding. No refund is given solely because the top is unavailable.
• There is no left-luggage facility anywhere on site. Large bags, suitcases, and pets (except guide dogs) are not permitted inside the Tower.

Source: Official Eiffel Tower website, toureiffel.paris.

Choose the right ticket for your visit

Each ticket type suits a different traveler and wallet. Pick before you buy, because your choice cannot be changed later.

2nd floor by elevator – €23.50 adult, €11.80 youth, €6.00 child, free under 4 Best for families with young children, wheelchair users, and anyone who prefers a fast ride. The elevator goes straight to the 2nd floor at 116 metres. You visit the 1st floor on the way down by stairs.

2nd floor by stairs – €14.80 adult, €7.40 youth, €3.80 child, free under 4 The cheapest option. You climb 674 steps to the 2nd floor over about 15–20 minutes per level. Not suitable for anyone with reduced mobility, very young children, or visitors uncomfortable with open staircases and heights. Ideal for budget travelers and those who want to see the Tower's iron lattice from inside.

The top by elevator – €36.70 adult, €18.40 youth, €9.20 child, free under 4 The complete experience. Two elevators take you all the way to 276 metres, the highest observation deck in Paris. This ticket sells out first in every peak period. Worth the cost for first-time visitors who want the full view.

The top by stairs + elevator – €28.00 adult, €14.00 youth, €7.00 child, free under 4 A middle ground: climb the stairs to the 2nd floor, then switch to an elevator for the final ascent to the summit. You save nearly €9 compared to the all-elevator top ticket while still reaching the top.

When to book and which time slot to pick

Book elevator tickets on the official site at ticket.toureiffel.paris up to 60 days ahead. Stairs tickets open 30 days ahead. During peak months—June through September, plus school holidays and public holidays—weekend, sunset, and late-afternoon slots sell out fastest.

If your preferred date shows as sold out online, the on-site ticket counters beneath the Tower still sell same-day tickets for immediate entry. Expect significant queues and no guarantee of summit access. On-site inventory is mostly 2nd-floor and stairs tickets.

The best time slots for your visit:

• Early morning (09:00–10:30): Shortest security queues, clean air, and the clearest light for photos.
• Late afternoon (16:00–18:00): Softening daylight heading into golden hour. Good balance of light and manageable crowds.
• Evening (after 19:30 in summer): The Tower lights up and you catch Paris glittering from above. Last ascent is normally at 22:45. City lights make the summit feel entirely different from daytime.
• Avoid midday (11:30–15:00) during peak season: longest lines and hardest light for photography.

Your ticket time is the moment you must be at the queue beneath the Tower, not at the entrance. Allow 15 to 20 minutes to pass through the site-entry security checks before reaching the Tower base.

How to get to the Tower and pass through security

The Eiffel Tower sits at Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris. Two main entrances serve visitors: Entry 1 (South) and Entry 2 (East). Both have separate queues for visitors with e-tickets and those without. The gardens and esplanade beneath the Tower are free to enter once you clear the initial security check.

The closest public transport:

• RER C Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel (5-minute walk)
• Metro line 6 Bir-Hakeim (11-minute walk)
• Metro line 9 Trocadéro (22-minute walk, but the best approach for photos)
• Metro line 8 École Militaire (16-minute walk)
• Bus lines 82, 30, 42, 69, and 86 all stop within a 10-minute walk
• Vélib' bike stations at Avenue Octave Gréard, Quai Branly, and Avenue Rapp
• Parking at Quai Branly–Tour Eiffel covered car park, less than 400 metres from the Tower

Security screening happens twice: once at the site entrance gate to access the esplanade, and again at the pillar before your ascent. Bags are inspected at both points. Large luggage and suitcases are not allowed and there is no storage facility.

Rules and exceptions that change your visit

• Every ticket holder must carry ID, including children and infants. E-tickets are nominative and linked to a name. A name mismatch or missing ID can result in denied entry.
• Reduced-rate tickets need proof. Youth (12–24) and child (4–11) rates require age verification. The disabled rate requires a disability card in the holder's name plus one accompanying person.
• No upgrades from the 2nd floor to the top. Once you buy a 2nd-floor ticket, you cannot add summit access later at any price.
• The top and the staircase are off-limits to wheelchair users and people using crutches. This is a safety rule tied to emergency evacuation procedures, not a convenience policy.
• Children under 4 need a free ticket with ID to enter. Accompanying adults always pay the full adult rate.
• July 13, 2026: The Tower is closed all day, an exceptional shift from Bastille Day (July 14).
• Weather can close the summit without warning. High winds, storms, or extreme cold may trigger a top-floor closure. The 2nd floor may remain open. Check live status before you leave.
• Group booking rules change on September 29, 2026. Groups of more than nine people, including the guide, must use the professional ticket portal at ticketpro.toureiffel.paris.

Common mistakes that cost time, money, or the visit itself

• Booking too late. Summer elevator-to-the-summit tickets regularly sell out weeks ahead. The moment your Paris dates are firm, book. Do not wait for a better exchange rate or a more convenient moment.
• Arriving without ID or with the wrong name on the ticket. E-tickets are strictly nominative. If the ticket says a different name than the passport or ID card in your hand, you may be turned away.
• Assuming sold-out online means sold-out everywhere. On-site counters sell same-day tickets, but the available inventory is typically stairs or 2nd-floor elevator only. The top is rarely available for walk-up buyers during peak periods.
• Bringing a suitcase or large backpack. There is no left-luggage service anywhere in the Tower complex. You will not be allowed inside with oversized bags. Arrange storage at your hotel or a station locker before arriving.
• Underestimating the stairs climb. 674 steps—roughly a 30-storey building—with no lift as backup once you start. The staircase is open to the elements on the sides. It is an experience, not a shortcut.
• Arriving late for your time slot. The time on your ticket is not a suggestion. Late arrival can void the ticket entirely. Plan your journey across Paris with a safety buffer, especially during rush hour.

Who should choose which option

• First-time visitor who wants the full picture: Top by elevator (€36.70). Book 60 days ahead.
• Wheelchair user or visitor with reduced mobility: 2nd floor by elevator (€23.50). The 2nd floor lower level and the 1st floor are both fully wheelchair accessible.
• Budget traveler who is physically fit: 2nd floor by stairs (€14.80). The cheapest entry and a memorable climb.
• Family with children under 4: 2nd floor by elevator (€23.50). Strollers are permitted, and the experience stays manageable. Children under 4 enter free with a ticket.
• Traveler who wants both the climb and the summit: Top by stairs + elevator (€28.00). You earn the view and save money against the all-elevator option.

What to check on the day of your visit

• Check the live summit status and any unexpected closure notices on toureiffel.paris.
• Confirm the opening hours for your date. Hours vary by season and day of the week; same-day changes are possible.
• Download or print your e-ticket with a clear, uncropped QR code. Wallet apps are not accepted. Use PDF format on your phone with the screen brightness at maximum.
• Bring one valid piece of ID per person, matching the name on every e-ticket.
• Travel light: no large bags, no suitcases, no pets except guide dogs.
• Dress for wind at the summit. At 276 metres the wind is noticeably stronger and colder than at street level, even on warm summer days.

Sources

• Official Eiffel Tower website – Rates and opening times: https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/rates-opening-times
• Official Eiffel Tower website – Planning a smooth visit: https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/planning-smooth-visit
• Official Eiffel Tower ticket office: https://ticket.toureiffel.paris/en
• Eiffel Tower visitor regulations (PDF, May 2026): https://www.toureiffel.paris/sites/default/files/2026-05/reglement_visite_web_mai2026_en.pdf
• Eiffel Tower access map and transport guide: https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/access-map
• Eiffel Tower FAQ: https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/faq