I realize variants on my question have been asked -- and answered -- previously but my question has a slightly different angle than those I've reviewed in the forums, so I beg your patience. On an upcoming trip to Paris during the last week of March, 2016, our plan is to tackle the Eiffel Tower as follows: (1) queue up for tickets to the stairs @ the south leg, (2) walk -- taking our time -- to the 2nd level and, finally, (3) take the elevator from the 2nd floor to the summit. Here are my questions:
(1) some information online suggests buying the "supplemental" elevator ticket from the 2nd level to the summit on the ground because there can be problems buying it on the 2nd level. Is this true? And, if so, is the line to buy the "supplemental" lift ticket on the ground different than the line to buy the stairs ticket? In other words, would we need to wait in two (2) different lines on the ground?
(2) once we've reached the summit -- weather permitting -- is there a cost/separate ticket to take the lift all the way back to the ground or is the ride down "free?"
(3) finally, is this the best plan or would it make more sense to buy tickets online straight to the summit and then walk down from the second level on our return? Which is the better way to see the Eiffel Tower?
Thanks, in advance, for any insight/suggestions. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime for the 2 friends we are taking with us and we want it to be the best experience it can be for them. By the way, we are all reasonably fit, so walking the steps should not present any problem.