Should You Go Up the Eiffel Tower in Paris?
I'm Carol Cram, novelist, podcaster, and travel writer, and founder of Art In Fiction, a curated database of 2600+ novels inspired by the arts. Artsy Traveler contains affiliate links for products and services I personally use and recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the Disclosure for more information.
I’ve gone up the Eiffel Tower at least five times over the years (starting way back in 1970), and each visit was more crowded than the last.
So when people ask me whether they should bother going up the Eiffel Tower, my honest answer is: probably not, and I say that as someone who loves the tower so much I put it on the cover of Love Among the Recipes, my fourth novel.
Of course, riding to the summit of the Eiffel Tower, or even to the second level, has long been a Paris must-do. Millions flock to the iconic monument every year to stand in long lines, ride an elevator up one of the sturdy pylons, and then look at the view.
If you want to go up, then of course you should (it’s your Paris vacation after all). But before you decide, read on for my recommendations about how you can make the most of your Eiffel Tower visit.
This post is part of my guide to artsy & independent travel in France, where I share my best tips for exploring France’s creative cities, historic sites, landscapes, and cultural experiences.
Planning a Paris art trip and wondering whether the Eiffel Tower is worth your time? I’ve put together everything you need in Paris for Art Lovers, a 54-page digital guide available for $9.99.
Table of Contents
Going Up the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
Well, it’s the Eiffel Tower and you’ve traveled a long way to see it. And after all, it’s the most famous architectural feature of the Paris skyline. Going up the Eiffel Tower is almost a rite of passage for the first-time visitor to Paris.
But do you really need to go up it?
Frankly, I say forget the elevator ride and just admire the tower from a distance. Take pictures of it from the Trocadero on the opposite side of the Seine, or from the middle of one of the bridges.
Stay well away from the crowds and enjoy seeing the tower pop up every now and again as you tour Paris. There are so many amazing things to see in this city that spending half a day waiting in line (even if you buy tickets in advance or take a tour) seems like such a waste of time.
I know—blasphemy—but really, if you don’t like crowds, can live without an elevator ride, and can find better things to spend the 25+ euros on (like lunch), then I say skip the Eiffel Tower.
What to Know If You Decide to Go Up the Eiffel Tower
That said, I totally get why going up the Eiffel Tower is appealing. I’ve gone up the tower at least five times, and each time was more crowded than the time before.
My most recent visit was in spring 2024, and wow! I couldn’t believe the size of the crowds as well as how little there was to do once I reached the second level and circumnavigated the tower to view Paris from all directions.
Go Up the Eiffel Tower in the Evening
Of my five visits, my favorite was the one I made in the evening a few years ago. The crowds were thin and the view over the sparkling lights of Paris magical.
If you can manage to find a time when the Eiffel Tower is not crowded then sure, take a ride up to at least the second level.
Purchase Tickets in Advance
Whenever you decide to go, buy your ticket well in advance. You’ll probably still have to queue, but not for as long as you would without a ticket. Also, if you don’t get your ticket in advance, you risk not being able to get in at all if the tower is at capacity.
Here’s the official website for purchasing tickets to the Eiffel Tower.
Riding to the Tippy Top
Don’t be fooled by tours that say they include the summit. They may not, so you really need to double-check. If you have your heart set on going to the summit of the Eiffel Tower, then book your tickets on the official website as far in advance (up to three months) as you can. Spots book up really fast.
At the top, you’ll enjoy the highest view from two floors, one open-air and the other enclosed. You’ll also see a reconstruction of Gustave Eiffel’s office and a tableaux of wax models depicting Gustave Eiffel and his daughter, Claire, receiving the famous American inventor, Thomas Edison.
Should You Consider a Guided Tour?
On my most recent visit to the Eiffel Tower, I chose a guided tour because I (mistakenly as it turned out) thought it would take me to the very tippy top. It did not.
Basically, a guide takes you to a long line and waits with you while occasionally regaling you with facts and figures about the Eiffel Tower. At the second level, the guide bids you farewell and you’re on your own to enjoy the view.
Here’s a brief summary of my Eiffel Tower tour experience; decide for yourself if the 50+ euro price tag is worth it.
My Tour of the Eiffel Tower
I arrive at the Eiffel Tower with moments to spare before the tour is to begin, only to discover I’m in the wrong place.
HINT: Double-check the meeting place for the tour; it likely is not at the entrance to the Eiffel Tower. In the case of the tour I took, the meeting place was a brisk ten-minute walk away.
I run to where the guide is supposed to be, arriving ten minutes late to find her waiting and not at all worried. After joining her and eight other people, I briskly retrace my steps back to the base of the Eiffel Tower where we wait a good thirty minutes, about ninety minutes less than the wait for people without tickets, to ride the elevator to the second stage.
I ask if we’re going to the top.
Non, Madame.
But it says in the tour description that we go to the top…
Non, Madame. Second level only.
Oh.
I resolve to enjoy myself and get my 50 euros worth (pretty much double the cost of a regular ticket). The guide’s commentary is interesting, although I’m the only person who listens to it. The other people on the tour are either not interested or don’t speak English, or both.
Some History of the Eiffel Tower
I’m working on a novel set in the late 1880s during the time when the Eiffel Tower was being constructed. The novel includes a character modeled after the brave souls who, in the frigid winter before the Eiffel Tower opened for the 1889 World Exposition, climbed higher and higher every day to bang rivets into a structure that at the time was a marvel of engineering (and still is). Two men lost their lives building the Eiffel Tower (although not my character).
The guide doesn’t tell me very much that I haven’t already read during my research about Gustave Eiffel and the history of his tower. Construction of the Eiffel Tower began in 1888 and was completed in May 1889 just in time for the opening of the 1889 Paris Exposition that celebrated the 100th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, which marked the beginning of the French Revolution. Over 32 million people attended, which was a lot of people in 1889!
If you’re looking for in-depth information about a site, you’re not likely to find it on a tour designed for the general public. You’d be better off connecting with an expert and arranging a private tour.
Riding Up to the Second Level
It takes about an hour to finally get up to the second level of the Eiffel Tower. The two elevators are crowded and hot, and the ride isn’t all that exciting. I snag a place by the window to snap photos and face away from the germs. If you are at all claustrophobic, you may wish to think twice about cramming yourself into the elevators to the first and then the second levels.
At the Second Level
Once we arrive at the second level, our guide thanks us and returns to Earth, presumably to herd another group up the elevators.
I stroll around the four sides, snap some photos, and feel a bit deflated. The view from the second stage is fine but not particularly breathtaking, even on a sunny day.
I do, however, enjoy snapping photos of the upper portion of the Eiffel Tower that I didn’t get to visit.
After the Tour
After taking as many pictures as I can and circumnavigating the second level at least twice to get my money’s worth, I descend to the bottom and snap lots of photos in the beautiful golden light. The nearby gardens are particularly fetching.
A Paris Traffic Jam
With the sun starting to set, I go in search of a bus. I can’t find the right stop and finally admit defeat and hail a taxi. The traffic is practically gridlocked. I could probably walk back to where I’m staying near Boulevard Saint-Michel faster. The driver entertains me with a lot of voluble French commentary about the shocking state of the circulation in Paris, the bicycles, the other cars, the stupid pedestrians, etc. As the fare creeps up over twenty euros (I have a 20-euro bill clutched in my hand), I reach for my wallet. He gestures for me to put it away.
Non, non, madame. Il est vingt.
He waves away the number on the meter as if to make it disappear. I gather he’s not going to charge me more than the twenty euros that I have ready to pay him because the traffic is so bad. That’s very kind of him!
Where Are the Rude Parisians?
My taxi driver drops me at my destination, cheerfully takes the twenty and wishes me a bonne journée. I’ve yet to meet the fabled rude Parisians who are supposedly abundant in Paris.
In my experience over many, many trips to Paris, I’ve found the Parisians almost uniformly helpful, friendly, and good-humored. They also frequently like to make jokes. The night before, the clerk at the supermarket, after being asked the way out, shakes his head and tells us gravely that there is no way out, and that we will be locked in and have to stay the night. He then laughs and leads us to the exit where he merrily scans our items while telling us all about his brother who is moving to Calgary.
Tours of the Eiffel Tower
If you’ve decided to go up, you have more options than you might think, from a simple reserved ticket to a small group tour to dinner inside the tower itself. I’ll be honest: the guided tour I took wasn’t worth the extra euros. The guide said little I didn’t already know, and at the second level she wished us well and headed back down.
But the right tour, with a small group and a knowledgeable guide, is a different proposition. And dinner at Madame Brasserie is a different proposition entirely. Here are the options I’d consider:
Tickets & Tours: Eiffel Tower Options
If you do decide to go up, book in advance — tickets sell out fast, especially for the summit. Here are some options at different price points.
Reserved Access: 2nd Floor or Summit
Includes
- Pre-booked reserved access by elevator
- Choice of 2nd floor or summit
- Local host to guide you through entry
- Skip the general ticket queue
Best For
Independent travelers who want reserved access without a full tour
Why Choose It
The most flexible option — a host gets you through the door, then you explore at your own pace
From $28 per person
Summit Ticket + Guided Tour + Seine Cruise
Includes
- Summit access by elevator
- Local guide from Trocadéro to the top
- Round-trip Seine River Cruise ticket
- Skip the ticket line
Best For
First-time visitors who want the summit plus a Seine cruise in one booking
Why Choose It
Good value if you want both experiences; the Seine cruise ticket is open-dated so you can use it whenever suits
From $90 per person
Most Immersive
Dinner at Madame Brasserie
Includes
- 3-course dinner by Chef Thierry Marx
- Champagne, wine, or beer included
- Lift ticket to the 1st floor
- Express security entry — skip the queues
Best For
Couples or anyone who wants a genuinely memorable Eiffel Tower experience
Why Choose It
If you’re going to go up the Eiffel Tower, this is the version worth the euros — dinner inside the tower beats an elevator ride every time
From $149 per person
Small Group Summit Tour (Max 6 People)
Includes
- Summit access in a group of maximum 6
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Glass elevator to the top
- Gustave Eiffel’s office reconstruction
Best For
Travelers who want a genuinely intimate guided experience at the summit
Why Choose It
The smallest group size available — if you want to actually hear the guide and ask questions, this is the one
From $150 per person
Love Among the Recipes
I love the Eiffel Tower! It’s the symbol of Paris, and it’s beautiful and iconic and just so cool. I’m fascinated by how it was built, I love taking pictures of it, and I even include it on the cover of one of my novels (Love Among the Recipes). I’m writing a new novel featuring the Eiffel Tower at the beginning of its life. So yes, I think the Eiffel Tower is awesome!
But I also think that you’d not be missing a whole lot if you decided to skip waiting in long lines (even with a ticket and/or a tour) for what is essentially an elevator ride.
Spend your time touring some of the world’s best museums, enjoy a café crème at a sidewalk café, take a cruise on the Seine, snap pics of the Eiffel Tower to your heart’s content, and relax in Paris’s lovely parks (the Luxembourg Gardens is my fave).
Recommended Novels to Read Before You Go
Mademoiselle Eiffel by Aimie Runyan (2024) follows Claire Eiffel, eldest daughter of Gustave, who becomes her father’s confidante and private secretary as his architectural career reaches its peak. Claire’s story weaves through the 1889 World’s Fair and the Tower’s triumphant debut — and if you visit Gustave Eiffel’s reconstructed office at the summit, you’ll recognize her there among the wax figures.
The Devil in Montmartre by Gary Inbinder (2014) is a darker companion, also set during the 1889 Paris Universal Exposition. When a mutilated body is discovered in a Montmartre sewer, Inspector Achille Lefebvre hunts a killer through the gritty underworld of fin de siècle Paris — with Toulouse-Lautrec among the suspects. Gruesome but gripping, and rooted in exactly the same moment the Eiffel Tower was born.
Planning your Paris art itinerary? My Paris for Art Lovers guide covers the museums, galleries, and cultural experiences worth your time — including honest takes on what to skip.
Eiffel Tower FAQs
Honestly, it depends on what you’re after. The view is fine but not breathtaking, the elevators are crowded and hot, and the experience goes by faster than you’d expect for the price. My recommendation: admire the tower from the Trocadéro, from the bridges, or over dinner at Madame Brasserie on the first floor. That said, if going up the Eiffel Tower is on your bucket list, go in the evening when the crowds thin out and the lights of Paris are magical.
The summit certainly adds drama — nearly 300 meters up, open-air views, and Gustave Eiffel’s reconstructed office with wax figures of Eiffel, his daughter Claire, and Thomas Edison. If you’re going up at all, I’d push for the summit rather than stopping at the second floor. Just be aware that summit spots sell out months in advance, so book as early as possible on the official website.
As early as you can. The official website opens bookings up to three months ahead, and summit slots in particular disappear fast. Even second-floor tickets sell out during peak season. Don’t count on buying at the door.
Evening, without question. Crowds thin out, the tower lights up, and Paris looks its best from above after dark. If you go during the day, arrive as early as possible — the queues build quickly and by mid-morning the experience is considerably less pleasant.
Keep Exploring Paris with Artsy Traveler
Here are more posts about being an Artsy Traveler in Paris:
- Introducing Paris for Art Lovers: My New Guide to the City’s Best-Kept Secrets
- Musée d’Orsay Famous Paintings: My Guide to the Must-See Masterpieces
- 9 Best Small Museums in Paris: Personal Picks for Art Lovers
- How to Spend a Perfect Artsy Traveler Day in Paris
- How to Spend Six Days in Paris for an Artsy Traveler
- Love Among the Recipes: Paris Sites & Bistro Dishes
- Travel in France: Ten Days for Paris and the South
And for my take on touring another of Europe’s iconic sites, check out Should You Make the Climb to the Acropolis of Athens?
Would you like to save this post?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Carol M. Cram is the author of five award-winning novels inspired by art and the women who shaped it, the creator of Artsy Traveler, an arts-focused travel blog, the founder of Art In Fiction, a curated database of 2,600+ novels inspired by the arts, and the host of The Art In Fiction Podcast. She lives with her husband, artist Gregg Simpson, on beautiful Bowen Island near Vancouver, BC.