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 turns the Eiffel Tower into a workout. This guided climb mixes hard-earned views with stories about how the tower was built and how it nearly didn’t survive. I especially love the step-by-step guide commentary that keeps the ascent from feeling like just exercise.
My second favorite part is the 2nd-floor panorama. You’re high enough to spot major landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe from fresh angles, and the photos come out better because you’re not rushing. The main drawback: you’re not buying priority access, so expect real waiting for security and tickets.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Meeting Point Near École Militaire (and why you should arrive early)
- The Big Climb: 704 Steps to the 2nd Floor
- Eiffel Tower 1st Floor: the Glass Floor Moment (57 meters up)
- Ascending With Stories: How the Guide Changes the Whole Tour
- 2nd Floor Views: Where the Arc de Triomphe Shows Up
- Summit Option: Eiffel’s Original Office and the Highest Platform
- Timing, Waiting, and How Not to Lose the Day
- Value for $42: What You’re Really Paying For
- Who Should Book the Stairs to Level 2 (and who should skip it)
- Should you book this Eiffel Tower stairs-and-views tour?
- FAQ
- How many steps do you climb to reach the 2nd floor?
- Where is the meeting point if it is not at the Eiffel Tower?
- How long does the experience last?
- What areas of the Eiffel Tower are included?
- Is the summit included automatically?
- Does this tour have skip-the-line or priority access?
- What languages are the live guides?
- What should you bring, and what is not allowed?
- Is the glass floor included, and how high is it?
- Who should not take this tour?
- What happens if the summit is closed on the day?
Key things to know before you go
- 704 steps to Level 2 for a hands-on way to experience the tower
- 57-meter glass floor on the 1st floor for a quick, nerve-jiggling thrill
- Guided photo stops so you look in the right directions at the right time
- Summit upgrade adds Eiffel’s office and the highest platform if you book it
- Lines are part of the deal since this is not true skip-the-line service
Meeting Point Near École Militaire (and why you should arrive early)
This tour starts away from the Eiffel Tower itself, at the intersection of Avenue Silvestre de Sacy and Avenue Elisée Reclus. A City Wonders representative (blue sign) meets you there, and that matters because using Google Maps or Waze can put you in the wrong spot if you’re not careful. I’d give yourself extra buffer time to find the sign, because late arrivals can’t be accommodated and missed tickets won’t be refunded.
Getting there is straightforward. The nearest metro is École Militaire (line 8), about a 15-minute walk. Another nearby option is the RER C stop Champs de Mars. If you’re traveling with a phone-first navigation style, still do one more check before you leave the station—small wayfinding errors turn into big stress when you’re headed to security lines.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Paris.
The Big Climb: 704 Steps to the 2nd Floor
The headline is the climb to the 2nd floor via stairs: 704 steps. If you’re the type who likes your sightseeing with a little effort attached, this is a big win. You feel the structure rather than just passing through it, and the pace of a guided climb helps you keep going without turning it into a suffering contest.
Here’s how to think about the “challenge.” It’s not just about fitness. The climb changes how you see the tower. As you rise, the sightlines begin to open, and your guide can point out landmarks while you’re still moving upward—not after you’re stuck in a crowd at the top. If you’re nervous about crowds, this is also a smarter way to experience the Eiffel Tower because you get multiple moments of space on the way up.
Practical tip: comfortable shoes and water aren’t optional. You’ll want grip for the stairs and enough hydration to enjoy the views instead of counting steps like a timer.
Eiffel Tower 1st Floor: the Glass Floor Moment (57 meters up)
Once you’re inside, your guided time on the 1st floor is where the experience starts to feel like more than just climbing. One of the most memorable features at this level is the glass floor suspended 57 meters above the ground. It’s a short moment, but it’s the kind of thrill that resets your focus. You go from “I’m climbing” to “I’m actually here.”
Your guide sets the stage with stories about the Eiffel Tower’s creation and the near-demise that almost took it off the map. That context matters because when you’re standing under the tower structure, it’s easy to see only the design. With the background, you notice the engineering logic and why this building became such a symbol.
This is also a good level for your first round of orientation photos. From here, you’re not at the final panorama height yet, but you can start building the mental map of Paris around the tower.
Ascending With Stories: How the Guide Changes the Whole Tour
The reason this tour feels different from a self-guided climb is the guide. You move with them from the introduction, into the ticket booth line, and then up through the stairs route. The guide doesn’t just recite facts. They use the waiting time to share anecdotes and insights so you’re not stuck standing in silence while the lines crawl.
This is where you get real value. If you’re visiting Paris for the first time, the Eiffel Tower can feel like a standalone monument. A good guide links it to the city in real time—what you should look for on the horizon, what direction matters, and how different parts of the skyline relate to the tower’s position.
From recent experiences, some guides have been praised for keeping things engaging and paced well for families and mixed groups. Names that come up include Sunny, Angela, Ana, Melanie, Maria, and Aya, with feedback often highlighting energy, patience, and making sure everyone is okay during the climb.
If you’re traveling with kids or someone who gets impatient, that guide-led structure helps a lot. You’re still walking, but you’re walking with a plan.
2nd Floor Views: Where the Arc de Triomphe Shows Up
The stop at the 2nd floor is built around photos and time to look. You’ll get a photo stop and then a guided visit that lasts about 45 minutes. This is the sweet spot height-wise: high enough for major landmarks, but not so high that everything feels like one crowded queue.
What makes this level special is perspective. You’re seeing Paris from multiple angles as you move through the space, and your guide can point out what you’re looking at—like the Arc de Triomphe and other icons—so you’re not just staring at rooftops.
Also, the panorama at this level is described as a breathtaking 360-degree view. The key is pacing. If you arrive and rush, you’ll miss the best frames. If you take your time with the guide’s prompts, you get better photos and a stronger sense of how Paris stretches out in layers.
One note on expectations: the summit is optional. If you don’t choose it, the 2nd floor is still the main payoff. Think of it as the “complete Eiffel Tower experience” for most people—especially if the stairs are a primary goal.
Summit Option: Eiffel’s Original Office and the Highest Platform
If you upgrade when booking, you can continue to the summit. This upgrade isn’t something you add last-minute during the day—it must be selected at the time of booking.
With the summit access, you’ll have photo time and a visit, about 45 minutes. The big draws are twofold:
- You can see Gustave Eiffel’s original office
- You get the highest platform for panoramic views of Paris
That combination is what makes the summit option feel more “complete.” You’re not only going higher for bragging rights. You’re also connecting the building to the person behind it, then finishing with the broadest views.
There’s a practical catch: the summit may not be accessible for operational reasons, capacity control, or weather. If it’s closed, even if it reopens later, the summit access price is refunded within about 8–10 days. My advice is simple: treat summit access as a bonus, not the only reason you’re going up.
In fact, some guides have been noted for encouraging morning bookings when possible, because closure can happen and crowds build through the day.
Timing, Waiting, and How Not to Lose the Day
This tour runs about 2 hours, with the full duration listed as up to 210 minutes when you factor in wait times. The tour isn’t designed as a “walk right in and go” experience. It includes guided time, but your day still depends on:
- security checks
- time at the ticket desk
- stairs line flow inside
Because this is not priority access, you should plan for minimum waits. In peak months (April to October), on weekends and school holidays, expect at least 30 minutes for security and 45 minutes to buy your ticket. In low season (November to March), it’s typically 15 minutes for security and 30 minutes at the ticket desk.
Here’s how to use that information. If your schedule is tight, don’t book a must-do museum reservation immediately after your climb. Leave breathing room. If you’re timing this with other sights, keep it as your anchor experience.
Also, understand what you can control: wear shoes you can walk in for a while, bring water, and keep your bag situation simple. No strollers and no luggage or large bags are allowed, so if you’re traveling with bigger items, plan to store them before you arrive.
Value for $42: What You’re Really Paying For
At $42 per person, the value is strongest when you want more than a basic ticket. This price is tied to a guided experience that includes entry to the 1st and 2nd floors plus the guided time on those levels. The climb to level 2 is the core “activity,” and the guide adds meaning by connecting what you see to stories about the tower’s creation and its survival.
If you select upgrades, the package can also include the summit and (if chosen) a Seine River Cruise ticket. That matters for value because it changes your Eiffel Tower visit from a single landmark moment into part of a broader day.
The tradeoff is patience. You don’t get priority handling at security or ticket lines. If you hate waiting, this might feel less worth it on your personal scale. But if you enjoy the idea of moving at a human pace with someone explaining what you’re seeing, the $42 is less about convenience and more about making the climb count.
One more value note: your experience is designed for walking and views, not just “standing at the top.” That’s why the 704-step choice is central. You’re paying for a specific way of seeing the Eiffel Tower.
Who Should Book the Stairs to Level 2 (and who should skip it)
This experience is not for everyone. It isn’t suitable for people with mobility impairments, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or anyone with vertigo. The reason is obvious: it’s a long stair climb plus exposure from heights, including the glass floor.
It’s ideal for:
- anyone who wants exercise with their sightseeing
- families with older kids who can handle stairs
- first-timers who want context and orientation, not just photos
- people who prefer a guided pace while navigating crowds and lines
If you’re unsure, think about your comfort with stairs and your comfort with height. This is not a gentle elevator ride. It’s a climb, followed by real viewpoint time.
Should you book this Eiffel Tower stairs-and-views tour?
If your goal is the Eiffel Tower with effort and meaning, I’d say yes. The mix of 704 stairs, a guided story trail, and standout viewpoints at level 2 creates a visit that feels like you earned the skyline. Even better, the option to add the summit (including Eiffel’s office) gives you a clear upgrade path.
Skip it only if waiting times and stairs are a hard no for you. Since priority access isn’t included, you should plan for lines, and you should be realistic about summit availability on the day.
If you book, do two things: wear good shoes, and arrive early enough to find the meeting point at Avenue Elisée Reclus and Avenue Silvestre de Sacy without panic.
FAQ
How many steps do you climb to reach the 2nd floor?
You climb 704 steps to reach the 2nd floor.
Where is the meeting point if it is not at the Eiffel Tower?
The meeting point is at the intersection of Avenue Silvestre de Sacy and Avenue Elisée Reclus. A City Wonders representative in blue will be there holding a City Wonders sign.
How long does the experience last?
The duration is listed as 2 hours to 210 minutes, depending on availability and time spent in security and ticket lines.
What areas of the Eiffel Tower are included?
The tour includes entry and guided time for the 1st floor and 2nd floor.
Is the summit included automatically?
No. The summit is available only if you select the upgrade at the time of booking.
Does this tour have skip-the-line or priority access?
No. Pre-reserved tickets and priority access are not included.
What languages are the live guides?
The live guide is available in English and Spanish.
What should you bring, and what is not allowed?
Bring comfortable shoes and water. Baby strollers, luggage, and large bags are not allowed.
Is the glass floor included, and how high is it?
You can walk onto the glass floor on the 1st floor, suspended 57 meters above the ground.
Who should not take this tour?
It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, heart problems, wheelchair users, or anyone with vertigo.
What happens if the summit is closed on the day?
If the summit is not accessible due to operational reasons, capacity control, or weather, the summit access price is refunded within 8–10 days.
