{"id":34193,"date":"2020-03-05T09:43:44","date_gmt":"2020-03-05T09:43:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.headout.com\/?p=34193"},"modified":"2025-06-23T12:35:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T08:35:49","slug":"eiffel-tower-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/eiffel-tower-paris\/","title":{"rendered":"Plan the perfect Eiffel Tower visit | Everything you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lovingly called the most romantic city in the world, Paris is unlike any other city. Sporting mindblowing Nouveau architecture and magnificent cobbled streets, the French capital is a treasure trove of multifarious experiences. The City of Lights is home to quite a few iconic monuments and landmarks \u2014 the revered Notre Dame Cathedral, the spectacular Louvre Museum, the palatial Sacr\u00e9-C\u0153ur and the most emblematic of them all, the stupendous Eiffel Tower<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The iconic steel structure is the first thing to come to your mind when you think of Paris. Built originally to last only 20 years, the tower has been a symbol of French technological prowess, engineering and architecture for over a century now. Inspiring millions of the city\u2019s residents every night with its glimmering beacon, the Eiffel Tower is a majestic emblem of hope and wonder that one must visit in their lifetime. Here is an exhaustive guide to help you learn all about this world wonder and plan the perfect visit. <\/p>\n

Your Eiffel Tower Essential Information<\/h2>\n

\"Eiffel<\/span>\"Eiffel<\/span>\"Eiffel<\/span><\/p>\n

Things to know <\/h4>\n

Best time to visit – Early morning or evenings Suggested duration – 2 HoursStarting Eiffel Tower tickets<\/a> price – \u20ac34Stairs – 1665 to the topClosest Bus station – Bir-Hakeim and Champ-de-Mars station<\/p>\n

Opening Hours<\/h4>\n

Mid-June to early September9 AM – 12:45 AMLast elevator ride to the top leaves at 11 PM<\/p>\n

Highlights<\/h4>\n

Height – 324 m to tip Floors – 3 Staircase Access Point – South Pillar (Pilier SUD)Lift Access Point – East Pillar (Pilier Est) Viewing Deck – Second Floor<\/p>\n

Address<\/h4>\n

Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France Get Directions<\/a> <\/p>\n

A Brief History of Eiffel Tower<\/h2>\n

\"Eiffel<\/p>\n

The history of Eiffel Tower<\/a> begins in 1889 when a world fair exhibition was organised to mark the centenary of the French revolution, and the Eiffel Tower was proposed to be the centrepiece of this exhibition in Paris. Gustave Eiffel<\/a>, the chief engineer, took inspiration from the Latting Observatory in New York City and promised the city a structure so glorious that it would reach the sky. The estimated budget to build the Tower was 6.5 million francs but the state only grated 1.5 million francs for the construction. Building with a minimised budget was a challenge and Gustave had to put the extra capital from his pocket. He bought the rights to the design, but the task for brainstorming the look and feel of the structure was left to Stephen Sauvestre, Maurice Koechlin, and \u00c9mile Nouguier.<\/p>\n

The budget-crunch hurdle was just the beginning. Artist protests were held by people who thought it was not feasible and who believed it was impossible. For context, the Eiffel Tower was a proposed 300m tall structure, in an era where no structure had even reached the height of 200m!. Nevertheless, the construction was completed in 1889 and had transformed Paris forever. Today, it is impossible to picture Paris without the Eiffel towering from every angle.<\/p>\n

Eiffel Tower Entrances<\/h2>\n

\"Eiffel<\/p>\n

Image Courtesy: Tour Eiffel Website<\/a><\/p>\n

The Tower’s Esplanade has two main entrances on the ground floor; the South and East entrances. These are the first set of entrances and every visitor is required to go through stringent security checks before entering the complex.With over 20,000 visitors flocking to the iron marvel every day, the entrances could get crowded fast. To avoid the hour-long queues that are fairly common, it is advised that you get an entry ticket to the East entrance. The East entrance is generally less crowded and will give you ample time to explore the Champ de Mars gardens. <\/p>\n

Learn more about Eiffel Tower entrances<\/a> in detail here!<\/p>\n

Stairs Vs Lift – Which One Should You Choose?<\/h2>\n

Climbing the Eiffel Tower Stairs<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

\"Eiffel<\/p>\n

Being the most popular paid-for monument in the world, the monument attracts a large number of tourists throughout the year. Therefore, procuring elevator tickets<\/a> to climb the 300-meter tall iron-wrought tower is not an easy task, with queues stretching over 2 hours at times. <\/p>\n

The tickets are available seven days in advance and are considerably cheaper than the lift tickets. The waiting time is hardly 30 minutes as most visitors prefer the elevator over the stairs. You can scale the Tower in almost 20-30 minutes, depending on how long you stop at each level. The stairs are open from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM for the entire year save for 27, 28, 29 December when the Tower is open until 12:45 am. Climbing the stairs is the cheapest way to ascend the monument, with Eiffel Tower stair tickets priced below \u20ac4 (depends on your package).<\/p>\n

Bolting up the Eiffel Tower Lifts<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

\"Eiffel<\/p>\n

The most popular way of scaling the colossal Tower are the elevators on three of its pillars. North, East and West pillars feature elevators that will take you to the first and second floors from the ground floor. However, due to its extremely high demand, the waiting line for the elevators tends to get really long. <\/p>\n

The waiting times usually range between 1-2 hours after you make it through the ticket queue.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Eiffel Tower Levels<\/h2>\n

First Floor Second Floor Summit \"Eiffel How do I get to the first floor?\"\"<\/p>\n

The first floor of the Tower is 57m (182ft) above the ground. You can make your way up to the first floor by either taking one of the elevators, or the stairs – there are 328 steps to the first floor. You can buy the tickets from the ground floor counters or book them online in advance.<\/p>\n

What are the main attractions? \"\" <\/p>\n

The first floor of the Tower is situated 57 meters above the ground and offers two main attractions; a walkable glass floor and a \u2018dome\u2019 restaurant, and a film experience ‘Cineiffel’. <\/p>\n

What are the dining options? \"\" <\/p>\n

If you are feeling a bit tired after climbing 328 steps to the first floor, La Bulle Eiffel has you covered. The restaurant, shaped like a dome is open for lunch and dinner and offers \u201cchic, picnic-style\u201d lunches as well as traditional, three-course French meals. Apart from the restaurant, there are some buffets open too. <\/p>\n

What’s Cineiffel? \"\" <\/p>\n

At the Ferri\u00e9 pavilion, you’ll get to witness the Cineiffel – an immersive show projected on 3 walls by 7 projectors. Along the passageways, you\u2019ll find screens, touch screens, showcases, digital albums, reprographics of objects and more information about the Tower. <\/p>\n

\"\" How do you get to the second floor? \"\" <\/p>\n

The second floor is 115 meters (377 feet) above the ground. You can reach the second floor via an elevator or the stairs – there are 674 steps to the second floor. You can buy the tickets from the ground floor counters or book them online in advance. <\/p>\n

What are the main attractions? \"\" <\/p>\n

The second floor hosts an observation deck that offers an excellent vantage point to observe the major landmarks of Paris from a distance. It also home to the Michelin-star Le Jules Verne restaurant. The restaurant offers a luxury dining experience and features traditional French cuisine with some subtle restyling. <\/p>\n

Do you have to pay for accessing the observation deck? \"\" <\/p>\n

Access to the observation deck is included with you second floor access ticket. You can catch a glimpse of some of the Parisian landmarks, including the Seine River, Montmartre, the Louvre, the Grand Palace, Notre Dame, and Champs Elysees, using the long-range telescopes at the observation deck. <\/p>\n

Are there cheap dining options on the second floor? \"\" <\/p>\n

For those looking for a lighter bite, check out the snack bar or indulge in some delicious treats from the macaroon bar. <\/p>\n

\"\" How do you get to the Eiffel Tower summit? \"\" <\/p>\n

Situated at a jaw-dropping height of 276 meters above the ground, the summit is highest accessible point of the Tower. The summit can only be accessed via glass-walled elevators from the second floor. Summit access is optional and has to be bought separately, however, some packages come with the option to include the summit. <\/p>\n

What are the main attractions? \"\" <\/p>\n

Apart from offering an eagle’s view of Paris, the summit houses the office of the man behind the Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel. The recently renovated office features a collection of alternative designs for the tower, along with city maps, construction plans, and realistic wax characters. <\/p>\n

Can I climb the stairs from the second floor to the summit? \"\" <\/p>\n

Though there is a staircase to access the summit from the second floor, it is currently closed to the public. You can only make your way to the summit from the second floor via an elevator. You will also have to buy a separate ticket to access the summit. <\/p>\n

How much do Eiffel Tower summit access tickets cost? \"\" <\/p>\n

Eiffel Tower summit access tickets are priced between \u20ac19 and \u20ac26. Alternatevely, you ccan also buy Eiffel Tower tours<\/a> with summit access. <\/p>\n

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Know Before Choosing Your Eiffel Tower Tickets <\/h2>\n

Before picking the right Eiffel ticket, here are a couple of things you need to know.<\/p>\n

\"\" Stairs or Elevators <\/p>\n

You can get to the 1st and 2nd levels of the Tower using either by using the elevator or the stairs. The summit is accessible from the 2nd level via a separate elevator.<\/p>\n

While the elevators are a quicker way to ascend the tower, the stairs are often less crowded and have less waiting time involved when it comes to accessing the tower. <\/p>\n

\"\" To Summit or Not <\/p>\n

Most of the tickets to the Tower give you access to the 1st and 2nd levels. To get to the summit, you need to purchase separate summit tickets. Summit access tickets are required if you wish to board the summit elevator on the 2nd level and catch breathtaking views of the city. <\/p>\n

\"\" Guide, Host or Solo <\/p>\n

Depending on how you’d like the experience, you can choose either standard entry tickets or a guided tour. With entry tickets, you only get to enter and make your way up by yourself. With hosted experiences, you’ll be accompanied by a host who will lead you past the lines, help you get to the 2nd level and leave you to explore the Tower at your own pace. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

All Your Eiffel Tower Ticket Options Listed <\/h2>\n

While the Tower is a seemingly no-fuss attraction to visit, you have several tickets and tours to choose from. Picking the right one is hard, but we have you covered. <\/p>\n

In the sections that follow, we will take a closer look at all the different ticket options and even compare them so that you can easily differentiate between them to make a choice<\/p>\n

2. Climbing the Eiffel Tower – Eiffel Tower Stair Tickets<\/h3>\n

With over 1,700 stairs spread across three levels, climbing the Tower on foot is an experience of a lifetime. Designed for daredevils willing to embark on this journey, the Eiffel Tower stairs<\/a> offer some of of the best views of the City of Lights. Also, the waiting time for using the stairs is significantly lesser than that of the elevators, you\u2019ll be able to spend more time at the iron marvel. You will have to climb 328 steps to the first floor and 674 steps to the second floor. Once on the second floor, you can access the summit only by lift (the stairs are closed to the public) after procuring a ticket from the second-floor ticket counter.<\/p>\n

Staircase tickets are available online seven days in advance and are cheaper than lift tickets. The waiting time is hardly 30 minutes as most visitors prefer the elevator over the stairs. Some Eiffel Tower tickets come with access to the first and second floor via the stairs. With these tour packages, you’ll not have to waste time at the ticket counter and start your experience right away. <\/p>\n

10%Cashback10%Cashback10%Cashback10%Cashback10%Cashback10%Cashback10% Cashback10%Cashback <\/p>\n

Eiffel Tower Climbing Experience<\/h2>\n

Duration: 2.5 hours<\/p>\n

Highlights<\/b><\/p>\n