Has anybody had any recent experience of attempting to get tickets for the summit by means of "waiting in line" the day of your visit? The official website claims ticket purchase is possible.
Anybody had any success in accomplishing this feat?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6084 posts
What time of year?
Posted by
OP
Near Vancouver, British Columbia
56 posts
Good question. I imagine January could be easier than May.
May is when we will be there.
Posted by
12 posts
Our family will be there in May also, and wondering this same question.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2848 posts
There is no way to predict the length of lines on any particular day other than to say that crowds are more intense in summer than in winter, and lines are always short when it is raining. I would start early and be in line before the elevators start running, about 09h00 in summer, 09h30 in winter.
Posted by
Chicago
8958 posts
We once had reserved tickets on what turned out to be the only rainy day that month. We had the tickets. We went. It was fine and if the Tower is not fogged in then you. have the advantage on a rainy day of short lines for both the bottom and top elevators and low crowds. So if you find the lines daunting, a rainy day it not a bad choice.
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/the-eiffel-tower-in-the-rain/
Last time we went up with our granddaughter on a sunny day WITH timed tickets, it took us 70 minutes in line to get on the elevator. I think this was worse than usual but still not unheard of. WITH tickets.
Posted by
Western WA
127 posts
If you are open to walking up part of the Eiffel Tower, that line is much shorter. The ticket options for walking up are to walk to 2nd level or walk to 2nd level and take the elevator the rest of the way to the top. In February, we walked to the 2nd level. I didn't need to go to the very top. Walking is not that bad at all. Saw families including little kids and grandmothers walking it. I had my ankle wrapped (ace bandage) and still had no issues since there were lots of places to pause along the way. The line was short (February on a sunny day),.
Posted by
Darmouth, MA, USA
404 posts
WE chose to climb to the second level. Normally I am one who would want to go to the top but I found level 2 plenty high enough for a wonderful view. In mid-September, had no tickets, had no wait. I am not sure that everyone realizes you must wait below and then again on level 2 for the next elevator. Too much wasted time for me.
Posted by
OP
Near Vancouver, British Columbia
56 posts
Thanks for these useful replies. I will be with two persons who have stair-a-phobia, so don't know if I can make a convincing argument for walking up. Unless I emphasize the unproductive waits for elevators, which I have heard about in other threads.