Eiffel Tower tickets: summit or second floor, lift or stairs, hours and tips

By TicketGlide Editorial Team · Facts checked October 31, 2026 · How we research and review

Booking the Eiffel Tower comes down to two choices: summit or second floor, and lift or stairs. For a first visit, go to the summit: two lifts take you to 276 m, and a summit ticket includes the lower floors on the way down. Official tickets are timed, go on sale 90 days ahead for the lifts and 60 days for the stairs, and cannot be changed or refunded; if your date is sold out or your plans may change, a guided tour with reserved access and free cancellation up to 24 hours before is the flexible way in. Fit and on a budget? Climb the 674 steps to the second floor, the cheapest way up at €14.80 for adults in 2026. This guide covers 2026 prices and the new rates from 11 January 2027, winter hours, the January summit closure, security rules, restaurants, the hourly sparkle and free viewpoints, checked against the tower’s official pages on 31 October 2026.

Eiffel Tower tickets and tours: which one to book

Five bookable options cover the main ways to visit, from a guided climb to lunch inside the tower, followed by Le Jules Verne, which you book with the restaurant. All five offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before and instant confirmation. Prices were checked on 31 October 2026; live prices in your currency are shown on each card.

Where available, you can reserve now and pay later. Payment dates and eligibility depend on the experience and the options shown at checkout.

Finding experiences…

Guided tour with reserved access, stairs or lift, summit optional

From €44

Guide price · checked October 31, 2026

About 1 hr 30 · First-time visitors who want a guide and a choice between climbing and the summit lift

Choose a guided climb of the stairs to the second floor, the lift to the second floor, the lift to the summit, or the summit plus an open-dated Seine cruise ticket valid for one year. Meet the guide at 2 Avenue Charles Floquet 15 minutes before the start. If the tower closes the summit on the day, the summit portion is refunded. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, instant confirmation.

Summit or second floor by lift, with optional Seine cruise

From €30

Guide price · checked October 31, 2026

About 3 hours · Visitors set on the summit, or on a tower-and-cruise day, who want a meeting point beside the entrance

An English-speaking guide starts the commentary beneath the tower and takes you by lift to the second floor; with the summit option you continue to the top on your own. Cruise options add a ticket valid for one year. The meeting point is in the small park on Allée Léon-Bourgeois, next to the ticket line for Entrance 1. Summit access depends on the tower’s operating status. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Guided climb of the stairs to the second floor

From €46

Guide price · checked October 31, 2026

About 2 hours · Fit travellers who want to climb the tower with the story of its engineering

A host handles entry and leads the climb of the 674 steps to the second floor; afterwards you can stay as long as you like. Meet 15 minutes early at 3 Rue Buenos-Ayres, facing Entrance 1, not at the tower itself. You can add a one-hour Seine cruise ticket valid for one year, but no summit option is currently sold, so choose another tour if you want the top. The operator warns that security can take up to an hour at peak times. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Lift tour with summit option and a guided Seine cruise

From €54

Guide price · checked October 31, 2026

1 hr to 2 hr 30, depending on option · Families and first-timers who want the tower and a guided cruise in one booking

A guide takes you by lift to the second floor; options add the summit and a Seine cruise with a live guide. The meeting point is not at the tower: be at the corner of Avenue Silvestre de Sacy and Avenue Élisée Reclus 15 minutes before. Children aged 4–14 pay the child rate. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, instant confirmation.

Earliest lunch at Madame Brasserie, first floor

From €84.40

Guide price · checked October 31, 2026

About 1 hr 15 · A sit-down meal inside the tower, with the first floor and its glass floor to explore afterwards

Lunch at Thierry Marx’s brasserie on the first floor: a three- or four-course menu, with drinks on most options and a Seine-view option. Check in at the South or East garden checkpoints at 11:30am via Entrance 1, then collect your lift ticket at the restaurant desk. It covers the first floor only, so buy a separate ticket for the second floor or summit. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Le Jules Verne, second floor (book with the restaurant)

Weekday lunch menu €190 · tasting menus from €305

Guide price · checked October 31, 2026

Lunch or dinner · A special-occasion meal with the best restaurant view in Paris

Frédéric Anton’s restaurant, 125 m up. Lunch is served from 12pm to 1:45pm and dinner from 7pm to 9pm, reached by a private lift from Entrance 1 on Allée des Refuzniks. Elegant dress is required and jackets are mandatory for men; there are no high chairs or children’s menu. Summit tickets are separate and must be collected before you take the restaurant’s lift.

Book on the official website

Is the Eiffel Tower worth it, and which way up?

Eiffel Tower summit or second floor: which ticket to buy?

Buy the summit if it is your first visit and the weather is clear; buy the second floor if you are visiting at night, in January or on a windy day. The summit, at 276 m, has an indoor and an open-air level, a reconstruction of Gustave Eiffel’s office and a champagne bar, and about half of all visitors go up to it. A summit ticket covers every floor: you go straight to the top, then visit the second and first floors on the way down.

The second floor, at 116 m, is close enough to pick out the Louvre, the Grand Palais, Montmartre, Les Invalides and Notre-Dame, has a Pierre Hermé macaron bar, and is where the tower recommends watching the sparkle at night. Reaching the summit means changing lifts there, where there may be a wait and a second ticket check.

Decide before you buy: a second-floor ticket cannot be upgraded to the summit on site, and the tower sells no supplement. The summit may also be restricted in severe weather or at peak times, and it closes every January for maintenance.

Eiffel Tower by lift or stairs: 674 steps or two minutes

Take the stairs if you are reasonably fit and want the cheapest ticket and the best view of the ironwork; take the lift if you are short of time, with very young children or have limited mobility. The stairs climb the south pillar, 674 steps in all; the tower suggests 15 to 20 minutes per floor at an easy pace, and you come down by a different staircase.

The stairs go no higher than the second floor. To reach the summit, buy the stairs-plus-lift ticket (€28 for adults until 10 January 2027) and take the lift from the second floor. The summit and the stairs are closed to people with reduced mobility; the first floor and the lower level of the second floor are fully accessible by lift.

Check the stairs’ hours before an evening climb: from November to mid-December 2026 they close at 5:30pm on most days, while the lifts run until 11pm.

Eiffel Tower ticket prices in 2026 and from 11 January 2027

Official prices are fixed public rates, and they rise on Monday 11 January 2027. Adult prices apply from age 25. The youth rate covers ages 12 to 24, the child rate ages 4 to 11, and the disability rate applies to the cardholder and one companion; proof may be checked at the entrance. Children under 4 go free but need a free ticket. Children aged 12 and under must be with an adult.

  • Summit by lift: €36.70 adult, €18.40 youth, €9.20 child or disabled until 10 January 2027; €37.70, €18.90 and €9.40 from 11 January 2027.
  • Second floor by lift: €23.50 adult, €11.80 youth, €6 child or disabled; then €24.10, €12.10 and €6.20.
  • Second floor by stairs: €14.80 adult, €7.40 youth, €3.80 child or disabled; then €15.20, €7.60 and €4.
  • Stairs to the second floor plus lift to the summit: €28 adult, €14 youth, €7 child or disabled; then €28.80, €14.40 and €7.20.
  • Summit by lift with a glass of champagne at the top bar: €60.70 for adults, then €61.70.

When to book the Eiffel Tower, and what to do if it is sold out

Book the summit as soon as your dates are fixed, especially for June to September, school holidays and public holidays: lift tickets go on sale 90 days ahead, stairs tickets 60 days ahead, and summit lift tickets sell out first. Each e-ticket is personal and timed, so bring ID for everyone and be at the queue for ticket holders beneath the tower at the time shown, after 15 to 20 minutes for security.

Official tickets cannot be exchanged, changed or refunded once bought. If your plans may move, a guided tour with free cancellation up to 24 hours before is the safer booking; all five bookable options in this guide offer it.

A sold-out website does not mean you cannot go up. Tickets are released again online at intervals, same-day e-tickets are sold online, and the ticket offices beneath the tower sell tickets for an immediate visit at the public rate, depending on attendance. The stairs usually have room, with little or no wait at the pillar.

Eiffel Tower guided tour or ticket only: which suits you?

Book a ticket only if you can secure your time slot and want to set your own pace; book a guided tour if the summit is sold out for your date, you want the story behind the tower, or you need free cancellation. There is no skip-the-line system at the Eiffel Tower: every visitor passes the same security check, and the tower allows authorised resellers to promise only “reserved access”. A tour’s value lies in the guaranteed slot, the guide and the flexibility, not in skipping security.

Climbers should pick a guided climb to the second floor; first-timers who want the summit, a lift tour with the summit option; and anyone planning a Seine cruise, an option with an open-dated cruise ticket. Check the meeting point: several tours meet a few streets from the tower.

Eiffel Tower opening hours, winter 2026–27

The Eiffel Tower is open every day of the year, including Tuesdays and Christmas Day, unless snow, ice or an exceptional event forces a closure. The official calendar ran to 31 December 2026 when checked on 31 October 2026.

  • 1 November to 17 December 2026: site admission 9:15am–10:45pm, lifts 9:30am–11pm, monument closes 11:45pm; stairs until 5:30pm on most days and until 10:45pm on some, mainly Saturdays.
  • 18 to 30 December 2026, including Friday 25 December: lifts until midnight, stairs until 11:45pm, monument closes 12:45am.
  • Thursday 31 December 2026: lifts until 7pm, stairs until 6:30pm, monument closes 9pm.
  • January 2027: hours not yet published; the summit closes each January for maintenance (5 January to 6 February in 2026).
  • Snow and ice: the tower may close as a precaution when the ground is covered.

Eiffel Tower map: entrances, metro and nearby viewpoints

The Eiffel Tower stands at the north-west end of the Champ de Mars, on the left bank of the Seine opposite Trocadéro. Entrance 1 (South, Allée des Refuzniks) and Entrance 2 (East, Allée Jean Paulhan) both have separate queues for visitors with and without tickets. Walking times are those given by the tower; distances to nearby sights are measured as the crow flies.

Metro and RER to the Eiffel Tower

The RER C station Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel is the closest, 5 minutes’ walk from Entrance 1. On the metro, Bir-Hakeim (line 6) is about 10 to 11 minutes’ walk from Entrance 1, École Militaire (line 8) about 15 minutes, and Trocadéro (lines 6 and 9) 15 to 22 minutes across Pont d’Iéna, depending on which of the tower’s pages you read. Trocadéro is the best arrival if you want the classic view first.

Bus, bike and car to the Eiffel Tower

Buses 30, 42 and 82 stop about 5 minutes’ walk from Entrance 2 (Allée Jean Paulhan), and buses 69 and 86 stop at Champ de Mars, about 7 minutes from Entrance 1. Vélib’ bike-share stations are 1 to 6 minutes’ walk away, the nearest on Avenue Octave Gréard. Drivers should use a public car park such as Quai Branly–Tour Eiffel, just over 5 minutes from Entrance 2.

Which Eiffel Tower entrance to use

Use Entrance 1 (South, Allée des Refuzniks) or Entrance 2 (East, Allée Jean Paulhan) for the security check; both have separate queues for visitors with and without tickets, and the gardens and esplanade are free. Beneath the tower, follow the green kiosks for the lifts and the blue kiosks for the stairs. Le Jules Verne and Madame Brasserie guests use Entrance 1; guided tours start at the operator’s meeting point.

Near the Eiffel Tower: Trocadéro, Bir-Hakeim, Champ de Mars and Seine cruises

  • 1Trocadéro and the Palais de Chaillot

    about 0.7 km as the crow flies, via Pont d’Iéna

    The classic full-length view of the tower from the terraces across the Seine, free at any hour. The Palais de Chaillot holds the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine and the Musée de l’Homme, whose restaurant looks straight at the tower.

  • 2Pont de Bir-Hakeim and Île aux Cygnes

    about 0.6 km as the crow flies

    An unobstructed view of the tower with the Seine in front, beside the Renaissance France statue. Walk down onto Île aux Cygnes to find the Paris replica of the Statue of Liberty.

  • 3Champ de Mars

    next to the tower

    The long park stretching south-east from the tower, closest of the free viewpoints and the place to watch the sparkle from the ground. The gardens beneath the tower are also free to enter.

  • 4Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac

    5 min walk

    Art and civilisations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas in a Jean Nouvel building, with a free two-hectare garden. Open Tuesday to Sunday, and on Mondays in school holidays outside summer.

  • 5Seine cruises at Port de Suffren

    about 250 m as the crow flies

    Vedettes de Paris sails from Port de Suffren at the foot of the tower, reached on foot from Pont d’Iéna or Pont de Bir-Hakeim. Our cruises guide compares sightseeing, lunch and dinner cruises.

  • 6Arc de Triomphe

    about 1.7 km as the crow flies · metro line 6

    The arch at the head of the Champs-Élysées, north of the tower across the Seine. Metro line 6 runs from Bir-Hakeim to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, beneath the arch; our guide covers tickets and the climb.

Eiffel Tower security, bags and banned items

Travel light: there is no left-luggage office or cloakroom at the Eiffel Tower, and large bags are turned away. Every visitor passes a first security check at Entrance 1 or 2 (allow 10 to 20 minutes) and a second check at the pillar before going up. Bag-size gauges stand at the four corners of the esplanade and at the security check, and anything refused cannot be left on site.

  • Banned: large luggage, weapons, knives, tools, glass bottles, drink cans, scooters and other large rolling objects, and non-folding pushchairs.
  • Food and drink are allowed only in reasonable quantities; there are no picnic areas on the tower. Animals are not allowed, except assistance dogs.
  • Show your e-ticket as a PDF with the screen brightness at maximum; wallet apps are not accepted, and there are no printers on site.
  • Children under 4 go free but need a free ticket; avoid the stairs with babies and very young children.

Eiffel Tower sparkle: when and where to watch

The Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes on the hour, every hour, from nightfall until its lights go off, at midnight on most nights. Its golden lighting and the beacon at the top switch on automatically at dusk, and the sparkle uses 20,000 lights. In winter the first sparkle comes earlier than the 9pm or 10pm of summer evenings.

From inside, the tower recommends the second floor, looking up at the spire as the hour strikes. From the ground, the Trocadéro terraces, the Champ de Mars and Pont de Bir-Hakeim are free, and in December the Jean Paulhan walkway beside Entrance 2 has an observation deck with benches. The tower says visitor numbers fall from about 8pm, and the last hour before closing is the calmest.

Eating at the Eiffel Tower: restaurants, buffets and the champagne bar

Book Madame Brasserie for a meal inside the tower and Le Jules Verne for a special occasion; otherwise use the buffets on the esplanade and the first and second floors. Madame Brasserie, on the first floor at 57 m, is run by chef Thierry Marx; a booking made directly with the restaurant includes only the first floor, so buy a separate ticket for the higher floors, arrive 30 minutes before your table and, as the tower advises, visit the upper floors before eating.

Le Jules Verne, on the second floor, has its own private lift from Entrance 1; its weekday lunch menu costs €190 and its tasting menus €305 or €345. At the top, the champagne bar serves a 12 cl glass of brut for €24 or rosé for €27 from 11am to 10:30pm outside July and August.

Eiffel Tower in winter: what changes from November

  • Dress warmly: the tower says it is always windy at the top, and a 50 km/h wind on the ground can exceed 80 km/h at the summit.
  • The first-floor terrace becomes a winter terrace serving hot chocolate, mulled wine, crêpes and waffles, with festive decorations and activities in December.
  • Book Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve meals at Madame Brasserie as early as possible, as the tower advises.
  • Outside the Christmas holidays, winter evenings are among the quietest times to visit.

Eiffel Tower mistakes to avoid

  • Buying tickets from a street seller or a site claiming to be an “official partner”. The tower prohibits resale of its tickets in any form and awards no partner certifications; e-tickets carry each visitor’s name and ID may be checked.
  • Paying for “skip the line”. The Eiffel Tower has no skip-the-line system; everyone passes security, and resellers may promise only reserved access.
  • Arriving without a time slot in peak season. Summit lift tickets sell out first, and on-site tickets are for immediate visits only, depending on attendance.
  • Buying a second-floor ticket and hoping to add the summit later. There is no upgrade on site.
  • Expecting the summit in high wind, snow or January. It can close at short notice, and closes for maintenance every January.
  • Expecting a Madame Brasserie table to include the summit. The restaurant ticket covers the first floor only.

Eiffel Tower tickets and visits: frequently asked questions

How much are Eiffel Tower tickets in 2026?

Until 10 January 2027, adults (25 and over) pay €36.70 for the summit by lift, €23.50 for the second floor by lift, €14.80 for the second floor by the stairs and €28 for the stairs plus the lift to the summit. Ages 12–24 pay about half, children aged 4–11 and disabled visitors €3.80–€9.20, and under-4s go free with a free ticket.

Are Eiffel Tower prices going up in 2027?

Yes. From 11 January 2027 the adult summit ticket by lift rises to €37.70, the second floor by lift to €24.10, the stairs to the second floor to €15.20 and the stairs-plus-lift summit ticket to €28.80. Ages 12–24 pay €7.60–€18.90 and children aged 4–11 €4–€9.40.

How far ahead should I book the Eiffel Tower?

Official lift tickets go on sale 90 days ahead and stairs tickets 60 days ahead; summit lift tickets sell out first, especially from June to September and in school holidays. Official tickets cannot be changed or refunded, so book once your date is fixed, or choose a tour with free cancellation.

What if Eiffel Tower tickets are sold out online?

Buy at the ticket offices beneath the tower for an immediate visit, at the public rate and depending on attendance. Online, same-day e-tickets are sometimes released, stairs tickets usually remain available, and guided tours with reserved access may still have places.

Can you walk to the top of the Eiffel Tower?

No. The stairs go only to the second floor, 674 steps from the ground; the summit is reached by lift from the second floor. The stairs-plus-lift ticket (€28 for adults in 2026) covers both, and a second-floor ticket cannot be upgraded to the summit on site.

How long does an Eiffel Tower visit take?

Allow at least 1 hour 30 minutes for the first and second floors and 2 hours 30 minutes with the summit, as the tower recommends, plus 10–20 minutes for security. The stairs take about 15–20 minutes per floor.

Is the Eiffel Tower open on Christmas Day?

Yes. On Friday 25 December 2026 the lifts run from 9:30am to midnight and the monument closes at 12:45am, the extended hours that apply from 18 to 30 December. On 31 December it closes early: lifts until 7pm and the monument at 9pm.

What time does the Eiffel Tower sparkle?

The tower sparkles for five minutes at the start of every hour once its lighting comes on at nightfall, and keeps doing so until the lights switch off, at midnight on most nights. In winter the first sparkle comes earlier than in summer because night falls earlier.

Is the Eiffel Tower summit open in January?

Not always. The summit closes every year for maintenance, from 5 January to 6 February in 2026; the 2027 dates had not been published on 31 October 2026. The lower floors stay open, and the summit can also close at short notice in severe weather.

Can I bring a suitcase to the Eiffel Tower?

No. Large luggage is not allowed, and there is no left-luggage office or cloakroom. Glass bottles, cans, knives, tools and non-folding pushchairs are also banned, and anything refused at security cannot be stored.

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Sources

We checked the facts on this page against these sources on October 31, 2026. Prices and times can change, so confirm them when you book.

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