This guided Eiffel Tower stair climb lasts between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes, begins on Avenue Élisée Reclus, and includes an English-speaking guide plus admission to climb 674 steps to the second floor, with optional elevator access to the summit.
Two booking options are available. The second-floor option takes you up the stairs through the iron structure to the first and second levels. The summit option follows the same guided climb to the second floor before continuing to the top by elevator, since the stairs above the second floor are not open to visitors.
Prices begin at €39 and vary according to the date and access level selected. The ticket is included, but all visitors must still pass through the Eiffel Tower’s security controls, and the summit option may involve an additional wait for the elevator from the second floor.
The guide provides historical and architectural context during the ascent, helping you understand how the tower was designed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle and how its exposed iron structure responds to wind, weight and the demands of a monument more than 300 metres tall. When reserving the guided Eiffel Tower stair climb, check carefully whether your chosen option ends at the second floor or includes the elevator to the summit.
Why Choose an Eiffel Tower Stair Climb
Taking the stairs changes the Eiffel Tower from a distant symbol into a piece of engineering that you move through step by step. From inside the lattice, you can see the riveted beams, diagonal supports and changing geometry that are largely hidden when travelling directly by elevator.
The 674-step route is divided into two main sections: 327 steps from the ground to the first floor and another 347 to the second. Wide landings provide opportunities to pause, look through the structure and watch the Champ de Mars and Seine gradually appear below.
The guided format also gives the ascent a clearer narrative. Instead of reading scattered panels independently, you hear how the tower was received in 1889, why artists protested against it and how scientific experiments, radio transmission and engineering value helped prevent its removal after the original concession period.
The second floor is high enough to identify individual monuments without the city becoming too distant. The Arc de Triomphe, Les Invalides, Notre-Dame, the Seine and the Trocadéro axis remain visually distinct from this level. Travellers who choose the summit option then gain a wider view from approximately 276 metres above the ground.
This activity is best for visitors who can manage a sustained stair climb and want more context than a standard entrance ticket provides. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, people using crutches or anyone whose health makes climbing hundreds of steps unsafe.
What Happens During the Guided Climb
Meeting on Avenue Élisée Reclus
The activity begins on Avenue Élisée Reclus, near the Champ de Mars side of the Eiffel Tower. The meeting point is outside the monument rather than beneath one of its pillars, so use the location shown on your electronic confirmation instead of going directly into a general entrance queue.
After meeting the English-speaking guide, the group approaches the tower and passes through the required security checks. The booking includes the Eiffel Tower ticket, but it does not remove the security screening that applies to every visitor.
Climbing to the First Floor
The first section covers 327 steps and reaches the first floor, 57 metres above the ground. As the group climbs, the guide explains details of the iron framework and the construction methods used to assemble thousands of metal components with rivets.
The first floor provides close views of the tower itself and includes a glass section that reveals the esplanade below. Depending on the pace and operating conditions, the group may pause here before continuing to the second section of stairs.
Reaching the Second Floor
A further 347 steps lead to the second floor, bringing the total public stair climb to 674. The ascent normally takes around 30 to 45 minutes, although the full activity lasts longer because it includes security, explanations, pauses and time at the observation levels.
The second floor offers a 360-degree view with enough proximity to recognise the Seine, Trocadéro, Champ de Mars, Les Invalides, the Arc de Triomphe and other central landmarks. It often provides more architectural detail than the summit because buildings have not yet merged into the wider cityscape.
Participants who selected the second-floor option complete their ascent here. A ticket for this option cannot automatically be upgraded to summit access after arrival, so choose the correct level when making the reservation.
Taking the Elevator to the Summit
Participants with the summit option transfer to an elevator on the second floor. Public access from this point to the top is only possible by elevator, since the upper stairs are reserved for emergency and operational use.
The summit has an enclosed observation level and an open-air platform approximately 276 metres above the ground. The wider viewpoint reveals the bends of the Seine, the formal geometry of the Champ de Mars and the long urban axes extending towards the Arc de Triomphe and La Défense.
Gustave Eiffel’s reconstructed office can also be seen near the summit. The display recalls the private room where Eiffel received guests and supported scientific work connected with meteorology, aerodynamics and communications.
Summit access may be temporarily suspended because of wind, weather or technical conditions even when the lower floors remain open. The supplier does not publish one fixed street-level ending point, and visitors descend according to the procedures operating at the tower that day.
Prices, Options and Practical Information
- Price: from €39, depending on the date and selected access level.
- Duration: between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Language: English-speaking guide.
- Meeting point: Avenue Élisée Reclus in Paris.
- Second-floor option: guided climb of 674 steps to the second floor.
- Summit option: guided stair climb to the second floor followed by elevator access to the top.
- Included: English-speaking guide and Eiffel Tower admission ticket.
- Voucher: electronic confirmation accepted on your phone.
- Accessibility: not wheelchair accessible.
- Pets: not permitted.
- Booking deadline: reservations are accepted until the activity begins when places remain available.
- Cancellation: free until 24 hours before the starting time.
The ticket does not mean that every queue is eliminated. Security checks remain compulsory, and visitors choosing the summit may wait for the elevator between the second and third floors. Arrive with enough time to locate the guide before the scheduled departure.
The Eiffel Tower does not provide a left-luggage office or cloakroom. Large suitcases and bulky items are not permitted, so leave them at your accommodation or a staffed luggage facility before travelling to the meeting point.
Visitors who cannot use stairs should choose an elevator ticket to the second floor instead of this activity. The lower parts of the first and second floors can accommodate many wheelchair users through the elevator route, but that does not make the guided stair climb accessible.
Tips for the Eiffel Tower Stair Climb
Choose the Access Level Before Booking
The second-floor and summit options are not interchangeable. Select summit access during booking if reaching the top is important, since a second-floor ticket does not guarantee that an upgrade will be available once you arrive.
Arrive at Least 15 Minutes Early
The meeting point is on Avenue Élisée Reclus rather than directly inside the tower. Arriving early gives you time to identify the guide, show your electronic voucher and join the correct English-speaking group.
Wear Shoes with Stable Soles
The climb involves 674 metal steps divided across two sections. Trainers or walking shoes with secure soles provide better support than smooth sandals, particularly if the stairs are damp.
Climb at a Sustainable Pace
The official estimate for reaching the second floor is approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Use the landings to recover rather than attempting to keep an unnecessarily fast pace, especially during warm weather.
Bring a Light Layer for the Upper Levels
The second floor and summit are more exposed to wind than the streets below. A light jacket can be useful even when conditions around the Champ de Mars feel mild, particularly during evening departures.
Leave Large Bags Elsewhere
There is no luggage storage at the Eiffel Tower, and bulky items can be refused at security. Travel with a small day bag containing only what you need for the climb.
Entrance logistics, weather and nearby viewpoints are easier to plan with these practical tips for visiting the Eiffel Tower, while travellers choosing between two central Paris panoramas can compare the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe before reserving.
After the descent, a free walking tour of Paris connects the monument with Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Seine and the wider history of the city at street level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the guided Eiffel Tower stair climb last?
The activity lasts between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes. The summit option generally takes longer because it includes the elevator journey and possible waiting time on the second floor.
How many steps do you climb?
You climb exactly 674 public steps from the ground to the second floor. The first section has 327 steps, followed by another 347 between the first and second floors.
Does the summit option involve climbing all the way to the top?
No. Both options use the stairs only as far as the second floor. Travellers who book the summit option continue from the second floor to the top by elevator.
Is the Eiffel Tower ticket included?
Yes. The selected Eiffel Tower admission ticket is included together with the English-speaking guide. Security controls and possible elevator waits still apply.
Where does the tour begin?
The group meets on Avenue Élisée Reclus, near the Champ de Mars side of the Eiffel Tower. Follow the precise location and identification details shown on your electronic voucher.
Is the activity wheelchair accessible?
No. The guided activity requires a climb of 674 steps and is not wheelchair accessible. Visitors who require step-free access should choose a separate elevator ticket to the second floor.
Is the stair climb suitable for children?
Families should consider whether each child can safely manage a sustained climb of 674 steps. The Eiffel Tower advises against taking the stairs with very young children or babies, and children aged 12 or younger must remain with an adult.
Are pets or large bags permitted?
Pets are not permitted on this activity. Large luggage should also be left elsewhere because the Eiffel Tower has no cloakroom or luggage-storage service.
Can the booking be cancelled?
Yes. Cancellation is free until 24 hours before the activity begins. Later cancellations and failure to attend are not refundable.
