Is the Eiffel Tower Worth It?

Short answer: yes, going up the Eiffel Tower is worth it once, but you don’t always need the summit. For most visitors the second floor gives the best view of Paris, because at 116 metres you still see the city’s landmarks in detail rather than as a flat map. The summit is worth the extra money if it’s a clear day, you’ve booked a timed ticket and the “top of the tower” moment matters to you. If you only want the photo, you don’t need a ticket at all.

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Key takeaways

• The second floor is the sweet spot: close enough to recognise the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Montmartre and the bends of the Seine.
• The summit (276 m) is about the experience more than the view: glass lifts, wind, Gustave Eiffel’s restored office and a champagne bar.
• Taking the stairs to the second floor is the cheapest way up and often the easiest ticket to get at short notice.
• Book early for June to September: lift tickets go on sale up to 90 days ahead, stair tickets up to 60 days ahead.
• The gardens and esplanade under the tower are free, although you still pass a security check to get in.

Is the Eiffel Tower worth it? What you actually get for your ticket

The most common complaint about the Eiffel Tower isn’t the view. It’s everything around it: security lines, a queue for the lift, a second queue to change lifts for the summit, and crowded viewing platforms. The most common surprise is how good the structure itself looks from close up. Climbing through the iron lattice is something no photo from Trocadéro can give you.

• Worth it: the second floor at sunset or after dark, when the city lights come on and the tower sparkles on the hour.
• Worth it if you’re reasonably fit: the stairs. They’re less crowded, cheaper, and you see the ironwork up close.
• Worth it on a clear day only: the summit. On a hazy or rainy day you pay extra to look at grey.
• Overrated: the first floor on its own. The glass floor is fun for five minutes, but you pass it on the way down anyway.
• Not worth it: turning up in July at midday without a ticket and hoping for the best.

Second floor or summit?

The second floor (116 m)

The official website describes it as the level with “clear views of all of the French capital’s monuments”, and it’s right. From here the Invalides dome, the Grand Palais, Sacré-Cœur and the Seine are all easy to pick out. It also has a macaron bar, a buffet and the Jules Verne restaurant. If you have a second-floor lift ticket you can walk down the stairs to the first floor afterwards and see the glass floor on the way.

The summit (276 m)

You reach the top by a second set of glass-walled lifts from the upper platform of the second floor. There’s an enclosed level and an open-air level above it, panoramic maps showing distances to world cities, a restored version of Gustave Eiffel’s private office with wax figures of Eiffel and Thomas Edison, and a champagne bar. The feeling of being that high, with only the antennas above you, is what you’re paying for. The view itself is wider but less detailed, and on busy days the wait for the summit lifts can be the longest part of your visit.

Our advice: choose the summit if it’s your first and probably only visit, the forecast is clear, and you can book a timed slot. Choose the second floor if you’re on a budget, visiting with young children, going at night, or the weather is uncertain. Note that the official site says you can’t buy a summit add-on once you’re on the second floor with a second-floor ticket, so decide before you go.

Stairs or lift?

You can climb 674 steps from the ground to the second floor (327 to the first floor, then 347 more). The tower’s operator estimates 15 to 20 minutes per floor, and there are wide landings where you can stop. The stairs to the summit are closed to the public, so a “stairs + lift” ticket means you walk to the second floor and take the lift from there. The stairs aren’t suitable for people with limited mobility, and the operator advises against them with small children or pushchairs, as there’s nowhere to leave a buggy.

How much does the Eiffel Tower cost?

The price depends on how high you go and whether you walk or take the lift. These are the official individual rates on toureiffel.paris at the time of writing:

Children under 4 go free but still need a free ticket. Visitors with a disability card (plus one companion) pay the child rate. E-tickets are personal, so bring ID for everyone, including children. The official site also sells bundles, such as a summit ticket with a glass of champagne.

Is it good value? The stairs ticket is one of the best-value viewpoints in Paris. The full summit-by-lift ticket is expensive for what is often a 90-minute visit, but it’s the only way to stand at the very top.

Watch out for fake ticket sites. The official website warns that fraudulent sites posing as the official ticket office are being promoted on search engines. The official shop is ticket.toureiffel.paris.

Official ticket, reseller or guided tour?

Buy directly from the official site if you can book well in advance, know which level you want, and are happy to find your own way around. It’s the cheapest option.

Go through a tour provider if official timed tickets are sold out for your date, you want a guide to explain how the tower was built, or you want a combination with a Seine cruise. Tour prices are higher than face value because you’re paying for the guide, the combination or the guaranteed slot.

Some options worth comparing on GetYourGuide:

• Eiffel Tower entry ticket with optional summit access: a timed lift ticket to the second floor, with the summit as an upgrade.
• Guided stairs climb to the second floor with summit option: a good choice if you want the ironwork up close and some history on the way.
• Summit ticket combined with a Seine river cruise: the cruise boats leave from near the foot of the tower.

How long does an Eiffel Tower visit take?

• 30 to 45 minutes: gardens, esplanade and photos from below. No ticket needed.
• 1.5 to 2 hours: second floor by lift, then walking down via the first floor.
• 2 to 3 hours: summit visit, including security, the lift change and some time on each level. Add more in peak season.

The official advice is to allow 15 to 20 minutes for the security check at the entrance before your ticket time. The time printed on your e-ticket is when you should be under the tower in the “visitors with tickets” queue, not when you arrive at the gate.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

1. Take the RER C to Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel. According to the official site it’s about 5 minutes on foot. Bir-Hakeim (metro line 6) is about 11 minutes and Trocadéro (line 9) about 22 minutes, but Trocadéro gives you the classic view on the walk in.
2. Use entrance 1 (south) or 2 (east). Both have separate lines for people with and without tickets. Look for the green kiosks for lift access and the blue ones for stairs.
3. Travel light. Large bags and suitcases aren’t allowed and there’s no left-luggage office.
4. Show your e-ticket as a PDF. The official site says wallet apps aren’t accepted. Turn your screen brightness up for the scanner.
5. Bring a layer. The operator’s own tip is that “it’s always windy” at the top, even on warm days.
6. Go in the evening. It’s usually quieter than midday, and you can watch the tower sparkle on the hour after dark. Opening hours vary by season and date, so check the calendar on the official site.
7. Walk down, don’t queue down. With a lift ticket you can take the stairs from the second floor to the first and from the first to the ground, which skips the lift queue on the way out.
8. If online tickets are gone, don’t panic. The ticket offices at the tower still sell tickets for immediate use, depending on crowds. Stair tickets are often the easiest to find last minute.

When the Eiffel Tower isn’t worth it

• It’s cloudy, foggy or raining. The summit can also close in bad weather or at very busy times, according to the operator. Go to the second floor or pick another day.
• You’re short on time and it’s peak season. Without a timed ticket you could spend a good part of your afternoon in lines. Photos from Trocadéro and a picnic on the Champ de Mars take an hour and cost nothing.
• You want the Eiffel Tower in your view. This is the classic argument: from the tower you can’t see the tower. Viewpoints such as the Montparnasse Tower observation deck or the roof of the Arc de Triomphe put it in the skyline instead.
• You have limited mobility and want the summit. The summit and stairs aren’t accessible, although the first floor and the lower level of the second floor are fully wheelchair-accessible.

The verdict

Going up the Eiffel Tower is one of those clichés that holds up. The trick is not to overbuy: the second floor, ideally around sunset, gives most people the view they came for, and the summit is a clear-day treat rather than a must. Book as early as you can for summer dates, bring ID, and leave the big bag at your hotel. If official slots are sold out or you’d like a guide, compare Eiffel Tower summit tickets and tours before you go.

📍 Planning a trip? See our guide: Things to Do in Paris

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Frequently asked questions

Is it worth going to the top of the Eiffel Tower?

On a clear day, yes, especially on a first visit. The summit adds the glass lifts, Gustave Eiffel’s office and the thrill of 276 metres. For the best detailed view of Paris, though, many visitors prefer the second floor.

How much does it cost to go up the Eiffel Tower?

At the time of writing, official adult prices range from €14.80 (second floor by stairs) to €36.70 (summit by lift). Young people aged 12–24 and children aged 4–11 pay reduced rates. Check toureiffel.paris for current prices.

How far in advance should I book Eiffel Tower tickets?

Lift tickets are released up to 90 days in advance and stair tickets up to 60 days. For June to September, school holidays and public holidays, the operator recommends booking as early as possible.

Can you walk to the top of the Eiffel Tower?

No. You can climb the 674 steps to the second floor, but the stairs to the summit are closed to the public. From the second floor you take the lift to the top.

Is the Eiffel Tower better during the day or at night?

Daytime is better for spotting landmarks; evening is more atmospheric and often less crowded, and after dark the tower sparkles on the hour.

Is it free to visit the Eiffel Tower?

The gardens and the esplanade under the tower are free, after a security check. You need a ticket for any of the floors.

Featured image: Photo: Jorge Royan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons