Let's be honest for a moment: you can't visit Paris without saying hello to the Iron Lady. Since 1889, it has been the undisputed symbol of the City of Lights, and with over 7 million visitors a year, it is also one of the busiest. After dozens of visits, hikes, elevator rides, rain and sun, I have compiled for you in this guide everything you really need to know for 2026.
We'll talk about everything: how to get tickets when the official website crashes, why you're not allowed to come with a large bag this year, which direction is best to arrive from to get the perfect photo, and whether it's worth investing in the restaurants inside.
The Eiffel Tower, the symbol of Paris, stands 330 meters tall. To avoid queues in 2026, Tickets must be booked two months in advance. (or through external suppliers). The climb is possible by stairs or elevator, with no possibility of storing belongings. The recommended time to visit is one hour before sunset via Trocadero station.
- Tickets: It is recommended to book two months in advance. If not, useExternal suppliers.
- Stairs or elevator: 674 stairs to the 2nd floor (cheap and fast), or elevator (long lines).
- Bag Policy: No storage of belongings! Only bags up to 40x20x55 cm.
Full transparency: This guide was written after dozens of visits to Paris and includes my genuine recommendations. Some of the links in the post are affiliate links. If you book through them, the site will receive a small commission. At no additional cost to youThis helps me continue to maintain “Francophiles Anonymous” – thank you!
00:00 – Introduction and arrival at the venue | 00:45 – The difference between an elevator and stairs | 02:00 – View from the second floor | 03:30 – My tip for skipping the lines
Tickets and Skip the Line: The Jungle Survival Guide
Here's the inconvenient truth about visiting the Eiffel Tower in 2026: Spontaneity is not an option. If we used to be able to get to the box office and wait half an hour, today that's history. The demand is huge, and the systems are collapsing.
Theoretically, The official website of the Eiffel Tower It's the cheapest place to buy tickets. Practically? It's a battlefield. Tickets go on sale 60 days in advance at 08:30 a.m. (UTC) France), and are hijacked within seconds by bots and agents. Most tourists I know enter the site, see a red calendar (Sold Out) and give up.
🎁 The sane solution: booking last-minute tickets
If (like most of us) you weren't able to snag a ticket on the official website, or you only remembered to book a month in advance – don't worry. The most reliable way to secure your entry to the tower is through external suppliers who hold a stock of armor.
Purchasing in advance ensures that you won't have to wait in exhausting ticket lines. Most vendors allow you to show your ticket directly from your smartphone, so there's no need to print anything.
I've been working with Tiqets for years (and even on my last visits I used them when there were no tickets left on the official website), and they usually have availability even when all seems lost.
Book tickets in advance and save the line »How to get to the Eiffel Tower? (And a tip for the perfect photo)
The Eiffel Tower is visible from anywhere in Paris, but getting there properly is an art. Many people get off at the closest stop, but it’s the longer route that provides the biggest “wow.”
Metro 9 (Trocadéro station)
The Francophile's choice. When you leave the station and arrive at Trocadero Square, the tower appears before you in all its glory across the river. It's a classic photo spot.
Metro 6 (Bir-Hakeim Station)
It's about a 10-minute walk along the platform. The big advantage: the ride on Metro 6 is partly elevated, and the view of the tower from the car as you cross the Seine is very impressive.
RER C (Champ de Mars station)
The closest station physically. Great if you are coming from the Notre Dame area or Orsay Museum And want to save walking.
Stairs or elevator? Price comparison and queues
This is perhaps the most common question I get. Here's a head-to-head comparison, including approximate prices:
| Card type (adult) | Estimated price | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator to the 2nd floor | About 22.60 euros | For those who want a classic view in comfort. |
| Elevator to the summit (3rd floor) | About 35.30 euros | For those who want to reach as high as possible. |
| Stairs to the 2nd floor | About 14.20 euros | Sporty and economical (significantly shorter lines). |
| Stairs for 2 + elevator to the top | About 26.90 euros | The perfect combination of experience and view from the summit. |
The sporty option (stairs)
- The effort: 674 steps.
- The turn: Usually significantly shorter (15-30 minutes).
The luxurious option (elevator)
- The turn: Very long (up to two hours without a ticket in advance).
- The experience: Go up comfortably straight to the 2nd floor or to the top.
In the heart of the vibrant Jewish Quarter (and the falafel!), a studio equipped down to the last detail.
Huge and well-designed: bedroom, spacious living room and 2 utility rooms. A winning location in the heart of things.
A real treat: two full bathrooms (a rare commodity in the city). 2nd floor with elevator.
We have carefully filtered and selected dozens of additional recommended apartments in all the equal districts of Paris.
We have collected for you the most recommended hotels in Paris – from intimate boutiques to absolute luxury.
Opening hours, weather and inspection policy
Opening hours 2026
- 09:30 to 23:45 (last entry 22:45).
- In summer: extended hours until 00:45.
Portfolio policy
pay attention! There is no storage of belongings. No luggage is allowed, only reasonably sized bags.
♿ Accessibility at the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is largely accessible. Floors 1+2 are fully wheelchair accessible using the large elevators. However, for safety reasons, **the summit (3rd floor) is completely closed** to wheelchair users. There are discounts at the special ticket offices for those with an official disability certificate.
What do you see in the Eiffel Tower? Division into floors
1nd floor (57 m)
A transparent glass floor (scary and cool!), and the Madame Brasserie restaurant.
2nd floor (115 m)
The best viewpoint for photography. The height is perfect to spot the The Louvre And Notre Dame.
The summit (276 m)
Gustave Eiffel's restored office, a champagne bar and a breathtaking bird's-eye view.
Migdal Restaurants
???? ️ Madam Brewery
Chef's restaurant on the 1st floor. Spectacular view and culinary experience (pre-booking required).
???? The Jules Verne
Michelin restaurant on the 2nd floor. With private elevator, ideal for marriage proposals.
History of the Eiffel Tower in a nutshell
Did you know that the Eiffel Tower was supposed to be demolished 20 years after its construction in 1889? Parisians loathed it and called it “metal asparagus.” Gustave Eiffel saved it by turning it into a radio antenna.
Read the full story »Recommended accommodation and vacation apartments in the area
District 7 and its surroundings are perfect for accommodation. Here are some great options, or you can check out the full guide toVacation apartments in the 7th arrondissement.
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Looking for a hotel? Here are recommendations focused by neighborhood:
⚠️ Travel warning: scams in the Eiffel region
Locals will try to hand you a “gold ring they found” or tie a string bracelet to your hand to aggressively demand money. Keep your hands in your pockets, ignore them, and keep walking.
Worthwhile attractions in the Eiffel Tower area
Cruise on the Seine
The sailing boats (Bateaux Mouches) depart right below the tower. A romantic and relaxing experience.
Ca Branly Museum
Other continental art in a magical garden, a few minutes' walk away.
Questions and Answers (what you ask me)
When does the Eiffel Tower sparkle?
Is there storage for belongings in the tower?
So what next?
Now it's time to plan the rest of the trip. Go toThe Complete Paris Guide.
A small addition to the interesting explanations: Hitler really wanted to climb the tower, a symbol of the city, but the maintenance staff couldn't swallow such a frog. They simply cut the elevator cables, thus preventing the tyrant from ascending the tower. Therefore, he was forced to take pictures from a distance, with the tower in the background, like any other tourist.
Thank you very much for this important and interesting information that I did not know.
What fun on Saturday with coffee, cake, and your weekly article that creates perfect escapism..
Thank you for all your perseverance.
Thank you very much 🙂
Here is another unforgettable scene from the movie Ninotchka with Greta Garbo in which she climbs the Eiffel Tower steps and catches up with Melvin Douglas who arrives in the elevator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S__D3Llvr-k.
Thank you very much 🙂
¨
Thanks for a few minutes of nostalgia and longing.
And within the framework of the struggle between physics and mathematics, there was a mathematician who simply proved with mathematical equations that a tower has no chance of standing. You build it on mathematics.
Thank you very much for the amusing anecdote 🙂