The Complete Guide to visiting the Eiffel Tower in 2024 (+Map!)

Are you planning on visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, but you’re not sure if you can buy tickets on the day? The Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, attracting over 7 million visitors each year. 

In this blog post, I will discuss the official ticketing process for the Eiffel Tower and provide advice on whether it’s possible to buy tickets on the day, where the best photo spots of the Eiffel Tower are, and top tips on viewing one of the most iconic landmarks in Paris. 

Can you buy Eiffel Tower tickets on the day?

The official ticketing process for the Eiffel Tower is simple. Tickets can be purchased online from tour operators such as Viator and Get Your Guide. Tickets can also be purchased from kiosks located around the tower, as well as from some ticketing agencies, travel websites, and hotel concierge desks.

It is recommended to book tickets as far in advance as possible, as certain time slots for the tower can sell out quickly. If you are unable to purchase tickets in advance, there are other options available. 

If you’re visiting Paris on a weekend or holiday, you can try to purchase tickets at the tower itself on the day. However, queues can be very long and tickets are not always available. It is therefore recommended to arrive early in the morning to increase your chances of getting a ticket. 

There are pros and cons to buying tickets on the day. On the plus side, you don’t have to worry about booking too far in advance, or about the tickets selling out. On the downside, there is no guarantee that tickets will be available when you arrive, and the queues can be very long. 

In conclusion, it is possible to buy tickets on the day for the Eiffel Tower, although it is not always guaranteed. If you are unable to purchase tickets in advance, it is recommended to arrive early in the morning to increase your chances of getting a ticket. 

Eiffel Tower Tickets Price

There are several different types of tickets available for the Eiffel Tower and prices depend on a few factors. The Eiffel Tower ticket prices for 2023 are as follows:

Top Floor + Elevator Eiffel Tower Tickets

The top floor and elevator tickets for the Eiffel Tower give visitors access to the two elevators. The first elevator takes you from the ground floor to the 2nd floor where you can view the internal structure of the tower and gift shops. From there you can take the next elevator up the long neck of the tower and emerge at the very top of the Eiffel Tower.

The views from here are spectacular and not to be missed. It’s also where I discovered I had a fear of heights for the first time aged 16. That was a fun experience! You book your tickets directly through the availability widget from Get Your Guide below or on the Viator website.

Climb the Stairs to the 2nd Floor – Eiffel Tower Tickets

This is one of the cheapest tickets for the Eiffel Tower and gives you access to the heart of the Eiffel Tower and its impressive structure. Climbing the stairs to the 2nd floor takes between 15 and 20 minutes and is a good way to get the blood flowing through your body. The 674 steps will take you to the core of the structure, from which you’ll have pretty great views across the city (the best are of course at the top). 

You can mix and match your tickets. Take the elevator all the way to the top floor. Or perhaps take the elevator to the 2nd floor and walk back down the stairs. There are numerous options and ways to access the Eiffel Tower. You book your tickets directly through the availability widget from Get Your Guide below or on the Viator website.

I’ve personally taken the two elevators to the top and then walked down from the 2nd floor to the ground and it’s an absolutely fascinating experience. I’d highly recommend walking either up or down the stairs to the 2nd floor as part of your Eiffel Tower tour. 

Eiffel Tower Hours

The Eiffel Tower is open from 9.30 am until 11.45 pm. Last access to the Eiffel Tower in the evening is at 10.45 pm. Depending on whether you are taking the elevator and using the stairs, there are different closure times. Access to the stairs has shorter opening times. 

Of course, if the weather is pretty terrible, such as thunderstorms, the times for opening and closing may change. Keep an eye out for changes in the weather. 

Eiffel Tower Queue Time

The length of the Eiffel Tower queue time varies from day to day and season to season. During the summer months, you can expect lengthy queue times for the Eiffel Tower that varies from 20 minutes to over an hour.

Purchasing your tickets to the Eiffel Tower in advance with the skip-the-queue option is highly recommended.

During holidays and national days in France, the number of visitors increases exponentially. The Eiffel Tower is the top-paid tourist attraction in Paris (and France), so you’ll often find a long line of people waiting to purchase tickets or access the tower. 

The line for the Eiffel Tower and purchasing tickets does move quickly. You can be incredibly lucky with the day and weather and sail through the line, or end up waiting quite a while for the line to move. 

If you can, I highly recommend purchasing your tickets for the Eiffel Tower in advance.

Going up the Eiffel Tower at night

What better way to experience the beauty of Paris than by seeing it all lit up during the evening? Going up the Eiffel Tower at night is an unforgettable experience. As the sun sets, the iconic tower is illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a breathtaking view of the city skyline. 

From the top of the tower, you can see the Parisian cityscape in a whole new light. The lush gardens and monuments of Paris are all lit up, creating a beautiful and romantic atmosphere. The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower at night is one of the most iconic sights in the city and an experience you will never forget.

Best Eiffel Tower Photo spots 

There are several best spots to take photos of the Eiffel Tower. Here is a list of the best Eiffel Tower photo spots to take memorable photographs from, and provide multiple backgrounds and settings for the most iconic photos in your gallery. 

The Trocadéro Gardens provide an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower and the surrounding cityscape, with lush greenery and walkways creating a perfect backdrop for photos. 

Pont de Bir-Hakeim offers a stunning foreground of the River Seine accompanied by river boats and of course, the iconic Eiffel Tower looming in the background. This is one of the best places to take a picture of the Eiffel Tower.

Champs de Mars offers you an up close and personal view of the stunning Eiffel Tower. The long grassy esplanade is the perfect place to take pictures before you climb the stairs of the tower, or you can do as many Parisians do, take a picnic and enjoy the views by laying out on the grass on a warm spring day. 

From the Montparnasse Tower, you can see the entire tower in one frame, with the backdrop of the charming Parisian city skyline. 

These spots provide unparalleled views of the Eiffel Tower, making them the perfect spots to capture an unforgettable photo.

Best Place to take picture of Eiffel Tower

The best place to take a picture of the Eiffel Tower is from the Trocadéro Gardens. Located on the opposite side of the Seine River, the gardens provide an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower and the surrounding cityscape. The gardens are full of lush greenery and walkways, creating a perfect backdrop for photos. 

From the gardens, you can also take the stairs down to the river for another beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. Whether you’re looking for a picturesque view of the tower during the day or a stunningly lit-up tower at night, the Trocadéro Gardens is the perfect spot to capture an unforgettable photo.

Best views of the Eiffel Tower 

The best views of the Eiffel Tower in Paris can be found from the top floors of the Montparnasse Tower. From this vantage point, you can see the iconic tower in all its glory, with the backdrop of the charming Parisian city skyline. This is also one of the few places in the city where you can see the entire tower in one frame. 

The Montparnasse Tower also provides unparalleled views of other Parisian landmarks, such as the Sacré-Cœur, Notre Dame, and the Louvre. The views from the top of the tower are unparalleled, making it the perfect spot to admire the beauty of the Eiffel Tower.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower

The best way to get to the Eiffel Tower is by taking the Metro. The closest metro station to the Eiffel Tower is the Bir-Hakeim station, which is accessible via line 6. From there, it is a short 5-10 minute walk to the tower.

Other options to get to the tower include taking the bus, taxi, or bicycle. If you are coming from a further distance, you can take the train to the Gare du Nord and then take the Metro from there to the Bir-Hakeim station.

Eiffel Tower Tips

• Wrap up warm in the winter months if visiting the top of the Eiffel Tower – it’s cold up there. The same applies for windy Spring and Fall days. 
• The weekends are the busiest times to visit. Visit the Eiffel Tower when its first opens its doors, or late in the evening before closing. 
• If you can purchase your tickets to the Eiffel Tower in advance to save waiting in line or even disappointment if tickets are sold out on the day. 
• Wear comfortable shoes – this applies to the whole of Paris. Walking around this magnificent city is the best way to discover hidden gems and the best spots in the city.