Hi, I'm heading to Paris later this week and unfortunately left the planning a bit late.

I tried to buy a ticket online to visit the Eiffel Tower via their website because I wanted to skip the ticket line but the earliest ticket you can purchase online is now set for June 2012. That means I'll have to buy it in person.

My question was just - can i go early in the day at 9 am to buy a ticket for later that day? I heard it's less crowded if you go early but I wanted to go up the tower at sunset so just wasn't sure if the tickets are useable all day or if they are for a set time, i.e. you HAVE to go up the tower at the time that you buy them.

On that note, does anyone know if the ticket box opens earlier? the website says the eiffel tower is open at 9:30 am but I wouldn't mind going there at 9 am if it means i can buy a ticket without lining up for 2 hours.

Thanks!

Currently two out of three public elevators are out of commission and the wait time is up to 3 hours.
I don't think you can buy a ticket early in the day and bypass the line to join the elevator later but someone else can confirm or deny.

My suggestion is to view Eiffel Tower only from outside only. Climb for a view of the city (and of the tower) in other places like:
- Notre Dame cathedral
- Printemps mall -Panoramic terrace at 6th floor
- Sacre Coeur

You will save a lot of time and will enjoy a great view!

Yeah I read on their website that there is only one operational elevator now ... just my luck

I realize there are other sites that you can go up to see a view of Paris but I do want to go up the Eiffel tower itself.

hopefully someone knows if you can buy a ticket early to use later in the day?

My understanding is you wait in the ticket line, buy the ticket and then are directed to the elevator. I recall there are barriers to control the line and I doubt you can duck into the middle of the line without getting clobbered, lol.
I think this is an illustration:
http://blog.anytrip.com/wp-content/u...nkeypuzzle.jpg

Unless it's changed in the past 2 years (quite possible), you cannot buy a ticket for a later time.

You can go up into the tower to see the view if you walk up, and it's not a horrible walk if you do it slowly. You don't get all the way up to the top, but the view is impressive. I've been up on the tower several times but have never taken the elevator. But with so many elevators out of service, even the line to walk up may be longer than normal. The last time I waited about 45 minutes, which was half the time the elevator line was taking (again, this was 2 years ago).

You can also go up to the top if you have lunch at the restaurant. But reservations are required, it's expensive, and I believe you need to wear a jacket (though no tie).

argh i was worried that you are ushered directly from the 'ticket purchase' line to the 'entry' line but thank you for confirming that.

I'll try to get there around 5-6 pm and hopefully the tour groups would have cleared out by then. I'm guessing that is around sunset time in Paris so fingers crossed.

Thank you!

It may be much easier to dodge the tour groups...

Most tours that include the Eiffel Tower have been modified to exclude it. Those still include it have a strong disclaimer, since priority access for groups has been suspended while only one elevator is in operation.

You may want to peruse the TripAdvisor Paris forum. Many recent reports...some favorable (regarding wait time), some not so much.