Climbing the Iron Lady
The Eiffel Tower stair-climbing experience takes you up 674 steps from the ground to the second floor — ascending inside the iron lattice structure that Gustave Eiffel’s engineers designed and built in just over two years (1887–1889). The climb is the most physically engaging way to experience the tower — you feel the iron vibrate beneath your feet, you watch the ground recede through the open metalwork of the staircase walls, and you arrive at the second floor with the understanding (physical, not merely intellectual) of what it means to ascend 115 metres on iron stairs built in the 19th century.
The Climb
The first floor (57 metres) is reached after approximately 328 steps — roughly the halfway point. The first floor provides a rest stop, a viewing platform, and (since the 2014 renovation) a glass floor section, exhibition spaces, and shops. The first floor is the least-visited level of the tower (most visitors take the lift directly to the second floor or the summit), and its relative calm provides a more contemplative experience than the busier upper levels.
The second floor (115 metres) is reached after an additional 346 steps from the first floor (674 total from the ground). The staircase between the first and second floors is steeper and narrower than the ground-to-first-floor section, and the effort increases as you ascend. The second floor provides the panoramic view, the glass floor, and the restaurant access described separately.
There are no stairs to the summit. The summit (276 metres) is accessible only by lift from the second floor. If you want the summit, you climb to the second floor and then take the lift — the “stairs + lift to summit” ticket is the combination.
Who Should Climb
The stair climb is suitable for visitors with moderate fitness — the stairs are regular, the staircase is well-maintained with handrails, and the climb is equivalent to approximately a 30–40 storey building. The pace is self-determined — you can stop at any landing, rest, photograph the views through the lattice, and continue when ready. Children aged approximately 6+ handle the climb well (the novelty of climbing inside the tower structure engages them more than the lift ride).
The climb is not suitable for: visitors with significant knee, hip, or cardiovascular conditions, visitors with severe vertigo (the staircase is open-sided with views through the ironwork to the ground), and visitors who cannot manage sustained stair-climbing for 30–45 minutes.
The stair ticket is cheaper than the lift ticket — approximately €10.70 (stairs to second floor) compared to €17.10 (lift to second floor) and €21.50 (stairs to second floor + lift to summit). The discount reflects the physical effort and the longer time to reach the viewing levels.
Practical Tips
The climb takes approximately 30–45 minutes at a moderate pace with stops. Fit climbers complete it in 15–20 minutes. The staircase is one-way (up) for the first section and can be crowded in peak season — the pace of the group ahead of you may determine your speed.
Bring water. The staircase is enclosed within the tower’s iron structure and the air circulation is limited — on warm days, the temperature in the staircase is higher than outside. Hydration reduces the effort.
The stair-climbing ticket has shorter queues than the lift ticket. The majority of visitors take the lift, and the stair entrance (at the south pillar) is typically less congested than the lift entrances. In peak season, the stair queue may be 10–20 minutes while the lift queue exceeds 60 minutes.
The descent is by stairs or by lift — you can climb up and take the lift down (or vice versa, but the lift-up/stairs-down combination is less common because the lift queue is the bottleneck). Most climbers descend by stairs, which takes approximately 15–20 minutes and is easier on the legs than the ascent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
To the second floor: 674 steps. To the summit: there are no stairs — the summit is accessible only by lift from the second floor. The commonly cited “1,665 steps to the top” refers to a total that includes service stairs not accessible to the public.
Is the stair climb worth it?
If you enjoy physical engagement with a building and you want to experience the tower’s iron structure intimately — yes. The climb provides a dimension the lift ride does not: the tactile, physical, inside-the-structure experience. If you simply want the view with minimal effort, the lift is the efficient choice.
Can children climb the stairs?
Children aged approximately 6+ can manage the climb with encouragement and rest stops. The staircase is safe (enclosed with handrails) and the novelty of climbing inside the tower structure engages children. Under-6s may find the 674 steps beyond their endurance.