#1 The Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower Summit and Second Floor Access: check availability for your dates
If your trip to Paris would feel incomplete without going up the Eiffel Tower, don’t leave it to chance.
Tickets — especially lift access to the summit — are released 60 days in advance at midnight (Paris time). And once they’re live, they can disappear fast.
I learned this the hard way when I tried to book tickets for a weekend visit with my kids. I kept checking just a few days in advance — and every single time, everything was already sold out. Completely hopeless.
That’s when I realized: this is one of the main things to book in advance in Paris.
Stair tickets to the second floor are usually released 14 days in advance and tend to last a bit longer, but they can still sell out during peak season.
→ If visiting the Eiffel Tower matters to you, book it as soon as your dates are fixed.
Sold out! Here’s what I’d do
If the official website shows no availability, you still have two realistic options:
1. Try for onsite tickets
Sometimes tickets are available at the tower on the day — but there’s no guarantee. Lines can easily stretch to two hours or more, no matter the weather.
Personally, I’d only try this if you have flexibility and don’t mind the wait — especially with kids, it can be a bit of a gamble.
2. Book a guided tour (best backup option)
When everything looks sold out, tours on platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator often still have access.
They cost more — but you:
- avoid the longest lines
- get a smoother entry
- and you can be sure you can visit
👉 If I had to plan this again last-minute, this is the option I’d choose.
Best options if tickets are sold out
If your dates are fixed and nothing is available on the official site, these are usually the easiest alternatives:
→ Eiffel Tower Summit or Second Floor Access
→ Eiffel Tower Summit & Seine Cruise Combination
👉 Best for: first-time visitors or families who don’t want to risk missing out
