Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor & Summit Option + Seine River Cruise
- Eiffel Tower
- Seine River: Cruise by Bateaux Mouches
Unfortunately this ticket is no longer available. Discover other remarkable experiences nearby!
Tour Gustave Eiffel's world-famous tower and opt to visit the summit to get amazing views of Paris!
10 options • from $45.75
Combine Eiffel Tower with other Paris favorites. Some things are better together.
The Priority Access Ticket is the most popular way to visit the Eiffel Tower.
With this, you get direct elevator access to either the 2nd floor or, for those who want to go higher, the Summit.
When you buy Eiffel Tower tickets in this category, you can choose entry just to the 2nd floor, or pay a bit more for top of Eiffel Tower tickets (the Summit) for the highest viewpoint in Paris. These are timed-entry tickets, so you arrive at a set slot.
Best for: independent travelers and families who want to secure their visit and avoid a long wait.
A guided Eiffel Tower tour gives you access to this icon with an expert by your side. You can opt for a simple hosted entry or a guided tour.
With hosted entry, your host greets you and will lead you through the entry process and onto the elevators, but does not give a tour.
With a guided tour, your guide will bring history to life as you look out over Paris, pointing out famous landmarks like the Louvre, Notre Dame, and Sacré-Cœur.
You’ll also hear stories about the Eiffel Tower’s bold engineering and its rocky reception when first built.
Best for: history buffs, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants a richer, more contextualized experience than just seeing the views.
Combination tickets and Paris Passes bundle your Eiffel Tower reservation with other Paris attractions.
One of the most popular options is an Eiffel Tower visit plus a Seine River cruise. This allows you to see Paris from both above and from the water, all with one booking. Many passes also include museums, bus tours, or skip-the-line entrances at other big sites.
Best for: couples and first-time visitors who want to experience two of Paris's most romantic and essential activities in one easy booking.
Dining inside the Eiffel Tower adds a unique touch to your Parisian trip.
You can choose between Madame Brasserie, a chic and contemporary restaurant on the 1st floor, and Le Jules Verne, a Michelin-starred spot on the 2nd floor, known for its haute cuisine and refined atmosphere.
Most Eiffel Tower dinner tickets include your elevator ride and priority access, so you often skip the regular queues.
Best for: romantic evenings, special celebrations, and food connoisseurs looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Esplanade is the plaza directly beneath the Eiffel Tower’s four massive iron legs.
Here, you can stare straight up through the intricate latticework and get a feel for just how large the tower is. Walk through the landscaped gardens of the Champs de Mars, watch street artists, and look for the bust of Gustave Eiffel near the North Pillar.
The original ticket kiosks are still found here. This is also where airport-style security checks take place before you go to the elevators or stairs.
Why It's a Must-See:
This is the best spot to appreciate the full scale and design of the tower before going up. Standing below, the structure’s size and details are impossible to miss.
Ticket Access:
The Esplanade is free to access, but you will need to pass a security check. A ticket is required to access the elevators or stairs to the upper levels.
The first floor is often missed, but it's worth a visit. At 57 meters above the city, you can walk across the transparent glass floor, watching Paris beneath your feet.
Check out cultural exhibits about the tower’s history, browse the gift shop, or dine at Madame Brasserie, a stylish restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows. The first floor is also less crowded, giving you space to take it all in.
Why It's a Must-See:
This level offers a fresh view of Paris with fewer crowds, plus the views of the city from the glass floor. It’s well worth stopping here as you go up or down.
Ticket Access:
Access is included with all tickets, whether by stairs or elevator. It is the first stop for the elevator.
The second floor is the most popular stop on the tower and home to Paris’s best-known views.
From here, spot landmarks like the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame. Explore both the enclosed gallery and the open-air platform.
Pick up a souvenir in one of the shops or treat yourself to a fine meal at Le Jules Verne, the Michelin-starred restaurant perched above the city.
Why It's a Must-See:
This level gives you the classic, wide Paris skyline made famous by postcards and in films. It’s the spot everyone wants for their photos.
Ticket Access:
This is the final destination for 2nd-floor tickets. For those with Summit access, this is where you change to a different elevator for the final ascent.
At the Summit, you’ll stand 276 meters above Paris on the highest public platform in the city. Step onto the open-air terrace and take in a full 360° sweep of the rooftops, with the Seine winding below and monuments dotting the skyline in every direction.
Visit Gustave Eiffel’s recreated office, preserved just as it was when he completed the tower, or stop at the Champagne bar to sip a glass of bubbly while you look out on the views.
Why It's a Must-See:
It's the highest accessible point in Paris, offering unparalleled views.
Ticket Access:
Access to the Summit is only possible with a specific top of the Eiffel Tower ticket. These are the most sought-after tickets and sell out very quickly. Booking weeks or even months in advance is highly recommended.
The Eiffel Tower is typically open daily from 9:00 AM to at least 11:45 PM. Hours may vary depending on the season or during special events.
There are several convenient ways to reach the Eiffel Tower:
Wondering when Eiffel Tower tickets go on sale?
You can buy Eiffel Tower tickets online starting 60 days before your visit if you want to use the elevator (to either the summit or the 2nd floor).
Stair-access tickets to the 2nd floor become available about 14 days in advance. Both ticket types go on sale at midnight Paris time.
You can buy Eiffel Tower tickets in person at the East and West pillar ticket offices on the day of your visit, but expect long lines and the possibility that Summit tickets may sell out.
Be aware that both ticket and security lines can take hours, especially during busy periods. Booking online in advance is the best way to guarantee entry and a specific time slot.
Booking early is strongly advised for busy times like summer, school breaks, and holidays, as these dates fill up quickly.
Eiffel Tower tickets price varies by ticket type and access level, and while you can buy Eiffel Tower tickets on the day, booking ahead with an Eiffel Tower reservation guarantees your spot and saves precious time.
To skip the lines and get the best price, purchase your Eiffel Tower tickets online before you visit, especially if you want to go to the top, as Summit tickets sell out fast.
Check for last-minute ticket availability or try to buy a ticket on-site as a last resort. Guided tours and combination tickets often remain available longer than regular admission. You can also try for tickets early in the morning on the day of your visit.
Choose based on your priorities!
The 2nd floor offers excellent city views and is included in most tickets.
The Summit gives you the highest view in Paris. Choose the 2nd floor for a complete yet less crowded visit and the Summit if you want the highest possible vantage point.
Both have their advantages. The 2nd floor is often less crowded, with clear, close-up views of landmarks.
The Summit gives you the views and a claim to having visited the highest point.
Early mornings and late evenings usually have fewer crowds. Sunset offers beautiful contrasts between the sky and the city's lights, but can be busy.
Just keep in mind that Summit access sometimes closes earlier so check before you book if you're visiting in the evening.
Lines for the ticket office and elevators can last 1 to 3 hours, especially during the summer.
You’ll need to go through security as part of the process.
If you book Eiffel Tower skip-the-line tickets, you can reduce or avoid the wait entirely.
Hosted entry gives you quick access through security and ticket lines with a host who takes you to the elevator, after which you explore on your own.
Note this is different than a guided tour – a guided tour also includes fast entry but adds a professional guide who shares information, points out landmarks, and gives you more background as you visit each level, usually in a small group.
Hosted entry is mainly for quicker, self-guided visits, while guided tours focus on learning about the tower’s history.