Viewing the Eiffel from around Paris is one thing, but viewing the city from the top of the tower is another– we’ll leave it to you to decide on which one is more magical! While you can spot the Iron Lady from anywhere in the city (literally, anywhere), the Parisian landscape is best enjoyed atop the Eiffel itself with a side of champagne and croissants. Now that you’ve made up your mind to catch the beautiful vistas of the City of Love, wondering how to reach the top of the Eiffel?
The Eiffel Tower has three floors— the first floor with a glass floor, the second floor with panoramic views and dining, and the summit, the highest point with a champagne bar.
Keep reading to know everything about ascending the tower, whether to take the elevator or the stairs and more in this guide.
The ground floor, or Esplanade, is the starting point for your Eiffel Tower visit. Whether you're using the elevators or stairs, you'll pass through this area. Here, you can explore gardens, view historic lift machinery, see a statue of Gustave Eiffel, grab a meal, or shop for souvenirs. Best of all, access to the Esplanade is free!
To reach the first floor, you can either climb the stairs from the South entrance or use the elevator from the East or West sides. Once there, you can enjoy activities like a walk on the glass floor, dining at Madame Brasserie or shopping for souvenirs. You'll need a ticket to access the first floor or a reservation at Madame Brasserie, which grants free access to this level.
The second floor of the Eiffel Tower can be accessed through a climb of the 674 steps from the South Pillar or the elevator from the East or West Pillars. Once there, you can enjoy city views and indulge in gourmet cuisine at Le Jules Verne or the Macaron Bar. Remember to purchase a ticket for the second floor, which can be combined with a summit ticket.
To reach the summit of the Eiffel Tower, you'll need to take the elevator from the second floor. Unfortunately, the stairs are not open to the public. Once at the summit, you can explore Gustave Eiffel's office, enjoy champagne at the Champagne Bar and admire views of Paris, including sights like the Louvre and the Seine. Remember, you'll need a separate ticket for the summit.
Now that you know what is there to explore inside the Eiffel Tower, wondering how to get there? From the stairs and elevators option, which one is the best for you? Let’s compare the two in detail.
As a matter of fact, you definitely can!
If you want the best of both worlds—an active climb and a smooth ride—you must! This option lets you experience the tower from different perspectives: enjoy the sense of accomplishment from climbing and then relax with a lift ride to the top.
You’ll need a stairs + lift ticket, which allows you to climb to the second floor and then take the elevator to the summit. This ticket is a great way to balance exertion and ease.
You can climb 674 steps to the second floor, then take one of the two summit elevators to the very top.
The stairs take around 30-45 minutes to reach the second floor, and the elevator ride to the summit takes about 5 minutes.
No, the stairs only lead up to the second floor. To reach the summit, you must use the elevator from the second floor.
Yes, tickets are available for stair access to the second floor. These are often cheaper than elevator tickets.
Yes, the elevators are wheelchair accessible, but note that access to the summit may depend on weather and operational conditions.
Yes, elevator tickets typically include access to the ground, second floor, and summit (depending on the ticket type).
Yes, there are rest points along the way where you can pause and enjoy the view.
The average time to climb to the second floor is about 20-30 minutes, depending on your pace.
Yes, the stairs are generally open year-round, but access may be limited during adverse weather conditions.
Eiffel Tower Guided Tour by Elevator: Reserved Entry to the Summit or Second Floor
Eiffel Tower Elevator Tickets with Host to Summit or Second Floor
Eiffel Tower Guided Climb by Stairs
Combo: Eiffel Tower Guided Tour by Elevator with Seine River Cruise