Which slot of the day
With children under eight we almost always recommend the first morning slot. The queue is short, the deck is not crowded, and the light on the city is a clean, early side-light. By mid-afternoon the crowd thickens and the heat of the lift corridors on a summer day can be unpleasant for small readers. The one exception is a late-afternoon climb in winter — the queue at 15:30 in December is often very short, and sunset is at 17:00, so you can comfortably catch the magic hour without a late bedtime.
Tickets for children
- Under 4 — free of charge. No ticket needed.
- 4 – 11 — a reduced-price “child” ticket. Must be bought in advance at the same time as the adult tickets.
- 12 – 24 — a reduced-price “young adult” ticket, in most cases.
Prices and categories are set by SETE and change from time to time. Always check the current price list at toureiffel.paris.
Strollers and prams
Strollers are allowed throughout the first and second platforms. The summit lift is small but strollers are accepted; expect to collapse a bulky one for the ride. On the top deck, strollers can be kept open along the inner wall but not in the dense centre of the photo-taking area. If a stroller is heavy or unwieldy, the staff on the second platform can suggest where to leave it, but there is no formal stroller storage.
Snacks and water
There are a kiosk on the first platform and a small café on the second platform. On a summer visit, a water bottle in a backpack is cheaper and faster than queuing. Pastries and small snacks for restless children are a sensible investment before entering the queue.
Attention span
A standard climb visits all three levels and takes about ninety minutes end-to-end. For children under six, this is often the upper limit before interest flags. We find it best to skip either the first or the second platform and spend the saved time at the summit. The summit lift is a highlight in itself.
After the climb
Many families treat the Champ-de-Mars gardens below the tower as the second half of the visit. They are large, grassy, and open — children can run, kick a ball, and look up at the tower from directly below. We find this the single best way to turn a touristic climb into a half-day family outing.