Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line tickets: What they actually mean & how to save time?

TL;DR – How to skip the lines at Eiffel Tower

The Tower does not offer official “skip-the-line” tickets. All visitors must clear security and elevator queues. In summer, expect 30–90 minutes at the ticket office (if buying on-site), 10–25 minutes at security, and 20–60 minutes for elevators (extra 10–45 at the summit lift). Here’s how to cut waiting:

• Timed-entry ticket(From €20 depending on level): Avoid queueing at the ticket counters. Arrive 15-20 minutes before your slot and clear security and make your way to the top. Summit tickets sell out up to 60 days ahead. 
  
• Stairs tickets(From €25) : These tickets are cheaper and often have shorter waits and better availability. Climb to 2nd floor and join the summit lift line to the top. 
  
• Hosted access (From €42) : A host manages check-in streamline the process—handling reservations, pointing you to dedicated queues and helping with entry. 
  
• Guided tour by elevator (Summit or 2nd) (From €24) : Bypasses the purchase line and gain context about the history and architecture of this iron tower. 
  
• Dining reservation (From €129) : Bookings at restaurants on the Tower (e.g. 1st floor “Madame Brasserie”, or Le Jules Verne on 2nd) include access to that level and ensures your priority access to the elevator. 
  
• Plan your visit: Arrive 15-20 minutes before your ticket time so you’re through the security checkpoints in time. Use the East or West pillar entrances if you have tickets—these are often faster.  

​See all your options to skip the queues at Eiffel Tower ↓

Book your Eiffel Tower tickets here

Skip the long ticket lines and access the Eiffel Tower after a quick security check. These reserved-entry tickets save hours at busy times—so you can head for elevators and take in Paris from the sky, not wait in line.

What does "skip‑the‑line" really mean for Eiffel Tower?

Let’s be completely transparent: There are no true “skip-the-line” tickets for the Eiffel Tower.

All visitors — whether they’ve pre-booked online or joined a tour — must pass through mandatory security checks and designated queues. The Eiffel Tower itself does not authorise any STL or fast-track entry lanes beyond what’s already built into their timed ticketing system.

What you can do is plan smart:

• Book timed-entry tickets to bypass the long queues at the ticket office.
  
• Opt for hosted entry or guided tours that help streamline your access.
  
• Choose private elevator access with a dining reservation for a smoother experience.

These official, authorised options are your best bet to avoid wasting hours in line — and they help maintain a healthy partnership with the Eiffel Tower authorities, whom we work with closely.

How long are the lines at the Eiffel Tower?

During peak season (June to August), the queues for the Eiffel Tower can last anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes, especially between 10 am and 3 pm when crowds are at their peak. Even in the off-season (November to March), wait times can still reach up to 30 to 45 minutes, particularly on weekends and holidays.

Lines tend to form well before the gates open, especially near the Champ de Mars and Trocadéro Gardens entrances, where crowds gather early to secure the best spots. On particularly busy days, unreserved visitors may have to wait anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours.

How to beat the queues: 5 smart tips

1. Use the South Pillar (Pilier Sud) entrance

Most tourists head to the East or North pillars, which are more visible from the park. The South Pillar often has the shortest lines, especially for stair access. If you’ve pre-booked a ticket and don’t need help, this is the quickest way in.

2. Book a late-night slot (After 8:30pm in summer)

Locals know the Eiffel Tower is open until midnight in summer (last entry 11:45pm). Book the 10pm or later slots — the crowds thin out, the iron glows gold, and you avoid standing in the harsh afternoon sun.

3. Avoid summit access on foggy days

You’ll still queue longer, pay more — and see nothing. Locals check the weather and only opt for the summit when visibility is good. Save time and money by choosing the second floor on cloudy or rainy days.

4. Combine stair access + lift from 2nd floor

Few visitors realise this is an option — book a stairs ticket with a summit upgrade. You’ll breeze past the elevator line at the base, enjoy a crowd-free ascent, and only queue briefly for the elevator from 2nd to the summit.

5. Pick Wednesdays or Thursdays for your visit

Tourist buses pile in on Mondays, weekends, and school holidays. Wednesdays and Thursdays are sweet spots — fewer kids on field trips and less local footfall. Aim for a morning slot if you're planning photos from Trocadéro.

Not sure what to pick?

Most visitors go for the Elevator Tickets with Host to Summit— smooth entry, stunning views, and no guesswork.