Cookies help us to deliver our services. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more.

How to Get to the Eiffel Tower

Do you want to fulfil your dream of climbing the Eiffel Tower and seeing Paris at your feet in all its splendour? I'll tell you how to get to the monument from wherever you are.

Isabel Catalán

Isabel Catalán

9 min read

How to Get to the Eiffel Tower

View of the Eiffel Tower, Paris | ©Jeevan Jose

The Eiffel Tower is located at 5 Avenue Anatole France on the esplanade of the Champ de Mars in the heart of Paris, the most iconic landmark of the city and possibly of the whole of France! So getting to know it is one of the essential things to do in the capital of France.

When organising your visit, as well as finding out how to get tickets for the Eiffel Tower and the price of tickets to the Eiffel Tower, you should also find out how to climb the Eiffel Tower and where to eat in the area around the Eiffel Tower.

And of course how to get to the Eiffel Tower. If you don't know what possibilities are within your reach, don't worry because this monument is very well connected by public transport and in this post I'll tell you how you can get there in no time at all.

1. Take a stroll and enjoy the views

Waiting to go up| ©gckwolfe
Waiting to go up| ©gckwolfe

If you are one of those people who love to walk and are not pressed for time, getting to the Eiffel Tower by strolling through the streets of Paris is the most enjoyable way to get there because there is always something new to see and admire along the way.

Although it may seem that the distances in Paris are too long and walking to the Eiffel Tower can be exhausting, it's really not that long.

The centre is full of interesting tourist attractions such as museums, parks, monuments or shops that will keep you entertained on the way to the Eiffel Tower and make the time fly by, and getting to the Eiffel Tower on foot is great fun because it's an extraordinary opportunity to explore new routes in Paris and discover new sights.

Taking a walk is also the cheapest way to get to the Eiffel Tower because it won't cost you anything. In case you're travelling to the city on a tight budget, it will help you save a little money, which is always a good thing.

So if you fancy a stroll to the Eiffel Tower because you're keen on walking and sightseeing, here's how far this Parisian icon is from other nearby attractions in the city so you can gauge how much time you'll need.

Walking distances from popular sites in the city

  • Champ de Mars: it will take you about 7 minutes to get there.
  • Musée du Quai Branly: it will take you about 8 minutes to get there.
  • Paris Sewerage Museum: it will take you about 15 minutes to get there.
  • Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris: it will take you about 17 minutes to get there.
  • Musée Guimet: it will take you about 21 minutes to get there on foot.

Buy tickets for the Eiffel Tower

2. By metro, to arrive quickly and on time

Metro in Paris| ©FranceHouse
Metro in Paris| ©FranceHouse

In case you prefer to skip the walk through the centre, either because you need to give your legs a rest after all that walking or because you are very short of time and want to get to the Eiffel Tower as quickly as possible, I recommend you to take the Paris Metro to get there on time.

The main metro lines that go to the Eiffel Tower are:

  • Trocadéro station, line 9. A 14-minute walk away.
  • Bir-Hakeim station, line 6. 10 minutes on foot.
  • Ecole Militaire station, line 8. 15 minutes on foot.

How much does a metro ticket cost in Paris?

To get to the Eiffel Tower by metro you can buy a single ticket for €1.90 or more. However, if you have a Paris Pass on your holiday you can use the city's public transport network (bus, RER, metro or the Montmartre tram) for free within zones 1-3. The Eiffel Tower is located in Zone 1.

During your stay in Paris you will probably be using this means of transport quite a lot, so to get an in-depth understanding of how the Paris metro works, I recommend you read the post How to use the Paris metro.

Buy tickets for the Eiffel Tower

3. By city bus, comfortable and cheap

Paris City Bus Line 82| ©Les Chatfield
Paris City Bus Line 82| ©Les Chatfield

Another convenient and quick way to get to the Eiffel Tower is to take the city bus, which has a wide network and good connections to different parts of the capital.

If you want to take advantage of the journey to enjoy the beautiful urban landscape of the city of Paris, it is a fantastic option to get to know new neighbourhoods and streets. It's also practical and economical, perfect for tourists travelling in low-cost mode, with a single ticket starting from €1.90.

The main bus lines that go to the Eiffel Tower are:

  • Eiffel Tower Station (Quai Jacques Chirac), lines 82 and 30. A 4-minute walk away.
  • Eiffel Tower station (Av. de la Bourdonnais), line 42. 5 minutes on foot.
  • Champs de Mars station (Av. Joseph Boubard). 6 minutes on foot.
  • Eiffel Tower station (Av. de New York), line 72. 15 minutes on foot.

4. By RER, the fast commuter train

Paris RER| ©Rob Dammers
Paris RER| ©Rob Dammers

The Paris RER (Réseau Express Régional) is a suburban train network connecting the outskirts of the city with the city centre.

Many Parisians use it in combination with the metro for their journeys because the ticket serves both modes of transport and the two overlap at numerous stations along the route. However, the RER can sometimes move even faster as it does not stop at as many stations.

There are 5 RER lines that operate in the city centre like any other metro line. To get to the Eiffel Tower on the RER, line C is the one to take(Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel station). It's a 7-minute walk to the iconic monument.

5. Riding the shared bikes

Vélib public bikes| ©I, Rcsmit
Vélib public bikes| ©I, Rcsmit

To get around the French capital, one of the most popular forms of transport for Parisians are the Vélib' public bicycles, which you'll find scattered along many streets.

If you like pedalling, renting one of these bikes to get to the Eiffel Tower is a great option. Not only will you be able to discover the city and see the charm of Paris from a different perspective, but you'll also be helping the environment.

The Vélib' stations closest to the Eiffel Tower are as follows:

  • Station 2 Av. Octave Gréard. 1 minute walk away.
  • Station 2 Quai Branly. 4 minutes on foot.
  • Station 43 Avenue Rapp. 2 minutes on foot.
  • Station 36 Avenue de Suffren. 5 minutes on foot.

How do I use the Vélib' bike-sharing service in Paris?

Vélib' is a self-service bicycle rental system that everyone can access during their stay in the city. They can be rented 7 days a week and 24 hours a day and there are several options available.

If you are spending a short time in Paris, you can choose between different types of temporary passes: from the most basic Ticket-V (45 minutes for around €3), the 24-hour pass in Paris (for around €5 or €10 depending on whether the bike is electric or mechanical) or the 3-day pass in Paris (for around €20). However, there are also passes available if you plan to spend a longer stay in Paris in the city.

You can find out more about this system on the Vélib' website. I recommend you take a look at it because it is very simple and intuitive.

Is it safe to ride a bike in Paris?

Yes, don't worry. Parisians love to cycle from one side of the city to the other and the network of cycle paths is quite extensive and safe.

However, when riding a bike in the city, it's always a good idea to pay close attention to what's going on around you and respect the rules of the road. By doing so, you shouldn't have any problems.

6. By tourist bus for a ride up to the Eiffel Tower

Paris sightseeing bus| ©Tilemahos Efthimiadis
Paris sightseeing bus| ©Tilemahos Efthimiadis

If you are planning to visit Paris soon and you have bought a ticket for the tourist bus to take you on a tour of the city showing you all its wonders, you should know that you can also use the tourist bus ticket to get to the Eiffel Tower. Super practical!

There are several tourist bus companies that offer this service in Paris, and all of them have a stop at the Eiffel Tower, so taking the tourist bus to get there is a fantastic alternative to the rest of the transportation in the city.

You'll be able to get to the Eiffel Tower while comfortably seated as if it was just another means of transport but enjoying the beautiful views of Paris and listening to the narration of the guide - it'll be a fun experience!

Both the Big Bus Classic and Night Route and the Blue Route of the Open Tour bus include the Eiffel Tower as a stop on their routes around Paris. I recommend you to read the post The Best Sightseeing Buses in Paris if you would like to get more detailed information about this popular service.

7. By batobus, get to the Eiffel Tower on the water

BatoBus| ©Andy Blackledge
BatoBus| ©Andy Blackledge

Batobus are the tourist boats that travel along the Seine River. This option is perfect for getting to the Eiffel Tower because it will allow you to get to the monument and at the same time take a short trip along the Seine that will give you a different view of the city for less money than a traditional cruise along the Seine.

The price of the Batobus varies depending on the number of days you choose for your pass. You can get a 24-hour pass from €17 and a 48-hour pass from €19.

From the batobus stop at the Eiffel Tower pier, it's only a 4-minute walk to the entrance to the monument.

8. Bonus track! How to get to the Eiffel Tower from Disneyland Paris?

Car ride| ©Alexandr Podvalny
Car ride| ©Alexandr Podvalny

If you are staying at the Disneyland Paris hotels or you have gone to visit the theme park in the morning but you want to end the day in style by contemplating the beauty of the Eiffel Tower at night or having dinner in the surroundings of the Eiffel Tower, take note because you have several options to get to the icon of the French capital.

By suburban train from Disneyland Paris

Go to the Chessy-Marne la Vallée train station next to Disneyland Paris and take the RER line A there.

Trains run every 10 to 15 minutes and the journey time is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

There are several stations near the Eiffel Tower where you can get off the train, but the views from the Place du Trocadéro will amaze you. That's why I advise you to get off there, but first you'll have to get off at Charles de Gaulle - Étoile and transfer to line 6 in the direction of Nation. A few minutes later you'll arrive at Trocadero.

By car from Disneyland Paris

If you have travelled by car to Disneyland Paris and you also want to use it to drive around the French capital and get to the Eiffel Tower, the distance between the two points is about 50 kilometres on the A4 motorway. It will take you about 50 minutes depending on Parisian traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

Once there, there are car parks around the Eiffel Tower where you can park your car while you visit. Here are some of them:

By taxi from Disneyland Paris

Although most tourists usually take the RER train to get to the Eiffel Tower from Disneyland Paris, another option that can also get you there and that we can't rule out is to take a taxi to do this route.

It is true that it is not a very economical transport but it is one of the most comfortable, so if budget is not a problem, it can be a possibility. All you have to do is book your taxi and tell it that you want to go to the Eiffel Tower. From €90 you can get a transfer in about 50 minutes.