Incredible difficulty: buying tickets for the Eiffel Tower

Nothing is more thorny than purchasing tickets for the most visited monument in France! In this article, we provide tips for alternatives if you can't buy your ticket for the Eiffel Tower.

In French, we would say that buying tickets for the Eiffel Tower is a true parcours du combattant, meaning a tough obstacle course meant for military training.

Why? Should we file the question under 'incompetence'? Could it simply be a (disrespectful to the tourist) way to regulate access?

Tickets for the Eiffel Tower are sold exclusively through the official website or at the monument's ticket counters. Most of the time, online sales are closed or tickets are sold out. Is it a matter of quotas? We don't know. The important thing is to keep trying to buy from the website every day - several times a day - even if tickets for your desired date show as sold out.

The lines at the tower's ticket offices are long, and sales are only for immediate entry (but everyone can go up, even if it's just to the 2nd floor). That Brazilian connector's trick won't work here. To visit the Eiffel Tower, the only solution is to endure the struggle!

If you've tried to buy tickets for the Eiffel Tower on the monument's official site and were unsuccessful, see below for some alternatives:

On the Get Your Guide site, you can find several options:

• tickets to the top of the tower - 3rd floor (elevator)

• tickets to the 2nd floor of the tower (elevator)

• tickets to the 2nd floor of the tower via stairs

NEW! Travel back in time and discover all the mysteries and details of the Eiffel Tower's construction and history.

The visit goes through all floors of the tower, where - in addition to enjoying the beautiful views of Paris and taking photos - you'll be captivated by various curiosities about the most famous French monument told by the guide. Click here for more information and to make your reservation.

There is a separate entrance and security check for those who have reservations at the restaurants in the Tower, which include:

• The Madame Brasserie, in brasserie style, is located on the 1st floor of the Tower. You will only have access to this floor.

• The upscale (and much more expensive) Jules Verne (read the article here) is located on the 2nd floor. In this case, you will also have access to the 1st floor of the Tower. The Jules Verne has a private elevator solely for its clients. Click here to view the menu and make a reservation at Jules Verne.

Click here to read more below about the Eiffel Tower's restaurants.

For example:

• Access to the Top of the Eiffel Tower or to the 2nd floor + City Tour + Seine River Cruise, click here for more information and to make your reservation.

• Access to the Top of the Eiffel Tower + Seine River Cruise + Louvre Museum ticket, click here for more information and to make your reservation.

By purchasing the museum and attractions pass Paris Passlib' in its CITY, EXPLORE, or PRESTIGE versions, you have the Eiffel Tower (only up to the 2nd floor) as an option to visit. The Paris Passlib' can be purchased on the official site of the Office du Tourisme (click here).

In fact, you will have to face 2 lines: the 1st is for passing through security and entering the fenced area under the Tower, and the 2nd line is for the ticket office.

The tickets sold at the Tower's ticket office are for immediate use, meaning you cannot purchase for another day. Both lines can take minutes or hours depending on the time of year.

• Eiffel Tower in Paris: how to go up, tickets, restaurants

• Step-by-step guide for purchasing tickets to the Eiffel Tower

• 5 secrets of the construction of the Eiffel Tower

• Eiffel Tower: the infographic

• Hotels near the Eiffel Tower

• Gifts on purchases over 50 euros made at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, click here for more information and to download the vouchers.

• €10 discount for every €150 spent at Fragrance de l'Opéra - click here for all details and to download the voucher.

• 10% discount on purchases made at Carré Opéra Pharmacy - click here for all details and to download the voucher.

• 10% discount + 1 bottle of wine + breakfast - use the code paris-story.com when making your reservation on the hotel site, click here to access.

• 5% discount when contracting your Travel Insurance using the code paris-story.com. Click here to learn more.