REVIEW · PARIS
Paris: Eiffel Tower Stairs Climb to Level 2 & Summit Option
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by City Wonders Ltd. · Bookable on GetYourGuide
704 steps changes how you see Paris. This guided climb takes you to the 2nd floor with real perspective on the city, plus a choice to push on to the summit if you booked it. You’ll hear stories as you go, and you’ll watch the skyline shift from one level to the next.
My favorite part is the physical, step-by-step experience. The 57-meter glass floor on the 1st floor adds a jolt of excitement without turning the trip into a theme park. Then the 2nd floor delivers a big 360-degree panorama that helps you understand where Paris sites sit relative to each other.
One consideration: this is not a priority-access ticket. You may still face waits for security and the ticket desk, and the summit can be limited by weather or capacity on the day.
In This Review
- Key points that make this climb worth it
- Why climb the Eiffel Tower by stairs to the 2nd floor
- Finding the meeting point and starting on the right foot
- The 1st floor: guided tour, the 57-meter glass floor, and built-in story time
- Up to the 2nd floor: 704 steps, landmark spotting, and the big shift in views
- Summit option: Eiffel’s original office and the highest platform views
- Timing, wait lines, and how long this day really takes
- Price and value: what $42 buys you (and what it doesn’t)
- Who this Eiffel Tower stairs climb suits best
- Should you book this Eiffel Tower 2nd-floor stairs climb?
- FAQ
- Where is the meeting point for this Eiffel Tower tour?
- How many steps do I climb to reach the 2nd floor?
- What do I visit on the 1st and 2nd floors?
- What is included if I choose the summit upgrade?
- Is the summit always accessible?
- Does this include priority access or pre-reserved tickets?
- What wait time should I expect for security and the ticket desk?
- Are strollers, luggage, or large bags allowed?
- What should I bring for the climb?
- Which public transport stops are closest?
Key points that make this climb worth it
- 704 steps to the Eiffel Tower 2nd floor for a real workout and a real sense of scale
- 57-meter glass floor on the 1st floor for a standout thrill point
- Guide-led viewpoint spotting, including sights you can identify across Paris
- Optional summit upgrade with Gustave Eiffel’s original office and the top platform
- Guided pacing during lines, so waiting time isn’t wasted
Why climb the Eiffel Tower by stairs to the 2nd floor
If you’re thinking lift-only, I get it. But stairs are the whole point here. The Eiffel Tower is built to be read from different heights, and 704 steps get you there in a way an elevator never will. You feel the structure, notice how the tower narrows, and you start “mapping” Paris in your head as the view opens up floor by floor.
The other big win is how the guide ties the experience together. On the climb, you’re not just walking in a line; you’re getting context about why the tower looks the way it does and what you’re seeing from each level. That kind of commentary matters more than you’d think. From street level, the Eiffel Tower can feel like one thing. From above, it becomes a reference point for everything around it.
This is also a smart choice if you want photos without rushing. The plan builds in time for a photo stop on the way up, plus a dedicated stretch on the 2nd floor for views and sightseeing. And if you select the summit upgrade at booking time, you get a second, higher viewpoint that changes the whole angle on the city.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Paris.
Finding the meeting point and starting on the right foot
First, the meeting point is not at the Eiffel Tower gates. You’ll meet at the intersection of Avenue Silvestre de Sacy and Avenue Elisée Reclus, where a City Wonders representative in blue will be holding a sign. This small detail matters because the Eiffel area is packed with groups. Get to the intersection early enough that you’re not scanning faces.
Getting there is straightforward. The nearest metro station is École Militaire on line 8 (about a 15-minute walk). Another nearby option is RER C at Champs de Mars. Either way, you’ll want comfortable shoes ready before you even meet your guide, since the walk to the start area is part of the day.
One thing to keep in mind: late arrivals can’t be accommodated, and missed tours or tickets can’t be refunded. So treat the meeting point like a check-in, not a suggestion. If you’re using navigation apps, still give yourself a time cushion. In a place like this, a small misread can become a big problem.
The 1st floor: guided tour, the 57-meter glass floor, and built-in story time
Your climb doesn’t start with the stairs alone. You’ll begin with an organized guided visit on the 1st floor, with time set aside to take things in rather than just sprint through.
The standout here is the glass floor experience. Walking out onto glass suspended 57 meters above the ground is the kind of moment that makes the rest of the climb click. It turns the Eiffel Tower from a landmark you’ve seen in pictures into a place you can physically sense. If you’re even mildly nervous with heights, this may be uncomfortable, and if you have vertigo, this whole style of tower visit is not a fit.
The guide also uses the energy of the moment. You get tour storytelling as you move, including what the tower is, how it was created, and near-miss moments in its history. The goal isn’t to turn the day into a lecture. It’s to make the structure understandable so your eyes have something to do besides find the next postcard shot.
One practical note: you’re moving with other people in a controlled flow. The Eiffel Tower is popular, so security checks and ticket lines can add time. The upside is that the guide is there through the waiting stretches, sharing anecdotes so you’re not stuck in silence staring at a wall.
Up to the 2nd floor: 704 steps, landmark spotting, and the big shift in views
Now for the main event: the stairs. The tour is designed to get you to the 2nd floor by foot, and it’s a serious number of steps. Those 704 steps add up fast enough that you’ll feel it in your legs, especially if you’re carrying water or if you’re moving slower because you’re stopping to look.
But that effort is why this feels different. As you climb, the city starts to look layered. Streets become patterns. Parks and major avenues show their direction. The Eiffel Tower stops being the center and starts acting like the frame.
On the 2nd floor, you’ll have time for a photo stop and a guided visit. From this height, you can identify famous Paris landmarks more easily, including views toward the Arc de Triomphe and other major sites. That’s useful even if you already know the skyline from books or screens, because your brain needs real angles to lock it into place.
The 2nd floor viewing experience is also the sweet spot for most people. You’re high enough for the city to open up, but you’re not dealing with the summit crowding pressures that can come at the top level. And because you’re still with a guide, you can ask for quick pointers on what to look for next.
Summit option: Eiffel’s original office and the highest platform views
If you upgrade to the summit, it’s not just a higher observation deck. You also get access to Gustave Eiffel’s original office plus the highest platform for panoramic views.
That office detail matters because it adds a human scale. You’re not only standing at the top of a monument; you’re stepping into the tower’s creator’s working space. It helps you connect the engineering with the person behind it.
The summit upgrade can be selected at the time of booking. If you’re hoping for the summit, don’t plan on deciding later. Also, the summit may not be accessible due to operational reasons like weather or capacity control. If access is denied for the tour, the summit access price is refunded within 8–10 days.
This is the key decision point. If summit views are your must-have, you’ll feel a lot better going in knowing it can be restricted on the day. If you mainly want the 2nd-floor panorama and the stair experience, you’re already getting the big payoff.
Timing, wait lines, and how long this day really takes
This tour runs about 2 hours, though the schedule can extend up to around 210 minutes depending on timing and queues. The biggest variables are security checks and ticket desk waits.
Expectations shift with the season:
- In peak months (April to October), plus school holidays and weekends, plan for at least 30 minutes for security and about 45 minutes to buy your ticket.
- In low season (November to March), plan for about 15 minutes for security and about 30 minutes at the ticket desk.
That’s not chaos; it’s just how this site works on busy days. The guide helps with one practical thing: using waiting time to share stories and historical insights. So even if you’re in line longer than you wanted, you’re still getting value instead of losing the day to boredom.
If you’re sensitive to lines, pick days that match your tolerance. If you’re flexible and want the full Eiffel experience, then the waiting becomes part of the process rather than a frustration.
Price and value: what $42 buys you (and what it doesn’t)
At about $42 per person, this tour is positioned as a guided, structured way to experience the Eiffel Tower beyond the elevator-only version. What you’re paying for is not just entry. It’s the combination of guided time on the 1st and 2nd floors, plus the stairs climb to the 2nd floor, plus time built in for views and photo moments.
You’ll also see that the experience includes entry tickets for the 1st and 2nd floors. Summit access is an add-on if you select it when booking. If you choose the optional add-on, you can also get a Seine River Cruise ticket bundled with the experience.
What you should not assume: this is not listed as priority access and it does not include pre-reserved tickets. In practical terms, you may still stand in security and ticket lines. That matters for value. If your only goal is a quick, minimal-effort ride up, you’d probably feel annoyed by waits. If your goal is the stair experience plus guided storytelling and viewpoint time, the price starts to make sense quickly.
Who this Eiffel Tower stairs climb suits best
This is best for people who:
- Want a workout with payoff (704 steps is not a casual stroll)
- Like guided context while they sightsee
- Enjoy skyline views and photo time without feeling rushed
It’s not for everyone. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, heart problems, or vertigo. If any of those apply, your safest move is to choose a different Eiffel Tower visit style that fits your health and comfort.
If you’re visiting as a first-timer to Paris, I like this early in the day because the viewpoints help you get your bearings fast. But even if it’s not your first day, climbing to the 2nd floor gives you a reference map for the rest of your sightseeing.
One more practical tip: bring comfortable shoes and water. Large bags and luggage aren’t allowed, and baby strollers aren’t allowed either, so pack light and plan to move through the site comfortably.
Should you book this Eiffel Tower 2nd-floor stairs climb?
Book it if you want the Eiffel Tower experience to feel physical and guided: stairs to the 2nd floor, a real glass-floor thrill at the 57-meter mark, and a panorama that helps you place major sights in relation to each other. The guide element is a major part of the value, especially when waiting lines stretch out.
Skip or rethink if you’re hoping for a low-effort, minimal-wait visit, or if you’re not comfortable with heights and stairs. Also be realistic about the summit: it’s a great option on paper, but weather and capacity can limit it, even if you’ve upgraded.
If you match those conditions, this is a solid way to experience one of the world’s most famous towers without treating it like a drive-by photo stop.
FAQ
Where is the meeting point for this Eiffel Tower tour?
You meet at the intersection of Avenue Silvestre de Sacy and Avenue Elisée Reclus. The City Wonders representative will be wearing blue and holding a City Wonders sign.
How many steps do I climb to reach the 2nd floor?
The climb is 704 steps up to the Eiffel Tower’s 2nd floor.
What do I visit on the 1st and 2nd floors?
You’ll have a guided tour on the 1st floor, including access to the glass floor suspended 57 meters above the ground. You’ll then go to the 2nd floor for guided sightseeing and time for photos.
What is included if I choose the summit upgrade?
If selected at the time of booking, you’ll visit the summit areas, including Gustave Eiffel’s original office and the highest platform for panoramic views.
Is the summit always accessible?
No. For operational reasons like capacity control or weather, the summit may not be accessible. If it isn’t accessible, the summit access price is refunded within 8–10 days.
Does this include priority access or pre-reserved tickets?
No. Pre-reserved tickets and priority access are not included, so you may still experience waits for security checks or ticket lines.
What wait time should I expect for security and the ticket desk?
In peak months (April to October) and on weekends or school holidays, expect at least 30 minutes for security and 45 minutes at the ticket desk. In low season (November to March), expect at least 15 minutes for security and 30 minutes at the ticket desk.
Are strollers, luggage, or large bags allowed?
No. Baby strollers are not allowed, and luggage or large bags are not allowed.
What should I bring for the climb?
Bring comfortable shoes and water.
Which public transport stops are closest?
The nearest metro station is École Militaire (about a 15-minute walk) served by metro line 8. Another nearby option is the RER C stop Champs de Mars.
