There is a version of the Eiffel Tower that most visitors never see. Not because it is hidden — it is right there, open to anyone with a ticket and...
tyl
June 25, 2026
There is a version of the Eiffel Tower that most visitors never see. Not because it is hidden — it is right there, open to anyone with a ticket and a willingness to use their legs. The Eiffel Tower stairs take you through the actual bones of the structure: the riveted iron beams, the diagonal bracing, the smell of old metal on a warm afternoon.
Paris doesn’t just appear below you — it builds, floor by floor, like a slow reveal. If you have been wondering whether the stair climb is worth it, or how it all works practically, this guide covers the lot. Steps, tickets, what to expect, and how to decide whether the stairs or the elevator is right for your trip.
Can Visitors Climb the Eiffel Tower Stairs?
Yes and more people should. The staircase is open to the public via the South Pillar, and it gets you as far as the 2nd floor. The stairs above that, up to the summit, aren’t accessible to visitors; the only way to the top is by elevator from the 2nd floor. But most of what makes the climb special happens on the way up anyway.
It’s worth being clear about who the climb suits. Most adults and older kids handle it without issue. The official Eiffel Tower guidance flags the staircase as unsuitable for people with reduced mobility, families with strollers, and parents travelling with babies or very young children — the elevator is genuinely the better option in those cases.
One thing experienced visitors tend to agree on: take the stairs up and the elevator down. You get the full climb experience going up, and you sidestep the downward elevator queue — which regularly rivals the upward one for sheer length.
How Many Stairs Are in the Eiffel Tower?
The number shifts depending on how far you are going:
328 steps from the esplanade to the 1st floor
674 steps from the esplanade to the 2nd floor
1,665 steps to the very top — though the upper section isn’t open to visitors climbing on foot
So the climbable section of the Eiffel Tower stair climb runs to 674 steps. That sounds more intimidating than it is. The steps are wide with plenty of room on the landings, and there’s no pace set for you — stop as often as you like.
Most people hit the 1st floor in around 15 minutes and the 2nd floor in another 15. Half an hour of steady walking, more or less, with Paris getting better looking the whole way. A bit of history worth knowing: when the tower opened in 1889, the stairs were the only way to the top. The original configuration had 360 steps to the 1st floor and 380 to the 2nd.
The first elevators arrived eleven days after opening. The structure has been modified since — the steps are wider now, the landings more generous — but you are still walking through something that has barely changed in over a century.
Eiffel Tower Stairs Tickets: What You Need to Know
Good news on two fronts: stair tickets are cheaper than elevator tickets, and they are easier to get. Here is what the 2026 pricing looks like:
2nd Floor via Stairs — Adults (25+): €14.80
2nd Floor via Stairs — Youth (12–24): €7.40
2nd Floor via Stairs — Children (4–11): €3.80
Stairs to 2nd Floor + Elevator to Summit: from €26.10 (adult)
Stairs + Glass of Champagne at the 2nd Floor: combined ticket, online only
You can book Eiffel Tower stairs tickets through the official site (toureiffel.paris) up to 30 days ahead, or on the day — walk-up availability for the stairs is reliably better than for the lifts. That said, from September 29, 2026, advance reservations will be required for stair tickets too. Book ahead and you won’t have to think about it.
If you’d rather not navigate it alone, TickYourList runs an Eiffel Tower Guided Climb by Stairs — a guided experience with a local host who covers the history, the engineering, and the story behind what you are looking at as you climb. Worth considering if you want more than just the view.
Which Is Better: Stairs or Elevator at the Eiffel Tower?
It depends on the trip and the people on it. Here is how the two options compare side by side:
Factor
Eiffel Tower Stairs
Elevator
Floors accessible
1st and 2nd floor only
1st, 2nd, and Summit
Steps required
328 to 1st floor; 674 to 2nd floor
None
Adult ticket price
From €14.80 (2nd floor via stairs)
From €26.10 (2nd floor by lift)
Wait times
Typically under 30 minutes
Up to 3+ hours at peak times
Views of ironwork
Exceptional — you are inside the structure
Limited through glass cabin
Accessibility
Not suitable for strollers, mobility issues, infants
Fully accessible for all visitors
Physical demand
Moderate — wide steps, rest landings
None
Best for
Active visitors, photography lovers, families with older kids
Everyone, especially families with young children or seniors
Summit access
Not by stairs — elevator required from 2nd floor
Yes, with summit ticket upgrade
The short version: if you are fit and not travelling with very young children, the stairs are cheaper, quicker to access, and more interesting. The elevator makes more sense if mobility is a factor, if the summit is a must, or if you’re managing a stroller and a toddler in thirty-degree heat.
Plenty of visitors do both — stairs up, elevator to the summit, elevator down to the 2nd floor, stairs back to the ground. It sounds like a lot but it flows naturally through the tower’s layout, and the descent via stairs takes barely ten minutes while giving you a completely different angle on the structure.
What to Expect During Your Eiffel Tower Stair Climb?
This is what the experience actually looks like on the day:
Start at the South Pillar — follow the signs from the esplanade once you are through security
From the first few steps, you’re inside the ironwork — close enough to touch the beams, watching the city open up through the lattice as you rise
The 1st floor sits 57 metres up and has the famous glass floor panel — you can look straight down to the ground below, which is either brilliant or deeply unsettling, depending on your constitution
The 2nd floor (115 metres) has the panoramic deck, restaurants, a Pierre Hermé macarons bar, shops, and the elevator access to the summit
On the way down you take a different staircase, which means different sightlines — it genuinely doesn’t feel like the same route
Practical things to know: no left luggage at the tower, so pack light. Security screening applies to everyone, stairs or elevator. Toilets are free and available on all floors.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Climb
Book ahead — after September 2026, advance reservations are mandatory for stairs too
Dusk is the sweet spot: daylight views on the way up, a Paris sunset from the 2nd floor, and the tower’s sparkle display after dark
Flat, comfortable shoes — this is not the place to test new footwear
Bring water. The climb isn’t brutal, but it’s sustained
If you want the summit, choose the stairs + elevator combo ticket at booking — there is no way to add it on-site once you are up there
Weekday mornings have the shortest queues, almost without exception
The TickYourList guided climb adds real context to what you are seeing — especially worthwhile if you are curious about the engineering
So, Is the Eiffel Tower Stair Climb Worth It?
For most people, yes. There is a specific satisfaction to arriving at the 2nd floor observation deck under your own power, with Paris spread out in every direction, knowing you climbed every one of those 674 steps to get there. It’s a different feeling from stepping out of a lift — harder to explain than to experience.
What the Eiffel Tower stairs give you that the elevator doesn’t is presence. You are not just visiting the tower; you are moving through it slowly enough to actually take it in — the scale of it, the weight of it, the way it was built to be seen from the inside as much as the outside. It’s the kind of thing you remember.
Book your Eiffel Tower stairs tickets before you go, wear something you can move in, and make the climb. You will be glad you did.
FAQs
Can you climb the Eiffel Tower stairs?
Yes. Visitors can climb the Eiffel Tower stairs from the South Pillar to the 1st and 2nd floors. The summit is only accessible by elevator from the 2nd floor, even with a stairs ticket.
How many stairs are in the Eiffel Tower?
There are 328 steps to the 1st floor and 674 steps to the 2nd floor. Although the tower has 1,665 steps in total, visitors cannot climb the stairs beyond the 2nd floor.
How much do Eiffel Tower stairs tickets cost?
In 2026, Eiffel Tower stairs tickets start at €14.80 for adults, €7.40 for youth (12–24), and €3.80 for children (4–11). Combination tickets with summit elevator access are also available.
Is it better to take the stairs or the elevator at the Eiffel Tower?
The stairs are ideal for visitors seeking lower ticket prices, shorter queues, and close-up views of the tower’s iron structure. The elevator is recommended for summit access, families with young children, and visitors with mobility needs.
How long does it take to climb the Eiffel Tower stairs?
Most visitors reach the 2nd floor in 30 to 40 minutes, depending on fitness level and photo stops. The climb includes wide staircases, rest landings, and spectacular views of Paris throughout the journey.
Can you buy Eiffel Tower stairs tickets online?
Yes. You can book Eiffel Tower stairs tickets online through the official website or authorized ticket providers. Booking in advance is recommended, especially during weekends, holidays, and the summer travel season.
Are Eiffel Tower stairs tickets worth it?
Yes. Eiffel Tower stairs tickets offer a unique experience, lower prices, shorter waiting times, and impressive views of Paris. Climbing through the tower’s historic iron framework makes the visit more memorable than taking the elevator alone.
