Eiffel Tower: Stairs to 2nd Floor & Summit Elevator Access

You climb the Eiffel Tower's first 674 steps alongside a guide who knows what you're actually looking at.

You climb the Eiffel Tower's first two floors with a guide who explains the construction and points out landmarks from each level; then you take the elevator to the summit and explore the top observation deck at your own pace. The whole experience runs 1.5 to 2 hours, and you skip the ground-level entry line because your ticket is timed and ready.

Step-by-step itinerary

Climb and explore Eiffel Tower views

• Climb stairs to 2nd floor
• Listen to guide's tower stories
• Admire panoramic Paris views
• Take elevator to summit
• Enjoy highest city views freely
• View Notre-Dame Cathedral aerially
• Spot Arc de Triomphe on Champs-Élysées
• See Les Invalides and Napoleon’s tomb
• Overlook Champ de Mars park

The Experience

The stairs matter more than you'd think. Most people take the elevator straight up and miss the thing that makes the Eiffel Tower stick in your memory—which is the climb itself, the way the city unfolds as you rise, and the guide's voice explaining what you're seeing at each turn. You start at ground level in the 7th Arrondissement and work your way up to the 2nd floor, stopping to catch your breath and to hear stories about the tower's construction, the iron work, the details Gustave Eiffel built in that most people never notice. It's not a race. The group stays small enough that you can actually hear.

Once you reach the 2nd floor, the guided portion ends and you get time to stand there and look. Paris spreads out in every direction—Notre-Dame off to the east, the Arc de Triomphe sitting at the top of the Champs-Élysées, Les Invalides with Napoleon's tomb in the 7th, the Champ de Mars park directly below. Your guide points out the landmarks and their stories, but then you're free to linger, to take photos, to just stand there if you want. This is the part where people usually say something like "oh, I didn't expect it to feel this way," and they mean it.

After that, if you've booked the summit option, you take the elevator from the 2nd floor all the way to the top—the highest observation deck in Paris. No more stairs. You ride up and spend as long as you want up there, looking down at the city from 1,083 feet, watching the light change, spotting the neighborhoods you walked through that morning. The guide doesn't follow you up; this part is yours alone. Most people spend 30 to 45 minutes at the summit before heading back down.

What’s included

• Guided climb to the 1st and 2nd floors with an English-speaking expert guide.
• elevator access from the 2nd floor to the summit (if summit option selected).
• Eiffel Tower entry ticket.
• time to explore the 2nd floor and summit observation decks at your own pace.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Guide Works Limited

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to experience the Eiffel Tower with context and skip the entry-line wait—the guided climb is what turns a landmark into a memory, and the summit elevator means you don't have to choose between the climb and the highest views.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Do I have to climb all the way to the summit?

No. The guided climb takes you to the 2nd floor only. From there, you can either take the elevator to the summit or head back down. The summit elevator is included if you book the summit option.

How long does the climb take?

The guided climb to the 2nd floor takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the group's pace and how long you stop to look. Add another 30–45 minutes if you go to the summit.

What's included in the ticket?

The guided climb to the 2nd floor, an English-speaking guide, and elevator access to the summit if you select that option. Entry to the Eiffel Tower is included.

Is there an elevator option if I don't want to climb?

This tour is built around the climb to the 2nd floor. If stairs aren't right for you, the Eiffel Tower does offer elevator-only access, but that's a separate ticket purchased directly at the tower.

What will I see from the top?

From the 2nd floor and summit, you see Paris landmarks including Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, Les Invalides (Napoleon's tomb), and the Champ de Mars park below the tower.

Are there bathrooms on the way up?

Facilities are available at the 2nd floor level. There are no bathrooms between ground level and the 2nd floor.

What's the group size?

Groups are kept small to ensure everyone can hear the guide and move at a comfortable pace.

Can I bring a backpack or large bag?

Small bags are fine, but large backpacks and luggage are not permitted on the Eiffel Tower. Check the official Eiffel Tower website for current bag policy before you go.