First-Timer’s Guide To Visiting The Eiffel Tower (Mistakes To Avoid + Tips To Follow)

Our first time climbing the Eiffel Tower was a complete disaster. We visited Paris in the middle of summer so it was hot and busy, we didn’t buy tickets in advance and we turned up at the worst possible time of day around midday. Five years later we made amends by climbing it on a weekday in November at sunset with advanced tickets. And what a difference a bit of planning made.

Our key takeaways from two trips: We prefer the 2nd floor to the summit (it’s cheaper, quicker and the views are better), planning ahead is essential, sunset is the best time to go up, the steps are challenging but fun and so much quicker than waiting in lines for the lifts, and guided tours are not necessary. We’d save our guided tour money for the Louvre.

Both times we bought the cheapest and most basic tickets including 2nd floor and summit access (which means steps to the 2nd floor and compulsory lift to the top). The major thing we noticed across our visits? Lines for lift access from the ground to the 2nd floor were so much longer than lines for the steps.

There are lots of different ways to visit the Eiffel Tower and some are going to give you a better experience than others. In this guide we show you our experiences, big mistakes to avoid and tips to follow, ticket options, what to expect on each floor, and what you should do to get the most out of your first time. Let’s dive in.

Note: Our content is reader supported and contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you and it helps us keep this site running.

Our Two Experiences

We want to start with a walkthrough of what happened during our visits. It’s important because it shows you what to expect and helps you understand our mistakes, so you don’t repeat them.

July 2018: 2nd Floor

We’d just left our jobs, got married and set off an epic 18-month honeymoon around the world – Paris was our very first stop and we couldn’t wait to climb the iconic Eiffel Tower. We didn’t bother pre-booking tickets, thinking we’d be able to just turn up and get straight up the steps. We were wrong.

It was around midday as we arrived to a massive line that stopped us in our tracks. Luckily, that turned out to be the line for elevator access to the second floor. Phew! We continued walking to the South Pillar (one of the tower’s 4 “legs”) for the steps, and we were grateful that the line wasn’t nearly as bad – but it still took around 40 minutes before finally got to climb our first step.

Back then it only cost us €10 each for 2nd floor tickets via the steps – pretty good value for money in our book. We explored the ground floor (also called the esplanade), 1st floor and 2nd floor but we didn’t eat in any of the restaurants. Our most vivid memory is the view we had over the lush green grass of the Champ du Mars. And we remember the sense of “fear of missing out” because we didn’t go to the summit.

Mark had climbed the steps a few times on previous trips but this was Kristen’s first time and she found climbing the steps to be easier than expected. We counted 328 steps from the ground to the 1st floor, and 346 more steps from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor for a total of 674 thigh-burning steps. It didn’t feel especially busy on the steps themselves, but it was jam-packed on the 1st and 2nd floors.

November 2023: Summit

We took plenty more trips to Paris in the following years, but we never went back up the Eiffel Tower until our awesome 8-day stay in November 2023 when we crafted an action-packed itinerary to tick off every single popular tourist attraction in the city. And after exploring the world non-stop since 2018 (and starting our travel business!) – this time we returned as expert travel planners.

We went up during the day first time, so we decided to go up for sunset and stay to see Paris light up at night. On November 5th we booked the 3:30 PM time slot for a next day visit on November 6th. We wanted plenty of time to climb the steps to the 2nd floor and take the lift to the summit before sunset, which was at 4:54 PM (check sunset times for your visit).

The no ticket line for the lifts was still huge despite being November, but there wasn’t a single person waiting to go up the steps – even this close to sunset. So we’d have been fine without pre-booking a time slot, but we still waltzed straight through with our e-tickets, climbed up, explored the 1st floor and 2nd floor, and took a lift to the summit.

We enjoyed seeing a mock up of Gustave Eiffel’s office and the views were more expansive, but it was so high up that all the landmarks below looked tiny. It didn’t help that the weather was awful, with thick heavy clouds and rain mixed with intense bursts of sunlight periodically creeping through gaps in the clouds. It was cool to get the full experience, but we’d book 2nd floor only next time.

It took a while, but eventually we managed to capture a few moody sunset photos with vibrant colors lighting up the clouds. Next, we decided to try a walk-in at Madame Brasserie for dinner on the 1st floor – and we were rudely scoffed at for not having a reservation. That sort of attitude isn’t for us, so it was a blessing in disguise.

We needed a pick-me-up, and we got it after descending the south pillar steps. Instead of leaving, we walked around the gardens and stood directly below as the Eiffel Tower began to sparkle – the orange light show lasted 5 minutes and it was spectacular.

Avoiding The Biggest Mistakes: Our Top Eiffel Tower Tips

Here are the mistakes we made and saw others making across our two trips, along with our tips and exactly what you should do instead:

Not Booking In Advance

Mistake: Turning up at the Eiffel Tower without a pre-booked time slot entry is the worst thing you can do, especially in peak summer months. We saw the no ticket lines for the lifts both times and they didn’t look like fun. Our no ticket line for the steps in July 2018 was bad enough.

Tip: Buy your time slot tickets well in advance so you don’t waste time standing in a line. Tickets are available 60 days in advance for lifts and 40 days in advance for steps. They sell out quickly (especially in peak season) so being organized is essential.

Going Up When It’s Busiest

Mistake: The Eiffel Tower was horribly crowded when we went up at midday in July 2018. Lift lines were enormous (not just to get up from the ground but also to go from the 2nd floor to the summit), people were crammed in and it was hot. A recipe for frustration.

Tip: Avoid going up from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in peak season. It doesn’t matter as much in the off season – our November visit was much quieter, even during the sunset time slot. Book for 9:00 AM or after sunset when it’s dark to avoid crowds.

Buying Steps vs Lifts Tickets

Mistake: During our November visit there was a group a few ahead of us with pre-booked tickets for the steps who didn’t realize that they had steps-only tickets. They meant to book lift access and didn’t realize how the tickets worked. The group was not allowed to change or upgrade, so they had to join the no ticket line for the lift and pay again.

Tip: We cover tickets in greater detail after this mistakes and tips section. But in a nutshell – make sure you buy the correct tickets for everyone in your group. Do you want steps or lifts?

Choosing 2nd Floor vs Summit

Mistake: We paid a lot more for our summit tickets than our 2nd floor only tickets, and we spent a decent amount of time just waiting for the lifts going both ways. The views? We could see further into the distance, but we only cared about the landmarks close by.

Tip: We wouldn’t go as far as saying it’s a mistake to choose the summit, but we wouldn’t do it again – especially if we visited in peak season when the lift lines between the 2nd floor and summit would be jam-packed. The 2nd floor was cheaper, quieter and quicker. In our opinion, the summit isn’t worth the money and time lost.

Missing The Sparkle

Mistake: Climbing the Eiffel Tower earlier in the day means missing the famous sparkle show that lasts 5 minutes every hour on the hour after dark.

Tip: Booking a sunset time slot meant we could enjoy the views during daylight, see Paris lit up at night and then watch the tower sparkling from directly below in the gardens. It was a really cool experience and we highly recommend it.

Eating At The Tower

Mistake: Restaurants at the base of the tower (ground floor) are overpriced and not great. The two restaurants (1st floor Madame Brasserie and 2nd floor Le Jules Verne) are expensive and require advanced bookings.

Tip: Unless you’re planning a special occasion at one of the two restaurants, avoid eating at the Eiffel Tower (and avoid the immediate streets nearby too – we were ripped off on our first visit to Paris). Instead, head further into the 7th arrondissement – we loved Rue Cler for classic French food.

Skipping Trocadero

Mistake: Photos from underneath and close to the Eiffel Tower are good, but not amazing.

Tip: If you really want to take home some cool photos, head over the Pont d’Iena to Esplanade du Trocadero. Mark took the classic photo of Kristen pinching the tower from here, but we’ve always had bad luck with the sun and sky. With good conditions, this is the prime-time photo spot for your social media feeds.

Not Knowing About Paris Passes

Mistake: Most visitors don’t know the Eiffel Tower is included on all three Go City Paris Passes and Tiqets Paris City Card. These passes can save money on attractions including the tower, but only when used correctly. We used both (and the Paris Museums Pass which doesn’t include the tower), and saved a few euros each time.

Tip: Take a look at both passes to see if either is a cost effective way to see the Eiffel Tower and other attractions in Paris. We don’t have a discount for the Tiqets bundle, but you can take 5% off your Go City order by clicking the link above and using MORGANS5 as a promo code. Here’s our Paris pass comparison to learn more.

Eiffel Tower Tickets, Hours + Logistics

We’ve visited many of the world’s most famous attractions – some have easy ticket processes and others are a bit more complicated. We’d say the Eiffel Tower lies somewhere in the middle because there’s different ways to go up, different floors and a ton of potential add-ons.

Here’s everything we learned about tickets, hours, getting there and logistics.

How to book tickets:

• Head over to the official website
• Click the “tickets” button
• Select a date
• Choose number of adults and children
• Select summit or 2nd floor
• Choose stairs or lift
• Pick a time slot
• Choose add-ons (or skip)
• Pay for tickets

Ticket prices:

Tickets	2nd Floor Steps	2nd Floor Lift	Top Steps + Lift	Top Lift + Lift
Adult	€14.50	€23.10	€27.50	€36.10
Youth(12-24)	€7.30	€11.60	€13.80	€18.10
Child (4-11)	€3.70	€5.90	€6.90	€9.10
Disabled	€3.70	€5.90	€6.90	€9.10
Under 4	Free	Free	Free	Free

Important pricing info: Eiffel Tower ticket prices will be slightly increased on January 12th, 2026. Here are the new rates.

Add-ons (with adult prices):

• Top via lift with glass of champagne: €60.10
• 2nd floor via lift with champagne: €44.10
• 2nd floor via steps with champagne: €35.50
• Top via lift with Madame Brasserie brunch: €116.10
• Guided tour to the top: €71.10
• Guided tour to 2nd floor with top access: €66.10
• Guided tour to 2nd floor only: €53.10

Opening hours:

• Mid-June to early September: 9:00 AM – 12:45 AM
• Rest of the year: 9:30 AM – 11:00 PM

Closest metros:

• Line 6: Bir-Hakeim (10 minute walk)
• Line 9: Trocadéro (15 minute walk)
• Line 8: Ecole Militaire (15 minute walk)
• RER Line C: Champ de Mars or Tour Eiffel (7 minute walk)

Closest bus stops:

• Bus 30 + 42: Tour Eiffel (5 minute walk)
• Bus 82: Tour Eiffel or Champ de Mars (5 minute walk)
• Bus 69 + 86: Champ de Mars (6 minute walk)

Another option is the hop on hop off bus which includes routes with stops near the Eiffel Tower. Look for “Eiffel Tower” or “Champ de Mars” with companies like Big Bus and TootBus.

Mark’s top logistics tip: Use this Paris metro map pdf to figure out the easiest way to get to the Eiffel Tower from your hotel or the attractions you’re visiting before going to the tower.

Entrances:

There are two entrances to the Esplanade (ground floor). Entrance 1 is located near the south pillar (only pillar with steps) and entrance 2 is near the east pillar (one of three pillars with lifts).

We passed through airport-style security checks at both entrances across our trips. Neither was better or quicker than the other, but the south entrance got us to the steps more easily.

When to visit:

After our two visits, we think the best time to climb the Eiffel Tower is around one hour for sunset. This allowed us to see Paris glowing under soft light and sparkling at night.

Our midday visit was hot, crowded and worse for photos because the light was so intense. The only other time we’d consider going is right as it opens at 9:00 AM to avoid the worst crowds.

What To Do When Visiting The Eiffel Tower

Let’s walk through what you can expect on each floor when you arrive, based on what we discovered across our visits.

The Esplanade (Ground Level)

The area directly beneath the tower is free to enter, but we still had to pass through the security glass wall first. We didn’t realize first time around, but there are color coded flags for ticket holders vs no tickets. So during our second visit we looked for green flags (ticket holders) on the esplanade.

We climbed the steps both times so we needed the south pillar, but if you’re using the lift you need the north, east or west pillars. There was an information desk in the west pillar, along with several snack shops scattered around the ground floor – including the Rendez-vous boutique with souvenirs.

We also walked over to the north pillar to see the golden bust of Gustave Eiffel by sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. But our favorite thing about the esplanade was the immense photo op looking up at the Eiffel Tower from directly below. Mark was so particular about being exactly in the center!

Kristen’s top safety tip: The area around the esplanade is a hot zone for pickpockets and petition scammers. Keep your bags zipped and ignore anyone asking you to sign a form or buy anything. During our November visit the in-thing was buying music discs. We confidently ignored and walked past anyone who tried anything.

The 1st Floor

At 57 meters high (157 feet), the 1st floor is the most spacious level – yet we found it to be the most overlooked on both our visits. It was quiet in July and November, so it’s perfect for families and those who want to escape tighter crowds on the upper levels.

Our favorite thing on the first floor is the small glass floor at 57 meters above the ground – it’s a fun photo spot but it’s a no-go if you have vertigo. We also liked seeing the red 6-meter section of the original staircase that Gustave Eiffel used to reach his private office at the top.

There’s also an outer passageway featuring digital displays and touchscreens detailing the tower’s construction and its place among the world’s tallest buildings, which we thought was cool to see.

The first floor restaurant is Madame Brasserie, which can be booked for lunch and dinner with set meals. Prices range from €70-260 per adult depending on meal and table (window tables are more expensive).

Mark’s lift tip: The lift goes straight from ground floor to the 2nd floor, but it stops at the 1st floor on the way back down so it will be the last stop you make if you buy tickets with lift access only.

The 2nd Floor

Sitting 115 meters high (377 feet), we think the 2nd floor has the best views of Paris. The summit is higher, but the 2nd floor is low enough that we could still easily distinguish landmarks like the Louvre, Notre-Dame and the Arc de Triomphe without them looking like dots in the distance.

We found the height to be perfect for photographing the iconic architecture sprawling out across the city. And despite the dreadful weather we had during our second visit, we thought it was a much better height to watch the sunset.

Le Jules Verne is the 2nd floor’s famous 2-star Michelin experience with a strict dress code and requires reservations months in advance. This would be a fantastic place to celebrate something special – it even has its own private elevator from the ground. Or there’s also a buffet and macaron bar for snacks with views of the Seine.

This level also has the largest selection of official gifts. We haven’t bought one, but this is where to get your real Eiffel Tower replica – rather than from street vendors at the base.

Mark’s travel tip: Scan the QR codes dotted around the 2nd floor observation deck to see free virtual reality explanations of the landmarks you’re looking at.

The Summit

At 276 meters high (906 feet), the Summit is the highest point in Paris. And while we do think the far reaching views are excellent, we prefer the 2nd floor views. The top level is tiny and it felt super cramped when we visited at around 4:00 PM in November.

There’s two different levels at the top: The first is indoors with a glass-enclosed floor and 360-degree panoramic maps pointing to world cities, and the second is an open-air outdoor platform with metal safety fencing. We did like that the outdoor viewing area was open because we could take clear photos with reflections (windows are common in observation decks around the world).

Gustave Eiffel’s secret office was also fun to see – we liked the wax figures of Eiffel, his daughter and Thomas Edison who visited in 1889. And there’s a small champagne bar at the top if you fancy spending €25 on a tiny plastic cup filled with Moet & Chandon. We waited a few hours and got 2 bottles of wine with dinner for the same price.

Other than being small and packed in like sardines, the downsides to paying for the top floor are waiting in long lines for the lift (there are no steps open to the public between the 2nd floor and summit), and the fact it can be closed unexpectedly due to high winds, ice or extreme heat.

The Gardens

We remember the gardens being restored during our visit to Paris in 2018, so we were excited to see how they ended up when we went back to the Eiffel Tower in 2023. Honestly, we thought the restoration was excellent.

The gardens are located inside the security glass walls, so they felt totally safe even after dark when we were taking photos of the tower from below as it began to sparkle. We also loved the serene winding paths, ponds, cave with waterfall and viewpoints specially located for upward facing views of the tower.

Two bonus extras we found were a massive Plane tree near the west exit that was planted in 1814 (older than the tower) and a tall red-brick chimney built in 1887 that once evacuated steam from the hydraulic machinery powering the original elevators.

Kristen’s light show tip: We’ve watched the sparkle from a few different spots around the area across our trips to Paris, but our favorite by far was from directly below the tower inside the gardens.

Our Favorite Eiffel Tower Views + Photo Spots

Take it from us as travel photographers, it’s hard to capture photos from close-up to the Eiffel Tower. We ended up being forced to use 16mm focal length to fit it all in, and that just distorts the perspective. Here’s a few places we loved taking photos of the Eiffel Tower instead:

Trocadero: The classic, symmetrical, head-on view from across the river. We think sunrise would be the best time to avoid crowds and enjoy soft light, but any later and the sun will be directly ahead so it’s better to wait until way later in the day. This is another great spot to watch the sparkle.

Rue de l’Universite: The Instagram famous dead-end cobblestone street that frames the tower between Haussmann-style buildings is an amazing photo spot but it’s extremely busy. If it’s silly-busy, try walking 5 minutes southeast to Square Rapp – a hidden spot that has a less impressive foreground, but it’s further away so there’s room to work in some compression with a telephoto lens.

Champ de Mars: This could be a perfect picnic spot with a view, but every time we go to Paris a lot of the green grassy spaces are either closed or too muddy to put a blanket down. If conditions are good and it’s open, this is easily one of the better Eiffel Tower viewpoints.

Pont de Bir-Hakeim: Our favorite view of the Eiffel Tower with the Seine is from La France Renaissante underneath the Pont de Bir-Hakeim (which you might recognize from the movie Inception). It’s generally less crowded than the others too.

Do It Yourself Or Book A Guided Tour?

Okay, we’ve covered mistakes to avoid, ticket options and what to see. The next thing to decide is whether to visit independently or book a guided tour? Nobody likes wasting money, and it can be hard to know the right time to splurge on a guided tour.

After 10+ trips to Paris and visiting every major attraction more than once, our honest opinion is that the Eiffel Tower is perfectly fine to do independently without paying more for a tour.

Personally, if we had a set amount of money to spend on guided tours, we’d save it for the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles or foodie and wine tours. But if we had a healthy budget or a special interest in the Eiffel Tower, we’d consider booking a guided tour just to have an expert tell us more about it than what the average visitor will get.

DIY

Visiting the Eiffel Tower twice independently gave us flexibility and affordability. We weren’t stuck to a specific tour time and our basic tickets didn’t break the bank. But in truth, we didn’t learn any more than what we figured out for ourselves by scanning QR codes and reading information boards.

We didn’t realize this was an option until updating this guide, but you can actually connect to the free tower Wi-Fi on site and visit this official self-guided page to see then vs now photos and listen to historical audio tracks. The website feels super clunky to us, but it’s better than nothing.

Guided Tours

There are a few different ways you can book a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower if you don’t want to deal with booking tickets or aimlessly wandering around the different levels without an idea about what you’re looking at.

Here are the best options we can find, that we’d consider booking ourselves:

Official guided tour: Before booking a basic ticket, you can instead buy a guided tour + entry ticket through the official website. It generally works out to be the cost of the basic ticket (steps vs lift and 2nd floor vs top) + €35 per adult and €25 per child for the guided tour. Here’s an example of the tour with lifts to the summit, but you can choose cheaper options with steps.

Viator: This top rated tour is affordable and it has thousands of positive reviews. It includes a local tour guide who leads you up to the 2nd floor via the steps with hidden stories and information you won’t learn by visiting independently.

Take Walks: If you’d rather spend your money on a full day guided tour of the Louvre, city walk, river cruise and exterior of the Eiffel Tower (but without going up it), book this Paris in a day tour with our personal favorite company for guided tours Take Walks. It’s perfect for those short on time.

Important: No ticket bought independently or guided tour booking includes skip the line for the Eiffel Tower. Skip the line basically means you don’t wait in a line to buy a ticket, but you still have to wait in whatever line is there for the steps or lift at the time. You cannot skip to the front of the line for steps or lift.

Our Pros & Cons

After two climbs, here are our pros and cons to visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris:

Pros ✅:

• One of the most recognizable landmarks in the world
• Amazing 360-degree views over Paris
• Accessible for the less mobile
• Cheaper pricing for steps helps budget travelers
• Walking up the south pillar is a fun experience
• The sparkle is immersive and great for kids

Cons ❌:

• Crowds can be intense at the top
• Long lines for every lift gets annoying
• 2-3 hour waits common without pre-booked tickets
• Restaurant prices are too high (need cheaper alternative)
• Navigating the museum is difficult (even with map)
• Miserable weather can easily ruin the experience
• Very aggressive scammers outside security gates
• Anyone with vertigo won’t enjoy it
• Can’t be spontaneous, must be organized
• You can’t see the tower from the tower

Is The Eiffel Tower Worth Visiting?

Our honest answer: Yes, but only once. It’s chaotic, the security feels like an airport and the elevator lines can be awful. But if it’s your first time in Paris, standing inside the iron structure looking out at the city is a memory you can’t get from just taking a photo.

We stand by our advice to skip the summit. The 2nd floor offers the best “bang for your buck”, plus you’ll save so much time queuing for elevators. If you’re physically able, we recommend buying the “stairs to the 2nd floor” ticket – it’s the cheapest option, has the shortest lines and gives you a much better sense of the tower’s massive scale.

Remember, you can’t see the Eiffel Tower from inside the tower itself. If you’d rather pay for skyline views that include looking at the Eiffel Tower, go up the Arc de Triomphe or Montparnasse Tower instead. We got amazing photos with half the stress.

Next Steps

We hope our guide on how to visit the Eiffel Tower for the first time helps with planning your trip to Paris.

Don’t forget you can book a travel planning video call with us if you’d like our expert help organizing your first trip to the city. We can answer any questions you have or adapt our itinerary to suit your travel style.

Still researching for your trip?

• Here’s our detailed 2 days in Paris itinerary.
• This is exactly what to do in Paris.
• These are the best areas to stay in Paris.
• What to know about visiting Paris in November.
• This is how to visit the Palace of Versailles.
• Here’s our guide to visiting the Louvre.

Finally, if you’ll be visiting more places on the same trip, we recommend reading our France travel guide for helpful tips and advice.

Happy Travels,

Mark and Kristen

Enjoy this guide? Pin it for later!

All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.