Assuming I can get a ticket to get to the top, how much time should I allot for a non-rushed visit to the Tower, including security lines, etc. Maybe half an hour to look at views from the top and another half hour for views from the intermediate level?
We just returned from Paris. We had booked a trip to the top and a glass or champagne. Even with timed tickets we had to wait in the line for about 45 minutes to get on the first elevator which takes you to the second level. You then need to get off (great views from there as well as the top) and wait about 20-30 minutes to get on the second elevator to the top. I believe it will get more crowded in the days/weeks ahead. We had a beautiful day with amazing views.
At least 3 hours. Our last trip up a couple of years ago with timed tickets we waited 70 minutes for the first elevator; luckily we had no wait for the second as the top had been closed and just opened up as we got to the second floor and most people were not aware it had opened and we hopped right on those elevators to the top. The second floor wait can be another hour on a bad day.
You don't want to rush.
Security to get under the tower - 10-ish minutes.
Timed line to go up - depends on when you enter
Security to get into the tower - 10-20 minutes.
At 2nd level - wait to go to top - 20-30, depends on attendance.
At the top - however long you want to be there
Elevator down to 2nd floor - not very long
2nd & 1st floors - same as top, however long you want to be there.
the 2nd time I went i was on the tower for 4 hrs I think - went to the top and eventually made my way to the 1st floor to watch the lights sparkle.
Thank you all for these informative replies.
Does time of day matter at all, for avoiding queues/lineups? Would a timed ticket at 1000 pm be better than 12 noon?
Since 10pm was mentioned just FYI but with the time change on March 30, sunset will be roughly around 930pm. The Tower lights up every hour on the hour (so that would be 10pm).