Paris: Eiffel Tower Stairs Climb to Level 2 & Summit Option

The best part of this Eiffel Tower visit is the climb itself. You follow the ironwork upward, stopping at the first floor and continuing to the second, while Paris gradually opens beneath you. With 704 steps between the ground and the second level, this is sightseeing with a bit of effort built in.

I like two things in particular: you get a close look at the tower’s structure rather than simply riding straight up, and your guide points out Paris landmarks while sharing stories about the tower’s creation. The first-floor glass floor, suspended 57 metres above the ground, adds a memorable pause before the bigger views from level two.

The trade-off is time and stamina. This is not a priority-access ticket, and security and ticket queues can stretch the visit beyond its usual two hours. If climbing stairs is difficult for you, or crowds and waits are a poor fit, a lift ticket may suit you better.

At a glance

• Climb 704 steps: The guided stair route reaches the Eiffel Tower’s second floor.
• Pause at the glass floor: The first-floor platform puts you 57 metres above the ground.
• Hear tower and city stories: Guides explain the structure and identify Paris sights as you climb.
• Add the summit when booking: The upgrade includes access to the highest platform, but summit access can be restricted.
• Plan for queues: This tour does not include reserved tickets or priority access.
• Meet away from the tower: The meeting point is at the intersection of Avenue Silvestre de Sacy and Avenue Elisée Reclus.

A stair climb that makes the tower part of the visit

The Eiffel Tower can feel like a box to tick: join a queue, ride an elevator, take a photo, and move on. This tour changes the pace. You climb the iron structure on foot, so the tower is not just a platform for looking out over Paris. Its framework, stairs, and changing angles become part of what you came to see.

The route includes 704 steps to the second floor. Your guide accompanies the group and gives commentary along the way, with stories about the tower’s construction, its early reception, and the possibility that it might not have survived. Reviews frequently praise guides for making the history easy to follow and for keeping the climb engaging.

The guide assignment varies. Names praised by past participants include Ana, Angela, Melanie, and Prabhav, among others, but you cannot choose a particular guide from the information provided. What you can expect is a live guide in English or Spanish, with stories and landmark explanations woven into the visit.

Starting at the meeting point, not the tower

One detail worth getting right: your meeting point is not at the Eiffel Tower entrance. Find the intersection of Avenue Silvestre de Sacy and Avenue Elisée Reclus, near 2 Avenue Elisée Reclus. A City Wonders representative wearing blue and holding a City Wonders sign is meant to meet you there.

The nearest listed metro option is École Militaire on line 8, about a 15-minute walk away. The Champ de Mars stop on RER C is another nearby choice. Give yourself time to walk from the station and locate the correct corner. One past participant found navigation apps less precise than expected, while another asked for a larger sign because several tour groups were gathering nearby.

Late arrivals cannot be accommodated, and missed tours or tickets are not refundable. That makes the meeting point more than a minor detail: arrive early enough to find the representative before the group leaves.

Waiting before the climb

This is a guided tour, but it does not come with pre-reserved tickets or priority access. Your guide leads you to the ticket booth line, and tickets are collected after waiting. Security checks and ticket queues can add a substantial amount of time, especially in peak months.

For April through October, school holidays, and weekends, plan for at least 30 minutes at security and 45 minutes at the ticket desk. From November through March, the stated minimums are 15 minutes for security and 30 minutes at the ticket desk. Actual waits can vary, and the total visit may run longer than the advertised duration.

A good guide can make waiting less tedious by sharing history and answering questions. Several guides have been praised for keeping a group entertained during long lines, though one participant felt there could have been more information while waiting. I would treat the commentary as a bonus, not a guarantee that the queue will feel short.

The listed duration ranges from two hours to 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. The basic visit is often described as about two hours, but queues can extend it. If you have a timed plan afterward, leave a buffer rather than scheduling another activity immediately.

First floor: glass beneath your feet

The first floor offers a useful break in the climb and a different view of the tower. Its glass floor sits 57 metres above the ground. If you are comfortable looking down, it gives you a direct sense of the height and the structure below, rather than just another distant panorama.

This level is also where you can pause, catch your breath, and listen to the guide before continuing upward. The stair route gives you changing views through the metal framework, and the climb itself helps explain the engineering in a way an elevator ride cannot. One participant described the stairs as a way to feel the tower; that is a fair description of what makes this tour distinct.

Take comfortable shoes and bring water. The climb is a workout, not a technical trek, but 704 steps are still a serious set of stairs. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, heart problems, or vertigo. Baby strollers, luggage, and large bags are not allowed.

Second floor: Paris from above

The second floor is the main destination of the stair climb. From its observation deck, you get a broad view across Paris, with landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe visible in the city below. Your guide helps identify sights and gives the view context, which is especially useful if this is your first time in Paris.

The height changes your sense of the city. Streets and monuments become easier to place in relation to one another, and you can start to understand how the major sights fit together. One past participant wished they had taken the tour on their first day because it helped them get their bearings. If you are still planning your Paris itinerary, that is a good reason to book early in your stay.

You will have time to stop, look around, and take photos, though the deck can be crowded. The staircase route brings you to a popular attraction during busy periods, so do not expect a quiet, private viewing spot. A past visitor described pushing and crowding at the top; patience and attention to your belongings are sensible in a busy public place.

After the second floor, the standard route returns to ground level by the stairs. If you want to go higher, you need to select the summit upgrade when booking. It cannot be added later through this tour option.

Summit upgrade: a higher view, with a caveat

The summit option adds access to the Eiffel Tower’s highest platform. The itinerary allows about 45 minutes there, including time to look around and take photos. You can also see Gustave Eiffel’s original office, a distinctive historical detail that gives the top more interest than a view alone.

The summit is reached by elevator from the second floor, according to the tour details and participant accounts. The ascent to level two remains on foot, so adding the summit does not remove the stair climb. From the top, the extra height gives you a wider panorama, though the second-floor view is already a fine one.

There is an important uncertainty: summit access can be suspended because of weather, operational needs, or capacity controls. If it is unavailable, the summit portion of the price is refunded within eight to ten days, even if access resumes later during your tour. Book the upgrade for the chance to go up, not as a guarantee that the summit will be open.

Some tour participants have been advised to book a morning departure to improve their chances of reaching the summit. That is useful advice, but it is not a promise. Check available times and make the decision knowing that conditions can still change.

What the $42 price buys

The listed starting price is $42 per person. It includes a guided tour of the first and second floors and the entry ticket for those levels. Summit entry is included only if you select that option. A Seine River cruise ticket is also available only with the relevant option.

The added value is the guide and the stair-focused format. You are paying for commentary about the tower and the city, help navigating the visit, and a closer encounter with the structure than a direct elevator ride provides. Many past participants have singled out guides such as Ana, Angela, and Melanie for their warmth, stories, and ability to keep the group together. Guide quality is a major part of the appeal, although the specific guide is not guaranteed.

The main value question is the ticket queue. Since this tour does not include reserved tickets or priority access, you may still wait a long time before entering. If your only goal is to get up the tower at the lowest cost, compare the tour’s total price with the official entry options available for your date. If you want the guided explanation and the climb, the extra cost is easier to justify.

The overall rating is 4.1 out of 5 across 8,985 ratings. Individual comments show strong enthusiasm for the guides and the stair route, but practical concerns about queues, meeting-point visibility, summit closures, and crowding deserve equal weight in your decision.

Who will enjoy the climb

I would choose this tour if you like active sightseeing and want more than a quick ride to a viewing deck. It suits first-time visitors who want a guide to identify landmarks, families whose children can manage the stairs, and anyone curious about how the Eiffel Tower is built. Several participants appreciated guides who answered questions and kept children engaged.

It is a poor fit if you have trouble with stairs, a heart condition, vertigo, or limited mobility. It is also worth reconsidering if you are pressed for time or dislike standing in queues. The climb is part of the appeal, but it is not a shortcut around the tower’s crowds.

The company offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some flexibility, but they do not change the strict rule for late arrivals: get to the meeting point on time.

Should you book this Eiffel Tower tour?

Book it if the ascent matters as much as the view. The stairs, glass floor, guide commentary, and second-floor panorama make this a fuller visit than simply riding up. Add the summit if the extra height and Eiffel’s office matter to you, while keeping in mind that access can close.

Skip it if your priority is the fastest or cheapest route, if you cannot comfortably climb 704 steps, or if a long queue would sour the day. For an active visitor with time to spare, this is a memorable way to see the tower from the inside out.

FAQ

How many steps do you climb?

The guided stair climb covers 704 steps to the Eiffel Tower’s second floor.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the intersection of Avenue Silvestre de Sacy and Avenue Elisée Reclus, near 2 Avenue Elisée Reclus. It is not at the Eiffel Tower itself.

How long does the tour take?

The stated duration ranges from two hours to 210 minutes. The tour typically lasts around two hours, but queues can extend it.

Which languages are available?

Live guides are available in English and Spanish.

Is summit access included?

Summit access is included only if you choose that option when booking. It cannot be added later through this tour option.

Can the summit close?

Yes. Weather, operational reasons, or capacity controls can make the summit unavailable. If that happens, the summit-access price is refunded within eight to ten days.

Does the tour include priority access?

No. Pre-reserved tickets and priority access are not included, and you may wait at security and the ticket desk.

Is a Seine River cruise included?

A cruise ticket is included only if you select the option that includes it.

What should I bring, and what is not allowed?

Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Baby strollers, luggage, and large bags are not allowed.