Paris, France · attraction
Eiffel Tower
Paris's wrought-iron icon — 330m of Gustave Eiffel's riveted steel, elevator to the summit, twinkling on the hour after dark.
The Eiffel Tower has been Paris's defining silhouette since 1889 — 330 metres of wrought-iron lattice with three visitor levels, elevators and stairs to the top, and a 5-minute sparkling light show every hour after sunset. The best summit views come 45 minutes before sunset when you can see Paris in daylight and again lit up as the sun sets. Bookings for elevator-to-summit tickets fill weeks ahead in peak season — reserve online before you travel, not on arrival.
Opening hours
Daily 9:30am–11:45pm mid-June to early September; 9:30am–11:15pm rest of year. Last elevator up 45 minutes before close.
Ticket price
$20–$50
Elevator to 2nd floor from ~€22 adult; elevator to summit from ~€45 adult; stairs to 2nd floor from ~€14. Under 4 free.
Visit duration
2–3 hours
Best time
Late April–early June or September for weather + shorter lines. Time your visit for 45 minutes before sunset — you see Paris lit up as the sky changes.
How to skip the line
Buy the elevator-to-summit ticket direct at toureiffel.paris up to 60 days ahead. If the site is sold out (common May–September), a Viator skip-the-line + guide combo is usually still available at 30-50% markup. Stairs (2nd floor only, cheap) rarely sell out — buy on arrival if you're fit.
Tours & tickets
Live inventory from Viator — every card bookable, prices refresh hourly.
Paris: Eiffel Tower Photo Shoot
- Top-rated · 4.8★
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
Paris in A Day Louvre Eiffel Tower Notre Dame and Seine Cruise
- Top-rated · 4.8★
- Bestseller
- Free cancellation
Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift
- Top-rated · 4.7★
- Bestseller
- Instant confirmation
Eiffel Tower Guided Tour by Stairs with Optional Summit by Lift
- Top-rated · 4.8★
- Bestseller
- Free cancellation
Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift
- 4.6★ · 4159 reviews
- Bestseller
- Instant confirmation
Photo Session in Paris - Photographer at the Eiffel Tower
- Top-rated · 5.0★
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
Photoshoot in Paris - Eiffel Tower
- Top-rated · 5.0★
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift
- Bestseller
- Instant confirmation
- Short pick · ≤2h
Best of Paris: Eiffel Tower Summit or 2nd Floor Guided Tour
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
- Half-day
Paris: Your Own Private Photoshoot at the Eiffel Tower
- 4.5★ · 289 reviews
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
Eiffel Tower Climbing Tour with Optional Summit with Elevator
- 4.6★ · 2057 reviews
- Bestseller
- Free cancellation
Paris: Eiffel Tower Guided Tour by Elevator
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
- Short pick · ≤2h
Getting there
Metro Bir-Hakeim (Line 6) or RER Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel (Line C). Trocadéro (Line 6/9) for the classic postcard photo across the plaza before you cross the Seine.
Nearby food & coffee
Champ de Mars picnic (grab supplies at Les Cocottes on rue Cler beforehand), café Le Recrutement Café for a post-visit drink, or dinner at Le Petit Cler for classic French bistro fare.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the Eiffel Tower?
Adult tickets are ~€22 for the elevator to the 2nd floor and ~€45 for the elevator to the summit (~$24 and ~$49 USD respectively). Stairs to the 2nd floor cost from ~€14. Under 4 is free; 4-11 is ~half price.
Do I need to book Eiffel Tower tickets in advance?
Yes for the elevator to the summit — peak-season slots sell out weeks ahead on the official site (toureiffel.paris). If the direct site is sold out, guided skip-the-line tours via Viator or GetYourGuide almost always have availability at a 30–50% markup.
Are Eiffel Tower tickets refundable?
No — official Eiffel Tower tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Some Viator guided tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
How long do you need at the Eiffel Tower?
Plan 2–3 hours total: 30-60 minutes for security and elevator queues, 45-90 minutes on the tower itself (more if you're staying for the light show at nightfall).
What time is the Eiffel Tower light show?
The 5-minute sparkling light show runs every hour on the hour after sunset until 1am (11pm in winter). It's best viewed from Trocadéro or Champ de Mars.
Can you climb the stairs to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
Stairs go to the 2nd floor only (674 steps). The summit is elevator-only. Stair tickets are the cheapest and usually available without booking.
Is the Eiffel Tower open at night?
Yes — the last elevator up is 45 minutes before closing (which is 11:45pm in high season). Night visits are stunning; book the summit slot right after sunset.