Eiffel Tower, Paris: Tips and Tricks To Save Time and Money

Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris for over 120 years and it is a must for anyone visiting Paris for the first time. It was built by the engineer Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exhibition, commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution. The inauguration was on March 31, 1889, and it was the center of many controversies among Parisians. Many intellectuals and artists believed “it was a ridiculous tower that overlooked Paris like a chimney”. Despite everything, Eiffel Tower is still the symbol of the City of Lights, which attracts travelers from all over the world and continues to assert its presence stronger than ever.

CURIOSITY: during hot days the height of Eiffel Tower varies up to 15 cm due to the thermal expansion of the metal. It sways up to 12 cm when it is windy. Isn’t it amazing? 😉

Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular attractions in Paris. This is why I want to share with you some tips and tricks to save time and money for your visit.

Eiffel-Tower-tips-&-tricks-to-save-time-and-money
  • Save
BEST VIEW. The best view to enjoy the Eiffel Tower and its show of lights is certainly from the Trocadero, which is the area from the Palais de Chaillot to the Pont d’Iéna, just in front of the Eiffel Tower. Photography lovers will appreciate this charming place. I love to enjoy the view of Paris with Eiffel Tower rather than without it. It depends on your taste.
Tour-Eiffel
  • Save
CLIMBING EIFFEL TOWER.  If you wish to climb the Eiffel Tower and to enjoy the view from the Tower I recommend to climb to the 2nd floor (where you can also discover the history of the tower illustrated on panels). Here, you can really enjoy the best view from the Eiffel Tower. The view is not so exciting from the top floor, which is often crowded and it is a bit hard to enjoy a clear view. I visited Eiffel Tower in the evening and the lights of Paris are charming.
View from Eiffel Tower
  • Save
However, if you are a lover of architecture I recommend to climb the tower in the morning, because you can appreciate the architectural structure  of Paris.

Eiffel Tower by day
  • Save
Don’t pay €15.50 to get to the top floor. I climb up the stairs to the 2nd floor, with no lift, and I only payed €5. Great price, no line, no crowd. There are people waiting hours and hours, because they choose the lift. I only waited 10 minutes. There are about 700 steps, but it is not tiring and climbing down the tower is very easy and relaxing. If you want you can also take the lift from the 2nd floor. It is not crowdy. The choice is yours! The perfect combination is stairs up to the 2nd floor.

NOTE: to get to the top floor you have to take the lift.

PRICES. You can buy your ticket online. Here are the ticket prices:

  • Stairs ticket (no lift) for the 2nd floor is €5 for adults, €4 for children between 12-24, €3.50 for children from 4 to 11 and for disabled;
  • Ticket for the 2nd floor with lift is €9 for adults,  €7 for children between 12-24 and €4.50 for children from 4 to 11 and disabled;
  • Ticket with lift for the top floor costs €15.50 for adults, €13.50 for children from 12 to 24 and €11 for children and disabled. Here you can also visit Gustave Eiffel’s work office and there is also a bar à champagne, where you can drink champagne (classic cup €12).

NOTE: you have to evacuate the floors 45 minutes before the tower closes.

OPENING HOURS. Eiffel Tower is open from 2 September to 14 June, from 9.30am to 11.45pm (by lift), from 9.30am to 6.30pm (by stairs). From 15 June to 1 September, from 9.30am to 12.45am (by lift), from 9.30am to 12.45am (by stairs). Check out the last admissions times.

LIGHTS AND BOAT TOUR.  The Tower is lit up after the sunset and it shines frantically every hour for 5 minutes until 1am. The sparkle of the Eiffel Tower was originally planned to celebrate the the beginning of the year 2000. The Parisians aware of her beauty, decided to keep it. So, if you want to take a boat tour, do it after the sunset! The atmosphere is incredible! I chose the Bateaux Mouches tour.

Eiffel Tower in Paris
  • Save
DINNER AT EIFFEL TOWER. Yes or no? On the first floor there is the Restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel. On the second floor there is the Jules Verne restaurant, Michelin awarded. Here you will pay even €700 for 2 people. During my visit to Paris I chose a lovely place to have dinner with Eiffel Tower right in front of me. Café de l’Homme, at the Trocadero, which unfortunately now is closed. I know many people who have dined at the Jules Verne to celebrate special events and all of them told me the same thing. Mini portions of good (not excellent) food, as often happens in fine dining restaurants. You pay the breathtaking view, which is stunning. I recommend the Jules Verne, because it is on the 2nd floor, only if you want to celebrate something special, but remember to book three months in advance.

TIP: ask yourself if you want to have dinner with the Eiffel Tower in front of you or not, before you book at restaurants like Jules Verne or Restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel!

Follow these easy tips and tricks when you visit the Eiffel Tower! You will save time and money and you will avoid lines and crowds!

Have you ever visited the Eiffel Tower? Any other tips or tricks?

14 replies
  1. julie says:

    Does anyone know if my 2 children (9 and 13) can share an entire or order a la carte at Jules Verne Restaurant? I’m a single mom and am splurging for this dinner but if my kids can share the E190 meal or order a la carte that would be helpful. Thanks, Julie

    Reply
  2. Anna says:

    lovely and comprehensive post about the Eiffel Tower! I’ve been once up to the top back in 1993!! I mostly like to see the tower rather being on top of it, but if I re-visit, I’ll definitely book online to save myself from the hassle!

    Reply
  3. Peter Miceli says:

    Maria, thank you so much. I am new to your blog and thoroughly enjoying it. How is the restaurant on the first floor? And is there anything else nearby you can recommend due to the fact that your favorite has closed? Thanks so much for the great information.

    Reply
    • Maria Orlando says:

      Hi Peter! Thank you so much for your message 🙂 As you have read I write travel tips for personality types. I’m telling that because if you are traveling with your girlfriend you need something romantic to enjoy! The view from the first floor is not as good as the Jules Verne at the second floor. I didn’t have dinner inside of the Eiffel Tower. Jules Verne has a great view without Tour Eiffel, but it is expensive (it also depends on your budget). My friends tried both of them and they told me Jules Verne is the best: tasty food, although not excepcional (mini portions). If you want to have dinner at a restaurant with Eiffel Tower view I recommend Les Ombres. I liked it! Otherwise, if you choose to eat good food giving up to Eiffel Tower view I mentioned some restaurants in this article: http://www.travellector.com/things-to-do-in-paris-in-3-days/ 🙂 Let me know if you need some advice! When are you going to travel to Paris?

      Reply
  4. Cafe Cortado says:

    I have visited Eiffel Tower only once, and I was, just like you, climbing up the stairs to the second floor. The view is really breathtaking. However, I have never gone to the top of it cause the queue was huge. After reading your article, I know what should I do! Thanks for the tips Maria! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Myra says:

    Such a great post about the Eiffel Tower Maria! These tips and tricks on how to save money and time will definitely come in handy when I reach my goal for getting to Paris. Reading from your perspective makes me want to go to see the Eiffel Tower in person even more than I wanted to yesterday! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Nancy Babcock says:

    Wonderful travel tips, Maria! Love all the details, including hours, of places to visit and dine. Bookmarking to share with friends that may be planning a trip.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.