Eiffel Tower Blunder

Are tickets to other levels available? We did not go to the summit, just the second level and the views were still great.

Go early and stand in line. Just because all of the "online" tickets are sold out doesn't mean ALL tickets are sold out.

You can also make a reservation to dine at one of the restaurants on the Eiffel Tower - those include lift tickets with your meal.

The line for the stairs is normally substantially shorter than the line for the elevator and yes you can get tickets to the top after walking up the stairs, but there will still be a wait there for the elevator, although not as long because many people are happy just going to the 2nd level. I was there in August a few years ago and walked by the tower several times during the month. I found the lines varied during the day from about 1/2 hr wait to about 1-1/2 hrs depending on when you go, but it's pretty impossible to judge ahead of time when the shorter lines will be so it's a crap shoot. I went up in the evening about 8:00 pm without advance tickets and stood in line about 1/2 hr.

How many times will you go to the Eiffel Tower? This is my 14th trip to Paris and a trip again we made our second Eiffel Tower visit. I would never go to the Tower without going to the top, especially my first time. It isn't just the view, it is the experience. If you have good legs, get stair tickets and then buy tickets to the top on the second floor. If not, then wait in line and go -- it is hard to predict when lines are shorter. You could try first thing and then late in the afternoon and see if there is a lull.

Take the stairs , the line is always ( that I have seen ) shorter and does move a bit faster ( it's cheaper too) .

When you get to second level you can buy a ticket to the summit if you choose ( I find it overrated myself). There isnlikely anline but it's much shorter than lining up in ground for elevator ticket .

I don't know the answers to your questions. I have been to Paris a number of times. I only went up the Eiffel Tower once, my first trip, and only partially up on my student budget. My Paris time is valuable and I don't want to waste it standing in line. So, when I went to Paris 2 years ago, we elected to go to the bottom of the Eiffel Tower and then toured the sewers nearby. Is it more authentic to go up the Tower or tour the sewers? I don't know. We were happy with our choice and I don't think my kids feel deprived.

My advice to you would be to do the same. Skip the lines. Go to the sewers and if you want a partial view of the city with no line, go to Sacre Couer.

We cut under the Eiffel Tower on Monday evening around 6:30 pm (security check required). No lines at all for any it, including security. I saw people entering the South pillar to climb the stairs. I suggest doing that. If you have a few days, try walking by either river or Champs de Mars sides at different times.

My experience around this time of year is that it quiets down from 6:00 to 8:00 pm before it gets busy for sunset. Also, the one time I was talked into reservations, the elevators to the summit were broken. Never bothered with reservations again.

Hi Flyn, did you check Get Your Guide tours? I used them twice and thought they were a reasonably priced option for a 1 hour tour and a skip the lines ticket to the second level. It's an easy, much shorter line to buy a ticket from the second floor to the third (Summit) level. Good luck!

If all else fails and you just cant get tickets or the lines are too long; go up the 'Tour de Montparnasse instead.
It's on the other side of the river and is about 56 stories high.
No need to book, just show up.
It has an open viewing platform right on top, and a small café.
It was E15 when I was there in February, and you get the same view of Paris....with the Eiffel tower in your view!!
Much better, in my opinion!

For what it's worth, we chose not to buy advance tickets when we went to Paris in 2015. Didn't want to lock ourselves into a time, not knowing for sure what our schedule would be or what the weather would be like. When we an opportunity to go, it was pretty busy and we waited in line about 40 minutes. Some would say it was 40 minutes wasted, but we were in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower on a beautiful, sunny afternoon. Life could be worse.

Here's an alternative: Consider going to the top of Montparnasse Tower instead. It is quick and easy, and you get just as magnificent a view of Paris as you do from the ET. Then, take a picnic to the ET and spread out a blanket on the grass in the evening and watch the ET sparkle at the top of the hour.

We are going the same week as you, and we did not book tickets either. My plan is to go in the early evening and use the stairs. Hopefully we can buy tickets to the summit once we get to the 2nd level.