Paris Tickets

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

4.3(144,821)

Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.

Eiffel Tower with fountains at Trocadéro Gardens, Paris, France.

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 ↓

What are customers saying?

Loved by 44 million+
Cecilia Bendtz

Cecilia

Nov 2025
4/5
Good and nice guide. However, she left us after we waited in line forever and finally got to the second floor. Had thought she would gather the group and tell us more. The elevator up to the third floor was closed due to technical errors, which no one can help of course. The question is whether it was worth paying 700 Sek person (one of which was a child) for a nice guide to entertain us in the mile-long queue?
Doumenc francoise

Doumenc

Nov 2025
4/5
The guide was very nice but I think it's a shame that being in France and being French, we were given a tour in English !!!!!!! There's something not quite right !!!!!! Fortunately, English is not a problem for me, but my grandchildren went for a walk and I was the guide for them.............
Georgios Kolovos Gkezerlis

Georgios

Nov 2025
5/5
The tour was fantastic! The crew was polite, professional, and very precise with timing and instructions. Even though the place was unexpectedly crowded, everything ran smoothly thanks to their great organization and proficiency. The Eiffel Tower itself was breathtaking — an absolute must-see! I’d definitely recommend this experience to anyone visiting Paris.
Jorge Torres

Jorge

Nov 2025
4/5
Really impressive the Eifell tower is more than expected...it was a dream come true...it is majestic, vibrant, fine, and romantic...we climbed to the top and enjoyed the beautiful view of all Paris...the emotion ran through my whole body...it will be sealed as one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.
Sauro Bagnoli

Sauro

Nov 2025
5/5
Beautiful experience, well organized!!! The guide was clear and really very explanatory about the history of the Eiffel Tower and also included little trivia and fun details. Our group followed the tour and explanation with interest.
Stoop Benoit

Stoop

Nov 2025
4/5
Despite the fog, we were able to reach the top of the tower where it was snowing lightly Our guide was charming and efficient The only point for improvement: the meeting place was not sufficiently highlighted in the message and we had to look for it a little.
Wendy Ann Daniels

Wendy

Nov 2025
5/5
The guide made contact with us prior to meeting. Meeting point with location pin and in English helped us tremendously. He was knowledgeable, funny, and ensured everyone was safe and gave people options to ask questions, played quiz games too.
matthew armstrong

Matthew

Nov 2025
5/5
Our tour guide, Salome, was brilliant. bursting with energy and a natural at getting everyone involved. Really professional and passionate re Paris and its history. My kinds, wife and I fully enjoyed the experience

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.

Types of queues at the Eiffel Tower

Wait times vary depending on the season, time of day, and ticket type — but here’s what you can generally expect:

Eiffel Tower

👉 Ticket counter lines: 30 to 90 minutes during peak hours (late mornings and early evenings), especially in summer

Eiffel Tower elevator tour with Seine River cruise in Paris.

👉 Elevator queues: 20 to 60 minutes even after you have your ticket

Visitor viewing Paris skyline from Eiffel Tower's second floor.

👉 Security checks: 10 to 30 minutes, mandatory for all visitors

Weekends, public holidays, and sunset slots tend to have the longest queues. If you’re travelling during school vacations or aiming for summit access, plan for at least 1.5 to 2 hours of total wait time unless you've pre-booked a timed ticket.

How many entrances does the Eiffel have? Check here >

Hate queues? Here’s your smoothest option.

Most visitors spend over 90 minutes waiting at the Eiffel Tower — from ticket lines to elevator queues. With the hosted entry tickets, a host guides you through the entry process, helps you skip the ticket office, and makes the entire experience seamless.

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.

What's nearby?

Picnic setup at Champ de Mars Gardens with Eiffel Tower in the background, Paris.

Champ de Mars

Picnic, puppet shows & greenery

People walking near Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

Place du Trocadéro

The Instagram spot for Eiffel Tower photos

Book Now
Paris Rue Saint-Dominique street view with historic buildings and bustling cafes.

Rue Saint-Dominique

Boutiques, cafés, and high street fashion

Eiffel Tower view from Seine River cruise in Paris, France.

Seine River Cruise

Glide by Paris’s landmarks on a post-Eiffel boat ride

Book Now

Frequently asked questions about skipping the lines at the Eiffel

What’s the difference between timed tickets and skip-the-line?

“Skip-the-line” is not an official feature at the Eiffel Tower. Timed-entry is the real advantage — it lets you enter during a specific window and avoid open-ticket queues. But you still queue for security and lifts.

Does a guided tour let me skip lines?

A guided tour lets you skip the ticket office queue, but not security or elevator lines — the Eiffel Tower doesn’t allow full skip-the-line access. A guide does help streamline your entry and direct you to less crowded pillars, though.

What about hosted entry — is it faster?

Hosted entry can speed things up, especially during peak hours. A host leads you to the right pillar and ensures smooth access, but again — no skipping security or elevator queues.

How long are the lines if I don’t pre-book?

Expect to wait 30 to 90 minutes for tickets during peak season — even longer at sunset. Booking ahead shaves off a significant chunk of that time.

What if I book dining — do I skip the line?

Yes — restaurant guests use a private elevator to the 1st floor. But this doesn’t give access to the summit or 2nd floor unless purchased separately.

Can I upgrade from 2nd floor to summit on the spot?

No. All summit access must be booked in advance — there’s no way to upgrade a second-floor ticket once you’re there.

Is the stairs entrance less crowded than elevators?

Absolutely. Stair queues move faster, especially early in the day. Bonus: it’s cheaper and gives you great mid-way views.

Can I skip all lines at the Eiffel Tower?

No. All visitors, even with timed tickets, must pass through mandatory security and elevator queues. However, you can skip the ticket office lines by booking online or joining a hosted tour.