It seems there are 3 options to enter the Eiffel Tower. 1) Purchase a timed entry for elevator in advance 2) Purchase a stair entry on-site and climb to 2nd or 3) Purchase an expensive group (guided) entry. Can someone tell me about the lines / entry points for entering the Eiffel Tower?

Are there 3 separate entry lines for each type of ticket -- walkers, timed-entry purchasers, and group

Or do the groups and individuals who purchase tickets enter in the same line?

I need to buy soon since tickets are limited for 2nd floor for my date (May 24-26) and would really appreciate your explanations.

Oh, it is all very well organized in these days of extreme security. The stairs and the elevators are from different pillars, so it is impossible to make a mistake.

I will repeat what I often say: the advance purchase tickets are a complete lottery since there are terrible days to go up the Eiffel Tower -- rainy, foggy, smoggy... I often think that the advance purchase tickets are just a gimmick to make sure that there will be plenty of people even on bad days. Great for the cash flow but not always good for tourists.

I still recommend just standing in line at opening time. The wait is not all that long and it just gets bad later in the morning and in the afternoon. Wait for a perfect day if at all possible.

I agree with kerouac. I'd never pre-purchase tix. It is really weather dependent. (same as the London Eye). Either arrive early, or go in the evening when the lines are usually shorter.

Many thanks. I had considered purchasing on day of going up, but did not want to take a chance of no ticket. This would be such a disappointment to my 10-yr-old Granddaughter. Based on your thoughts and other things that I have read, I am going to wait. We are old, but reasonably fit and will walk up if the ticket line for elevator is terribly long. Thanks again.

You can ALWAYS get a ticket by waiting in line. All of these advance purchase deals just create more stress.

We walked up the stairs. It really wasn't bad - they were wide and you could go at your own pace without holding up others who may be faster (like at Notre Dame towers where it is virtually single file). And I walked it about 2 weeks after I was out of a boot from a broken foot!

After the craziness and chaos of lines, I will be hard-pressed to take the elevator again - even with the timed ticket. Going to the 3rd level is not worth it, in my opinion, since you just get too far away - it feels like you see less. And the chaos to go all the way is worse ... and you can't climb down yourself, so you wait once - to go up, and again - to go down.

We much preferred just walking to the 2nd level and then walking down. Felt like we went at our own pace. That way, you can choose the day also!