Eiffel Tower tickets sold out- what now?

I can't recommend a company but I don't think an expensive tour would be worth it, at least to me. Instead, you might consider the much easier accessed Tour Montparnasse. It's not as high but it offers a comparable bird's-eye view of the city, including the ET itself. Not as crowded either. Check the website, but I doubt if you'll need to book ahead, so you can pick a day and time that work for your schedule and the weather.

I've been to the top of both, and I understand that the ET summit is a bucket-list experience for many people and a box many feel a need to check. But I enjoyed the TM more, you might or might not.

I'm with the other poster here. Of course you're free to prioritize your time/money, etc. as you wish, but I think it's a bit of a letdown when you actually go up there. It is iconic of course and an important part of any visit to Paris for most of us, but to me the best views of Paris seem to have the Eiffel Tower in them, and that obviously isn't the case when you are on the tower itself. For the hassle and expense, there seems to be better ways to enjoy the Eiffel Tower by just seeing it from elsewhere (e.g., river boat cruise, Montparnasse Tower as previously mentioned, Champ-de-Mars, etc.).

In a similar boat as yourself and I picked up a not great time and have been checking back periodically to see if something better comes along. In doing so, I noticed that there are periodic changes to the availability, so it doesn't hurt to revisit....

Other considerations:

The extra cost to visit via a tour group is not that much in the grand scheme to get the time you want.

If you have a fancy meal in your budget, try to RSVP a window table at Jules Verne for lunch or dinner. They also have a wait list.

The website says that tickets can be purchased on site. You could queue up early and / or prepare to wait.....

Tickets with stair access to the second floor open up two weeks prior, so if you are in good shape.....

Having been to both the top and second level, the top is a "neat elevator ride followed by a windy experience" whereas the second level has great views. As other posters have noted, you can get great views, including with the tower, elsewhere.

Good luck.

I agree with Dick and Steve. The best view is OF the Eiffel Tower! I went to the top in 1974, when it was easier to go to the top, but even then, we had a long wait for that last leg. I never wanted to go back up. It just wasn't worth it. Some of my best photos from Paris were taken from some yards from the base of the tower, shooting upward, or from across the river. It is a thrill just looking at it. Take a picnic to the grassy area nearby and drink in its magic from there. You won't be sorry.

It is easy for me or others to tell you the view and experience from atop the Eiffel Tower is overrated, but I can say it because I have done it. Only did it once - too crowded, almost claustrophobic. And this was over 40 years ago when Europe was less heavily touristed, too. These days these bucket list sites are overcrowded and kind of unpleasant, especially during peak travel seasons like summer...

I agree with others on Montparnasse Tower, but one of the most iconic views in Paris is free, from the top steps of Sacre Coeur, and you can gaze upon both the Eiffel Tower and Montparnasse from there.

What now? Walk or take the métro to Tracadero & behold the beautiful Eiffel Tower. I much preferred looking at the Eiffel Tower than spending lots of money to be on it. I think you got a good break by having it sold out.

The top of the Arc de Triomphe also has some wonderful views of Paris.

Tickets for many days in June aren't open yet did you make sure its not too early? They open 60 days before. Good luck!

Thank you, everyone! Rick Steves folks are the best.
Thanks for the alternate tower suggestion, and alternate viewing locations.
Sadly yes, my date was available for ticket purchase but on the 4 days when I was not paying attention and is gone.
I have been before. My husband has not. I too didn't think it was a big deal but my son wanted to go, so we went at night a few years ago. I must say it was noting short of magical. Not so much the view but the tower itself and being in and under that structure at night was really quite glorious and worth the Euros. So I'd say we are not going this time but to other travelers if you have never been... go at night but make your reservation 60-61 days ahead.

I have heard that you can get tickets in line but the line is long...

What now? Buy any type of ticket when you are actually there and want to go! I found this (new-to-me) buying ahead of time with no ability to change the date or time slot atrocious. After all this is a weather dependent outdoor activity. If I had bought ahead I would have picked a certain early evening - so glad I didn’t it was rainy and cold. We ended up going on a beautiful day - midday. There are various combinations to the top with elevator and with stairs that can be bought only when you are there (did it several times in the past, recommend if you are fit) or the elevator only to any level. We did wait one hour in line, but the weather was great and we had a bunch of items from the bakery. Not any different from standing in line at WDW, or for that matter we also stood for 35 minutes each WITH timed entry at both the Louvre and Orsay. It was so much worth it picking when WE wanted to go, and everyone was feeling good (you never know traveling with kids) and when the views were fantastic. Another tip: the signs may say “top closed” at various times ticket or not. It could be high winds or crowdedness… just wait. We saw several people turn around… we just waited in the line anyways and voila it was open again (and about two hours later closed again for some time) - don’t get deterred.

I want to add a few more things: the champagne tickets - they serve the champagne at the top out of a tiny place in teensy cornucopia-type plastic containers (can’t put them down)… don’t buy a champagne ticket, unless that’s your thing.

The view is great from all levels, just different.

Every level is worth the time and wait in my eyes.

I have been checking the site to experiment with the timing of ticket release (and found the correct tip that I need to change the time on my computer to Paris time) as we're also traveling in June. I noticed that there are now some times available in the next two weeks, so you might check back a few weeks before you go; perhaps they release more tickets then.

You guys are just the best! Thank you for all your ideas. And I will check back for tickets just in case form time to time.

I've been in France for decades, but I've gone up the Eiffel Tower once in all that time. My husband hadn't gone up since he was a child.
That day, it had rained hard, we were leaving the nearby Musée de Quai Branly when I asked to walk over to the tower in the light mist that remained. Luck would have it that all the tour groups had canceled due to the rain, it was 8 pm, the sky was clear, no line, we bought a ticket and went up with almost nobody else around.
So the point of the story is to pray for rain and then take advantage because others will cancel.

Sam, thank you. After pondering our rather packed plans for our initial days in Paris, we've decided to wing it with the Eiffel tower and go up during our return after traveling around France: either the night before we leave, or the morning of (flight not until 5 p.m.) depending on the weather and how we're feeling. Or, who knows? Maybe we'll find a convenient time another day. It's freeing not to have a prepaid time that we'd want to stick to.

Issue is they allow these tour companies to buy them up the instant they go on sale at midnight. They should have a limit to the amount that can be bought. Our day was sold out in three minuets.

To meg: You're very welcome. I wanted to make sure that everyone knows that you can buy elevator tickets (and stair/elevator combination tickets) any time at the tower, including to the top, all you have to make sure is that you build in the time for the line. I found it very liberating, too, no regrets. In Spring especially, the weather can be hit or miss.

We also enjoyed really taking it all in... yes, the food and drinks are (much) more expensive, but all of us greatly enjoyed lingering on level 1 (all levels have some options, but level one has the most), and after squeezing into all the elevators, and queuing so many times, it was great to be inside the tower, relaxing, and taking in the views with food and drinks. My youngest still raves about the "best ice cream of our entire vacation in the Eiffel Tower". Here's to making memories!

One last suggestion:
We chose to hike( 70 at the time) to the second level, no lines and the view was spectacular. I know that may not satisfy everyone. Realize after you get to the second level you must wait again for the elevator to the top. Time is precious.

I haven’t read all the replies, so forgive me if this is already here. For some months now, the ET has been releasing a bunch of tickets about a week out. So, I’d say to start checking about 10 days prior to your travel dates and see if you make out that way.