How long is wait for Eiffel Tower if buy advance tickets in summer?
 

Does anyone have a recent estimate of how long the wait is for the Eiffel Tower if I buy my tickets in advance online for a specific date and time in summer on a Thursday? Is there a separate security line for advance tickets?

Just trying to plan a tentative schedule and it will depend on how much time to allow at the Tower.

Thanks!

If you buy an advanced ticket there is no wait. There is a separate line for appointed times and walk-ups. The walk-up wait is 1-2 hours long in peak season. Advance tickets can be had starting 90 days out I believe.

You must arrive at your time slot.. I think the grace period is ten minutes late.. if you miss your time slot you will not be allowed to enter that way and would have to get in regular line.. which in summer, can be hours long!

Tickets for time slots go FAST so its best to count exactly the 90 days out and get online to book as soon as your dates are that far out.
If tickets to top are sold out.. try defaulting to tickets to second level. You will at least avoid long line at base of tower.. and once on second level you can get in a separate line to buy tickets to summit. That line is not as long as line at base.. Personally I find the top overated.. best views from second level.. but I have been to top so its easy for me to say don't bother..

Thank you Edward and Justine! So... there is no wait for the security line either, if I have an advanced purchase ticket?

Advance tickets mean that you must go even if it is a rainy and foggy day. It was a brilliant discovery by the Eiffel Tower marketers.

I'm thinking of booking lunch for family which gets us to the second stage and assuming (? ) not much of a wait since they'll need to seat lunch bookings, then deciding after lunch whether to go to the top depending on weather, lines etc. Is this a reasonable idea?

Yes, it's a reasonable idea. BTW, I've not found the top to be all that great. The 2nd is much better.

Thanks. I've been there and to the top but some time ago when we had no wait and again when the wait was only about 15 minutes. I don't wait well. ;)