Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Tours – Don't Waste Time Standing In Line

We don't like to waste our precious time in Paris standing in line. That's why we book skip-the-line tours whenever we can. The Eiffel Tower is the most visited monument in the world, with some of the longest lineups — something over 9 million people a year go up the tower. Instead of spending hours in a queue, it's way better to sign up for a skip-the-line tour. But, be sure to book your tour before you leave home, since they sell out fast.

There's nothing like the feeling of breezing past those long lines as your guide walks you to the priority acces queue. We particularly like tours that take us right to the very top, for an unparalleled view of the City of Light.

1. Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Lines Tours

See what we mean by looong lines? Instead of standing in it, imagine meeting your guide at the base of the tower, walking right past the long line, and catching the elevator up the Eiffel Tower. There you have plenty of time to take great photos of the breathtaking cityscapes from this vantage point.

At the end of the guided part of the tour you'll be on Level Two. On tours that include summit access your guide will hand you a ticket to the other elevator that takes you to the top of the tower, Level Three. On tours that don't indicate summit access you can sometimes buy a ticket at Level Two to get to the top — although for many people getting to Level Two is all they want.

Once at the summit you can spend as much time on Level Three as you like. Take in the view and admire your new favorite city while sipping on a glass of champagne. That's right, there's a champagne bar at the top of the Eiffel Tower! Is it any wonder we love Paris?

With the Eiffel Tower being so popular, skip-the-line tours tend to sell out. So, we'll give you links to a few of the top tours, but if they don't offer a tour on your date, then check the Big List of Eiffel Tower tours. Another thing to keep in mind is that the Eiffel Tower only makes tickets and passes available three months in advance. So you many have to wait until March 1 (for instance) to book a skip-the-line tour for June 1. These have been visitors' favorite tours —

2. Eiffel Tower Illuminations Tour

You may like this nighttime illuminations tour even better. Here's how it goes —

• Step 1: meet your guide at the base of the Eiffel Tower at dusk, as the sun is setting.
• Step 2: with your priority tickets you skip the line as your guide takes you to the first level while telling you Insider stories about the 130-year-old tower.
• Step 3: take in the magnificent view of the lights of Paris from the second level.
• The final stage takes you to the tippy-top where you have time to explore on your own and marvel at The City Of Light spread out beneath you.

3. Visit the Tower & Cruise the Seine

This skip-the-line option is called "Paris Super Saver" since it provides you with the same tour of the Eiffel Tower, and also adds a river cruise — all at a reduced cost.

Meet your guide at the base of the tower, skip the lines, and spend an hour and a half exploring the first two levels. Then use your included ticket to go up to the very tippy-top for as long as you like. Whenever you're ready, descend the tower and stroll over to the nearby banks of the Seine to hop aboard a bateaux for a one-hour cruise on the most romantic city in the world.

4. Even Better! VIP Tour + Champagne Cruise

Out of all the activities we've done that include the Eiffel Tower, this is one of our favorites. Imagine yourself at sunset, on a Seine River cruise, sitting in reserved seats at the front of the bateaux, sipping champagne, watching the magical lights of Paris glide by.

Then you disembark near the foot of the Eiffel Tower for a guided, skip-the-line VIP tour of the first two levels. Your guide leads you directly to the priority access and up the elevator. Finish the evening viewing the lights of Paris for as long as you like. Man, it was worth it!

Outstanding way to finish our time in Paris, on a beautiful evening on the deck of a lovely ship sipping champaign as we floated past all the illuminated sights on the Seine! Enjoyed our amazing guide and the tour of the Eiffel Tower as well."
– Another 5-Star Review

Eiffel Tower – How To Get There

Boat, bus, bike or Metro — there are many ways to get to the Eiffel Tower. Here are a few Metro tips:

• Metro: Bir-Hakeim. This line runs above ground so you get another view of the tower as you cross the Seine.
• Metro: Alma-Marceau. You arrive on the Right Bank next to Princess Diana's de facto memorial flame and cross the Seine on the Pont d'Alma. It's a short but breathtaking stroll along the Seine to the Tour Eiffel — especially at night when the tower is lit up.
• Metro: Trocadero. Arrive across the river at the Trocadero plaza where you get the best view of the Eiffel Tower. Then cross the bridge and you're there.

The Eiffel Tower Arrondissement

Nothing beats the 7th Arrondissement of Paris for human scale, for walkability, for markets, and for great restaurants. It's the quartier the Eiffel Tower calls home — a pleasant family neighborhood with kids in strollers and playing in parks in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. So, before or after your visit to the Gustave's creation, take some time to wander through this delightful quartier.

Rue Cler, found in the 7th, is a food lover's paradise — a pedestrian street filled with delicacies only found in France. One of France's most famous chefs, Christian Constant, has a virtual restaurant empire along Rue St Dominique, with Les Cocottes, fresh food simply cooked; the bistro-style Café Constant; and Le Violon d'Ingres, Michelin one-star with fabulous food. Pop into one of Chef Christian's restaurants and you may well find us dining there.

After sunset, the Eiffel Tower is bathed in golden light. And every hour on the hour a light show ignites on the tower.