Eiffel Tower Tickets Guide: Tips for Your First Visit

To secure Eiffel Tower tickets, you should book via the official website exactly 60 days in advance for lift access or 14 days in advance for the stairs. If the official site is sold out, your best options are guided tours or arriving early for a limited number of walk-up tickets. Ensure you choose between the second floor for the best photography or the Summit for the highest panoramic views of Paris.## Understanding Ticket Types and LevelsThe Eiffel Tower is divided into three distinct sections: the first floor, the second floor, and the Summit. Choosing the right ticket depends on your budget, fitness level, and how much time you want to spend in the structure.### The Second Floor (Lift or Stairs)Many locals and frequent visitors argue that the second floor offers the best views. At 115 metres high, you are tall enough to see the entire city but low enough to identify landmarks like the Louvre and Notre Dame. You can choose to take the lift or climb the 674 steps. The stairs are significantly cheaper and rarely sell out as quickly as the lift tickets.### The Summit (The Top)The Summit is only accessible via a second set of glass-walled lifts from the second floor. At 276 metres, it is the highest observation deck in the European Union. While the views are breathtaking, it can be extremely windy and cold even in summer. If you suffer from vertigo, the second floor might be a more comfortable stopping point.### The First FloorThe first floor is often overlooked but features a transparent glass floor and various museum exhibits. All tickets include access to this level on your way down.## How to Book: The 60-Day RuleThe golden rule of any Eiffel Tower tickets guide is to book early. Tickets go on sale on the official website at midnight (Paris time) 60 days in advance for lift tickets. During peak summer months, these can sell out within minutes. If you are planning a trip to other major European landmarks, you might find similar challenges; for instance, our Colosseum Tickets Guide: How to Skip the Long Queues offers similar strategic advice for Rome.If you miss the 60-day window, check back 14 days before your visit, as this is when stair-access tickets are released. If all else fails, third-party tour operators often have remaining inventory, though you will pay a premium for the 'skip-the-line' service they provide.## Navigating Security and ArrivalThe Eiffel Tower is surrounded by a high-security perimeter. There are two main entrances (East and South) through the gardens. You must pass through a security check even if you already have a ticket. Once inside the 'Iron Lady's' footprint, you will head to the specific pillar (North, East, or West) indicated on your ticket for the lift or stairs.Arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before your scheduled time slot. If you are late, the staff have the right to refuse entry. Having your digital ticket ready on your phone is essential, which brings us to the most important part of your Paris trip: staying connected.## Staying Connected: The Post-Brexit Roaming RealityFor UK residents, the return of EU roaming charges has made a trip to Paris more expensive. Since Brexit, major carriers like EE, Vodafone, Three, and O2 have reintroduced daily fees ranging from £2 to £2.50 per day just to use your existing data allowance. If you are a family of four spending a week in France, you could easily spend over £60 just on roaming fees.UKRoamFree provides a budget-friendly solution. We offer free-roaming eSIMs that cover 40+ European countries, including France, Turkey, and the USA. You can see plans that cost less than a pint of beer, allowing you to bypass the 'daily tax' imposed by UK mobile networks.### Why an eSIM for Paris?An eSIM (embedded SIM) allows you to download a data plan directly to your phone without swapping physical cards. This is particularly useful for:1. Live Navigation: Using Google Maps to find the entrance to the Eiffel Tower or navigating the Metro.2. Digital Tickets: Accessing your booking emails and QR codes instantly.3. Social Media: Sharing that 'sparkle' video of the tower at night without worrying about a massive bill.4. Safety: Making WhatsApp calls to your group if you get separated in the crowds.## Data Plans for FranceUKRoamFree uses the Orange network in France, providing high-speed 5G coverage in Paris and reliable 4G in rural areas. Whether you are visiting the tower or taking a day trip to see Disneyland Paris Tips for Families Visiting from the UK, having reliable data is non-negotiable.We offer a wide range of fixed plans to suit different trip lengths:- Short trips: 1GB for 7 days or 2GB/3GB for 15 days.- Standard holidays: 5GB, 10GB, or 20GB for 30 days.- Heavy users: 50GB for 30 days or even 180 days.We also provide daily passes for those who prefer a 'per day' limit, ranging from 0.488GB up to 10GB per day. These plans are data-only, meaning they do not come with a local French phone number, but they work perfectly with WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Messenger for all your calling needs. If you run out of data while queuing for the lift, top-ups are available instantly.## Comparison: UK Carriers vs. UKRoamFree| Feature | UK Carrier (Roaming) | UKRoamFree eSIM || :--- | :--- | :--- || Daily Cost | £2.00 - £2.50 | One-off low cost || Network in France | Varies (often throttled) | Orange (5G/4G) || Setup | Automatic (then billed) | Easy installation guide || Commitment | Daily charge every 24h | No contract, no hidden fees || Compatibility | All phones | Check if your phone is compatible |## Step-by-Step InstallationBefore you leave the UK, or while you are waiting at St Pancras for the Eurostar, follow these steps:### For iPhone Users1. Go to Settings > Mobile Data.2. Tap Add eSIM.3. Scan the QR code provided by UKRoamFree.4. Label the new plan as 'Travel'.5. Set 'Mobile Data' to the Travel eSIM but keep your 'Default Voice Line' as your primary UK SIM to receive texts.### For Android Users1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet.2. Tap the + next to SIMs.3. Select Download a SIM instead?.4. Scan your QR code.5. Ensure Data Roaming is turned ON for the new eSIM.## Data Usage Tips for Your VisitParis is a city that demands data. Between checking the 'Citymapper' app for bus times and translating menus using Google Lens, your data can disappear quickly. Here is a rough guide to help you choose a plan when you see plans:- Google Maps: 5MB per hour of active navigation.- Instagram/TikTok: Up to 600MB per hour of scrolling/uploading.- WhatsApp Voice Calls: 0.5MB per minute.- Web Browsing: 15MB per 10 minutes.For a 4-day trip to Paris, a 3GB or 5GB plan is usually more than enough for a solo traveler. If you are tethering other devices, consider the 10GB option.## The bottom lineThe Eiffel Tower is a bucket-list experience that requires careful planning. By booking your tickets 60 days in advance and bypassing the expensive roaming charges of UK networks with a UKRoamFree eSIM, you can focus on the view rather than the cost. Stay connected on the Orange 5G network and enjoy the magic of Paris without the post-holiday bill shock.