Attendance and waiting times at the Eiffel Tower

When is the best time to visit the Eiffel Tower? The peak hours and waiting times are different each day at the Eiffel Tower and based on several factors. However, this page provides all of the general information that can help you to select the most appropriate moment to visit the Eiffel Tower, based on your schedule.

Attendance per month / day ?

Attendance throughout the year 

January February March April May June
Low Low Medium Medium Medium High

 

July August September October November December
Maximum Maximum Medium Low Low Medium

Attendance throughout the day

9 AM -11 AM 11 AM - 5 PM 5 PM - 8 PM 8 PM - 10:30 PM
High
(Maximum during peak season)		 High
(Maximum during peak season)		 Medium
(Maximum during peak season)		 Low
(High during peak season)

The busiest period at the Eiffel Tower is between the end of June and the beginning of September. This is the so-called peak season, when the attendance peaks.  
In certain periods, attendance may be higher due to school vacation in Europe. During these periods, the lines may be longer (at the garden entrances, cash registers and elevators). The main school vacation periods for 2026 are below.

Please note: In 2026, the Eiffel Tower will be closed to the public on July 13.

  • From July 4 to August 31, 2026
  • From October 17, 2026 to November 2, 2026
  • From December 19, 2026, to January 4, 2027 

On some holidays that can turn into a long weekend, attendance may be higher:

  • From May 8 to 10, 2026
  • From May 14 to 17, 2026
  • From May 23 to 25, 2026
  • From July 11 to 14, 2026
  • From November 7 to 11, 2026
  • Thanksgiving : November 26 to 29, 2026
  • Immaculate Conception : From December 6 to 8, 2026

Attendance over the course of the day depends on the period of the year, weather conditions, as well as the day of the week. In general, to feel more comfortable, it's best to visit at the end of the day after 5 PM, or even in the evening. More information is available on our FAQ. 

Attendance throughout the week

Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days of the week. When it is not peak season, school vacation or a public holiday, attendance is usually lowest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Eiffel Tower is open on Tuesdays, unlike museums in Paris.

Good to know: If you can’t find tickets available online, you can always purchase them on-site at the monument’s ticket office for an immediate visit.

How can you avoid the lines at the Eiffel Tower?

  • Since buying tickets at the ticket window can result in additional wait times, we recommend purchasing them online in advance. Buy your tickets in advance through the Eiffel Tower’s official ticketing site: these time-stamped tickets will allow you to skip the lines at the monument’s ticket windows. Especially if you plan to go all the way to the top, these tickets guarantee you access to the summit regardless of how crowded it is that day. If you buy tickets on-site, sales of summit tickets may be suspended if the number of visitors at the top reaches capacity. Eiffel Tower elevator e-tickets go on sale 60 days in advance (30 days for 2nd-floor staircase e-tickets), and same-day availability may be available for the current time slot. Keep this in mind and check availability regularly!
  • If you haven’t found any available tickets online, you can always purchase them on-site at the monument’s ticket counters. To minimize wait times at the ticket counters: 
    • avoid the busy periods described above: weekends, holidays, French school vacation periods, etc.
    • choose the right time of day to visit the Tower: in the morning as soon as it opens and in the evening. As the Tower closes late.
    • If you’re feeling up to it, buy your ticket at the staircase ticket counters—they’re often less crowded. You can also opt for a discounted option available at the ticket counters: the “Summit via Stairs Then Elevator” ticket.

What can you expect at the Eiffel Tower?

The entrances of the Eiffel Tower are located in the side gardens—the east entrance and south entrance. The first security checkpoint is there. If you have purchased your ticket in advance, it is preferable to arrive at this entrance 15 to 20 minutes prior to the time indicated on your ticket. 
Visitors without tickets must pass by the cash registers on the square. This is where visitors may wait the longest. The cash registers are in the east and/or west pillars. You can purchase tickets to go up immediately. The waiting time is indicated on site. To avoid this line, consider purchasing online.

If you use the elevators, you may need to wait a bit, as this involves a 2nd security checkpoint.

For visitors who have tickets to go up to the top and who would like to take the elevator to the top, on the 2nd floor, it may be some time before an elevator becomes available.