Eiffel Tower: 2026 ticket prices and skip-the-line access

In summer, the line for the elevators of the Eiffel Tower grows to two hours. A timed ticket removes most of that wait. We have gathered the official prices, opening hours, and a step-by-step guide to buying a ticket online.

The tower is open every day, but access to the esplanade goes through a security check. It takes 10-20 minutes (as of 09/2026, security rules on the official website). Arrive at the start of your time slot, otherwise the ticket will be void.

Below, we will break down what types of tickets exist and how much they cost, how to buy them without waiting in line, and what to consider before going up.

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Ticket types and prices

💡 In short:

• A ticket to the summit costs 36.70 € for an adult, book a slot for your desired date in advance.
• You can only walk up to the second level, after that you take an elevator.
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the tower's official website

The tower has three levels and several ways to go up. The most complete option takes two elevators to the third level: first to the second, then a separate elevator to the summit. Walking is only possible to the second level, there are no stairs for visitors beyond that.

The cost depends on the way up and your age. Here are the official prices for September 2026:

Tickets to the second level are cheaper. On the official website they start from 6.00 € with the elevator and from 3.80 € with the stairs, these are the minimum child fares. For adult fares to the second level, see the tower's full price list. Children under four go free.

From the summit you can see all of Paris, but the view from the second level is also good, and it costs several times less. If you are traveling with children and without much budget flexibility, the second level will cover the main goal.

Opening hours and last ascent

The tower is open every day all year round. There is one exception: days with very bad weather, when the ascent is closed for safety. In mid-September the tower is open from 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM (as of 09/15/2026, verified on the official website).

In high season the window is wider, and in winter it is shorter. The last ascent to the top level leaves before closing, so book an evening slot with some buffer. Check the exact hours for your date on the website itself, they change by season.

The stairs are open only during daylight hours, the elevators run almost until closing. If you buy a stairs ticket, plan your ascent well before evening.

© Fred Romero from Paris, France · CC BYPhoto: Fred Romero from Paris, France, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

How to buy a ticket online step by step

An online ticket is for a specific time and gives you direct access to the pillar, bypassing the ticket office. Sales open 60 days before the date, so summit slots sell out quickly (tower's official website).

Buying takes a few minutes. Here is how it looks on the tower's website.

Step 1. Open the official website and click "Buy a ticket", then "Ticket for individuals".

Step 2. Select the date of your visit and the number of tickets by age category.

Step 3. Choose the level you want to reach: the second level or the summit itself.

Step 4. Choose the way up: elevator or stairs.

Step 5. Click the board with the time you want. Taken slots are inactive.

Step 6. Check the selected options. The "Edit" button takes you back to make changes.

Step 7. Fill in your contact details: first name, last name, email address, and phone number.

The details must match the document you will bring with you. Fixing a typo in a name later is difficult.

Step 8. Pay for the tickets by bank card. A ticket bought online cannot be refunded or exchanged.

Step 9. The tickets will arrive by email in PDF or JPEG format. You can print them or save them on your smartphone.

How to save money and skip the line

The tower does not have a separate fast-track entrance. But an online ticket removes the main delay, waiting at the ticket office, and takes you straight to the pillar (according to the official website).

The cheapest way up is to walk to the second level. If you are ready to take the stairs and handle the physical effort well, you will save noticeably.

Summit slots go first. If there are none for your date, take the second level: the views from there are also panoramic, and the price is lower.

Eiffel Tower tickets with a time slot

Sometimes it is easier to buy a ready-made guided tour. The ticket is already included, and the group is taken past the ticket offices.

Another way to save time: choose a weekday morning. By midday the platforms are packed and the lines are longer.

Lunch and dinner at the tower

The tower has several dining options, and it is better to book them in advance: you need time for dinner before closing. On the first level there is Madame Brasserie, and at the top there is the Champagne Bar, the highest bar in Paris (as of 09/2026, tower restaurants and bars).

On the second level is Le Jules Verne, a fine dining restaurant. You need to reserve a table there several weeks ahead, especially for the evening.

Restaurant guests have their own elevator and skip-the-line entrance. Plan your visit like this: first the table, then a relaxed walk around the levels.

© Lieseylulu · CC BY-SAPhoto: Lieseylulu, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

What to keep in mind when buying a ticket

Here are details that are easy to miss.

• The ticket is sold for a specific time. The date and time cannot be changed after purchase, and arriving late is also not allowed.
• Weather matters a lot. In heavy rain or fog the panorama is barely visible, and the ticket will not be refunded.
• Animals are not allowed. The only exception is a guide dog.
• Every level has free restrooms.
• The summit is not accessible for visitors with reduced mobility (tower visit conditions).
• If there are no online tickets, choose another day or a guided tour.
• Allow one and a half to two hours for a standard visit.

Eiffel Tower tours

A ready-made tour takes care of all the logistics. A guide meets the group at the tower, leads you past the ticket offices and tells the story of the construction, including the years of World War II.

Eiffel Tower tours

The entrance ticket is not always included in the price, so check this when booking. Choose the tour language when you make the reservation.

If you want more of Paris, there are nearby tours of the Louvre, Montmartre and the Musée d'Orsay. These also need to be booked in advance; in high season there are almost no spots left.

Tips before your visit

A few habits will help you get through the visit smoothly.

• Take the first morning slot: the line is shorter and the light is better for photos.
• Bring water and a light jacket. It is windy at the top and noticeably colder than at the base.
• Check the forecast in advance. On a cloudy day you will not see the distant districts from the summit.
• Charge your phone: your ticket is stored on the screen, and there will be plenty of photos.
• Do not plan anything important right after the tower. Going up and down takes time.
• Buy your ticket at home or at the hotel, a couple of days ahead. On site there are fewer time slots to choose from.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a ticket to the Eiffel Tower cost?

An adult ticket with elevator access to the summit costs €36.70, for ages 12-24 it is €18.40, for children 4-11 it is €9.20 (as of 09/2026, official tower rates). Tickets to the second level are cheaper and start from €6.00 with the elevator and from €3.80 by stairs.

Can you visit the tower without waiting in line?

There is no separate fast-track entrance. An online ticket with a specific time lets you go to the pillar past the ticket office, but there is still a short line for the elevator. The difference is most noticeable in summer and on weekends.

Can you walk up to the summit?

No, the stairs only go to the second level. From there a separate elevator takes you to the summit. A stairs ticket is valid only up to the second level. For the summit you need a separate elevator ticket.

What should you do if your desired date is fully booked?

Try nearby days: time slots periodically free up. If there are no dates at all, take a guided tour where the entrance ticket is already included.

Is the tower open every day?

The tower is open daily all year round, except on days with very bad weather. In autumn and winter the hours are shorter than in summer, and the last ascent to the summit leaves before closing. Check the exact time for your date on the official website.

In short: what to book

If you want the most views, take the elevators to the top: that is the fullest program. If you are watching your budget, the walk up to the second level works, from €3.80. If you do not want to deal with the website, take a guided tour where the ticket is already included.

Tickets with a time slot on Tiqets or tours on GetYourGuide.