Eiffel Tower Questions
 

Am looking forward to my first visit to the Eiffel Tower. I'm interested in going to the 2nd floor. I believe I have the option of climbing stairs or taking an elevator? I've heard the lines can be incredibly long for the elevators - would you recommend the elevator over the stairs? Am I correct in that it is about 300 feet to the 2nd level? Can tickets be pre-bought or are the day of purchase only? Thanks for the help!

Koryn,

You have to buy the tickets on the day - we queued for two and a half hours last summer. Taking the stairs wasnt an option as we had a 5yr with us. I would recommend getting down to the Tower as soon as possible - it opens at 9.30am, or waiting til after about 7pm. Dont go during the middle of the day!!

late in the evening - which is often the best time to go up - the lines are a fraction the length they are mid-day.

So right at opening time or late at night are best.

The official website should be able to answer most of your questions: http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

We didn't find the lines too bad when we last went (in July 06), and that was to the top. They move reasonably quickly.

For the most part we were glad to take the lifts. We walked down from the 1st floor, and encountered some folks climbing up who showed distinct signs of over-exertion.

Tour groups can purchase advance tickets; not sure about private individuals.

2nd level is about 115m, or 370 feet. About 600 steps.

Try going at night--the lines are short, and it is absolutely gorgeous!

Hi

I did the stairs to the second level in the Eiffel tower a couple of years back and we picked it as it was the shortest line :d Here is my trip report with pictures and links http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm . Hope that you can find some useful info there. Get in touch if you have any questions or comments.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

My 14 yr old son and I did the stairs August 2006. The line for the elevators was estimated at over 1 1/2 hours when we arrived at about 10 am. The line for the stairs at 20 minutes. We took the stairs.

I am middle aged and no athlete but I managed fine, yes it is a bit of a romp, but the views as you go up are great , and it is neat to be " inside" the frame work of the leg.

When we arrived at 1st level I rested for a few minutes and then followed my son up to second level ( he was not in the least bit winded, LOL ) . On second level son took elevator to top, I didn't as I'd been there before, and frankly the view on a summer hazey day is not any better from up there( ok, so I am not wild about heights either,LOL)

We took elevator down.

And yes, it is cheaper to take stairs and you must buy a ticket to the top on the second level.

Just got back from Paris tonight and took my son up in the Eiffel Tower yesterday. We stood in line for 1 hour and 10 minutes arriving in the line at around 415PM. There was only one "leg" open to go up and down. It was quite chilly and I was positive that there won't be a problem with long lines-WRONG! This being February 4th?
The stairs were open to go up but when my son wanted to walk down at 7pm they had locked the gates to the stairway.

Many thanks to everyone who responded, especially Gard for sharing his wonderfully insightful trip report - you've given me many ideas!

We went in the late evening and had almost no lines at all. And the bonus was that it was super romantic.