The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower runs four separate 2026 ticket tiers: stairs to the 2nd floor only (€14.80/$16), 2nd floor by elevator (€23.50/$25), the stairs-plus-elevator combo to the summit (€28/$30), and the popular summit-by-elevator ticket (€36.70/$40) — note there's no longer a pure stairs-to-summit option. Book online up to 60 days ahead; from 29 September 2026, groups over nine people and all stairs tickets require advance online booking too. Go at sunset for the light, then stay for the hourly nighttime sparkle show.
The Eiffel Tower is the one Paris icon every single visitor already has a mental image of, which somehow doesn't make the real thing any less of a moment when you're standing under it. The ticketing, though, genuinely changed shape in 2026 — four tiers instead of a simple stairs-or-elevator choice, so it's worth five minutes of reading before you book.
The four 2026 ticket tiers
| Ticket | What it covers | 2026 price (adult) |
|---|---|---|
| Stairs to 2nd floor | 1,665 steps up to the 2nd floor viewing level only | €14.80 ($16) |
| 2nd floor by elevator | Elevator straight to the 2nd floor viewing level | €23.50 ($25) |
| Stairs + elevator combo | Stairs to the 2nd floor, then an elevator up to the summit | €28 ($30) |
| Summit by elevator | Two elevators, straight to the very top (276m) | €36.70 ($40) |
As of 2026, there's no longer a ticket that lets you walk the stairs all the way to the summit — the closest option is the stairs-plus-elevator combo, which gets you to the 2nd floor on foot and then switches to an elevator for the final stretch. If reaching the very top by elevator is the priority, book the summit ticket directly rather than assuming the stairs route covers it.
Which tier should you actually book?
The 2nd floor already has a genuinely great view and is where most of the tower's restaurants and shops sit — a reasonable choice if budget matters or you're short on time. The summit adds real altitude and a wider panorama, worth it for a first visit or if photos are the priority. The stairs-to-2nd-floor ticket is the cheapest and, for reasonably fit visitors, a fun way to see the ironwork up close on the way up — it's also usually the fastest to get moving on in peak season, since the stairs queue tends to move quicker than the elevator queue.
Booking rules — what's changing from September 2026
Tickets go on sale up to 60 days in advance through the official site (toureiffel.paris) — book as early as your dates allow, especially for a summit slot in peak season (April-September), when popular time slots sell out weeks ahead. Two rule changes take effect on 29 September 2026: groups of more than nine people (including a guide) must book online in advance rather than arrive as a walk-in group, and stairs tickets — previously more of a walk-up option — now also require advance online reservation like every other tier.
Best time to visit
Sunset is the single best window — golden light on the surrounding Champ de Mars and the city skyline, then stay past dark for the hourly 'sparkle' light show (5 minutes, on the hour, until 1am). Early morning (right at opening) has the shortest security and elevator lines if a calm, less crowded visit matters more than the sunset light.
What's actually up there
- 1st floor — a glass floor section, a small museum on the tower's history, and a food court-style dining option.
- 2nd floor — the best value-for-view level, plus the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne restaurant (book weeks ahead for a window table).
- Summit — Gustave Eiffel's restored private apartment, a champagne bar, and the highest publicly accessible viewpoint in Paris.
Getting there and security
The nearest Métro stops are Bir-Hakeim (Line 6) and Trocadéro (Line 9), both a short walk with a great approach view; the RER C Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel stop drops you closest to the base. Airport-style security screening (bag check, metal detector) applies to everyone entering the tower grounds — arrive a little before your slot time to clear it comfortably.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Assuming a stairs ticket gets you to the summit — since 2026 it only covers the 2nd floor; book the combo or the summit-elevator ticket if the top is the goal.
- Booking a walk-in group visit of 10+ people without checking the new September 2026 online-booking requirement.
- Skipping the evening visit entirely — the tower looks genuinely different (and arguably better) lit up after dark than in daylight photos.
- Not budgeting security-line time on top of your ticketed slot, especially in peak season.