When planning your visit to Eiffel Tower, there is one important question that needs your attention.
How Long Does Eiffel Tower Tour Take?
Well, the answer to this question depends on a few important factors.
If you’re planning a visit to the Eiffel Tower, you must consider these factors before you decide how much time you’ll need to explore it fully.
Listed below are the factors that will affect your tour duration at Eiffel Tower.
1. Levels you choose to explore
The Eiffel Tower has 3 floors, the first floor, the second floor, and the third and topmost floor of the tower, usually known as The Summit.
One important factor you need to consider before you decide on your tour time is – Which floor of the Tower you want to visit. Is it the first floor, the second floor, or all of them?
One crucial thing you should know right now is the ascending sequence of the Eiffel Tower.
Following the Eiffel Tower’s climbing sequence, you can’t just ascend the Tower’s first floor directly.
The Elevators will take you directly to the second floor, then to the top floor (if selected), and then on your way back, you can visit the first floor.
If you have the stairs tickets, you can visit the Eiffel Tower in order – starting from Esplanade to the first floor, then the second floor, and finally, The Summit.
The Stairs to the top floor of the Eiffel Tower, The Summit, are not accessible right now.
So if you have an Elevator Ticket and wish to visit the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, you will need at least 1.5 hours, as the trip includes the second floor.
However, if you have staircase access, you can visit the Eiffel Tower’s first floor in 30-45 minutes.
However, if you wish to visit the second floor of the Tower, it will take at least 1.5 hours with an elevator and around 2.5 hours on the stairs.
For visiting the top floor, The Summit, you would need at least 3 hours.
| Eiffel Tower Floor | Transportation | Tour Duration |
|---|---|---|
First Floor | By Stairs | 30-45 Minutes (approx.) |
| By Elevator | 1.5 Hours (approx.) | |
Second Floor | By Stairs | 2.5 Hours (approx.) |
| By Elevator | 1.5 Hours (approx.) | |
Top Floor (Summit) | By Stairs | – |
| By Elevator | 3 Hours (approx.) |
2. How you wish to Ascend – Stairs or Escalators
One of the most important factors determining your Eiffel Tower tour time is how you plan to ascend and descend the Eiffel Tower.
As we know, the Eiffel Tower has three floors.
There are stairs and elevator options available to ascend and descend these floors.
There are 1665 steps from the Esplanade (the Ground area of the Eiffel Tower) to the top floor of the Tower.
So, if you are willing to take the stairs, you will need at least 3 hours to reach the top and enjoy the unparalleled views of the Paris Skyline.
However, if you take the elevator, you can explore the whole tower in just 2 hours.
| Transportation | Tour Duration |
|---|---|
| Stairs | 3 hours (approx.) |
| Elevator | 2 Hours (approx.) |
3. Time of the Day
The next important factor that would affect your tour timings at Eiffel Tower is “what time of the day you visit the Eiffel Tower.”
Eiffel Tower’s opening hours stretch from 9 am to 12.45 am late at night.
You can choose whatever time slot you think suits you best.
However, it’s important to know that the Eiffel Tower gets quite crowded during the peak hours of the day.
The peak hours of the Eiffel Tower start from 11 am and last till 5 pm.
Visiting the attraction during peak hours will add at least 1 hour to your tour duration, making it around 3.5 hours.
So, if you want your tour to be small and in a less crowded environment, consider avoiding the peak hours of the day.
| Time of the Day | Tour Duration |
|---|---|
| Non-Peak Hours | 2 – 2.5 Hours (approx.) |
| Peak Hours | At least 3 Hours |
Conclusion – How Long Does Eiffel Tower Tour Take
Overall, the answer to the question, “How long does it take to tour the Eiffel Tower” depends entirely on your preferences and schedule.
If you want to explore everything Eiffel Tower has to offer, we recommend you plan your tour for at least 3 hours.
The views from every floor of this marvelous monument make every minute worth it. So take your time and enjoy your Eiffel Tower Tour.
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