I am shocked by how many tickets are still available for purchase May 2017. Last visit I was at the keyboard ready to purchase for an October 2015 trip when they went on sale and they sold out so fast, I did not secure tickets. This year I have been watching tickets and up till my May 22nd date and all slots are available for most of May so I did not get up early to purchase, just purchased the day they went on sale and there is still all slots available. What gives?
Posted by
California 🦋
5294 posts
Letizia,
It's good to hear that you didn't encounter any problems booking your tickets for your upcoming trip in May ;-)
What gives?
You may have experienced difficulty in securing your tickets for October 2015, due to the crowds drawn by the many festivals, art fairs, and exhibitions, etc... that were taking place during your visit.
I experienced some difficulties when trying to book our tickets for a specific date in June 2016, due to the EURO World Cup Tournament crowds; fortunately I was able to secure tickets for a different date during our visit.
The following comments are meant for the benefit of others....
I do recommend booking Eiffel Tower tickets 92 days in advance,
especially if traveling during the busy tourist season (June- September)- Having said this, Paris is a very popular destination, so it's wise to book tickets in advance regardless... Unless you don't mind waiting in a possibly long queue ;-)*
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Normandie
302 posts
Or, don't go up the Eiffel Tower at all and enjoy the superior views of the Paris rooftops (and the Eiffel Tower) from the top of the Arc de Triomphe and the terrace of Galeries Lafayette.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
We had the same problem as your first experience (both in September 2014 and September 2012) I was told that it was because tour groups had computers that could "buy up" the reservation tickets in minutes (seconds!) and then they resell them in tour packages. ("take a day tour with us, no line at the Eiffel Tower") That made sense to me since I had stayed up to purchase the minute they became available and almost all of them were gone before I could get my 4. That still doesn't answer the question of why they are now easier to get (unless they changed their programs so that computers can't buy them up quickly...can that be done? I can barely purchase my own tickets as I am not a computer person).
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Imo sales are down because tourism is down by 1.5 million in Paris due to the terrorist attacks in the last year or two.
Posted by
OP
California
1625 posts
Susan, that is the only thing I could think of. But you still think tour companies would be snatching up the tickets for their group? Maybe the ET Website is more savvy now? I am thinking I may have had to do that "I am not a robot" checkbox...can't remember, we have booked so many things.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Maybe people are finally realizing that getting to the top of the ET is not THE most paramount goal to achieve while in Paris. I've been to the top several times, and it's just a miserable trek even after you get to the first level. The pushing and shoving and crowding is just unbelievable.
Posted by
Michigan, United States
703 posts
When we went up a few years ago, at first the tickets appeared to be unavailable for the date that I wanted but I kept trying and was finally able to secure them. Not sure why that was though. I would say definitely go up to the top the first time you visit Paris but after that, try some of the other great views of the city (that include the Eiffel Tower in them) such as Montparnasse Tower or the Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy your trip.