The best part of this Eiffel Tower visit is the climb itself. You follow the ironwork up from inside the structure, pausing at the glass floor on the first level before reaching the second-floor terraces and their sweeping views over Paris. With the summit option, you take the lift from there to the top.
I like two things in particular: you see the tower from within its frame, not just from a lift, and an English-speaking guide adds context about its design and engineering as you climb. The second-floor views are already excellent, while the summit gives you a higher vantage point over the Seine and the city’s landmarks.
The trade-off is effort and uncertainty. The stairs demand sound knees and stamina, queues can add time, and the summit lift can close because of weather or operations. If you book the summit option, check the terms and keep your plans flexible.
- At a glance
- A climb that changes your view of the tower
- Meeting your guide and getting through security
- First floor: glass underfoot and a useful pause
- Second floor: the strongest payoff for the climb
- Summit option: higher views, with a condition
- Price and what you get for it
- Who should book this climb
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- How high does the stair climb go?
- Is the summit included?
- Will the tour skip the security line?
- Where is the meeting point?
- How early should I arrive?
- How large is the group?
- Is the tour suitable for children?
- Is the tour wheelchair- or stroller-accessible?
- What should I wear or bring?
- What happens if the summit is closed?
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At a glance
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9 / 9- The stairs are part of the experience: Climb through the Eiffel Tower’s iron structure to the first and second floors.
- The glass floor is a memorable pause: Look down through the first-floor platform toward the tower base.
- The second floor has the main guided views: Spot the Seine, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Les Invalides.
- Summit access is by lift: Visit the top independently, then return to the second floor to rejoin your guide.
- Groups are capped at 20: A smaller group can make it easier to hear the guide and keep together.
- Allow time for queues and stairs: Security lines can take at least 15 minutes in quieter months and 30 minutes in peak periods.
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A climb that changes your view of the tower
Many Eiffel Tower visits are built around an elevator ride. This one asks you to climb, so the tower becomes more than a famous outline against the Paris sky. You pass through its iron structure and watch the city open up gradually as you gain height.
The climb is to the first and second floors, not to the summit. That distinction matters when you compare packages. The summit option adds a lift from the second floor, a self-guided visit at the top, and a lift back down. You do not climb the full tower by stairs.
Your English-speaking guide introduces the monument before the group heads to the entrance. Along the way, the guide talks about the tower’s history, construction, engineering, and change into one of Paris’s defining landmarks. Guides vary by departure; past groups have had guides including Ana, Mélanie, Sankalp, and Hisham.
The group limit is 20 people. Smaller groups can help you stay close enough to hear the commentary, especially when the area is crowded. Still, expect other groups and individual visitors around you. This is a popular monument, not a private walk through an empty tower.
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Meeting your guide and getting through security
The meeting point is at 1 Avenue Elisée Reclus, at the corner of Avenue Silvestre de Sacy and Avenue Elisée Reclus. You meet a City Wonders representative there to receive your tickets, so do not head straight to the tower entrance expecting to join the group inside.
Arrive 20 minutes before your selected departure time. The instructions also mention arriving 15 minutes early, but 20 minutes is the safer allowance, particularly if you need time to find the representative. The meeting area can be busy, and missing the guide can mean losing the tour: late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.
The tour does not skip security. Expect a security check before entering, with a minimum wait of about 30 minutes during April to October, school holidays, and weekends. In quieter periods from November to March, outside school holidays and weekends, the stated minimum is about 15 minutes. Delays can be longer, so avoid scheduling a tight appointment immediately afterward.
The meeting point is about a 15-minute walk from École Militaire metro station on line 8. The Champs de Mars RER C stop is another nearby option. Leave a little extra time for the walk and for finding the exact corner.
First floor: glass underfoot and a useful pause
Once through security, you begin the guided stair climb. It is an unusual way to enter the tower’s story: rather than stepping straight into a lift, you move upward through the iron framework and get a close look at the structure that carries you.
The first floor is a natural break. Here you can step onto the glass-floor area and look down toward the base of the tower. It offers a different sensation from the open-air view above, and it gives you a chance to catch your breath before continuing.
This stop is brief in the planned route, so do not count on a long independent visit here during the guided climb. Facilities such as restaurants and restrooms are available on the tower, but the tour’s main pause is for the glass floor and views.
The stairs are manageable for some people and taxing for others. One account described the climb as more than 700 steps; in any case, you should plan for a substantial stair workout rather than a casual stroll. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. If stairs are not a good fit for your health or fitness, consider a lift-only option instead.
Second floor: the strongest payoff for the climb
From the first floor, you continue on foot to the second-floor observation area. This is where the guide leads the main interpretation, pointing out the tower’s design and the city below. The Seine, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Les Invalides are among the landmarks you may see from here.
I find the second floor a compelling destination in its own right. You are high enough to read the layout of central Paris, but the city still feels close enough to pick out its streets and monuments. If the weather is clear, the views can make the stair effort feel well spent.
The climb also gives you a gradual change in perspective. You do not simply step out at a high viewpoint; you feel the height building as you rise. That is the most distinctive feature of this tour, and the reason I would choose it over a standard lift visit if I were comfortable with the stairs.
Guides have been praised for clear explanations, lively delivery, humor, and keeping people engaged while waiting. Those qualities matter here because queues and pauses can be part of the visit. The guide’s style will vary, though, and the tower’s crowds and timing can shape how much time is available at each stop.
Summit option: higher views, with a condition
If you choose the summit package, you take the lift from the second floor to the top. The summit visit is self-guided, so your guide does not accompany you up for a full narrated tour. You have free time to look around, then take the elevator back to the second floor to rejoin the group.
The extra height offers a broader view across Paris. For many people, reaching the top is the defining moment of an Eiffel Tower visit, and it can be worth paying more if the summit is a priority for you. The second floor is already panoramic, however, so the climb tour still has a satisfying endpoint if you decide against the upgrade.
Summit access is not guaranteed. Operational limits, capacity control, or weather can close it, and the group may not be able to go up even if it reopens later during your tour. In that case, the stated policy is a refund of the summit-access price. Because there have been summit closures and lift problems, treat the top as a valuable possibility, not an absolute promise.
If the summit lift is unavailable, you still have the stair climb, first-floor glass area, and second-floor views. That is a worthwhile visit, but it may disappoint if you booked mainly to stand at the top. Check the current terms for the package you select, and leave room in your plans for a change.
Price and what you get for it
The experience is advertised from $69.59, while the listed package option for the second floor by stairs and summit by lift starts at US$60.49. Those figures differ, so check the price shown for your date and chosen package before booking. The important comparison is not just the ticket cost: the tour combines tower entry, a guide, a small-group format, and the stair route, with summit lift access in the summit package.
The Eiffel Tower’s stated ticket prices are EUR 28 for adults, EUR 14 for youth, EUR 7 for children, and free for infants. The tour price is higher than the tower ticket alone because it includes a guided experience and ticket arrangements. That can be useful when direct tickets are hard to find, but it does not buy you a way around security queues.
For value, ask yourself what you want from the visit. If you mainly want a quick lift ride, this may be more tour than you need. If you want to understand the structure while climbing it, and you value a guide’s explanations, the extra cost has a clearer purpose. The summit upgrade is best for someone who considers the top a must-see and accepts the chance of closure.
Who should book this climb
This tour suits you if you enjoy a physical challenge, want an up-close look at the tower’s ironwork, and appreciate a guide who can connect the structure to Paris’s history and engineering. It is also a practical option if tower tickets are difficult to secure independently, as long as you understand that queues still apply.
It is less suitable if you have limited mobility, weak knees, or a health condition that makes strenuous stairs unwise. The activity is not recommended for people with high blood pressure or epilepsy, pregnant women, or elderly participants. It is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible, and children aged 18 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. Children aged 0 to 3 are free.
Keep your bag small. Security measures can restrict bag sizes, and large purses, backpacks, or bags may cause delays or prevent entry. Watch for pickpockets and petition scams around the Eiffel Tower, too.
The experience ends on the second floor after the guided visit. If you have the summit option, you return there after your independent time at the top. Departure choices run from 08:30 through 16:30, subject to availability and package timing. Since the visit can take longer than expected, do not build a rigid schedule around a quick exit.
Should you book it?
Book this tour if you want the Eiffel Tower to be an activity, not just a viewpoint. The stair climb, iron framework, glass-floor pause, and guide’s stories give the visit a shape that a lift ride alone cannot. Add the summit if reaching the top matters to you, but be prepared for closure or delays.
Skip it, or choose a lift-focused visit, if stairs are a concern or you need a predictable schedule. For the best chance of a calmer start, choose an earlier departure if it suits your plans, and arrive well before the meeting time. The climb is memorable, but it rewards preparation as much as enthusiasm.
Eiffel Tower Climbing by Stairs with Optional Summit Access
“Our guide was excellent, very informative and a good presenter!”
FAQ
How high does the stair climb go?
You climb by stairs to the first and second floors. Summit access, when included, is by elevator from the second floor.
Is the summit included?
It is included in the package described as second floor by stairs and summit by lift. The summit visit is self-guided, and access can be restricted because of weather, capacity, or operational issues.
Will the tour skip the security line?
No. You must complete the Eiffel Tower security check, and queues can take at least 15 minutes in quieter months or 30 minutes in peak periods.
Where is the meeting point?
Meet at 1 Avenue Elisée Reclus, at the intersection with Avenue Silvestre de Sacy. A City Wonders representative must give you your tickets.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive 20 minutes before the departure time you selected. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.
How large is the group?
The small-group experience is limited to 20 people.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children aged 0 to 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Children aged 0 to 3 are free.
Is the tour wheelchair- or stroller-accessible?
No. The activity is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible and involves substantial stair climbing.
What should I wear or bring?
Wear comfortable shoes and bring bottled water. Avoid large bags, purses, and backpacks because security measures may restrict what you can bring inside.
What happens if the summit is closed?
The group may not be able to visit the summit, even if it reopens during the tour. The stated policy is to refund the price of summit access in that case.
