Eiffel Tower Guided Tour by Stairs with Optional Summit by Lift
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Paris, France
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience the Eiffel Tower the way Gustave Eiffel himself would have by climbing its stairs on a guided adventure. Learn about its history, hidden stories and engineering feats along the way. Then from the second level, take the elevator to the top (optional extra) for panoramic views of Paris, where you can stay and explore at your own leisure.
- See a side to the Eiffel Tower that many tourists miss
- Enjoy panoramic views over Paris where you can snap photos and videos
- Go beyond the guidebooks with insight and fun stories from your guide
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Rather than using the elevator like most tours, this tour gives a new perspective by taking the stairs.
What's Included
- Your Host is there to facilitate your entry, provide you with all the necessary information
- Access up to the second floor by stairs
- Access to the Eiffel Tower Summit by lift (if option selected)
- Panoramic Views: Marvel at sweeping Paris vistas.
- Unlimited Time: After the tour, stay as long as you wish.
- Skip the line
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 3 Rue Buenos-Ayres, 75007 Paris, France
Please do not go directly to the Eiffel Tower. Arrive 15 min early at 3 Rue Buenos-Ayres, 75007 Paris (outside, next to the café). The street faces Entrance 1. Look for our team holding a blue sign that says "Epic Tours."
End point
- Eiffel TowerAv. Gustave Eiffel, 75007 Paris, France
This tour ends at the Eiffel Tower
Ticket Redemption Point
3 Rue Buenos-Ayres, 75007 Paris, France
Itinerary
1
Eiffel Tower
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- The summit may close unexpectedly at the tower's discretion. If this happens and you’ve booked summit access, you’ll receive a partial refund.
- During peak periods, security checks can sometimes take as long as an hour.
- According to tower regulations, if you book the summit, you must visit the top first before exploring the lower floors.
- If you chose the cruise option: It’s a 1-hour Seine River cruise with Bateaux Parisiens, departing from the Eiffel Tower. Admire Paris’s top landmarks like Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Musée d'Orsay, with audio commentary available in 14 languages. Cruises run daily, every 30 minutes from 10:30 AM to 10:30 PM. Your tour guide will give you the tickets on the day of the tour, and they’re valid for 1 year.
- There are 674 steps from the ground to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 4,741 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Ann_S, Jul 2026
This was great for our first visit to the Eiffel tower. Joanna gave great information and made the tour fun!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad your first visit to the Eiffel Tower was such a great experience. It's wonderful to hear that Joanna made the tour both fun and informative. We'll be sure to share your kind words with her, and we hope to welcome you on another tour the next time you're in Paris!
Virginia_S, Jul 2026
The tour was perfectly paced and well done. Our guide was Nihad and he was exceptional. His knowledge and enthusiasm was a breath of fresh air. I highly recommend him!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that Nihad's knowledge and enthusiasm made your tour such an enjoyable experience. It's great to know the pace of the tour was just right, and we'll be sure to share your kind words with him. Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you on another tour in the future!
Frank_M, Jul 2026
great tour and access to the Eiffel tower! you do walk up to the 2nd floor (30 stories) with a stop halfway on the first floor. get the lift ticket to the top for great views.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the guided climb and your visit to the Eiffel Tower. The stop on the first floor is a great opportunity to take in the views before continuing to the second floor, and we’re glad you found the summit access worthwhile. We hope to welcome you on another tour the next time you're in Paris!
Martin_P, Jul 2026
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Our guide, Andre, did a good job, and the tour itself was enjoyable. Unfortunately, the summit elevator was closed due to technical issues, so we were unable to visit the summit.
Although the tour description states that summit access by lift is optional, we were informed during the tour that a partial refund would be available if the summit could not be accessed. Afterward, we were sent to the Eiffel Tower ticket office, which refused the refund and directed us back to the tour organizer. The organizer then declined the refund, saying it was the Eiffel Tower’s responsibility.
The result was that we were caught between two parties, each referring us to the other, with no resolution. The closure itself was unfortunate and outside anyone’s control, but the handling of the refund was disappointing.
My advice to future visitors is to clarify in writing before booking who is responsible for refunds if the summit becomes inaccessible due to technical issues.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Martin,
Thank you for sharing your experience and for your kind words about Andre.
We're sorry the summit was closed due to a technical issue, as these operational closures are determined solely by the Eiffel Tower and are unfortunately beyond our control. Our guides always advise guests in advance that summit access may be affected by operational issues; if summit tickets have already been secured but entry is later denied by the Eiffel Tower operators, any applicable partial refund must be requested directly from the Eiffel Tower.
We appreciate your understanding and hope you still enjoyed the guided experience and the views from the tower.
Maria_K, Jul 2026
We had a great tour with Fortune. He was was very knowledgeable and friendly. He went at a great pace and made the tour very enjoyable. We would definitely recommend him to others.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We're so glad to hear you had a great tour with Fortune! It's wonderful to know his knowledge, friendly personality, and well-paced guidance made the experience so enjoyable. Thank you for your kind recommendation!
PaigeP, Jul 2026
Do NOT book with Viator for this company. When we arrived at our location our guide told us that on occasion the top of the EIffel tower is sometimes closed due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather issues. We told hm we understand that this occasionally happens. We later realized that this was just the beginning of the set up. We waited in line for our tickets, and when the guide returned he said, I'm sorry, but the summit is closed so we will only be able to go to the second level. The company will be issuing you a partial refund. We were extremely disappointed, as we specifically booked a trip with the summit in mind and likely wouldn't have booked anything if we weren't going to be able to go to the top of the tower. We walked up to the first level and listened to our guide as he described the different sites. He then indicated that since we weren't able to go to the summit he would not be accompanying us to the second level, and he pointed out the staircase we would use to ascend to the second level. When we arrived at the second level there were several people in line going to the summit. We observed elevators going up and down, and we began to realize that the reason our guide didn't accompany us to the second level is because he didn't want us asking why we weren't going to the top. Clearly this touring company either didn't have any access to the top and pretended like they did in order to get more bookings, or they were limited to a number of summit accesses and they had already exceeded their limit. In either case they were dishonest and did not deliver on what they promised. They did indeed give us a refund of a little over $20, but this was simply an awful result as we had made this a highlight of our trip. Not sure why Viator would recommend a company like this or continue in their partnerships with them. But be warned. Don't book with them.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your feedback.
We're truly sorry the summit was unavailable during your visit and understand how disappointing that was. However, summit closures are determined solely by the Eiffel Tower operator and are beyond our control. As stated in both the tour description and your booking voucher, the summit may close unexpectedly due to weather, technical operations, or crowd management.
When the summit is open, all guests who book summit access are taken to the top as planned. Seeing other visitors in line does not necessarily mean the summit was fully open, as the operator may allow limited or phased access. As outlined in our policy, a partial refund was issued for the unavailable summit access.
Thank you for your understanding.
Matthew_W, Jul 2026
Masha was an amazing tour guide! You can just climb the tower and see the city, or you can do this tour and learn its history, which is far more fascinating.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We’re delighted to hear that Masha made your experience so memorable. It’s great to know her engaging storytelling and knowledge of the tower’s history made the visit even more fascinating than simply taking in the views. Thank you for sharing your experience!
ClarenceAlbert_X, Jul 2026
We had a very good guide (Mr. Fortune). He was knowledgeable and at the same time quite funny. The overall tour was well conducted.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We’re very glad to hear you had such a good experience with Mr. Fortune! It’s wonderful that his knowledge and sense of humor helped make the tour both informative and enjoyable. We truly appreciate your feedback and are happy the overall experience was well conducted.
Kris_C, Jul 2026
Wonderful experience with our guide Nihad. He was efficient but also gave us great information. We took the stairs to the 1st and 2nd floor and the lift to the top. He helped guide us thru security and had all of our tickets quickly. Going early in the morning was a fantastic idea as it got crowded as the day went on.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We’re also glad you enjoyed the stairs and lift combination, and that going early made for a better experience before the crowds built up. It’s fantastic that his efficiency and informative guidance helped make your visit smooth and enjoyable, from navigating security to organizing tickets. Thank you for your feedback.
Vedashree_P, Jul 2026
Fortune was a very good guide. He told us a lot about the history and made it very interesting. Will definitely recommend the trip with a guide.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re delighted to hear that Fortune made your tour so enjoyable. His ability to share the history in an engaging and interesting way truly helps create memorable experiences, and we greatly appreciate your recommendation.
Laura_G, Jun 2026
Meeting place was very easy to find. Natalie was our tour guide and she was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and pleasant. Would highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We’re delighted to know you had a wonderful experience with Natalie! It’s great that the meeting point was easy to find and that her knowledge and pleasant approach made the tour so enjoyable. Thank you for your recommendation and for sharing your feedback!
Shannon_H, Jun 2026
Johanna was very knowledgeable and professional. She told us interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower and Paris. She explained the entrance/security processes and guided us expertly through the crowds. Johanna made our visit to the Eiffel Tower very enjoyable.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We truly appreciate you sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear Johanna’s knowledge and professionalism helped make your visit so enjoyable. It’s wonderful that her guidance through the entrance process and the crowds, along with her interesting insights about the tower and Paris, made your experience smooth and memorable.
Patricia_M, Jun 2026
Our guide made the experience amazing. He was knowledgeable, funny, had the kids engaged all the time. His name Fortune. We were very fortunate to have him.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We’re so glad to hear Fortune made your experience so memorable! It’s wonderful that his knowledge, humor, and ability to keep the kids engaged made the tour enjoyable for everyone. And we love the “very fortunate to have Fortune” line—thank you for sharing your kind feedback!
Monica_R, Jun 2026
The tour was great! We loved the experience.
The tour guide Andre was very knowledgeable and made the experience fun.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We’re so glad to hear you loved the experience! It’s great that Andre’s knowledge and fun approach made the tour even more enjoyable for you. Thanks for sharing your feedback, Monica!
Jen_G, Jun 2026
Fortune was a great guide! He was very knowledgeable about the history of the Tower and kept things light and engaging despite the heat. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback, Jen. We’re so glad to hear you had such a great experience with Fortune! It’s wonderful that his knowledge and engaging style made the tour enjoyable, even in the heat. We truly appreciate your recommendation and kind words!
Victor_A, Jun 2026
Anna was excellent! She shared so much history and navigated us thru ticketing and the process. We had no stress. We scheduled 8 or 830 am. By the time we left, it got really busy. Nice job Anna
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your kind words, Victor. We’re so glad to hear you had such a smooth and stress-free experience with Anna! It’s wonderful that her guidance through the history and ticketing process helped everything feel easy and enjoyable, especially before the crowds picked up. We truly appreciate you sharing your kind feedback!
Terri_L, Jun 2026
Nihad with epic tours was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. Great experience for our family
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so glad to hear that Nihad made your family experience fantastic with his knowledge and friendly approach. We truly appreciate you sharing your kind words!
Marc_N, Jun 2026
I booked a guided Eiffel Tower tour for two adults and one child through Viator for €198. The booking clearly stated a French-language guided tour with access to the summit.
The first surprise came when we met our guide, James, and discovered that the tour was being conducted entirely in English. Although this was not what I had booked, we decided to continue because this was our family's first visit to Paris and we did not want to miss what was supposed to be one of the highlights of our trip.
The biggest disappointment was the ticketing process. Instead of having tickets arranged in advance, our group spent approximately one hour waiting in line while the guide purchased tickets. During this time, we were repeatedly told that we were simply passing through a security check. It later became clear that we were actually waiting to buy tickets.
After more than an hour of waiting, we were informed that access to the summit was unavailable because it was fully booked. Many people in the group had specifically chosen and paid for this tour because it included access to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
The guide apologised and clearly told several members of the group, including myself, that we would receive a full refund because the promised service could not be delivered. Other participants heard the same statement.
What I find particularly difficult to accept is the value for money. A standard Eiffel Tower ticket costs around €14 for access to the second floor and around €28 for access to the summit. Our family paid €198 for this tour. For that price, customers reasonably expect a well-organised experience, tickets secured in advance, and the services advertised. Instead, the tour was conducted in a different language than booked, we waited over an hour in line, and the main feature of the tour—the summit access—was not provided.
The final disappointment came after returning home. Despite being told on-site that a full refund would be issued, Viator processed only a partial refund of €55. I submitted a formal complaint and, rather than receiving a substantive response to the issues raised, I simply received a refund notification.
I have no personal criticism of the guide, who remained polite throughout the experience. My concern is with the organisation of the tour by Epic Tours and the lack of quality control exercised by Viator over its local operators.
When customers book through Viator, they trust that the platform has verified the reliability of the companies it promotes. In this case, the service delivered did not match the service advertised, and the complaint handling has been equally disappointing.
For me, this raises serious questions not only about Epic Tours, but also about Viator's oversight of the experiences sold on its platform. A booking platform should not only sell experiences; it should ensure that its partners deliver what is advertised and that customers are treated fairly when things go wrong.
Based on this experience, I cannot recommend this tour and would encourage travellers to carefully consider whether the premium charged for this experience is justified.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Dear Marc,
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. We’d like to clarify a few points based on your experience.
First, Viator does work with partner operators and has quality standards in place, so the suggestion that operators are not verified is not accurate. Second, the tour listing clearly indicates an English-language experience, so the product was not advertised as French.
Regarding the summit, it is stated that access can be subject to availability and may close without notice, and in such cases partial refunds may apply, as outlined in the tour conditions. Finally, the price reflects a guided experience, which goes beyond simply purchasing entry tickets—this includes a live guide, commentary, and structured access that differs from self-guided entry.
We appreciate you sharing your experience and feedback, as it helps ensure expectations and product details remain clear.
Marian_S, Jun 2026
It is worthwhile and JAMES our guide was very good. He told us a lot of historical facts about the tower.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
It’s great to hear you found the experience worthwhile and that James made it even better with his historical insights about the tower. We’re glad you enjoyed the tour and learned so much along the way.
Yuditsy_F, Jun 2026
Excelente experiencia very good overall would recommend to anyone who is looking for a good and unforgettable day
Response from Host, Jun 2026
It’s wonderful to hear you had such an excellent overall experience and enjoyed an unforgettable day. We’re glad you would recommend it to others looking for a great experience.
Mariana_L, Jun 2026
It was a great experience. Recommend booking rhe tour- even though it is not skip the que having someone navigate for you the ques and security checks plus tell you the history of some landmarks and some fun facts is worth it. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We’re glad to hear you had a great experience and found the guided aspect so valuable. It’s wonderful that having someone help navigate the queues and security while sharing history and fun facts made the tour even more worthwhile. We appreciate your recommendation!
Karen_D, Jun 2026
Ana was very friendly and engaging throughout the tour. She enhanced the experience by sharing photos that helped support facts she shared. Her knowledge was impressive, and we left knowing far more about the Eiffel Tower than we expected.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We’re glad to hear Ana made the tour so engaging with her friendly approach and use of photos to bring the facts to life. It’s great that her knowledge helped you learn even more about the Eiffel Tower than expected.
Diane_W, Jun 2026
Our guide Masha was very knowledgeable. She made it fun. Some of the wait was long and the time went quickly with her interaction with us! Wonderful experience
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We appreciate your kind feedback! It’s wonderful to hear Masha made the experience both fun and informative with her engaging approach. We’re especially glad she helped make the wait feel much shorter and contributed to such a memorable experience.
Matthew_S, Jun 2026
With some experiences it is important to find the right balance. While Eiffel Tower does not require a guide, I did feel like she provided good background and kept the tour moving (i.e., wasn't exhaustive or "too much").
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! It’s great to hear the guide struck the right balance, providing helpful background while keeping the tour engaging and well-paced. We’re glad the experience felt informative without being overwhelming.
Kim_S, Jun 2026
Loved the tour. Our tour guide Fortune was AMAZING! Super knowledgeable and he made our tour really fun.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback! It’s great to hear Fortune made the tour so enjoyable with his knowledge and fun approach.
Robin_T, Jun 2026
Joanna was a great guide. Full of insights and humor. Extremely organized tour with just the right amount of historical perspective. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We’re delighted to hear you had such a positive experience with Joanna. It’s wonderful that her insights, humor, and well-organized approach helped make the tour both engaging and informative. Thank you for the recommendation—we truly appreciate it!
Kori_V, Jun 2026
Our family of 3 had a wonderful time on this tour. Joanna was an amazing guide! She shared many fun facts and interesting history about the Eiffel Tower, the city of Paris, and the country of France. There are lots of steps to get to the second level but a lift will take you to the summit and all the way back down. Gorgeous views of Paris from the top. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your lovely feedback! It’s great to hear your family had such a wonderful experience with Joanna and that her storytelling brought the history of the Eiffel Tower and Paris to life. We’re glad you enjoyed the incredible views and that the tour was a memorable part of your visit.
r929q2k2r2, Jun 2026
Excellent your. Meeting place exactly as described. On time. Guide was very knowledgeable. Learnt lots of facts about the tower. She made everyone feel welcome.
We went for 9am, had to wait for it to open but no hardship as guide told us lots in information about the tower. Views at top amazing, got a bit busier as morning went on. Stop on 1st floor on way back down for refreshments not as busy. Well worth it. Did the cruise option afterwards which was cool
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your detailed feedback! It’s great to hear the tour was well organized from start to finish, and that your guide was knowledgeable and welcoming. We’re also glad you enjoyed the informative start to the morning, the amazing views, and the cruise afterward—it sounds like a full and rewarding experience.
Mark_Z, Jun 2026
Our guide, Fortune, was just fantastic! Friendly, knowledgeable and upbeat. My whole family loved him.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We’re so happy to hear Fortune made such a positive impression on your family with his friendly and upbeat approach. It’s great that his knowledge helped make the experience enjoyable for everyone.
Elizabeth_B, Jun 2026
The tour guide, Masha, was prompt, friendly and knowledgeable. Climbing to the second level was very manageable with two kids (10 & 12). It was a beautiful blue bird day - couldn’t have asked for a better experience!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
It’s great to know the climb to the second level worked out well for your family and that the weather made the visit even more special. We’re also pleased Masha helped make the experience smooth and enjoyable for everyone. Hope to welcome you again for another memorable visit.
From $51.20
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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