---
title: "When Are Eiffel Tower Tickets Released? How Far Ahead to Book"
date: 2026-09-21
canonical: https://tickettowereiffel.com/buy-eiffel-tower-tickets/eiffel-tower-tickets-release-date/
---
The **Eiffel Tower tickets release time** is not something I can quote as a fixed date, because slots are opened in batches and the pattern can change. What I can give you is a working rule: book as soon as your dates are fixed, book earlier for the summit and for peak season, and check the official calendar for what is open now. Here is my read on how far ahead to plan, level by level, plus what to do when the slot you want is not there yet.

## When are Eiffel Tower tickets released?

Tickets are released in batches ahead of the visit date, and the exact schedule is set by the seller and can change. Check the official calendar for the current release pattern. I would not build a plan on a rumored release day.

Two channels matter. The official site sells its own inventory and opens dates as its schedule allows. Resellers sell reserved-slot products that may show availability separately. Neither publishes a promise I can safely repeat here, so I will not pretend to know an exact hour.

You can check the current state yourself at the [official Eiffel Tower website](https://www.toureiffel.paris/en). My advice is to use it as a live source and treat any blog claiming a precise "release minute" with caution, including mine if I gave you one.

## How far in advance should you book Eiffel Tower tickets?

Book as soon as your trip dates are fixed. In peak season, that means as early as the calendar allows. In quieter months, a few weeks ahead is usually comfortable. I would never plan a trip around same-day availability.

Here is the booking window table I would use. It is my rule of thumb, not an official schedule, so always confirm on the calendar for your date.

| Season | Second floor | Summit | My advice |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Summer and school holidays | Book as early as your dates allow | Book first, before anything else | Lock the tower before hotels and dinners |
| Spring and autumn | Book weeks ahead | Book weeks ahead | Weekends fill first, so target weekdays |
| Winter, outside holidays | Book a few weeks ahead | Book a few weeks ahead | Easier, but weather can cancel the summit |
| Christmas and New Year | Book as early as possible | Book as early as possible | Treat it like peak season |
| Weekend dates all year | Book earlier than weekdays | Book earlier than weekdays | weekends are the tougher days |

These are windows, not guarantees. A quiet Tuesday in February can be easy, and a holiday weekend can vanish in days. I would rather book early and change plans than book late and miss out.

If you book a guided ticket, you also hold a slot. The [second floor and summit ticket with a guide](/tours/eiffel-tower-second-floor-summit-tickets/) starts from EUR 52 per person, and the summit is a choice at checkout. Prices on this page come from listings dated 2026-09-21 and vary by date and options.

## Does the summit need a longer lead time than the second floor?

Yes. The summit is the most requested level and fills first. If the summit is the reason you are going, book it earliest. If you are flexible, book the second floor and add the summit later if a slot appears.

The [elevator ticket](/tours/eiffel-tower-elevator-summit-tickets/) is the option I would use when the summit is non-negotiable, because it includes standard summit access in the base fare, from EUR 79 per person. It also gives you unlimited time inside the tower. If the summit is a "nice to have", I would take the cheaper second floor and keep the summit as an option.

## What is the best time of year to book late?

Late booking works best in the low season, on weekdays and for the second floor. I would still avoid it. The saving from waiting is small, and the risk of a sold-out day is large.

If you have to book late, choose flexibility over precision. A weekday morning is easier than a Saturday sunset, and the second floor is easier than the summit. My guide on [what to do when Eiffel Tower tickets are sold out](/buy-eiffel-tower-tickets/eiffel-tower-tickets-sold-out/) walks through the fallbacks in order.

## Do cancellations reopen slots?

Sometimes. Slots can reappear when other visitors cancel, and the calendar can update. It is worth checking again a few days before your trip, but I would not rely on it.

That is also why the terms of your own ticket matter. If you book early and your plans shift, you want to know what you can change. My page on [Eiffel Tower ticket cancellation and refund rules](/buy-eiffel-tower-tickets/eiffel-tower-tickets-cancellation-refund/) explains how to read the terms and what to look for. The listings here do not state one universal window, so read the terms at checkout.

![Timeline graphic showing when to book Eiffel Tower tickets by season, with generic labels: Peak Season, Shoulder Season, Winter, Book Early, Check Again](/images/blog/paris-eiffel-tower-tickets-release-date-2.webp)

## Which opening hours affect your booking window?

Opening hours change with the season and can shift the slots on offer. Longer summer hours add evening slots, and shorter winter hours reduce them. Check the hours for your date before choosing a time.

I explain the pattern in my [Eiffel Tower opening hours guide](/eiffel-tower-opening-hours/). My tip is to pick a slot that leaves margin, not one that ends near closing. A late evening entry is lovely for the lights, but it leaves little room for the summit if the queue runs long.

## Which time of day should you book?

Book early morning or late evening if you can. Midday is the busiest and hottest period in summer. Early slots fill fast, so they are the ones I would lock first.

Morning gives you cooler air and calmer lifts. Evening gives you the golden hour and the lit skyline. Sunset is popular for a reason, so it is the slot that sells out first. If sunset matters to you, I would book it earlier than anything else.

## What if the slot you want is not open yet?

Set a reminder and check again. In the meantime, book a flexible ticket for a nearby date, or use a reserved-slot listing that shows availability now. Do not pay for a date you do not want just to feel safe.

If you need something today or tomorrow, my page on [Eiffel Tower tickets on the day](/buy-eiffel-tower-tickets/eiffel-tower-tickets-on-the-day/) covers the realistic short-notice routes. If you need to compare channels, read [official site vs resellers](/buy-eiffel-tower-tickets/eiffel-tower-tickets-official-site/).

## What tickets are open now?

The best place to see what is bookable today is the listings themselves, which show the live date picker and prices. I would check two or three options rather than one.

- **[Guided tour tickets](/tours/eiffel-tower-guided-tour-tickets/)** from EUR 30, with a live guide and optional summit or cruise.
- **[Stairs climb to level 2](/tours/eiffel-tower-stairs-climb-tickets/)** from EUR 32, in small groups of 20 or fewer.
- **[Tower and Seine cruise combo](/tours/eiffel-tower-tickets-seine-cruise/)** from EUR 69, with reserved entry to the first and second floors.

If you want the whole picture, the [tickets for the Eiffel Tower](/) homepage lists every option with prices and inclusions.

## My recommendation

Fix your dates, then book the tower the same day. Choose the second floor for certainty and add the summit if the forecast is clear. Pick an early or late slot, and keep the confirmation on your phone.

If your dates are set and it is peak season, I would not wait. Book a reserved-slot ticket now, and only chase a plain ticket if you have time to spare. For the full booking process, read my main guide on [how to buy Eiffel Tower tickets](/buy-eiffel-tower-tickets/).

## Frequently asked questions

### When are Eiffel Tower tickets released?

They are released in batches ahead of the visit date, and the schedule can change. Check the official calendar for the current pattern instead of relying on a fixed rumor.

### How far in advance should I book?

As soon as your dates are fixed. In peak season, book as early as the calendar allows. In quiet months, a few weeks is usually fine.

### Do I need to book the summit earlier?

Yes. The summit fills first, so book it before anything else if it is your priority.

### Can I get tickets the day before?

Sometimes, but it is risky. Availability depends on cancellations and open slots. I would book ahead for a fixed trip.

### What is the best time of day to book?

Early morning or late evening. Both are calmer than midday, and both are popular, so book them early.