Eiffel Tower Tickets 2026: Which Floor Should You Actually Book?

Everyone books the summit ticket first. It’s just what people do. But honestly? For most visitors, the second floor is the smarter pick. Before you hit “buy,” here’s what’s actually up there, what it’ll cost you in 2026, and a few tricks to avoid standing in line for an hour.

A Little Bit About the Tower

Gustave Eiffel built this thing for the 1889 World’s Fair, and it was never supposed to last — the original plan was to tear it down after 20 years. It only survived because someone figured out it worked great as a radio antenna, and from there it just… stayed. Around 10,000 tonnes of iron, repainted every seven years to hold up against weather and rust. And once the sun goes down, it lights up and sparkles for five minutes every hour — most first-time visitors have no idea this is coming and it genuinely catches them off guard.

What’s Actually on Each Level

There are three floors, and each one gives you a different experience (and a different price).

• First floor (57m): There’s a glass floor panel and a small exhibit on how the tower was built. Fine for a quick 15-minute stop, but not somewhere you’d plan a whole visit around.
• Second floor (116m): This is where most people end up happiest. The view of Paris is closer and more detailed, and there’s also Madame Brasserie plus a couple other food spots.
• Summit (276m): The full 360° view, and yes, there’s a champagne bar up there if you want to make it feel like an occasion.

2026 Ticket Prices

Cost depends on how far up you go and whether you’re taking the stairs or the lift.

• Stairs to 2nd floor: €14.80 (cheapest option) — but heads up, starting September 29, 2026, even stair tickets will need advance booking
• 2nd floor by lift: €23.50 — the one most people recommend
• Stairs + lift to summit: €28.00 (walk to the second floor, then take the lift the rest of the way)
• Full lift to summit: €36.70 — priciest, most in-demand, and the first ticket type to sell out every time

Kids under 4 get in free, no matter the ticket. One thing a lot of people don’t realize: the Paris Museum Pass does NOT cover the Eiffel Tower — it’s managed separately by SETE.

Opening Hours

Normally it’s open 9:30am–11:00pm, with last entry around 10:30pm. In peak summer (mid-June to early September), hours push later — sometimes past midnight. Always worth checking the official site before you book since timings shift year to year.

Quick History

When it first went up, people genuinely hated it. A lot of Parisians thought it was ugly and totally out of place next to the rest of the city’s architecture. That changed once it became clear the tower wasn’t going anywhere — by the time its 20-year permit was up, it had already proven too useful to remove. Now it’s one of the most visited paid monuments on the planet, which is a wild turnaround for something that almost got demolished.

Getting There

• Metro: Bir-Hakeim or Trocadéro, both walkable
• RER: Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel on the RER C drops you almost right at the entrance
• Walking: Easy if you’re already near the Champ de Mars gardens or Trocadéro

How to Skip the Line

• Book online 60 days in advance, right when tickets open — summit slots go fast
• Pick a morning slot (9:00–10:30am) for noticeably shorter waits
• Take the stairs to the second floor — that line moves faster than the lift queue
• Show up 15 minutes early so you’re not rushing through security
• Avoid sunset time slots if the wait matters to you — they sell out first and pull the biggest crowds

FAQs

Which ticket should I get?
For a first visit, the second floor lift ticket (€23.50) hits the best balance. On a budget? Take the stairs up for €14.80.

Do I need to book ahead?
Yes — and from September 29, 2026, that applies to stair tickets too, no exceptions.

How long should I plan for?
About 1.5–2 hours for the second floor, or 2–2.5 hours if you’re going all the way to the summit.

Is it covered by the Paris Museum Pass?
Nope. It’s run separately by SETE, so the pass doesn’t apply here at all.