In this guide
The Eiffel Tower was the one place I could not wait to see in Paris. It is the most famous landmark in the world, and standing under it is a feeling I will never forget. But before you go, there are a few things that are good to know: how to go up, what each ticket costs, the best spot for photos, and one street scam I was very glad I spotted in time. Here is everything, in simple words.
Quick facts about the Eiffel Tower
Built for a world fair. Gustave Eiffel's company built it for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. It took just over two years, from 1887 to 1889.
About 330 metres tall. That is roughly a 100-storey building. It is made of iron, with 18,038 metal parts held together by 2.5 million rivets.
It was the tallest in the world. From 1889 until 1930 it was the tallest man-made structure on Earth, until the Chrysler Building in New York passed it.
It grows in summer. The iron expands in the heat, so the tower can stand up to about 15 cm taller in summer and shrink back in winter.
It was almost taken down. It was only meant to stand for 20 years, but it was saved because it was useful as a giant radio antenna.
The world's most visited paid monument. Around 6 to 7 million people go up it every single year.
The three levels of the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is not just something to look at from below. You can go up inside it and look out over the whole of Paris. There are three levels: the 1st floor, the 2nd floor, and the summit at the very top. Here is how they stack up.
The three visitor levels, from the top down.
How you go up: stairs or lift
To reach the 1st and 2nd floors you have two choices, and they cost different amounts. The summit is the exception: there is no public staircase to the top, so you can only go up by lift.
Goes up to the 2nd floor only. Cheaper, and you see the ironwork up close. Good if you are fit and want to save money.
Easier, and the only way to the summit. Costs more. Pick this if you want the top or do not want to climb.
There are 1,665 steps from the ground to the very top, but remember: the public stairs stop at the 2nd floor. Only the lift carries you the rest of the way to the summit.
Eiffel Tower ticket prices (2026)
These are the main adult prices. Children (4 to 11) and youth (12 to 24) pay less, and under 4 is free. Prices can change, so always check and book on the official site, toureiffel.paris, before you go.
| Ticket | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Stairs to 2nd floor | ~€14.80 (~₹1,570) | Cheapest option. Full view of Paris from the 2nd floor. |
| Lift to 2nd floor | ~€23.50 (~₹2,490) | Same view, no climbing. |
| Stairs to 2nd floor, then lift to summit | ~€28.00 (~₹2,970) | The cheapest way to reach the very top. |
| Lift all the way to the summit | ~€36.70 (~₹3,890) | Easiest route to the top and the best view. |
💡 Book online in advance. Buying your ticket on the official website lets you pick a time slot and skip the long ticket queue. Tickets often sell out days ahead in summer, so do not leave it for the day itself.
Do you even need to go up?
Here is my honest take. I did not go up the Eiffel Tower, and I did not feel like I missed out. What I really wanted was a beautiful photo with the tower, and for that you have to be on the ground anyway.
The views from below are stunning and completely free. From Trocadéro, just across the river, you see the whole tower from top to bottom, and it is the best photo spot in the city. The bridge and the Champ de Mars gardens are lovely too. If you are on a budget, you can enjoy the Eiffel Tower fully without spending a single rupee. And if you do want to go up, the 2nd floor already gives you a full view of Paris for much less than the summit.
Watch out for the scams near the Eiffel Tower
This is the part I really want you to read. The area around the tower is full of tourists, which means it is also full of small scams. I saw one in action and was very glad I knew to walk away.
The cup and ball game. A man hides a ball under cups and invites you to bet which one. It looks easy, and the people winning around you make it look even easier. But those "winners" are part of his gang, and you will never win. Just keep walking.
The gold ring. Someone bends down, "finds" a gold ring near your feet and offers it to you for a small price. It is not real gold. Say no and move on.
The friendship bracelet. A friendly person tries to tie a string on your wrist or finger, then demands money for it. Do not let anyone put anything on your hand.
The petition clipboard. Someone asks you to sign a petition. While you are busy, an accomplice can pick your pocket, or they will push you for a cash donation. Keep moving and hold your bag close.
⚠️ The simple rule: do not stop, do not play, and do not let a stranger put anything on your wrist. Keep your bag in front of you and keep walking. Almost every one of these scams needs you to stop first.
How to get to the Eiffel Tower
Paris has an easy Metro and train network, and several stops are close to the tower:
- Bir-Hakeim (Metro Line 6): the nearest station, about a 10-minute walk.
- Champ de Mars to Tour Eiffel (RER C train): about a 5-minute walk.
- Trocadéro (Metro lines 6 and 9): about 15 minutes’ walk, and the best spot for the classic photo across the river.
- École Militaire (Metro Line 8): about 15 minutes’ walk from the other side.
In 2025 Paris moved to one simple flat ticket for the Metro and trains, so you just buy single rides as you go. There is no need for a taxi.
Best time to visit, and quick tips
Go early or near sunset. Early morning has the smallest crowds. Sunset gives you the golden tower and then the lights.
Stay for the sparkle. After dark the whole tower sparkles with thousands of lights for 5 minutes at the start of every hour. The last one is usually around 11pm, a little later on summer nights, and then the golden lights switch off.
Book your slot online. It is cheaper than paying touts and you skip the ticket queue. There is still a short security check at the base.
Wear comfy shoes. There is a lot of walking around the gardens and the bridge, and even more if you take the stairs.
Watch my Eiffel Tower reel
I filmed my visit and the scam I spotted. Watch the short clip here:
That is everything I wish I had known before I stood under the Eiffel Tower: the three levels, the real ticket prices, the free photo spot and the scams to skip. If this helped you, come say hi on Instagram @travelerjyoti and tell me, would you go all the way up to the summit, or enjoy it from the ground like I did?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you go up the Eiffel Tower, or only see it from outside?
How much does it cost to go up the Eiffel Tower?
Should you take the stairs or the lift up the Eiffel Tower?
Is it worth going up the Eiffel Tower?
Where is the best place to take a photo of the Eiffel Tower?
How do you get to the Eiffel Tower?
What scams should you watch out for at the Eiffel Tower?
Do Indian passport holders need a visa to visit the Eiffel Tower?
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