For most visitors, the second floor ticket is the better value because it presents breathtaking panoramas of Parisian rooftops and monuments at a reasonable price. The top floor or summit ticket is the best value for others because it’s the ultimate experience for any visitor to the Eiffel Tower. Choosing the right ticket before you arrive saves money and time in line, and ensures you get the most enchanting experience.
This guide walks you through the Eiffel Tower summit vs. second floor tickets, comparing one against the other to help you decide a smarter option according to travel plans.
Key Takeaways
- The second floor offers the best value for most visitors, with close-up views of Paris at €23.50 until 10 January 2027 and €24.10 after. The summit costs more (€36.70 until 10 January 2027, €37.70 after) but includes access to all floors, including the second floor.
- Your choice should match your travel goals, not just your budget. Choose the second floor for sharp photos and shorter waits, or the summit for sunset views, first-time visits, or the full 360-degree experience.
- Booking early and going with a guide saves the most time. Summit tickets sell out fast and go on sale 90 days in advance, and a private tour removes the guesswork and the line entirely.
Eiffel Tower Summit vs. Second Floor: At a Glance
How do you want to see Paris?
A good starting point for choosing whether you pick the highest level is to decide if you want a completely unobstructed view of the Louvre, Montmartre, and Notre Dame or to see the French capital entirely at your feet.
According to the Eiffel Tower tickets guide, here’s how each one compares. Prices are shown for 2026 and for 2027, when the new rates take effect.
| Category | Second Floor | Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 377 ft (115 m) | 906 ft (276 m) |
| Adult ticket, until 10 Jan. 2027 (elevator) | €23.50 | €36.70 |
| Adult ticket, from 11 Jan. 2027 (elevator) | €24.10 | €37.70 |
| Adult ticket, until 10 Jan. 2027 (stairs) | €14.80 (2nd floor only) | €28.00 (stairs to 2nd + elevator to top) |
| Adult ticket, from 11 Jan. 2027 (stairs) | €15.20 | €28.80 (stairs + elevator) |
| Access | Second and first floors | All floors of the Eiffel Tower |
| View Style | Close, detailed rooftop and street-level views | Wide, sweeping panoramic views |
| Wait times | Shorter | Longer, especially at sunset |
| Best for | Budget travelers, photographers, families | First-timers, sunset seekers, special occasions |
Both tickets offer stairs or elevator access.
The prices above are official admission prices. Our guided tours are priced separately because they include a private guide on top of admission. With a private guide, you get reserved access, help skipping the line, and someone to handle the planning, so you can spend your time on the views instead of the logistics.
If You Choose the Second Floor
At 380 feet, the second floor is close enough to identify individual buildings, bridges, and the layout of the Champ de Mars below. Any one of the elevators in the East, West, and North pillars takes you to the second floor, where you’ll enjoy a 360-degree view of Paris.
In the evening, the City of Light glows from the second floor.
The second floor is also home to the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne restaurant. Access to the restaurant is separate from the Eiffel Tower visit. The glass floor, which gives a straight-down view of the gardens, is located on the first floor and is not visible from the restaurant.
If you prefer a snack, you can head to the Pierre Hermé Macaron Bar and the Comptoir Gustave. Since this is Paris, after all, why not indulge in a flute of champagne at the kiosk? As you come back down (the stairs are recommended to see the heart of the structure), stop by the first floor where you can have a meal at the Madame Brasserie restaurant.
The whole visit lasts about an hour and 30 minutes.
Second-floor tickets can’t be upgraded to summit access on-site, so if you think you might want the top-floor views, book the summit ticket in advance.
If You Choose the Summit
The Eiffel Tower summit tour offers the most complete experience with magnificent views of Paris at 360 degrees.
Spread over two levels (one open-air, the other indoors), the top floor gives you access to a small champagne bar and a recreation of Gustave Eiffel’s office. The office recreation can be viewed through glass windows.
The top floor is also where you’ll find a 1:50 scale model of the summit as it looked in 1889, painted in a red-brown color.
You’ll get access to all the floors with this tour. You’ll ascend directly to the top, then work your way back down at a leisurely pace, from the second floor to the first floor. The first floor features a large terrace with an inviting relaxation area, a cultural path, shops, and restaurants.
This tour is the most popular experience, with certain time slots selling out fast. Tickets go on sale online 90 days in advance.
Which Ticket Is Worth It?
What you choose will depend on your goals for the visit.
- Second floor if you’re short on time, you want the sharpest photos, or are visiting with young kids or limited mobility.
- Summit if it’s a first or once-only visit, you want sunset views, or you’d rather splurge than risk regretting a lower ticket.
- Stairs option if you want to follow in the footsteps of the Tower’s earliest visitors. Climb 674 steps to the second floor, exploring the iron structure up close and watching Paris unfold around you as you rise.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Eiffel Tower Experience
Is the Eiffel Tower summit worth it?
Yes, if you want the highest viewpoint at 906 ft (276 m), a sunset photo, or if it’s a once-only visit. The summit ticket includes the second floor, too. If you’re budget-conscious or visiting again, the second floor alone covers most of the experience for less.
Should I choose summit or second floor access?
Choose the second floor for sharper views and a lower price (€23.50 vs. €36.70, or €24.10 vs. €37.70 from 11 January 2027). Choose the summit if reaching the top matters, you want sunset views, or you’d rather not risk regret. Second floor tickets don’t include summit access, and they cannot be upgraded on-site.
How long does an Eiffel Tower tour take?
A self-guided visit typically takes 1.5–2.5 hours, including going through security, elevator queues, and time on each floor. A private guided tour usually runs 1.5–2 hours, since a guide eliminates most of the queue time that makes up a self-guided visit’s length. Our Private Eiffel Tower Reserved Access Tour takes 1.5 hours and includes a pre-booked entry to the second floor and an optional ticket to the summit, along with an expert guide to tell you the story of the Tower.
Can you add a Seine cruise after the Eiffel Tower?
Yes, the tower sits close to several Seine boarding points, making it a natural pairing. Many visitors combine both on the same day. Our semi-private Paris day tour package bundles a second-floor Eiffel Tower visit with, among other attractions, a one-hour Seine River cruise.
When is the best time to visit the Eiffel Tower?
Early morning at opening or just before sunset offers the shortest lines and best light for photos. Weekday visits in shoulder-season months (April–May, September–November) see smaller crowds than peak summer travel.
Eiffel Tower Summit vs. Second Floor: The Easiest Way to Skip This Decision
As one of the most popular attractions in Paris, the Eiffel Tower can get busy on most days and during peak seasons. Expect long lines, sold-out time slots, and indecision over which level to book. We remove all of this with our private Eiffel Tower tours. Choose the best Eiffel Tower experience from among our options.
Contact us today for more details.
