The Best Guided Tours of the Eiffel Tower
Would you like to discover the Eiffel Tower with a guided tour? They are really fun! Don't miss the next post where I tell you the best options.
View of the Eiffel Tower | ©Thorsten
The Eiffel Tower is the main symbol of Paris and is the most visited tourist attraction in the world. Climbing it is one of the essential plans to do during a trip to the French capital.
A monument with a curious history that in the nineteenth century was a revolution in the field of engineering and today has become one of the most amazing viewpoints of the city.
If you want to know the Eiffel Tower enjoying the advantages of a guided tour, stay to read this post where we discuss what options are available, what are the ticket prices and what you can see during this fantastic experience. Let's start!
1. Guided tour of the Eiffel Tower, by the stairs!
With a height of 300 meters, going up the Eiffel Tower by elevator is always a temptation but, although it may not seem like it, there are good reasons to make a little effort and take the stairs.
Why choose this experience?
On the one hand, you will be able to contemplate some very curious views of the landscape that most visitors miss by always choosing the elevator to ascend. On the other hand, the staircase access to the Eiffel Tower is usually less crowded than the elevators, where very long queues can form and slow down your plans to crown the monument. On the other hand, on a good day of sightseeing, the waiting time to climb the stairs is usually less than 30 minutes.
Visits to the Eiffel Tower via the stairs usually take around 2 hours although waiting times in the security queue or for access to the stairs during busy periods can cause it to take a little longer.
What can you expect?
You could say that it is a rather exclusive experience as almost all tours of the monument usually omit the second floor which is entered by climbing more than 300 steps. And that's a pity because walking across its glass floor at 57 meters high is quite a thrill and will test your vertigo!
Afterwards, you will have to walk up another 600 steps approximately to reach the viewpoint on the second floor but I assure you that the effort is well worth it because along the way will begin to reveal several of the most iconic monuments of Paris as the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe or the Champs Elysees. You will be 116 meters high!
And if you decide to upgrade this ticket to reach the top level and crown the Eiffel Tower, don't worry because you will no longer have to walk to the top but take an elevator that will take you to the top directly from the second floor. Get your camera ready because from here you can enjoy the best panoramic views of Paris!
Why do I like this option?
If you are fit and don't mind climbing steps, I recommend this option because as you ascend the different levels of the Eiffel Tower you will see how the landscape slowly changes before your eyes and expands around you. it's an amazing feeling!
During the activity you will have the opportunity to see the inside of the monument and contemplate some of the most beautiful views of Paris while the guide who will accompany you on the route explains the history of this tourist attraction, many curiosities and some details of other monuments that you will see.
2. Guided tour of the Eiffel Tower by elevator, the most comfortable option
If the idea of having to walk up more than 900 steps to access the viewpoint of the Eiffel Tower on the second floor is not at all flattering to you, don't worry, because there is another much more tempting option which is to take the elevator to get up there and enjoy without fatigue one of the most memorable views of Paris.
Why choose this experience?
Although visiting the Eiffel Tower by stairs you can enjoy unprecedented views of the landscape that most tourists miss is true that it is not a possibility available to everyone, as it requires a good physical condition to make the effort involved in an ascent of 116 meters high. In that case, the Eiffel Tower elevator tour is the best option for you.
What can you expect?
The visits to the Eiffel Tower by elevator usually last about 2 hours. The only drawback of this activity is that the waiting times to take the elevators of the monument are long, since it is the option that most visitors opt for and can be more than an hour.
However, looking on the bright side, it is not something that should worry you too much because the guide who will accompany you during the visit will take that time to explain in detail the history of the Eiffel Tower, who created it and how, its symbolism for the city of Paris as well as a lot of curious anecdotes that will enliven the wait.
You can even take the opportunity to ask the guide your questions about the Eiffel Tower or ask for any recommendations to get the most out of your trip in the French capital.
What is this experience like?
Once you get on the elevator, I advise you to take a good look at how they work and the inner framework of the monument because its construction was one of the greatest engineering revolutions of the nineteenth century.
On your way out, take your time to walk around the second floor observation deck and enjoy the unforgettable views of Paris: the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysées, the Louvre Museum or Notre Dame Cathedral, among others. You will enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views of your trip that you will not have anywhere else in Paris.
The guide will also explain in depth not only the monuments you will see but also about some districts such as Montparnasse, Les Invalides or Buttes-Montmartre. And as a finishing touch to this visit, if you choose to upgrade this ticket, you can take the elevator to the top level of the Eiffel Tower to see the city from its highest point at 276 meters above sea level. The views of Paris from up there are a marvel!
Why do I like this option?
If you are on a budget during your trip, the elevator tour of the Eiffel Tower is an excellent option because you will not have to climb stairs and you will be able to do the activity without effort and in total comfort.
In addition, you will have the advantage of a guided tour where a professional will show you the Eiffel Tower in depth and inform you about Paris and several of its emblems.
Why is a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower worthwhile?
Although you can visit the Eiffel Tower on your own, if it is the first time you go to Paris my advice is to join a guided tour of the monument because you will get more out of the experience by having a greater context about the site you are visiting.
The Eiffel Tower is world famous but there are many curiosities about its history and construction that the general public does not know. With the help of a guide you can learn a lot of things about this tourist attraction in a fun way so you will have a great time. You will appreciate that he will be with you during the access queues because his anecdotes will make your wait more bearable.
In addition, as he knows perfectly the structure of the Eiffel Tower, you can also ask him for advice to find the best position in its viewpoints to take the most beautiful pictures of the landscape. He will even help you to better identify all the monuments of Paris that will appear on the skyline so that you don't miss any detail.
And finally, something I really like about taking a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower is that the guides are very nice people that you can ask for recommendations to make the most of your trip in Paris. They are always willing to help you!
How much does it cost to take a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower?
The price of the tickets to join a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower varies depending on whether you opt for the stairs option or the elevator option to go up the monument.
If you explore it by taking the stairs
From 33 € you can get a ticket in Hellotickets for a guided tour of the stairs to the most popular tower of Paris.
With this ticket you will have access to the first and second floor and enjoy incredible views that elevator tours usually omit.
It is ideal if you are traveling to the city on a tight budget and would like to see this tourist icon without spending too much money.
If you take the elevator
In case you want to see the Eiffel Tower with a guided tour by elevator, from 43 € you can get a ticket at Hellotickets.
If you travel to Paris with a flexible budget is an alternative that I recommend you to value because in this way you will escape the huge flight of stairs from the base to the second floor, which is not a trivial matter if you feel tired or you are not in good physical condition.
It is also a good option if you have spent all morning walking around Paris sightseeing and at this point you prefer to take it easy and give your legs a rest instead of more work.
With a ticket for a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower by elevator you can ride the elevator directly to the second level and enjoy the beautiful views of Paris right away.
If you want to crown the top of the tower
And for a little more money, from 15 €, you can complete the experience by also choosing the option to visit the top of the Eiffel Tower on the third level.
This part of the tour must be done by elevator, as there is no other way to get to the top. You will reach the highest point of the tower at a height of no less than 276 m. The spectacular views of Paris you will have at the top of the monument will take your breath away!
And if that wasn't enough, you'll also get to see the office of the engineer Gustave Eiffel, famous for building this tower for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris. It is worth paying for it because it is something really curious.
How to buy tickets for a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower?
If you want to see the Eiffel Tower, my advice is to buy your tickets for a guided tour as far in advance as possible and online.
Being the most visited monument in the country, this small step will allow you to reserve your place for the day and time that best suits your schedule and also avoid the access lines that are formed at the ticket office to purchase tickets, which are usually the longest.
This way you will only have to wait in line at the security checkpoint in the gardens at the entrance and some other access queues to regulate the flow of visitors or to go up the elevators or stairs.
When is the best time to take a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower?
The best time
The Eiffel Tower is the most visited monument in France, so it is always going to be crowded. However, if you are looking for a time when it is less crowded to take the guided tour and be able to walk around the monument without so many narrowings, I recommend going early in the morning (between 9 AM and 11 AM) or wait until the end of the day, already in the evening (between 8 PM and 10 PM).
Sunset in Paris is a magical moment to enjoy the Eiffel Tower but also one of the most crowded. If you do not like crowds, it is best to choose another time to visit this tourist attraction, for example at night. It is a magical experience!
The best day
As for the day of the week, the best time to take the guided tour of the Eiffel Tower calmly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays because they are days with fewer tourists compared to the weekend, when long queues can form at the entrances.