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-   -   Skip the line for Eiffel and others? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/skip-the-line-for-eiffel-and-others-970997/)

TechoEP Mar 18th, 2013 05:36 PM

Skip the line for Eiffel and others?
 
Hello everyone,

We're traveling to France this May. All days for May are booked on the main Eiffel site. But there are some site like ClassicWalksParis or MyParisianTour that have a skip the line ticket (w/out the tour) going for 40-45euro. Is it that much quicker than getting there first thing in the morning and waiting in line?

Same question for the Arc De Triomphe.

Thanks in advance for your time and help.

Cheers!

mjs Mar 18th, 2013 05:56 PM

Have no idea about how long the lines will be in March. Do not think I have been to the Eiffel during the last several visits. Do think the Eiffel tours are a rip off. Why not just book lunch at the Jules Verne instead of paying $60 per person?

Wekiva Mar 18th, 2013 06:40 PM

The Paris Museum Pass will let you skip to the front of the line at the Arc...but not Eiffel. We found the Paris Museum Pass to be one of the best city passes we purchased on our recent trip.

Here is the list of things that it covers http://en.parismuseumpass.com/rub-mu...-by-name-5.htm

TechoEP Mar 18th, 2013 07:37 PM

Thanks Mjs, Wekiva.

Even so, 350euro for lunch for two is a little steep.

Yes, I've considered getting the Museum Pass but wasn't sure yet with so many people disagreeing to its use. But if it will save time, then it'll pay for itself that way, as we only have 4(and a half)days in Paris. I was thinking of booking a separate tour for Versailles(for last 5th day) so that sort of got in the way of me finalizing a yes.

overdhill Mar 18th, 2013 07:40 PM

Is the view from Jules Verne just as good as from the top of the top? Can we just have drinks in the afternoon?

TechoEP Mar 18th, 2013 08:26 PM

^^ I had similar thoughts in mind as far as being able to just have drinks there? but is it even possible to visit the top open 3rd tier from the restaurant level 2?

I had also read this http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/...r-2309014.html


But not sure if my travel partner would be willing to walk up to the 2nd tier or if that info still applies later in the afternoon hours.

mjs Mar 18th, 2013 10:24 PM

Sorry meant May and not March. Lunch can be 90E a person, expensive but I would personally pay that then 45E for a tour. No bar. It has been a few years but my recollection is that you can walk out of the restaurant and buy a ticket for the lift to the top.

ktcat Mar 21st, 2013 07:53 AM

I've walked up to level 2 and didn't think it was bad. In fact, when we got to the second level we were supposed to get in the elevator to the 3rd level, but it was the going-down elevator so I walked to the second level twice. Oops. But if you or your partner has a hard time with stairs... not a good idea.

I think the best view is from the second level. If it's a cloudy day, you won't see much (sometimes nothing) from the 3rd level.

I also recommend getting there 30 minutes before it opens and just wait in line.

Have fun!

sueciv Mar 21st, 2013 08:29 AM

Or, the top of Tour Montparness has a restaurant and you can just see the Tour Eiffel and Paris in a panarama and totally avoid having to see the Montparness tower!

Gretchen Mar 21st, 2013 08:52 AM

The line late in the day is not as long. The view from Jules Verne is terrific, as was the food. And yes, you can continue on up from the second level.
With that short a visit (and I think it must be a first) a day to versailles may be too much, as is waiting in line for the ET.

ParisAmsterdam Mar 21st, 2013 05:56 PM

Look on the ET site itself for the Behind the Scenes tour... about 20 euros and worth it. You see things you would not see otherwise, skip lines and end up on level 2. We enjoyed it immensely.

Gretchen Mar 21st, 2013 06:04 PM

Really, that cheap? Where.

TechoEP Mar 25th, 2013 05:20 PM

Thanks for the tip.

We booked a 7pm tour here : http://www.cultival.fr/en/visites/be...e-eiffel-tower

It was that or 10am on a Sunday.

cynthia_booker Mar 25th, 2013 06:13 PM

TechoEP, you might be confusing the Museum Pass (as far as I know, very popular) and the Paris Visite (not universally thought to be worthwhile.)
The Museum Pass is usually a good value as long as you group what you want to see on the days your pass is valid.
If anyone disagrees, please correct me.

Kwoo Mar 26th, 2013 04:54 AM

We bought the Paris Museum Pass last summer for 4 days, and thought it was a good deal, especially because we were able to skip the very long lines at the Louvre & Musee D'Orsay, and the shorter lines at L'Orangerie, Rodin Museum. You can't skip the lines at Versailles or Notre Dame tower, however. But still worth it.


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