The 7 Best Eiffel Tower Tours Skip the Line (2025 Reviews)

Eiffel tower tour choices in Paris are much like the food and the people of this country, very classy and full of culture. Sometimes this can feel almost endless — with tickets, guides, summit access, cruise combos… and then there’s the queue.

The best ones skip the line, let you step right in, and spend your time where it matters: looking out, not waiting around. Being the most visited paid attraction in Europe, to minimize waiting times, tours are scheduled with specific time slots, and we feature the best of these.

Paris is full of other unique experiences too—like sampling incredible cuisine on one of the 5 best Paris food tours for families or exploring the fascinating underground history with one of the 6 best Paris Catacombs tours.

Below you’ll find seven standout Eiffel Tower experiences, each offering fast-track and timed entry, expert insight, and a different way to see Paris’s most iconic landmark.

Let’s find the one that fits your trip.

Eiffel Tower Tours Skip the Line

Skip-the-line tours use timed-entry tickets, which allow you to bypass the public ticket counter. You may still experience a short wait for elevator access or security.

7 Best Eiffel Tower Tours

• Tour 1: Paris: Eiffel Tower Elevator 2nd Level and Summit Access
• Tour 2: Paris: Eiffel Tower Summit or Second Floor Access
• Tour 3: Paris: Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor or Summit Access
• Tour 4: Paris: Eiffel Tower Entry Ticket with Optional Summit Access
• Tour 5: Paris: Access Eiffel Tower Summit or Second Level
• Tour 6: Paris: Eiffel Tower Access by Elevator & Seine River Cruise
• Tour 7: Paris: Early Dinner at Madame Brasserie in the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower Skip the Line Tickets (2025 Reviews)

Tour 1: Paris: Eiffel Tower Elevator 2nd Level and Summit Access

✅ Meeting Point: Paris’trip office, 41 Avenue de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris
✅ Departure Time: Varies by booking; arrive 15 minutes early
✅ Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking; provides introduction and commentary up to the 2nd floor
✅ Free Cancellation: No; this activity is non-refundable
✅ Includes: Reserved elevator access to 1st and 2nd floors, standard access to the summit, access to the first floor on descent, unlimited time inside the Eiffel Tower, introductory commentary from a guide

Skip-the-Line Access: This tour offers reserved elevator access to the 1st and 2nd floors, allowing you to bypass the ticket line. However, standard security checks and potential waits for summit elevators still apply.

Experiencing this Eiffel Tower visit on a Paris: Eiffel Tower Elevator 2nd Level and Summit Access tour was a highlight of our Paris visit.

Meeting at the Paris’trip office, we were immediately greeted by our welcoming guide, who provided insightful commentary as we made our way to the tower.

Amongst the throngs of people in this strange and unfamiliar Parisian layout, it was really appreciated. The reserved elevator access made the ascent smooth and fast, thank goodness, we bypassed the long ticket lines.

On the 2nd floor, the panoramic views of Paris were breathtaking. We had waited so long for this moment, it really was the pinnacle of our Paris visit. Landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe and the Seine River unfolded beneath us. The guide’s knowledge enriched the experience, sharing historical anecdotes and pointing out key sights.

Ascending to the summit, we were treated to an amazing and awesome view of the city. The experience was both exhilarating and informative, making it a must-do for anyone visiting Paris.

Tour 2: Paris: Eiffel Tower Summit or Second Floor Access

✅ Meeting Point: Paris Lounge, 38 Avenue de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris
✅ Departure Time: Varies by booking; arrive 15 minutes early
✅ Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking; provides introduction and commentary up to the 2nd floor
✅ Free Cancellation: No; this activity is non-refundable
✅ Includes: Access to the 2nd floor by elevator, access to the summit (if option selected), guided visit in English, unlimited time on the tower

Skip-the-Line Access: This tour provides elevator access to the 2nd floor, helping you avoid the ticket line. Note that security checks and waits for summit elevators may still be necessary.

Of all the tours that we have been on in Europe, the Paris: Eiffel Tower Summit or Second Floor Access tour offered a seamless experience from start to finish.

Our guide met us at the Paris Lounge and led us through the well-kept grounds, full of visitors from all over the world, sharing fascinating insights about the tower’s construction and history.

The elevator ride to the 2nd floor was swift and let us skip the crowds of people lining up without timed tickets, and the views were nothing short of spectacular. Our guide pointed out various Parisian landmarks, enhancing our appreciation of the city’s layout and the immense height of the Eiffel Tower.

Opting for the summit access, we ascended further to witness Paris from its highest vantage point. The experience was totally awe-inspiring and unique. It is something that we will remember forever, that moment in time at the summit of Paris’s Eiffel Tower.

Tour 3: Paris: Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor or Summit Access

✅ Meeting Point: GetYourGuide shop, 62 Avenue Suffren, 75015 Paris
✅ Departure Time: Varies by booking; arrive 15 minutes early
✅ Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking; provides guided tour
✅ Free Cancellation: No; this activity is non-refundable
✅ Includes: Entry ticket to the 2nd floor by elevator, entry ticket to the summit by elevator (if option selected), guided tour in English, unlimited time in the Eiffel Tower after the tour, ticket for a 1-hour cruise (if option selected)

Skip-the-Line Access: This tour offers elevator access to the 2nd floor, allowing you to bypass the ticket line. Be aware that security checks and summit elevator waits may still be encountered.

This experience still stays with us, visited vividly, and the quality and variety in the Paris: Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor or Summit Access tour was exceptional. Meeting at the GetYourGuide shop, we were welcomed by our friendly and, thank goodness, very fluent in English guide, who provided a comprehensive overview of the tower’s history and significance.

The elevator ride to the 2nd floor was efficient, but a little strange as we started off going straight up, and then the elevator angled according to the angle of the Eiffel Tower, but it all worked out fine, and the panoramic views were stunning once we got off at the second floor.

Our guide’s commentary enriched the experience, highlighting key landmarks and sharing intriguing stories.

Choosing the summit option, we ascended to the top, where the vistas were unparalleled. Although I have a quiet fear of heights, I was totally overwhelmed by being at the top of this incredible tower, looking over one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

The tour concluded with an optional Seine River cruise, offering a unique perspective of Paris’s iconic sights. The cruise was a great way to chill out at ground level after such an awe inspiring experience.

Tour 4: Paris: Eiffel Tower Entry Ticket with Optional Summit Access

✅ Meeting Point: In front of Le Champ de Mars Café (do not enter café)
✅ Departure Time: Varies by booking; arrive 15 minutes early
✅ Duration: Approximately 1.5–2 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking; assistance up to 2nd floor
✅ Free Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a 50% refund
✅ Includes: Elevator access to 1st and 2nd floors, optional summit access (if selected), host assistance up to the 2nd floor

Flexible Summit Access: Summit access is optional; you can choose your preferred ticket when booking. Host assistance ensures smooth navigation up to the second level.

This was one of those visited tours that you think or dream about the Paris: Eiffel Tower Entry Ticket with Optional Summit Access was a delightful blend of convenience and independence. Meeting our host outside Le Champ de Mars Café made for an easy and well-organized start, allowing us to skip any confusion.

Because of the massing groups of visitors and tourists, our elevator access was swiftly arranged, and we quickly found ourselves admiring stunning cityscapes from the 2nd floor, taking in iconic landmarks like the Seine, the Arc de Triomphe, and Montmartre.

Choosing the summit option, we ascended even higher, and I have to say—the views from the top were genuinely unforgettable. Mind-blowing in a certain cultural way, maybe the best way to express this. Seeing Paris sprawled beneath us, especially at sunset, created one of those rare travel moments that truly felt magical.

If you’re after a flexible, self-guided Eiffel Tower experience with just enough support, this tour fits the bill perfectly, and we will gladly be doing it again when we return to Paris.

Tour 5: Paris: Access Eiffel Tower Summit or Second Level

✅ Meeting Point: Paris Lounge, 38 Avenue de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris
✅ Departure Time: Varies by booking; arrive 15 minutes early
✅ Duration: Approximately 2 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking; accompanies you to the Eiffel Tower
✅ Free Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a 50% refund
✅ Includes: Eiffel Tower entry ticket, guide to accompany you up to the Eiffel Tower, access to the 2nd floor by elevator, access to the summit by elevator (if option selected), unlimited time inside the Eiffel Tower

Skip-the-Line Access: This tour offers elevator access to the 2nd floor, helping you avoid the ticket line. Note that security checks and waits for summit elevators may still be necessary.

The Paris: Access Eiffel Tower Summit or Second Level tour provided a seamless and informative experience. Meeting our guide at the Paris Lounge, we were escorted to the Eiffel Tower, with engaging commentary about its history and significance.

The elevator ride to the 2nd floor was efficient, and the panoramic views were breathtaking. Our guide highlighted key landmarks, enhancing our appreciation of the city’s layout.

Opting for the summit access, we ascended further to witness Paris from its highest vantage point. The experience was both informative and awe-inspiring, making it a memorable part of our trip.

Tour 6: Paris: Eiffel Tower Access by Elevator & Seine River Cruise

✅ Meeting Point: Paris’Trip office, 41 Avenue de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris
✅ Departure Time: Varies by booking; arrive 15 minutes early
✅ Duration: Approximately 3 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking; accompanies you to the Eiffel Tower
✅ Free Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
✅ Includes: Reserved entry ticket to the 1st and 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower, standard access to the summit (if option booked), guide for the Eiffel Tower, audio guide for the Seine River cruise, unlimited time inside the Eiffel Tower, 1-hour Seine River cruise

Skip-the-Line Access: This tour offers reserved entry to the Eiffel Tower’s 2nd floor, helping you bypass the ticket line. Note that security checks and waits for summit elevators may still be necessary.

The Paris: Eiffel Tower Access by Elevator & Seine River Cruise tour provided a seamless and enriching experience. Meeting our guide at the Paris’Trip office, we were escorted to the Eiffel Tower, with engaging commentary about its history and significance.

The elevator ride to the 2nd floor was efficient, and the panoramic views were breathtaking. Our guide highlighted key landmarks, enhancing our appreciation of the city’s layout.

Opting for the summit access, we ascended further to witness Paris from its highest vantage point. The experience was both informative and awe-inspiring, making it a memorable part of our trip.

Following the Eiffel Tower visit, we embarked on a 1-hour Seine River cruise. The cruise offered a unique perspective of Paris’s iconic landmarks, with an audio guide providing insightful commentary. It was a relaxing and picturesque way to conclude our tour.

Tour 7: Paris: Early Dinner at Madame Brasserie in the Eiffel Tower

✅ Meeting Point: Entrance 1 (South) of the Eiffel Tower, 75007 Paris
✅ Departure Time: Early dinner seating begins at 6:30 PM (arrive by 6:15 PM)
✅ Duration: Approximately 1.5–2 hours
✅ Guide: No guide; this is a self-led dining experience
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes — full refund up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Reserved lift access to the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower, table at Madame Brasserie, 3-course menu (starter, main, dessert), drinks (1 glass of Champagne + wine + mineral water)

This dinner experience includes reserved lift access, letting you bypass the standard public ticket line. You’ll still go through security, but the entry process is smooth and timed.

Dinner at the Eiffel Tower in Paris sounds like a bucket list cliché until you’re actually there, glass of Champagne in hand, watching the light shift over the Seine. It really is a totally overwhelming feeling, and all of a sudden, you forget all about ticking it off the list, but just enjoy the moment while you’re there.

Madame Brasserie isn’t at the summit or even the second floor. It’s on the first, which means you’re dining with a view that’s more intimate than aerial.

Inside, it feels sleek but relaxed. The team welcomes you quickly, the host checks your name, and you’re whisked past the general line to a private lift.

No noise, no chaos — just a quiet ascent into one of Paris’s most iconic dining rooms. Even though it’s the first floor, it’s still an amazing experience up in the Eiffel Tower overlooking France with a beautiful French meal.

The Early Dinner at Madame Brasserie in the Eiffel Tower felt smooth from start to finish. It’s not a guided tour — it’s an experience.

The set menu was polished but unfussy (we had a velouté, slow-cooked beef, and a hazelnut dessert). The wine pairings were thoughtful, the pacing was comfortable, and the view was… well, it’s the Eiffel Tower. You’re not just seeing Paris — you’re inside it.

If you’re looking for full-on tower access, this isn’t your tour. But if you want a moment that blends dining with atmosphere, Something that really will stay with you forever in a way that feels both special and easy, this one delivers.

Visiting the Eiffel Tower – What to Expect

A well-timed Eiffel Tower tour can be one of the highlights of any Paris trip — but with over 6 million visitors per year, it pays to know how it all works.

The Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid monument in the world, and during peak season, it can see 20,000 to 25,000 people every day. That’s a lot of camera clicks, elevator rides, and queues.

The good news? You don’t have to be stuck in line for half the day. Pre-booked skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tours with timed tickets are now the norm — and the smarter way to go.

How the Eiffel Tower Tour System Works

There are three public levels:

• The 1st floor, with glass walkways, exhibits, and Madame Brasserie
• The 2nd floor, with panoramic views and access to the Jules Verne restaurant
• And the summit, the top-level viewing deck reached via a second elevator

Visitors can choose stairs, elevator access to the 2nd floor, or go all the way to the summit — but not all tickets include the top. Tour listings usually specify “2nd floor” or “summit included,” so check carefully.

Most Eiffel Tower tours gather at a nearby meeting point and include a guide or host who walks you through the history, helps you access the tower, and sometimes stays until the 2nd level. From there, many allow free exploration at your own pace.

Why Timed Tickets Matter – And How to Use Them

Despite the marketing language, skip-the-line tickets don’t remove all queues — they bypass the public ticket office and assign you a specific 15–30 minute window for entry.

That means you’ll skip a long wait to buy a ticket, but you’ll still go through security and may wait briefly for the elevators — especially to the summit, which has its own line.

But without timed entry, you risk hours of waiting or not getting in at all. Tours offering eiffel tower skip the line tickets take the guesswork out and help you navigate a sometimes chaotic scene.

Should You Book a Guided Eiffel Tower Tour?

If you’re looking for ease and insight, the best Eiffel Tower tour experiences come with a local guide or knowledgeable host. They’ll manage entry, give context as you ascend, and point out landmarks you might otherwise miss.

That said, some travelers prefer a hosted ticket without narration — especially if they’ve visited before or want to explore solo. Both styles offer fast-track access, just with different vibes.

Final Tips Before You Go

• Arrive 15–30 minutes early — timed entry means no grace period
• Bring photo ID
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Double-check if summit access is included in your tour
• Security is mandatory, but usually quick
• Most visitors spend 90–120 minutes inside the tower

And one last thing? Don’t rush. The Eiffel Tower isn’t just a monument — it’s a moment. Timed tickets help you reach it. Good planning lets you enjoy it.

AQs (The 7 Best Eiffel Tower Tours Skip the Line (2025 Reviews))

What’s the best Eiffel Tower tour for first-time visitors?
The best Eiffel Tower tour for first-timers usually includes guided access to the second floor and optional summit upgrade. A live guide helps make sense of what you’re seeing — from the Champ de Mars below to the Arc de Triomphe in the distance.

Do Eiffel Tower tours skip the line completely?
Not entirely. Most skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tours include timed-entry tickets, which help you bypass the public ticket counter. However, you’ll still go through security and may need to wait for the elevators, especially to the summit.

Are Eiffel Tower skip the line tickets worth it?
Yes — especially during high season. Skip-the-line tickets let you avoid the long general queues, often saving you 30–60 minutes or more. They’re the best option if you want to maximize your time and minimize stress.

Can I get Eiffel Tower summit access with any tour?
Not always. Some Eiffel Tower tours stop at the second floor, while others offer optional or included summit tickets. Always check the details before booking — not all skip-the-line tickets go to the top.

How long does an Eiffel Tower tour usually take?
Most tours take between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on whether you visit the summit or just the second floor. Some include extra experiences like Seine River cruises or dinners, which extend the time.

Are Eiffel Tower guided tours better than self-guided?
If it’s your first visit or you want more than just the view, a guided Eiffel Tower tour adds value. Guides point out landmarks, share historical context, and handle logistics so you can relax and enjoy.

What happens if I miss my Eiffel Tower timed ticket entry?
If you miss your scheduled time, you may not be allowed in — especially on skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets. Most tours recommend arriving at least 15–30 minutes early to avoid missing your slot.

Don’t Let Trip Surprises Cost You!

Medical emergencies abroad or last-minute cancellations can get expensive — especially when tours are non-refundable.

Protect yourself with travel insurance that covers delays, lost baggage, medical care, and trip cancellation.

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How We Select the Best Tours & Products

We don’t just list what’s popular — we choose tours we’d take ourselves. Every Eiffel Tower tour on this list has been reviewed based on guest experience, access, timing, and overall value.

We look for the smoothest entry, the best views, and guides who genuinely help you enjoy the moment — not just tick boxes.

👉 Learn more: How We Select the Best Tours & Products

501Places Editor’s Ranking: Paris: Eiffel Tower Elevator 2nd Level and Summit Access