Quick answer: Official 2026 prices are €14.80 by stairs to the 2nd floor, €23.50 by lift to the 2nd floor, €36.70 by lift to the summit, and €28 for stairs to the 2nd floor plus lift to the summit. The 2nd floor has the best views of Paris (you can actually see the city; from the summit it is a haze on many days), so for most visitors the lift to the 2nd floor or, for the fit and budget-minded, the stairs are the smart buys. Go to the summit if it is a clear day and you want the bragging rights. Book guided or skip-the-line tours ($50–110) only when official tickets are sold out — which for summit slots in summer happens weeks ahead — or when you want the history told well.
Related: Eiffel Tower Tickets & How to Visit (2026 Guide)
Eiffel Tower Ticket Types Compared
| Ticket | Adult | Youth 12–24 | Child 4–11 | Where you go | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stairs to 2nd floor | €14.80 | €7.40 | €3.80 | 1st + 2nd floor (674 steps) | Fit visitors, budget, shortest queues |
| Lift to 2nd floor | €23.50 | €11.80 | €6.00 | 1st + 2nd floor | Most visitors — best views |
| Stairs + lift to summit | €28.00 | €14.00 | €7.00 | Stairs to 2nd, lift to top | Fit visitors who want the top |
| Lift to summit | €36.70 | €18.40 | €9.20 | All levels incl. summit | Clear days, first visit, bragging rights |
| Guided tour with 2nd-floor access | ~$50–80 | — | — | Guide + reserved lift entry | Sold-out dates, history |
| Guided tour with summit | ~$80–110 | — | — | Guide + summit | Sold-out summit slots |
| Combo: tower + Seine cruise | ~$60–100 | — | — | Tower entry + 1h cruise | Evening, first visit |
Official prices from toureiffel.paris (checked September 2026). Under-4s are free; disabled-visitor rates match child prices. The tower is open roughly 9:30–23:00 daily, later in summer. From late September 2026 stairs tickets require advance online booking, and groups of ten or more must book online.
Top-Rated Eiffel Tower Tours & Tickets
Stairs: The Underrated Option
674 steps to the 2nd floor takes 20–30 minutes at a steady pace, with the 1st floor as a break. Queues are shorter, it is the cheapest ticket, and the climb through the ironwork is arguably the most memorable part of a visit. The 2nd-floor views are identical to the lift ticket’s. Combine with the lift to the summit (€28) for the best-value route to the top. Not for buggies, wheelchairs or anyone who dislikes heights in the open.
Lift to the 2nd Floor: The Default
At 115 m the 2nd floor is where Paris looks like Paris — the Trocadéro, the Seine, Montmartre, the Arc de Triomphe all readable. Lift queues are the longest of the three, so book a slot and arrive 15 minutes early. There are restaurants and shops on the 1st and 2nd floors.
Summit: Worth It?
At 276 m the view is vast but distant; on hazy days you see less detail than from the 2nd floor. The summit lift has its own queue from the 2nd floor. Choose the summit on a clear day, at sunset, or if it is your once-in-a-lifetime visit. Summit slots sell out earliest — book two to four weeks ahead in summer.
When a Tour Makes Sense
Official tickets are released about two months ahead and summit slots go fast; guided tours (see above) hold their own allocations and are often the only way to the summit at short notice. Tours add a guide for the tower’s history and engineering, a reserved lift entry, and sometimes a Seine cruise. For families, note that children are cheap on official tickets and often near-adult price on tours.
| Tour | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eiffel Tower Guided Tour by Stairs with Optional Summit by Lift | $52 | ★ 4.8 (5,980 reviews) |
| Eiffel Tower Reserved Access Guided Tour with Optional Summit | $53 | ★ 4.6 (3,541 reviews) |
| Eiffel Tower Climbing Stairs Experience & Optional Summit Upgrade | $42 | ★ 4.5 (3,196 reviews) |
| Eiffel Tower Access Tour to 2nd Floor with Summit Option by Lift | $50 | ★ 3.9 (2,922 reviews) |
| Paris in A Day Louvre Eiffel Tower Notre Dame and Seine Cruise | $115 | ★ 4.8 (2,551 reviews) |
| Eiffel Tower Elevator Tour with Optional Summit & Cruise Access | $57 | ★ 4.6 (1,373 reviews) |
Best Time to Go Up
First slot of the morning for the shortest security queues; an hour before sunset for the light (book this earliest); after dark for the sparkling lights on the hour. Avoid 11:00–16:00 in summer. Security screening applies to everyone before the pillars; allow 20–30 minutes.
Practical Tips
Book the official site first; use a tour only if sold out or you want the guide. Print or save the QR ticket; ID may be checked against the name. Bags are screened; no glass. If you are combining with a cruise, the Bateaux Parisiens pier is at the foot of the tower. More on Paris attractions: Louvre tickets compared, best sites for attraction tickets, and our Paris hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Eiffel Tower tickets in 2026?
Official adult prices: €14.80 by stairs to the 2nd floor, €23.50 by lift to the 2nd floor, €28 stairs-plus-lift to the summit, €36.70 lift to the summit. Youth (12–24) and child (4–11) rates are roughly half and a quarter; under-4s are free.
Is the Eiffel Tower summit worth it?
On a clear day or at sunset, yes. On hazy days the 2nd floor offers better detail of the city. The summit costs €13 more than the 2nd floor by lift.
Do I need to book Eiffel Tower tickets in advance?
Yes. Lift and summit slots sell out weeks ahead in summer; from late September 2026 stairs tickets also require advance online booking.
Are Eiffel Tower stairs tickets worth it?
For anyone reasonably fit, yes: cheapest ticket, shortest queue, same 2nd-floor views, and the climb itself is memorable.
What if official Eiffel Tower tickets are sold out?
Guided tours and skip-the-line tours hold their own allocations and are often available when the official site is not, at a higher price that includes a guide.
How long does an Eiffel Tower visit take?
Allow 1.5–2 hours for the 2nd floor including security and queues; 2.5–3 hours with the summit.
Kratos Review is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on 28 September 2026 and can change.
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