Eiffel Tower tickets online cost adults €14.80 for the stairs to the second floor and €36.70 for the lift to the summit, with two options in between. Lift tickets go on sale 60 days ahead and stairs tickets 30 days ahead, though summer summit slots vanish far sooner.
The short version: choose your level, choose your way up, and book the moment your Paris dates are firm.
Why Booking Ahead Saves Your Day
You show up at the Champ de Mars with the whole day planned, and then you waste part of it waiting. In busy months the line for walk up tickets often takes about 90 minutes to 3 hours. On the most crowded days in summer, as many as 25,000 visitors come through.
Booking swaps that for a set date and time. It won’t erase every wait — you still clear security, and lifts can have a short line — but the ticket office queue is the one that quietly eats an hour, and that’s the one you skip.
The official e-ticket arrives by email, and one order covers up to nine people.
One warning before you click: official tickets are non-refundable and can’t be swapped for another slot. Wait until your plans are solid.
Ticket Types and 2026 Prices
Two choices: how high, and how you get there. That makes four self-guided tickets.
| Ticket | Adult | Youth (12–24) | Child (4–11) | Best for |
| Stairs to 2nd floor | €14.80 | €7.40 | €3.80 | Budget-minded, active visitors |
| Lift to 2nd floor | €23.50 | €11.80 | €6.00 | Easy views, flexible planning |
| Stairs + lift to summit | €28.00 | €14.00 | €7.00 | Cheapest route to the top |
| Lift to summit | €36.70 | €18.40 | €9.20 | First-timers wanting the classic view |
Children under 4 enter free but still need a ticket. Visitors with a disability card pay the reduced child rate with proof. Treat the checkout page as the final word, since prices do shift.
A trap worth knowing: there’s no longer a ticket that lets you climb all the way to the summit on foot. The €28 combo is as close as it gets.
Stairs or Lift? Second Floor or Summit?
If your legs are game, take the stairs. It’s 674 steps up the open iron framework, with the platforms appearing one by one as you climb. You feel the structure around you in a way the lift never quite delivers. A climb ticket with optional summit access gets you the stairs and the choice of finishing at the top.
The lift is friendlier for children, tired feet and anyone short on time.
Note that stairs close earlier than the lifts — typically around 6:30pm — so climbers need a daytime slot, not an evening one.
As for height, the second floor is the quieter pick. Most of the best views happen there, and it books out later than the summit. The summit is the showstopper, though. First visit and you want the full “I made it” moment? Go up top. If summit slots are gone, a second-floor ticket is a very good consolation.
What You’ll See at Each Level
First floor, 57 metres: a glass floor, plus Madame Brasserie, where a meal comes with priority lift access.
Second floor, 116 metres: the wide, detailed city view — the Seine, the rooftops, the big landmarks laid out like a map.
Summit, 276 metres: an indoor glass gallery, an open-air upper deck with a true 360-degree view, Gustave Eiffel’s restored office and a champagne bar. Bring a jacket — it’s breezy up there even on a warm afternoon.
When Tickets Go on Sale
Timing matters more than most people expect.
Lift tickets open 60 days out, at 8:30am Paris time. Stairs tickets open 30 days out. In July and August, summit slots can sell out within hours of release — sometimes minutes. Set a reminder for the day your date opens.
Missed it? There’s a second release. A further batch goes live at 1:00pm Paris time, seven days before your visit date. It’s competitive, but it’s a genuine second chance.
Some slots also open up 24 to 48 hours before the time, more often in the middle of the week. Resellers keep their own set of seats, so a different site can show a spot even when the official calendar says it is full.
New rule from 29 September 2026: stairs tickets must be reserved in advance. Don’t plan on buying one at the base.
Official Site, Reseller or Guided Tour?
The official site is normally your lowest base price. Third-party products cost more when they add services.
Read the wording closely. On some platforms “hosted entry” means someone meets you and leads you through the entrance but gives no commentary, while a “guided tour” includes it. They’re different products at different prices.
Guided visits stay small — the Tower’s operator limits a guide to one group of up to eight visitors per 30-minute slot. Check the current price, meeting point and inclusions on each listing before choosing a date.
Before You Go
Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your slot. Security involves a bag check and metal detector.
Tickets are named — bring ID for everyone in your group.
Leave big bags behind. Large luggage and pets aren’t allowed, and there’s no left-luggage service.
Weather can change the plan. High winds and fog can close the summit or hide the view, and a closed summit alone doesn’t earn a refund.
Accessibility: Wheelchair access goes up to the first floor and the second floor using the lift. The summit area and the stairs do not work well for people with reduced mobility. Because of that, buying a lift ticket for the second floor makes the most sense.
Getting there: Bir-Hakeim on metro line 6 is about a 10-minute walk, RER C Champ de Mars about 7.
Hours: usually 9:30am to 11:45pm, with last summit ascent at 11:00pm. From mid-June to August the tower opens at 9:00am and runs past midnight.
Final Word
The Tower deserves more than a rushed photo from the ground. Book early, match the ticket to your legs and budget, and leave time to just stand there and look.
For the rest of the city, the wider list of things to do in Paris covers the Louvre, the Seine cruises and Versailles.
FAQs
How much are Eiffel Tower tickets in 2026?
Adults pay €14.80 for stairs to the second floor, €23.50 for the lift to the second floor, €28.00 for stairs plus lift to the summit, and €36.70 for the lift to the summit. Under-4s free.
When do Eiffel Tower tickets go on sale?
Lift tickets open 60 days ahead at 8:30am Paris time, stairs tickets 30 days ahead. In July and August summit slots can sell out within hours of release, so set a reminder for the day your date opens.
What if Eiffel Tower tickets are sold out?
Check again seven days before your date — a second release goes live at 1:00pm Paris time. Cancellations also appear 24 to 48 hours ahead, and resellers hold their own allocation, often available when the official calendar is greyed out.
Can I climb the stairs to the summit?
No. Stairs stop at the second floor, 674 steps up. The €28 combo gets you the closest — climb to the second floor, then take the lift for the final stretch to the 276-metre summit and Eiffel’s office.
Do I need to book stairs tickets in advance?
From 29 September 2026, yes. Stairs tickets now require advance reservation, so you can no longer buy one at the base. Before that date walk-up stairs tickets were possible, but queues ran long in peak season.
What are the Eiffel Tower opening hours?
Usually 9:30am to 11:45pm, with the last summit ascent at 11:00pm. From mid-June to August it opens at 9:00am and runs past midnight. Stairs close earlier, so climbers need a daytime slot rather than an evening one.
Are Eiffel Tower tickets refundable?
Official tickets are non-refundable and can’t be exchanged for another slot. A summit closed by wind or fog doesn’t earn a refund either. Reseller terms vary, so check before paying if flexibility matters to your trip.
Is the Eiffel Tower summit worth it?
For a first visit, usually yes — a true 360-degree panorama at 276 metres, Gustave Eiffel’s restored office and a champagne bar. But the second floor has arguably the better city view, and costs €13 less by lift.
What time should I book for sunset?
About 90 minutes before sunset. That gets you through security and up before the golden light peaks. After dark the tower sparkles for five minutes every hour, which you can watch from the second floor.
How many steps are there to the second floor?
674 steps up the open iron framework, passing the first floor at 57 metres on the way to the second at 116. It’s a real climb rather than a stroll, so skip it if anyone will hate it.
