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Eiffel Tower Tickets 2026: Prices, Options & Where to Buy
Real 2026 rates, trusted booking platforms, and the tactics locals use to skip the line.
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Why Book Eiffel Tower Tickets in Advance
Sold Out Every Summer
Eiffel Tower tickets can be fully unavailable 2 to 4 weeks ahead in peak season. Official slots are released 60 days out and evening sunset windows vanish within hours.
Skip Hours of Line
Standby queues at the Pilier Nord can stretch 90 to 180 minutes in June, July and August. A timed ticket or skip-the-line tour cuts that to a 10-15 minute security check.
Lock in Sunset Slots
The best views (and best photos) happen during the golden hour just before sunset. These slots are the first to sell out, so book 30 or more days ahead whenever possible.
2026 Prices & Ticket Types
| Ticket Type | Adult | Youth 12-24 | Child 4-11 |
|---|---|---|---|
Lift to 2nd Floor Most popular. Lift from ground to level 2. Panoramic Paris view. | €28.30 | €14.10 | €7.10 |
Lift to Top (Summit) Ground lift to level 2, then second lift to the 276m summit. | €36.70 | €18.40 | €9.20 |
Stairs to 2nd Floor Cheapest option. 674 steps. Smaller crowd, separate queue. | €14.80 | €7.40 | €3.80 |
Stairs + Lift to Top Climb to level 2 then lift to the summit. Budget summit access. | €22.70 | €11.40 | €5.70 |
Guided Tour (Skip-the-line) Via GetYourGuide or Viator. Includes guide, priority entry and often extras. | €55-90 | €55-90 | Varies |
Prices per toureiffel.paris April 2026. Children under 4 enter free. Tickets are non-refundable but rescheduling is allowed.
Where to Book Your Eiffel Tower Tickets
Four trusted platforms. Each fits a different traveller. Compare price, flexibility and what is included.
GetYourGuide
Most Flexible
Verified traveller reviews, free cancellation up to 24 hours before start, and instant mobile tickets. Expect €51 to €78 for a skip-the-line plus English-speaking guide package.
- ✓Free cancellation up to 24 hours
- ✓Verified reviews and star ratings
- ✓Instant mobile ticket, no printing
- ✓€51-78 skip-the-line with guide
Viator
Widest Selection
Owned by TripAdvisor with the largest network of Paris operators. Strong for combo packages such as Eiffel Tower plus Seine river cruise or Louvre skip-the-line add-ons.
- ✓Largest operator network in Paris
- ✓TripAdvisor-ranked reviews
- ✓Combo packages (Eiffel + Seine cruise)
- ✓Group and private tour options
Official Eiffel Tower Site
Best Price No Guide
Cheapest route at the official rates shown above. No guide is included. Slots are released roughly 60 days before the visit date and the best time windows sell out fast.
- ✓Official rates, lowest price
- ✓Direct operator, no markup
- ✓Releases 60 days in advance
- ✓Best for independent visitors
Klook
Mobile-First Booking
Popular with travellers from Asia and Australia. Clean app, instant confirmation, and frequent promo codes. Good alternative if GetYourGuide or Viator show sold out.
- ✓Instant mobile confirmation
- ✓Frequent promo codes
- ✓Popular with Asian travellers
- ✓Multi-attraction Paris bundles
Skip-The-Line Tactics That Actually Work
- •Guided tour with SOS jump-queue. Licensed operators have their own entry lane. You walk past the standby queue and go straight into security.
- •Stairs entry bypasses the elevator queue. The stairs line at Pilier Sud is almost always shorter than the lift lines. You are walking, but you are walking while lift visitors wait.
- •Book the first slot of the day (9:00 AM). Security is empty, staff are fresh, and the Champ de Mars photos have clean morning light.
- •Book the 9:30 PM last lift. Usually available when earlier slots are sold out. You catch the hourly sparkle light show from the summit.
Which Floor Should You Go To?
| Floor | View | Cost (Adult) | Typical Queue | Worth It For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Floor (115m) | Widest panorama, best for photos | €28.30 lift | 30-90 min peak | Most visitors, photographers, families |
| Summit (276m) | Top-down, full horizon | €36.70 lift | 60-120 min peak | First-time visitors, clear-weather days |
| Stairs to 2nd | Same 2nd floor view, slower arrival | €14.80 | 15-30 min | Budget travellers, queue-haters, fit visitors |
When to Visit the Eiffel Tower
Best Hours
The 9:00 AM first slot is the calmest. In summer, 6:00 PM hits the sweet spot before the evening rush, and the 9:00 PM summer sunset slot is magical but books up weeks ahead. The 9:30 PM last lift often still has availability.
By Season
June to September is the busiest, with frequent sell-outs. December to February has the shortest lines and some of the best cold-air visibility, although the summit can be windy. April, May and October strike the best balance.
Sunset Windows
Book the slot about 45 minutes before sunset so you arrive at level 2 for golden hour. In April to October, sunset is roughly 8:00 to 9:30 PM. These time slots sell out first, often 30 days ahead.
Weekday vs Weekend
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are noticeably quieter. Weekends fill with Paris weekend-breakers from across Europe. School holiday weeks (French vacations scolaires) can feel as busy as summer.
Common Eiffel Tower Booking Mistakes
- Buying a lift-only ticket when you actually wanted the summit. The summit is a separate upgrade and you cannot add it on at the tower if the day is sold out.
- Arriving 10 minutes before your slot. Security, bag check and the lift queue eat real time. Plan on being at the base 30 minutes before your window.
- Booking a Sacré-Coeur or Louvre tour the same morning as your Eiffel slot. Paris transit is slower than it looks on a map and most visitors run late.
- Assuming the Madame Brasserie restaurant ticket includes tower access. It does include level 1 access, but the restaurant itself needs a separate reservation made 3 or more months ahead.
- Booking August without checking July-August maintenance windows. The stair routes sometimes close in summer for painting and inspections.
- Buying from third-party scalper sites that list prices far above the official toureiffel.paris rates. If it costs much more than €36.70 without a guide, you are being overcharged.
Accessibility at the Eiffel Tower
- ✓Elevators provide wheelchair access to the 1st and 2nd floors.
- ✗The summit is not wheelchair accessible. The lift from level 2 to the summit cannot accommodate wheelchairs.
- ✓Visitors with disabilities receive a 50% discount, and a companion ticket is also 50% off. Bring official proof at the gate.
- ✓Service dogs are allowed throughout the tower.
- ✓Accessible toilets are available on level 1 and in the esplanade area.
What to Bring and What is Forbidden
Bring
- Phone charged with your mobile ticket QR code ready.
- Photo ID for youth and child tickets (proof of age).
- A light jacket. The summit is 10 to 15 degrees colder and very windy.
- A refillable water bottle. Fountains are on levels 1 and 2.
- Small backpack only. Large bags slow security considerably.
Forbidden at Security
- Glass bottles and containers of any kind.
- Knives, multi-tools, scissors, any sharp object.
- Outside alcohol. Alcohol is sold inside the tower.
- Large luggage and suitcases. No cloakroom is available.
- Drones, tripods over 1m, selfie sticks over 1m, and professional filming gear without a permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Eiffel Tower tickets cost in 2026?
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Where is the best place to buy Eiffel Tower tickets?
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Do I need to book Eiffel Tower tickets in advance?
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Can I buy Eiffel Tower tickets on the day?
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What is the difference between 2nd floor and summit tickets?
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Is it worth paying for a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower?
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Are stairs cheaper than lift tickets for the Eiffel Tower?
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What happens if the Eiffel Tower sells out for my dates?
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