When you started planning your trip to Paris, you probably didn’t expect to encounter such difficulty and frustration when buying Eiffel Tower tickets.
But it is difficult and you do need to have a plan.
I’m a certified Paris Travel Expert specializing in designing custom itineraries for independent travelers. My services include booking tickets, tours, tables at restaurants, etc, for my clients.
In this post-pandemic travel environment, and before I found the following strategies and solutions, buying tickets for the Eiffel Tower was one of my biggest challenges.
Here’s the best strategy for buying Eiffel Tower tickets and avoiding disappointment:
Disclosure: There are some tour affiliate links below and I may receive compensation if you book through them (at no additional cost to you).
Buy Eiffel Tower Tickets from the Official Website
To get the best price and avoid reseller markups, you should buy Eiffel Tower tickets directly from the official website.
You have three ticket options to choose from:
- Lift Access: 2nd Level – in my opinion, the best views of Paris are from the 2nd level platform
- Lift Access: Summit (aka. 3rd Level) – this ticket includes access to both the 2nd and 3rd level viewing platforms
- Stair Access: 2nd Level – the opportunity to ascend the Eiffel Tower from a perspective many miss (674 steps)
Tickets for access via the lift go on sale at midnight 60 days in advance, while Stair Access tickets are released 14 days in advance.
The tricky thing is that tour operators get access to tickets 90 days in advance, leaving few tickets available for individuals to buy – even when they log in at midnight. I suspect this is why getting tickets is as difficult as it is today.
Cassie’s Tip: Eiffel Tower tickets are non-refundable and not exchangeable. In case of any flight or train delays, it is best to avoid booking your visit for the day you arrive in Paris.
Strategy for Buying Eiffel Tower Tickets
Visiting the Eiffel Tower is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so plan ahead, mark your calendar, and set an alarm to make sure you log in at midnight, Paris time, to buy your Eiffel Tower tickets.
If you have a VPN service, set your location to France, so that the official website determines it is midnight and you are eligible to purchase.
If you don’t have a VPN, set your computer to Paris time.
Access the website at exactly midnight for the best chance to get tickets before they sell out.
Be Flexible
You might have been planning to buy 19:00 tickets for the Eiffel Tower only to find a few morning timeslots and a couple of late-night slots. Be open to changing to a different time. You may also need to change to a different level of access. It’s not uncommon to find only one available – Summit or 2nd Level – be prepared to switch. Or, see below for other ticket-buying strategies.
By the way, tickets for timeslots around sunset are often the first to go. If you want to ensure a sunset Eiffel Tower experience, it is best to book a guided tour.
How to Buy Eiffel Tower Tickets When They’re Sold Out
You set your clock or VPN, logged in at midnight, and were flexible on your ticket access and timeslot. And you still didn’t get tickets.
Or maybe you found this article after you tried to buy tickets and found none available for the date you planned to visit – or for any dates during your entire trip, for that matter.
Don’t worry; you still have options!
Let’s take a look at the next opportunities you have for purchasing tickets directly from the Eiffel Tower website – and don’t miss the tip about booking a refundable tour toward the end of this article!
Stair Access Eiffel Tower Tickets
While you may not have originally entertained the idea of buying Stair Access tickets for the Eiffel Tower, you might want to give it a second thought. That is, if mobility issues are not a factor.
Stair Access tickets go on sale 14 days in advance and are a good second-chance opportunity to ensure you don’t miss ascending the Eiffel Tower.
These tickets are also the ones most likely to be available at the Eiffel Tower on the day of your visit if you are too late or unable to buy tickets online. More on this, below.
Reasons to Buy Stair Access Eiffel Tower Tickets
Need some inspiration for making the climb?
- This is the best way to see the exquisite detail of the Eiffel Tower build
- The 674 steps are not as daunting as they sound when you can take them at your own pace and enjoy the experience
- An opportunity to burn off some of those decadent French food calories!
- You’ll save some euros versus taking the lift
You could also book a small-group guided climb.
Last-Minute Lift Access Eiffel Tower Tickets
If taking the stairs is not your thing and you don’t mind continuing the suspense of how and when you will visit the Eiffel Tower, I have good news for you:
Second-chance last-minute Lift Access tickets for the Eiffel Tower are released 7 days in advance. Typically, only 2nd Level tickets are available, but sometimes you’ll find Summit tickets too.
You’ll want to deploy the same ticket-buying tactics you used when you tried to buy tickets 60 days in advance; log in and midnight, use a VPN, or change the clock on your computer. The sooner you get in there, the more timeslot choices will be available to you.
Cassie’s Tip: Be sure to arrive at the Eiffel Tower 15 minutes before your booked entry time to clear security.
Buying Eiffel Tower Tickets In-Person
When all else fails, you have yet another opportunity to avoid paying inflated prices to ticket resellers or booking a tour you might not want to take. It is to show up on the day you’d like to visit and to try buying tickets for the Eiffel Tower in person.
If you’ve wondered about the “Skip-The-Line tickets” advertised by resellers, any pre-booked Eiffel Tower ticket will skip the ticket-buying line, including those booked directly from the official website. Everyone must still go through the security line.
When buying tickets in person, you do have to stand in the ticket-buying line. Plan about an hour (up to 2 hours during peak periods).
While I can not guarantee tickets will definitely be available, I haven’t heard of anyone being turned away.
Additional tips for buying tickets at the Eiffel Tower:
- Go early in the day for the shortest ticket-buying lines (especially in peak travel periods, like in summer and on holidays)
- Stair Access tickets may be the only option – again, arrive early for your best chance at a ticket with lift access.
- Give yourself a healthy amount of buffer time around your visit to allow for any delays at the tower. You don’t want to have to cut your visit short because you have a tour, museum, or dinner reservation to get to, do you?
The Back-Up Plan for Buying Eiffel Tower Tickets
So, you’ve read all of my tips for how to buy Eiffel Tower tickets directly from the official website and you’re thinking all of this uncertainty is pretty stressful. I hear you!
It might be worth purchasing from a ticket reseller or booking a guided tour or audio-guided tour. You’ll pay more for the convenience, but at least you won’t miss the Eiffel Tower.
Another idea? Perhaps you book Eiffel Tower tickets from a reseller or tour operator just to hold tickets. Check the cancellation policies carefully – but these can often be canceled 2-4 days before your booked visit date. This could buy you time until you can check the inventory at the 14-day and 7-day mark.
Here are some options you could check:
Lift Access to 2nd Level – Ticket Only – you’ll meet up with your hostess to collect your ticket and she’ll escort you to the tower’s entrance.
USD Price Estimate: $58 per adult
Cancellation Policy: Up to 4 days before
Lift Access to Summit & 2nd Level – Ticket Only – you’ll meet up with your hostess to collect your ticket and she’ll escort you to the tower’s entrance.
USD Price Estimate: $89 per adult
Cancellation Policy: Up to 4 days before
Lift Access to Summit & 2nd Level – Audio Guide + Seine River Sightseeing Cruise – A link to download an audio tour to your mobile device will be delivered prior to the tour. You’ll meet up with your hostess to collect your Eiffel Tower ticket and Seine River cruise voucher and she’ll escort you to the tower’s entrance.
USD Price Estimate: $100 per adult
Cancellation Policy: Up to 4 days before
Guided Tour with Lift Access (2nd Level) – a fully-guided 1-hour tour (stay as long as you like)
USD Price Estimate: $57-$71 per adult (varies by date/time)
Cancellation Policy: Up to 2 days before
Put This Plan To Work – Buy your Eiffel Tower Tickets
Now that you have my insider tips for buying Eiffel Tower tickets, you’re ready to put this plan to work. Planning ahead and strategizing for the must-see sights in Paris is worth the effort every time. And if you don’t have the time or want the stressful travel planning process taken off your plate, contact me and we’ll discuss how I can help!
Cassie Tetro
Itinerary Designer
& Certified Travel Expert
(Paris, London & Rome)
WHO AM I?
I’m Cassie Tetro, an Itinerary Designer and Certified Travel Expert for Paris, London, and Rome — my three favorite cities!
I help independent travelers like you save time and eliminate confusion with customized point-to-point itineraries crafted to your interests, preferences, travel pace, and style.
I take care of every aspect of your trip before you walk out your front door — tickets, reservations, tours, maps, transportation — so you can relax, soak in the magic, and enjoy a frustration-free vacation with a travel plan that’s as unique as you are.
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