In brief
Stairs to the second floor cost €14.80 and take 30 to 45 minutes; the elevator costs €23.50 and takes a couple of minutes. Stairs only reach the second floor — reaching the top always means finishing by elevator. The stairways aren’t open to visitors with reduced mobility.
- Stairs to the second floor: €14.80, about 30 to 45 minutes12.
- Elevator to the second floor: €23.50, a couple of minutes5.
- 674 steps in two stretches, 327 then 3472.
- The stairway above the second floor is closed, so the top is always finished by elevator2.
- Stairways are not open to visitors with reduced mobility2.
- The Tower advises against the stairs with very young children, babies, or anyone in poor health2.
- Stairs tickets are sold and used at Entry 1 (South), kept clear for the fastest queue2.
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This page compares the two ways up to the second floor on price, time and who each one suits, using only the Tower’s own figures. For the rest of the visit, including how the top is reached from the second floor, see the Eiffel Tower visitor guide.
The short answer
| If you are… | Do this |
|---|---|
| Looking for the cheapest ticket | Take the stairs to the second floor: €14.80 against €23.50 by elevator1 |
| Short on time or traveling with young children | Take the elevator — a couple of minutes against 30 to 4525 |
| A wheelchair user or have reduced mobility | Take the elevator. The stairways are closed to visitors with reduced mobility3 |
| Set on reaching the top | Either ticket works for the second floor, but the final stretch to the top is by elevator only, on foot ticket or not2 |
| Traveling with a baby or infant | Take the elevator. The Tower advises against the stairs with very young children or babies, and there’s nowhere to leave a stroller mid-climb2 |
| Want the fastest-moving queue | Stairs tickets are sold and used at Entry 1 (South), kept clear for stairs access2 |
Price
| Ticket | Adult | Student (12-24) | Child (4-11) | Disabled(1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stairs to the second floor | €14.80 | €7.40 | €3.80 | €3.80 |
| Elevator to the second floor | €23.50 | €11.80 | €6.00 | €6.00 |
| Stairs to the second floor + elevator to the top | €28.00 | €14.00 | €7.00 | €7.00 |
| Elevator to the top | €36.70 | €18.40 | €9.20 | €9.20 |
(1) Discounted rates need proof of age; the disability rate covers the cardholder plus one companion. Source:1.
Stairs are cheaper at every level: €8.70 less for the second floor, and €8.70 less again for a ticket that reaches the top via stairs-then-elevator compared with elevator all the way1.
Time
Climbing to the second floor by stairs takes about 30 to 45 minutes, “depending on how fit you are,” in the Tower’s own words. The elevator covers the same distance in a couple of minutes25. Put another way, the Tower’s general visiting-time guidance counts roughly 10 to 15 minutes per level for stairs climbers, against a couple of minutes by elevator5.
That time difference is really about the climb itself, not the rest of your visit — once you’re on the second floor, everything else (crossing to the top, browsing the floor, eating at a café) takes the same time no matter which way you arrived. If your ticket includes the top, budget the Tower’s full recommendation of about 2.5 hours rather than just the climb: that figure already accounts for a possible wait to change elevators at the second floor, on top of whichever route got you there5.
How many steps, and where stairs stop
The stairs cover exactly 674 steps to the second floor: 327 to the first floor, then 347 more to the second2. From there, the stairway that once continued to the top is closed to the public, so a stairs ticket to the top (the “stairs + elevator” option) means climbing those 674 steps and then switching to the Duolift elevator for the rest — there’s no way to walk the whole thing2. For the full step count, including the total from the ground to the top, see How Many Steps Does the Eiffel Tower Have?
Who should skip the stairs
The stairways are not open to visitors with reduced mobility, and the Tower’s planning guide is specific that this is a safety rule, not a suggestion3. Separately, the FAQ on climbing recommends avoiding the stairs “with very young children or babies,” and notes there’s no locker room or space to leave luggage partway up if a child needs to be carried instead2. Anyone in poor health is advised against the stairs as well2. For all of these groups, the elevator to the second floor is the only practical route up.
Where to buy and use each ticket
Stairs tickets are sold in, and used from, the South leg of the Tower — Entry 1 — which the Tower describes as keeping queueing times to a minimum since it’s used only by the “sportiest visitors.” In peak periods, a second leg may open for stairs access as well2. Elevator tickets use both public entrances, Entry 1 (South) and Entry 2 (East)4.
Tours worth considering
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Neither route up requires a tour — an official stairs or elevator ticket bought directly from the Tower is the cheapest option either way. A guided product is worth considering in specific cases:
- You want the climb itself explained, not just completed. A guided ascent on foot, with an optional summit finish by lift, suits visitors who want commentary on the way up rather than a self-guided climb. See the Eiffel Tower guided tour by stairs with optional summit by lift.
- You’ve ruled out the stairs and want the elevator route handled for you. A tour with lift access and an optional summit add-on suits visitors who know in advance they need the elevator. See the Eiffel Tower lift access tour with optional summit and Seine cruise.
Skip a paid product if you’re simply deciding between the two official routes up — a guided tour doesn’t change the price gap or the time gap described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does climbing the Eiffel Tower stairs take?
About 30 to 45 minutes to the second floor, depending on fitness2.
Is it cheaper to take the stairs at the Eiffel Tower?
Yes. Stairs to the second floor cost €14.80 for an adult, against €23.50 by elevator — a saving of €8.701.
Can you climb all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
No. The stairway above the second floor is closed to the public. Any ticket to the top finishes with the elevator2.
How many steps are there to the second floor?
674: 327 to the first floor, then 347 more to the second2.
Are the stairs open to everyone?
Which entrance do I use for the stairs?
Entry 1, on the South leg of the Tower, which is where stairs tickets are sold and used2.
Related Articles
Sources
- Ticket rates and opening times — Eiffel Tower, official website. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- How can you walk up the Eiffel Tower on foot? — Eiffel Tower FAQ, official website. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- Planning a smooth visit — Eiffel Tower, official website. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- Access map — Eiffel Tower, official website. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- How long does a visit take? — Eiffel Tower FAQ, official website. Accessed 2026-09-19.