How to get into the Eiffel Tower without lines: advice and tickets

The Eiffel Tower isn’t just famous for its view, but also for its lines. In the summer and on holidays the wait to get in can be a few hours long. And even in the winter, it can be 1.5 or 2 hours. In this article we will tell you a few ways you can save time and money when going to the tower.

Ticket price

Climb the tower on foot

This is the easiest way to avoid lines at the Eiffel Tower. Just climb the stairs one step at a time. If you look at the tower from the Seine, you need to go to the far right. Here the ticket booths almost never have lines, or at least the wait is no longer than 10 minutes.

This experience will cost an adult just €11.30, while taking the elevator to the same level costs €18.10. For youth and children there are additional discounts. Keep in mind that you can only go to the very top on an elevator.

You can find tickets by using this link.

Going on foot, honestly, isn’t a piece of cake. It’s 116 meters to the second floor, more than 1000 steps.

But there are positives. You’ll avoid the line, pay less to go up, and see Paris from the first floor. It’s one of the best views of the city! There are not many tourists on the first level since the elevator skips this floor. And you’ll burn some of the calories from all those croissants and chocolate.

You’ll be able to take the elevator down for free.

In the summer the stairs are open until 12:45 am, and in the winter until 6:30 pm.

Buy a ticket in advance

Method 1: If you don’t want to stand in line for the Eiffel Tower, you can buy a ticket in advance online on the official site. You need to do this at least a month in advance, as soon as you are sure when you’ll be in Paris, since tickets sell out fast. You can try to find tickets here if there aren’t any left on the official site, but no one wants to stand in a long line.

Method 2: By buying a combined ticket to the Eiffel Tower with a tour of the city you’ll also avoid lines for the huge attraction. You can look for different options by using this link.

Method 3: Priority admission to the tower is given to holders of the Paris City Pass tourist card. It also includes a ticket to the Louvre and a cruise on the Seine. You can buy this card right here:

Eating lunch in a restaurant on the Eiffel Tower

There are two restaurants in the Eiffel Tower: Brasserie Madame on the first floor and Jules Verne on the second floor. Lunch at Brasserie Madame will cost you 60 € and dinner 100 € per person. At Jules Verne the prices, quality and service are much higher, but also the view is more sublime. Both the Eiffel Tower and the Eiffel Tower are taken to the restaurant by a separate elevator. No queues are out of the question here.

You need to reserve tables in advance by telephone. At Brasserie Madame, you can book dinner in advance online at this link.

Other viewing platforms in Paris

The Eiffel Tower isn’t the only place with a great view of Paris. There are other viewing platforms in the city also, and if you don’t want to stand in line and don’t want to climb the stairs, definitely check them out. One of the best views of the city is on the tower Montparnasse and it has a view of the city and the Eiffel Tower.

» READ MORE – Montparnasse tower: tickets, history, tips

You can also pick a hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower and enjoy it all day long.

Eiffel Tower: book hotel in

Learn more about the history and culture of Paris with our mobile audio guide! Download it on your phone by using this link and the most interesting and lively tours from local guides will be available to you.

Practical advice

If you’ve decided to wait out the line, here’s our advice:

• Don’t show up to the tower at opening. Everyone does this and the morning lines are longer than in the afternoon.
• The lines are the shortest in the evening after 8. The Eiffel Tower is open in the summer until 12:45 am and in the winter until 11:45 pm.
• If you’re going up, dress warmly. There’s often strong wind at the top, and even fog or rain in the winter.
• Don’t forget to go to the first floor and see the best view of Paris.

Have a nice trip!