Do I need Eiffel Tower reservation?

Laurie of cours you can go up without reservations,, you may have to wait, but really there are ways of lessening the wait.
Showing up 30 minutes before opening is good, but so it taking the stairs. The stairs are not that bad, I was middleaged and not particularily fit first time I did them. Don't worry too much, just check it out a few times.. some say it has a lull in line up around dinner,but I think its hit and miss. . I suggest relaxing and simply accepting you will wait in line.. and if line is short its a bonus.

Dear Laurie, My suggestion: Reserve and buy the ticket to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower from the very bottom. It has been several years ago..but here is what happen to us. We had 8 family members traveling together. We decided to walk part way up and then purchase the ticket to go on up to the top...which we did. A cashier..gladly took our money. Probably 2 minutes later, we lined up to take the elevator on up to the top and...the another staff member told us they were not allowing any more people up that evening. We should come back tomorrow and the ticket would be good. We explained we were leaving in the morning and asked why the cashier went ahead and sold us tickets without informing us that the tickets would not be honored immediately. No response..no sorry..no going to the top! So my family walked half way up...paid to go to the top and never got to the top of the Eiffel Tower. I heard something lately that the French are working on their customer service skills. Frankly, we really only had a few times while in France that folks were rude..but this incident is certainly memorable. (As we all know...The nice folks greatly out number that 1 or 2 % of rude people where ever you go..close to home or miles across the ocean.
Happy Travels. Carol

We were there in June and had reserved timed tickets for the evening. Believe it or not, people were walking up and buying tickets on the spot and getting in the elevators before us. So my advice is to go in the evening close to sunset, which is when I had my timed entry ticket. At least that day there was not a walk up line so maybe you will be lucky too.

Carol you still have to get off the elevator on the second level and get in line for the elevator for the summit . There is no elevator that goes from bottom to top.
And its unfortunate you that they closed it like that on you but I have been several times when it closed suddenly for being " to capacity". Once we had waited about 45 minutes and were there specifically because my 11 yr old wanted to go to the top.. it was our second visit there already. She never made it to top. Personally I think top is super overrated, views are great from the second level. They should have refunded your money.

Going half an hour before opening is a good idea. Did it this summer and it worked out well for us. I also recommend going straight up to the top, and then stopping on 1st/2nd floors if you want on your way down. Do it this way and you likely won't have to wait at all for the elevator to the top, and you'll get some pictures without a crowd of people surrounding you.

I should explain one thing. I am not familiar with the options I have available to me and the logistics of what I need to do once I arrive at the Eiffel Tower. I'm assuming I need to get in line in front of the ticket booth and purchase my ticket based on how far I want to go up and my mode of transportation (walk or take the elevator). So, based on this what are my options? For example: Option 1: Purchase ticket for 14.5 euros and either walk up to Level 2 and catch the elevator to the summit, or take the elevator (from the ground floor) up to Level 2 and catch another elevator to the summit. (Is that correct?) Option 2: Purchase ticket for 8.5 euros and take the elevator (from the ground floor) up to Level 1 and/or Level 2 for viewing. (Is that correct?) Option 3: Purchase ticket for 5 euros and walk the stairs up to Level 1 and/or 2.
(Is that correct?) Are these options correct? Are there other options that I missed? Is there a certain order I should follow? For example, go up to the Summit first, then stop at Level 2 and then Level 1 on the way down? If I choose to walk, how many stairs are there?

Laurie, I was there last March and here is what i can tell you from my experience at that day/time. Your Mileage may vary (YMMV). there was a long line for tickets (for those that didnt have any). about 75 ish yards long. they had the base of the tower enclosed by fencing and the line wrapped around the inside. I purchased my ticket to the top in advance. All i had to do was to choose a time and go. i was there 15 or so minutes before my time but they wouldnt let me in until 5 minutes before my time. everyone goes through security! The line for advanced ticket holders was 0. i walked right up to the security check while the others (non advance ticket holders) were in another line. You WILL wait in lines at the bottom and at the 2nd level. the lifts are small. also the top was intermittently being closed/open due to weather. there is a big reader board stating the status of the top. however/whatever you do, good luck. also, dont drink alot before you go, there were lines for the bathrooms at both levels. also, expect to wait in lines to get down too. Happy trails.

The absolute best way is to walk up the steps. I was reluctant but so happy I did not take the elevator. The lines were long but not for the steps.
The best part was seeing the city unfold as you climb higher.