So this one elevator thing seems to be a big problem. I get the feeling we should take the stairs to the second floor and then purchase tickets for the lift to the top from there. My question is, since we've never been to the Eiffel Tower before, do we purchase tickets online to take the stairs or do we just purchase them there? Are there 'skip the line' tickets online for the stairs?
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
This from the Eiffel Tower website: "A technical incident leads us to operate currently with one single lift. Therefore, the access to the monument is very difficult : - Very few tickets are available through our online ticketing system. - Waiting time to the monument is likely to be over 2 hours. We are sorry for the inconvenience."
http://www.eiffel-tower.com/preparing-your-visit/buying-your-tickets.html
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Even with the elevator problem, there has not been a line for the stairs. There's a separate ticket window that sells the tickets for the stairs. No need to purchase in advance. On the plus side - While the elevator is out, there hasn't been a giant line on the 2nd floor to get to the top.
Posted by
Rochelle, IL
263 posts
Just curious, how many stairs are there???
I think it's more than just a second floor....but I did not see it listed on the ET site.
Posted by
OP
Charlotte
13 posts
I think I read on another thread that there's 670 or there abouts.
Posted by
Oakland, CA
5 posts
I've been wondering the same thing as we will be there next week - for the first time - yay! I just read in Rick's "Paris 2011" that there are 360 steps to the first level of Eiffel tower and another 360 to level two.
Posted by
Rochelle, IL
263 posts
OK....720...probably not an option for an older guy like me. Thanks for the info.
Posted by
New Haven, CT, USA
46 posts
We totally skipped the Eiffel Tower on our first trip to Paris last week due to this elevator thing. I'm a little disappointed but we'll go again some day. Instead we climbed the Arc de Triomphe and the Notre Dame tower to see the views of Paris from there.