--- title: "How to Get to the Eiffel Tower: Metro, RER, Bus and Walking" date: 2026-09-21 canonical: https://tickettowereiffel.com/eiffel-tower-opening-hours/how-to-get-to-eiffel-tower/ --- **How to get to the Eiffel Tower** is easier than most first-timers fear: the metro and the RER both stop within a short walk of the base, and the tower is visible from far away. The address is Avenue Anatole France in the 7th arrondissement. My pick is the metro to Bir-Hakeim on line 6, because the walk ends with the tower rising in front of you. Below I compare each route and tell you which I would use. ## What is the Eiffel Tower's address? The tower stands on the Champ de Mars, at Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris. That is the address to give a taxi driver or type into a map app. I would type "Tour Eiffel" into your map app rather than only the street, because the site is large and has more than one side. Your ticket confirmation also gives the exact meeting point or entrance for your booking, so read it before you leave your hotel. If you are not sure where the tower sits in the city, my page on [where the Eiffel Tower is in Paris](/eiffel-tower-opening-hours/eiffel-tower-paris-location/) covers the basics. ## What metro station is the Eiffel Tower? The closest metro stations are Bir-Hakeim on line 6, Trocadero on lines 6 and 9, and Ecole Militaire on line 8. None of them is "the" Eiffel Tower station, and each drops you a walk away. Here is my honest ranking. Bir-Hakeim is the one I would use, because it is a short walk and gives a good first view of the tower. Trocadero gives the famous photo across the river, but the walk down and across the bridge takes longer. Ecole Militaire works if you want to arrive through the Champ de Mars gardens. Check the RATP site for works or closures before you go. ## What metro line is the Eiffel Tower on? Line 6 is the simplest answer, since it serves both Bir-Hakeim and Trocadero. Line 9 also stops at Trocadero, and line 8 stops at Ecole Militaire. I would pick a route based on where your hotel is, not on the line number alone. If line 6 is on your route, use it and get off at Bir-Hakeim. If not, one change to line 6 is usually worth it. My advice is to look at your route the night before, so you are not deciding on the platform. Service can change, so verify with the transit operator on the day. ## How do you get there by RER? Take the RER C to the stop called Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel, which is a short walk from the base. The tour listing in this collection names it as the closest RER stop. I like the RER C when you come from the left bank or from a suburb on that line, because it saves a change. It can be less frequent than the metro, so I would check the timetable before you rely on it. If your line is on a different branch, the metro is the safer choice. For the whole plan of the day, keep reading. ## Can you get to the Eiffel Tower by bus? Yes, several city bus routes stop near the tower, and a bus can suit you if you want to see the streets on the way. I would not quote line numbers here, since routes change, and I do not want to send you to the wrong stop. Use a journey planner on the day and search for "Tour Eiffel". My view is that buses suit visitors who dislike stairs in metro stations, since a bus has none. The trade-off is time: buses can be slow in traffic, so I would leave a buffer. If you need step-free travel, my guide to [Eiffel Tower accessibility](/eiffel-tower-opening-hours/eiffel-tower-accessibility/) has the current advice on where to check. ## Is walking to the Eiffel Tower a good idea? Walking is a great idea if you are staying nearby, and a poor one if you are not. Paris is walkable, and the tower guides you with its height, but distances add up. My favourite plan is to take the metro most of the way and walk the last part. That gives you the view without tired legs before you climb. If you are near the Seine, a riverside walk toward the tower is pleasant. I would not walk more than about 30 minutes before a timed slot, because you need energy for the visit and a margin for security. ## Should you take a taxi or a ride app? A taxi is worth it if you have small children, heavy bags or reduced mobility, and it is not worth it for a solo traveller on a budget. Traffic near the river roads can be slow at peak hours. My advice is to ask to be dropped near the Champ de Mars side, which the second floor tour listing suggests to avoid the busiest roads. Agree on a drop point before you set off, and leave time to walk the last stretch. I would still choose the metro for most visitors, since it is predictable and cheap. ## Where do you enter the tower? You enter at the base of the tower, and your booking tells you which entrance or meeting point applies. The entrance can depend on the ticket type, for example the stairs versus the lift. I would read the voucher twice before leaving. A common mistake I see is walking to the wrong leg of the tower and losing time before a fixed slot. The [second floor and summit ticket with a guide](/tours/eiffel-tower-second-floor-summit-tickets/) starts with a meeting next to the tower, and the listing advises you to arrive about 15 minutes early. It starts from EUR 52 per person, with a price dated 2026-09-21 that varies by date and option. ![Simple route map with generic labels: Bir-Hakeim Metro, Trocadero Metro, Ecole Militaire Metro, RER C Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel and the Eiffel Tower](/images/blog/paris-how-to-get-to-eiffel-tower-2.webp) ## How early should you arrive for your slot? Arrive about 15 minutes before your slot, then add the walking time from your stop. Security and the base area are busy, and a late arrival can lose a reserved slot. I would build the journey backward from the slot: subtract 15 minutes, then the walk, then the metro time, then a buffer of ten minutes. That sounds fussy, but it removes the stress that ruins the start of a visit. For how the lines work once you arrive, see my guide to [Eiffel Tower queue times](/eiffel-tower-opening-hours/eiffel-tower-queue-times/). ## Which route is best for photos on arrival? For the classic first view, I would use Trocadero and walk across the bridge, and for the closest and quickest approach, Bir-Hakeim. The two give different pictures. Trocadero gives the wide shot with the gardens and the river in front. Bir-Hakeim gives a more dramatic angle as you come through the streets. My choice for a first visit is Bir-Hakeim, and my choice for a golden hour photo stop is Trocadero after your visit. The time of day matters more than the route, so my page on the [best time to visit the Eiffel Tower](/eiffel-tower-opening-hours/best-time-to-visit-eiffel-tower/) can help you choose. ## How do you plan the whole day around the trip? Treat the journey as part of the visit, not a side step. Add the travel time to your timeline so you can pick the right slot and a sensible next stop. A full visit with both levels takes two to three hours according to the listings, and the journey comes on top of that. I would leave an hour of buffer before a dinner or a train. My timeline in [how long an Eiffel Tower visit takes](/eiffel-tower-opening-hours/how-long-to-visit-eiffel-tower/) shows the steps from security to the descent, and the pillar on [Eiffel Tower opening hours](/eiffel-tower-opening-hours/) shows when the tower opens. ## What should you carry when you travel there? Carry a small bag, a light layer and a charged phone with your ticket saved. Large bags can be turned away at security, and the top of the tower is windy. I would not carry anything you cannot leave at the hotel. Download your voucher before you go, since signal near a crowd can be poor. Comfortable shoes matter more than fashion, because you will walk from the stop to the base and around the decks. If you are booking now, my pick is a timed ticket, which I cover in [how to buy Eiffel Tower tickets](/buy-eiffel-tower-tickets/). ## My recommendation Take the metro to Bir-Hakeim on line 6 and walk the last stretch, or use the RER C to Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel if it fits your route. Arrive 15 minutes before a reserved slot and keep your bag small. To lock in your time, book a slot on the [second floor and summit ticket with a guide](/tours/eiffel-tower-second-floor-summit-tickets/), which is my choice for most first visits. To see all the options, visit the [Eiffel Tower tickets](/) homepage, and check the [official Eiffel Tower website](https://www.toureiffel.paris/en) for current hours and access. ## Frequently asked questions ### What metro station is the Eiffel Tower? Bir-Hakeim on line 6 is the closest, with Trocadero and Ecole Militaire also within walking distance. ### What metro line is the Eiffel Tower on? Line 6 serves Bir-Hakeim and Trocadero. Line 9 stops at Trocadero and line 8 at Ecole Militaire. ### What is the Eiffel Tower address? Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, on the Champ de Mars. ### Can I get there by RER? Yes. The RER C stops at Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel, a short walk from the base. Check the timetable first. ### How early should I arrive? Arrive about 15 minutes before your reserved slot, plus the walk from your stop.