{"id":19774,"date":"2015-04-10T07:53:45","date_gmt":"2015-04-10T06:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.france-hotel-guide.com\/en\/blog\/?p=19774"},"modified":"2026-07-15T17:44:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T16:44:15","slug":"eiffel-tower-stairs-or-lift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.france-hotel-guide.com\/en\/blog\/eiffel-tower-stairs-or-lift\/","title":{"rendered":"Eiffel Tower: Stairs or Lift? (My Take to Help You Decide)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every visitor to the Eiffel Tower faces the same decision before they even reach the ticket counter: 674 steps, or a couple of minutes in an elevator? It sounds simple, but it touches real concerns, fear of heights, claustrophobia, fitness, and it changes the whole experience of the Iron Lady<\/i>. Here’s my honest take on which one is right for you.<\/p>\n

If you’re more concerned about which floor of the Eiffel Tower to explore<\/a> (1st, 2nd, or summit) instead, click the link for my advice.<\/p>\n

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In Summary<\/h2>\n

Whether on foot or in an elevator, ascending the Eiffel Tower is a unique experience.<\/p>\n

Going up the tower one step at a time takes between 30 and 40 minutes to climb the 674 steps to the second floor, 380 feet (116 meters) up. The elevator gets you there in a few minutes, at a higher price.<\/p>\n

Each level offers a different experience: interactive exhibits on the first floor, shops and a panoramic view on the second, and a spectacular 360\u00b0 vista at the top, 906 feet (276 meters) up.<\/p>\n

Which one is right for you depends on your fitness, your budget, and how much time you have. I break down both options in detail below, with my final verdict at the end.<\/p>\n

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Going up the Eiffel Tower on Foot<\/h2>\n

Going up the tower on foot is a unique experience with pros and cons<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\"Eiffel
Eiffel Tower Stairs. Credits: Guilhem Vellut<\/a> from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0<\/a>, by Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Pros<\/h3>\n