Ahh Paris, the twinkling lights, the romantic atmosphere, the delicious food, crisp wine, and of course, the magnificent Eiffel Tower.
If you’re planning a trip to Paris, there is little doubt that you’re planning to visit the city’s best-known landmark. Perhaps the most iconic man-made structure on the planet, the Eiffel Tower is integral to any first-time-in-Paris itinerary. For any visitor to Paris, getting your Eiffel Tower skip-the-line tickets is the best way to indulge in this monumental icon.
It’s the most-visited paid monument in the world, seeing almost 7 million visitors each year. The tower offers breathtaking views of Paris and an experience quite unlike any other.
If you want to head up the Eiffel Tower, you’ll have to buy tickets. Either you can purchase tickets on the day from the ticket office, or you can purchase Eiffel Tower tickets online beforehand, and skip the infamous ticket office line.
Below, we break down your different options for skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tours and tickets and offer a side-by-side comparison to help you make your decision.
Highlights:
- Save time by skipping the notorious lines at the ticket office
- Amazing views of Paris both during the day and at night
- Spectacular light show in the evenings
- Perhaps the most iconic building on Earth
- Visit the museum on the 1st floor
Know before you book:
- Can get crowded during peak times
- The 1st and 2nd levels are wheelchair accessible, but the top is not
- Tickets will be booked for specific time slots
Built between 1887 and 1889, the Eiffel Tower is probably the most widely recognized monument in the world. For well over a century, the wrought-iron beast has dominated the Parisian skyline, towering elegantly above the city streets.
The tower was named after the engineer and entrepreneur who erected it: Gustave Eiffel. Standing at 300 m (984 ft) tall, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world at the time of its construction and maintained that title for 41 years. Today, it is still the tallest structure in Paris, France.
The tower was initially met with some controversy amongst designers and intellectuals of the time, but has since become one of the most revered landmarks in existence.
Visiting the tower is inherently a fundamental part of any tourist trip to the City of Light. Some choose to admire it from the ground, watching the dazzling light display by night, but the majority of visitors choose to ascend it.
The Eiffel Tower is more than just an iconic landmark and important piece of French history; climbing the tower affords visitors the best possible views of Paris.
Travelers Tip – A popular choice is to combine a trip up the Eiffel Tower with a cruise on the River Seine.
Skip-the-line Eiffel Tower Prices 2023
Eiffel Tower prices vary depending on the experience you wish to have.
- Basic Eiffel Tower skip-the-line tickets start at around €25 ($28 USD) for access to the 1st and 2nd floors.
- If you want access to the summit, your most affordable skip-the-line option will cost around €50 ($55 USD).
- Guided tours start from roughly €32 ($35 USD) up to around €64 ($70 USD) depending on the options.
Check the price list below for the most up to date offers on skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets and tours.
Eiffel Tower Opening Times
You’ll be pleased to know that the Eiffel Tower is open 365 days a year. So no matter when you visit Paris, you’ll be able to ascend it. The daily opening times vary slightly throughout the year.
14 June – 31st August:
● The lift and stairs are both open and operate daily between 9:00 am and 12:45 am
Rest of the year:
● The lift is open and operates daily between 9:30 am and 11:45 pm
● The stairs are open between 9:30 am and 6:30 pm
Note that the last ascent is around 1 – 2 hours before closing time.
Best Time to Visit the Eiffel Tower
Generally speaking, the Eiffel Tower is at its busiest from late morning to late afternoon. If you’d prefer a quieter visit, we suggest visiting between 9 am and 11 am, or between 8 pm and 10:30 pm. Visiting when the tower is quieter can save you time, and make the experience more peaceful.
While the Eiffel Tower fast-pass tickets compared below allow you to skip the line at the ticket office, you may still have to wait at the security checkpoint if the tower is busy.
Another consideration is whether you should visit the Eiffel Tower at night or during the day. At night, the city lights glow and sparkle, and the tower itself performs a light display for 10 minutes on the hour, every hour.
During the day, however, you’ll have a better view of Paris from the tower. Some visitors even choose to do both.
Should I Buy Eiffel Tower Tickets in Advance?
It is generally advised to buy tickets in advance of your visit to the Eiffel tower. Tickets are available upon arrival, but buying them on the day will require you to wait in the long lines at the ticket office. Making Eiffel Tower reservations in advance also ensures you get access during a specific time slot, which is ideal for busy itineraries.
Buy skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets online and save time spent waiting in line. That way, you can make the most of your time in Paris, and spend more time in the sky atop the tower.
Eiffel Tower Guided Tour Options
There are a number of different options when it comes to skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets. Some give you access to only the 1st and 2nd floors, others give you access to all floors, including the summit. You may choose to embark on a guided skip-the-line tour, or simply purchase tickets and explore by yourself.
We’ll discuss and compare some of the most popular Eiffel Tower ticket prices and options below.
Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Tickets (Fast Track)
This is the most basic option for an Eiffel Tower skip-the-line ticket. You’ll be able to purchase your tickets online for a set date and time and avoid the ticket office line on arrival.
This ticket also provides you with a host who will guide you to the ticket-scan entrance. You’ll then be left to enjoy the scenic elevator ride up to the 1st and 2nd floor.
Riding the lift up the tower is an experience in itself. It travels up the tower within one of the four legs, offering interesting views of the surrounding structure and passing fellow visitors climbing the stairs.
- Eiffel tower tickets (skip-the-line)
- Entry ticket to the 1st and 2nd floors of the Eiffel Tower
- Access to the tower without having to wait in the ticket office lines
- A host who will accompany you to the entrance
- Access to the top floor
- A guided tour
- Food and drinks
Click below to check the latest price and book cheap Eiffel tower tickets!
Check Price & BookSkip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Summit Tickets
This ticket includes access to the top level of the Eiffel Tower and allows you to skip the ticket office lines. You will also have access to the 1st and 2nd levels.
Enjoy skip-the-line access to the tower where you can spend as long as you like, exploring the different levels at your leisure. This ticket allows you to ride the elevator from the lower levels to the breathtaking summit.
Perched 276 meters (906 feet) above the ground, the Eiffel Tower’s summit is the highest publicly-accessible observation deck in the EU. Glide up to the top and enjoy the most incredible views Paris has to offer.
There is a champagne bar on the top level where you can enjoy a glass of fine bubbly as you admire the sprawling vistas.
- Access to the tower without having to wait in the ticket office lines
- Eiffel tower ticket (skip-the-line) to summit
- Access to the 1st, 2nd, and top levles of the Eiffel Tower
- Practical guidance from a friendly host
- Guided tour of the Eiffel Tower
- Food and drinks
Click below to see the latest price and book!
Check Price & BookEiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Tour: Stairs
With this skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tour, your friendly guide will secure tickets before you make your way to the stair entrance. This tour is exclusively for the stairs, so no elevator access will be granted.
In anticipation of your ascent, your guide will provide interesting facts and stories about the tower and its rich history. The commentary will continue as you ascend the 704 steps to the 2nd level of the tower.
Take breaks along the way at the designated resting areas, and make a stop at the 1st floor. You will have some time to explore with your guide before heading up to the 2nd floor, where you can admire the views and explore further.
This tour includes the optional extra of Eiffel Tower summit tickets. If you select the summit option when booking, you will ascend to the top level in the elevator without your guide and continue exploring at your leisure.
- A guided tour with an experienced guide
- Fascinating facts, stories, and information about the tower
- Skip-the-Ticket-Line access
- Full access to the 1st and 2nd floor via the stairs
- Optional access to the summit via elevator
- Elevator access to the 1st and 2nd floor
- Food and drinks
- Summit level Eiffel Tower guided tour
Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Tour: Summit Via Elevator
This guided tour is of the Eiffel Tower allows you skip-the-line access to the elevator that hoists you up to the 2nd floor. After exploring the middle level, continue your journey via elevator to the summit. This option is best suited to those who may struggle with the stairs but would enjoy a guided tour.
You will be joined by an experienced and knowledgeable guide for the duration of this tour, from a peppering of facts on the ground to fascinating stories in the sky. Enjoy unparalleled views of Paris accompanied by a well-informed commentary. Your guide will also be happy to provide tips and information for the rest of your stay in Paris.
When you get to the top, you’ll have the opportunity to pop into Gustave Eiffel’s apartment.
- Eiffel Tower skip-the-line ticket with summit access
- Guided tour with a knowledgeable guide
- Interesting commentary, facts, and stories about the tower
- Skip-the-Ticket-Line access to all levels
- Optional access to the summit via elevator
- Stair access
- Food and drinks
- Guided tour of the 1st level
Click below to see the price and book this tour!
Check Price & BookSpecification: Best Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Tickets & Eiffel Summit Tickets 2023
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Beth_M –
First time in Paris, first day, first landmark and with all that pressure (😅) Toby did a great job pointing out landmarks, sharing the Tower’s history and leading us thru security and lines. Tickets and check in was easy and pleasant. Would recommend!
Patricia_B –
Our tour guide’s extensive knowledge of the history of the tower. His name was Martin. The entire experience was awesome!
Janet_E –
Great experience with our tour guide, Tobias. Meeting location was easy to find. Tobias was very knowledgeable about the Eiffel Tower and about Paris.
jeffrey_w –
Great trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower. OJ was knowledgeable and friendly. He kept our girls engaged and that is a big plus. Loved the views and stories!