--- title: "Eiffel Tower Stairs Tickets: Climbing to Level 2" date: 2026-09-21 canonical: https://tickettowereiffel.com/eiffel-tower-ticket-price/eiffel-tower-stairs-climb-tickets/ --- **Eiffel Tower stairs tickets** let you reach the second floor on foot instead of queuing for the lift, and they are the cheapest guided way up in this collection, from EUR 32 per person. You climb 704 steps in a small group of 20 or fewer, and you can add the lift to the summit if you want the top. Here is my honest view: it is a great choice for fit, unhurried visitors and a poor one for everyone else. This page covers the effort, what the ticket includes and how to add the summit. ## What are Eiffel Tower stairs tickets? They are tickets for a guided climb to the first and second floors. You walk up the stairs with a small group and a guide, then explore the second floor on your own. The summit and a Seine cruise are optional add-ons. The listing is the [stairs climb ticket to level 2 with a summit option](/tours/eiffel-tower-stairs-climb-tickets/). It includes the guided climb, stair access tickets for the first and second floors, a group of 20 guests or fewer and free time to explore after the guided tour. If you choose the summit, you ride the elevator up from the second floor. It does not include gratuities, and it does not include pre-reserved or priority tickets. ## How much do Eiffel Tower climb tickets cost? They start from EUR 32 per person, dated 2026-09-21. The summit and the cruise are extra, and the final amount depends on the options and date you choose, so check the live price at checkout. | Ticket | From price per person | How you go up | | --- | --- | --- | | [Stairs climb](/tours/eiffel-tower-stairs-climb-tickets/) | EUR 32 | On foot to level 2, lift to summit optional | | [Second floor with a guide](/tours/eiffel-tower-second-floor-summit-tickets/) | EUR 52 | Elevator to level 2 | | [Elevator with summit access](/tours/eiffel-tower-elevator-summit-tickets/) | EUR 79 | Elevator to level 2 and the summit | I would treat the gap as the price of your legs. You save money and get a small-group guide, but you give up reserved entry. My full price breakdown by level is in the [Eiffel Tower ticket price](/eiffel-tower-ticket-price/) guide. ## How hard is the climb up the Eiffel Tower? The climb to the second floor is 704 steps, and the route is steady rather than fast. It is doable for most reasonably fit people, but it is real exercise, so I would not plan it right after a heavy lunch. Here is what I would tell a friend. Think of it as a long flight of stairs with breaks. The guide keeps the pace and stops to talk, and the listing says you can stop and rest and the guide will adjust. Wear shoes with good grip, bring water and eat lightly. I would not do it in the hottest part of a summer afternoon. If a morning slot is available, that is my pick. ## Who should not book the stairs? Skip the stairs if you have knee or heart concerns, small children or a tight schedule. The listing says it is a real physical effort and recommends an elevator ticket for those cases, and I agree. Be honest with yourself here. A ticket you cannot finish is not a saving. If you are unsure, pick the elevator to the second floor instead and put the money you save on the climb toward a better experience elsewhere. If mobility is a factor, my guide to [Eiffel Tower elevator tickets](/eiffel-tower-ticket-price/eiffel-tower-elevator-tickets/) explains how lift access works. ## What does the stair route end at? The stairs take you to the first floor and on to the second floor, where the guided part ends. The stair route does not go on to the summit. If you want the top, you add the elevator ride from the second floor. That is the most important fact on this page. People often assume a "climb" ticket takes you all the way up on foot, and it does not. Level 2 is the goal, and the listing confirms it. From there, the summit is an optional lift ride, subject to availability. Please verify step counts and route details with the operator when you book, since routes can change. The [official Eiffel Tower website](https://www.toureiffel.paris/en) is a good place to confirm current rules on stair access. ## How do you add the lift to the summit? You choose the summit option when you book the stairs ticket. It is an elevator ride from the second floor, and it costs extra. It depends on availability, so I would decide before you pay, not on the day. My advice: if the forecast is clear and you are already climbing, the summit is a satisfying finish. If the sky is hazy, skip it and enjoy the second floor. The listing points out that the top is cooler and windier, so keep a jacket handy. To understand what you get for the extra cost, read my page on [Eiffel Tower summit tickets](/eiffel-tower-ticket-price/eiffel-tower-summit-tickets/). ![Infographic style map of the Eiffel Tower climbing route with generic labels: Start, South Pillar, First Floor, Glass Floor, Second Floor, Summit Lift, showing where the stairs end](/images/blog/paris-climb-eiffel-tower-stairs-2.webp) ## What happens on the day of the climb? You meet your guide near the tower, the guide collects the tickets, you pass security and start climbing. During busy periods there is some waiting time for ticket collection and security, so wear comfortable shoes from the start. The route runs from the South Pillar, past the first floor, to the second floor observation deck. On the first floor you can step onto the glass floor, 57 metres above the ground, which many people find more thrilling than the summit view. At the second floor the guide points out landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysees and Notre-Dame, then the guided part ends. I would arrive about 15 minutes early, because the guide has to gather the small group. ## Is the stairs climb worth it? It is worth it if you like activity and want a different angle on a very familiar landmark. The group is small, the price is low for a guided option and the ironwork stays close the whole way. It is not worth it if you want guaranteed quick entry. The stairs ticket has no priority access, and on peak days waiting for tickets can be longer. My blunt view: if your schedule is tight, the elevator with reserved access is the better buy. If you have a slow morning and like a challenge, the climb is the option I would pick for the tower, because the effort makes the view feel earned. ## Is climbing the Eiffel Tower free? No, going up always costs money, including the stairs. You can visit the grounds for free, but stair access needs a ticket. My guide on [visiting the Eiffel Tower for free](/eiffel-tower-ticket-price/eiffel-tower-free-entry/) explains what is free and what is not. I would not trust any page that claims a free climb. Prices vary, and the stairs ticket is one of the lowest entry prices you will find, which is why it helps to compare rather than hunt for a loophole. ## How does the stairs ticket compare with the elevator? The stairs cost less, give you a small group and let you stop on the first floor, but they have no priority access and demand effort. The elevator costs more, gives reserved entry and saves your legs. Here is how I choose: 1. **Fit and curious, with time to spare:** the stairs. 2. **Short on time or with kids:** the elevator to level 2. 3. **Want the top guaranteed:** the elevator ticket with the summit included. 4. **Tight budget:** the stairs are the cheapest guided route. For a clearer side by side of the two top levels, read my [summit vs second floor](/eiffel-tower-ticket-price/eiffel-tower-summit-vs-second-floor/) comparison. And if you are cutting costs across the trip, my guide to [cheap Eiffel Tower tickets](/buy-eiffel-tower-tickets/cheap-eiffel-tower-tickets/) shows where the real savings sit. ## What should you bring for the climb? Bring water, comfortable shoes with good grip and a light bag, since bags are searched at security. Carry a layer if you add the summit, because it is much cooler up high. I would eat a light breakfast and skip the heavy lunch. Take photos on the landings, not while walking on the steps. And do not compete with the group: the point is the view and the stories, not speed. ## My recommendation Book **Eiffel Tower stairs tickets** if you are fit, have a flexible morning and want the cheapest guided way up. Choose the [stairs climb ticket](/tours/eiffel-tower-stairs-climb-tickets/) from EUR 32 per person, and add the summit only if the forecast is clear. If you want an easier day with reserved entry, take the [second floor and summit ticket with a guide](/tours/eiffel-tower-second-floor-summit-tickets/) instead. For a look at every option, visit the [Eiffel Tower tickets](/) homepage, and for costs by level, go back to the [Eiffel Tower ticket price](/eiffel-tower-ticket-price/) guide. If you want a lower effort route, read about [Eiffel Tower second floor tickets](/eiffel-tower-ticket-price/eiffel-tower-second-floor-tickets/). ## Frequently asked questions ### How many steps are there to the second floor? The listing states 704 steps to the second floor. Verify current details with the operator when you book. ### Can I climb to the summit? The stairs take you to the second floor. You add an elevator ride from there to reach the summit, if you choose that option and it is available. ### How big is the group? The tour is limited to small groups of 20 guests or fewer. ### Do stairs tickets include priority access? No. The ticket does not include pre-reserved or priority access, so you may wait for ticket collection and security in busy periods. ### Is the climb suitable for children? It is real physical effort, so I would not recommend it for small children or anyone with knee or heart concerns. Choose an elevator ticket instead.