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Planning to visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris? You’re in the right place!
We’ve explored the Eiffel Tower in every way possible—by elevator, stairs, and even with a celebratory glass of Champagne. Whether it’s your first time or you’re returning for another incredible view, picking the perfect tour transforms the experience. Some get you past the long lines, others take you to the summit, and a few even include a scenic Seine River cruise.
To help you plan the perfect experience, we’ve rounded up the best Eiffel Tower tours. Each offers something unique, so you can decide how to take in Paris from above. Let’s dive into the best ways to visit this iconic landmark!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this priority access tour to the Eiffel Tower. It includes direct access – skipping the famously LONG lines. You’ll have an expert guide and we recommend upgrading to the summit ticket – the views from the very top are worth it!
Best Eiffel Tower Tours
1. Reach the Eiffel Tower’s second floor and summit by lift
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: Multiple departure times from 8:45 am to 5:15 pm
- Highlights: Skip the long lines with direct access to the Eiffel Tower, hear fascinating stories about its history, construction, and significance, enjoy second-floor views, upgrade for summit views
- Inclusions: Live guide, Eiffel Tower second-level direct access ticket, Eiffel Tower Summit direct access ticket (if option selected), panoramic views
- Rating: 4.6 stars (check 1,300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: No
- Price: Check price here!
Taking this guided tour to the top of the Eiffel Tower was the ultimate way to experience this iconic landmark. Each level offered something new—whether walking across the glass floor on the first, taking in sweeping views from the second, or reaching the summit for breathtaking panoramas of Paris.
Our guide, Sydney, made the visit even better, sharing fascinating stories about the tower’s history, its once-controversial design, and the brilliant engineering that keeps it standing. He even threw in fun facts—like how Gustave Eiffel had a private apartment at the top!
We started on the first level, where the glass floor gave us a dizzying yet incredible view of the ground below. Then, we moved to the second, where the city spread out in every direction. Sydney pointed out iconic landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and the Seine, helping us appreciate the city’s beautiful layout.
The real highlight? Upgrading to the summit. Riding the final elevator to the highest level, we watched as the city shrank beneath us. At almost 300 meters/985 feet high, we couldn’t help but stop and stare at the endless city in complete awe!
Having direct access to each level made the experience smoother, letting us enjoy every moment without the stress of long lines. Whether spotting famous landmarks or soaking in the skyline, this was the perfect way to experience the Eiffel Tower. Still need convincing? Check out the rave reviews here and find out why this is a top-rated tour.
For an unforgettable Eiffel Tower experience, book this tour here!
Related Read: For a stress-free trip, our Paris Itinerary covers all the must-see sights in a well-organized and easy-to-follow plan.
2. Climb the Eiffel Tower with the option to summit
- Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours
- Time: Multiple departure times from 8:45 am to 3:30 pm
- Highlights: Tour the Eiffel Tower by stairs, ascend to the second floor or go to the summit (depending on option selected), learn about the history and engineering of the tower, upgrade to include a scenic Seine cruise
- Inclusions: Professional guide, Eiffel Tower 1st and 2nd-floor entrance tickets, climbing tour via stairs to the 2nd floor, Eiffel Tower Summit access by elevator (if option selected), Seine cruise ticket (if option selected)
- Rating: 4.3 stars (check 2,000+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Walking up the Eiffel Tower might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a visit, but this climbing tour made it worth the effort. Instead of cramming into an elevator, we took the scenic route—up the stairs while learning about the tower’s history.
The first section of stairs gave us a rare up-close look at the iron latticework, a detail you’d never notice from the elevator. Our guide entertained us with stories about Gustave Eiffel, the tower’s rocky start, and how Parisians once hated it (hard to imagine now).
Reaching the second floor felt like a reward! Paris stretched out in all directions, with the Arc de Triomphe standing proud, the Champs-Élysées cutting through the city like a runway, and even Notre Dame peeking out in the distance.
Upgrading to the summit was a no-brainer! Standing at the highest point in Paris, we had a front-row seat to the city’s famous skyline. It felt like stepping into a postcard!
To top it off, we added a Seine River cruise, giving our legs a break while gliding past the city on a lower level. The whole tour ran smoothly and felt like a really immersive way to see the Eiffel Tower.
Secure this climbing tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
Related Read: If you’re looking for some other fun things to do in Paris, check out our list of the ten best activities here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Visit the Eiffel Tower Summit and take a Champagne cruise
- Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours (dates vary)
- Time: Multiple departure times from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Highlights: Ride the Eiffel Tower’s elevators to the second floor with reserved entrance, upgrade to add summit access, or a Champagne cruise on the Seine (or both)
- Inclusions: Expert English-speaking guide, entrance ticket to Eiffel Tower 2nd floor by elevator, entrance ticket to Eiffel Tower summit (if option selected), Seine River cruise ticket (if option selected), glass of Champagne (if option selected)
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 1,000+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Long lines at the Eiffel Tower? No problem with this pre-booked tour. With an expert guide leading the way, we skipped the hassle and headed straight to the second floor for panoramic views of Paris.
We upgraded to add on a ticket to the tower’s summit and a Champagne cruise on the Seine which turned this into the full Eiffel Tower experience!
Our guide, Anna, made history come alive, sharing stories about Gustave Eiffel’s vision and how the tower became the symbol of Paris. Her enthusiasm was contagious, as she answered every question with ease.
The elevator ride was quick, but stepping onto the second-floor observation deck was a moment to take in. Paris stretched out before us, a patchwork of grand boulevards, winding streets, and iconic landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame.
But the best part was still to come! With the summit upgrade, we rode to the top—because if you’re doing the Eiffel Tower, why not go all the way? On the highest platform, the city was even more mesmerizing.
After taking in the views, we cruised down the Seine with a glass of Champagne. Floating past the Louvre, Pont Alexandre III, and Musée d’Orsay was the perfect way to soak in the city from a different perspective.
If you’re visiting the Eiffel Tower, do it right with this tour. The upgrades are worth it! But don’t just take our word for it—read the glowing reviews here to see why travelers love this experience!
Check availability and reserve this epic adventure here!
Related Read: Another one of our favorite things to do in Paris is a Seine River cruise. Have a look at the 5 best cruises available here!
Other Activities to do While in Paris
From world-famous museums to local bites and unforgettable day trips, these were some of our favorite experiences in Paris. Be sure to book early—these tours are popular and often fill up weeks in advance!
- Visit the Louvre – We booked this exclusive guided tour and skipped the long lines with reserved entry! Our expert guide brought the Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa, and hidden gems to life. It was an unforgettable way to explore the world’s most iconic museum.
- Tour the D-Day Beaches – This full–day trip from Paris took us to Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach, and the American Cemetery. Our guide was incredible, lunch was included, and walking through these historic sites made World War II history feel much more personal.
- Take a food tour – Explore Paris like a local and eat your way through the city on this small-group food tour! We had so much fun tasting cheese, crepes, macarons, and wine while discovering hidden gems around Montmartre with our amazing guide!
- See the best of Paris in just a few hours – We hit 30+ iconic sights, from Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower, rode the Métro like locals, and learned so much from our fun, knowledgeable guide on this small-group walking tour. It was the perfect way to kick off our trip!
- Pedal through the royal grounds – We spent the day biking through Versailles, picking up treats at the market, wandering through Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet, and soaking in the palace views. This full-day bike tour was such a fun, relaxed way to experience the royal side of Paris!
Where to Stay in Paris, France
Paris is a city of elegance and luxury, so it’s no surprise that the hotels match that ambiance! That being said, you can find a variety of accommodation options in Paris, whether you’re looking for a luxury, mid-range, or budget stay. Here are my top recommendations:
Luxury – $$$
You can’t go wrong with Eiffel Tower views, and L’Hôtel du Collectionneur Paris delivers that, and more! The design is Art-deco elegant, and rooms range from deluxe king rooms to suites, and even a terrace apartment for those with a large budget. There is no such thing as a bad view whether you have a window overlooking the garden or city, or a full balcony!
It’s a short walk to Champs Elysées Avenue and Paris’ best sights. Rooms start at €400 and go up, so book this stay early on Booking.com to get the best rate.
Mid-range – $$
Le Grey Hotel is a boutique hotel, located very close to the opera and Montmartre. These rooms have a modern design and you can get a standard room or a suite, some have balconies as well. The location is great, as you’re steps from the iconic Paris cafes and restaurants, and very close to the top city sights.
A room here starts around €200 and can reach €500+ depending on your room choice. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
Budget – $
Caulaincourt Montmartre is a modern hostel with private or dorm rooms available. Located near the Sacré-Coeur Basilica it is convenient to see the top attractions and get around the city. Private rooms start around €130 and some have an ensuite bathroom, or for the most budget option, dorms are available for about €60. The staff are friendly and the hostel is very clean, modern, and a great way to meet people!
Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com or Hostelworld.
For more options, check out all the hotels available in Paris here!
Related Read: Paris is a huge city with tons of places to stay. To help you better narrow down the perfect spot, we wrote an in-depth guide to the best areas and hotels here!
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Thanks for reading!
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic places in the entire world, so seeing it while you’re in Paris is a must. Hopefully, you found the perfect tour in our guide to deliver that unforgettable experience of this famous spot!
If you’re planning more stops on your European trip, check out our full blog here or I picked out a few more travel guides for France that could come in handy!
10 Best Things to do in Paris, France