Start by deciding what you want from the visit
The Eiffel Tower in Paris can be enjoyed in several ways: from the ground, from a distance or from its upper platforms. Each requires a different amount of time and planning. Some visitors are happy to see it from a park and take photos. Others want to go up. Deciding early saves effort, because the experience that needs the most preparation is going up.
For general background on the tower and the wider visiting experience, the Eiffel Tower is covered in our landmark guides. This article focuses on how to organize your day.
Booking ahead
The tower is one of the most visited paid monuments in the world, and lines can be long, particularly in warm months and holiday periods. Tickets are usually sold online by the operator, often with specific time slots. Buying in advance is generally recommended, and sold-out dates are common in busy periods.
A few points to check:
- Use the official website. Searching can bring up resellers that charge extra or sell invalid tickets. Be careful about where you buy.
- Choose your access level. Visitors can typically choose between taking elevators or climbing stairs to part of the way up, and between reaching the second level or the summit. The options, and whether some are paused, change from time to time.
- Look at the entry time. Slots usually mean you should arrive within a window, so allow time for the security check.
- Check for restrictions. Bag size limits, security screening and closures for weather, maintenance or strikes are all possible.
Because opening hours, ticket types, accessibility arrangements and rules do change, always check the operator’s current information before your trip and again shortly before your visit.
Choosing a time of day
Each time has its pros and cons:
- Early morning often means shorter lines and calmer surroundings, and the light is soft for photographs.
- Midday is usually the busiest and, in summer, the hottest.
- Late afternoon into sunset is popular for views, but expect crowds. Booking a slot well ahead is wise.
- After dark brings the tower’s lighting. The tower typically sparkles with lights for a few minutes at set times in the evening, though schedules can change, so confirm this if it matters to you.
Weather matters for views. Fog or low clouds can hide the city from the top, so if you have flexibility, check the forecast and choose a clearer day. Wind and storms may also cause closures of the upper levels.
Viewing spots nearby
You do not have to go up to enjoy the tower. Popular places to see it from include:
- The Champ de Mars, the long park stretching from the tower, which is good for picnics and photos.
- Trocadero, across the river, a well-known vantage for looking back at the tower.
- Bridges over the Seine near the tower, which offer different angles and are pleasant for walking.
- A river cruise, which can give a view from the water, if it suits your plans.
These areas can be crowded at sunset, but they cost little or nothing and make a good way to spend time while waiting for your ticket slot. Plan a walk through the surrounding neighborhood, since the area has cafes, though those closest to the tower can be more expensive and less distinctive than ones a few streets away.
Getting there
Paris has an extensive public transport network, and the tower is reachable by metro, regional trains and buses, as well as on foot from other central sights. Look up current routes on the day. If you are new to a foreign city, our notes on public transit abroad give general advice for using unfamiliar systems. Allow extra time, as lines for the security check can be significant.
Avoiding scams and nuisances
Crowded tourist sites everywhere attract opportunists, and the area around the tower is no exception. Common issues travelers report include:
- Petition or survey clipboards, where someone asks you to sign and then asks for money, or a distraction while a partner takes belongings.
- Friendship bracelet or souvenir pressure, where something is tied on your wrist and payment demanded.
- Unofficial ticket sellers or people claiming the line is closed and offering to sell a skip-the-line deal.
- Pickpockets in crowds and on public transit.
Politely saying no and walking on is usually enough. Keep your bag zipped and in front of you, avoid putting phones in back pockets and be wary of strangers who approach unexpectedly. For broader advice, see our guide to travel safety.
A sample outline
- Book a time slot weeks ahead if possible.
- Spend the morning walking the nearby riverbanks and parks.
- Arrive for your slot early, with only small bags.
- Go up, take photos and spend unhurried time at the top.
- Walk to a viewpoint such as Trocadero for a different perspective as the day ends.
The tower is only part of Paris. Consider leaving the rest of the day free, since fatigue from queuing and security can add up. If your plans involve traveling from abroad, make sure your documents are in order; the basics are covered in passport and visas.