How to Get to the Eiffel Tower: Metro, RER, Bus and Taxi

Quick Answer

Key facts at a glance

Walking times are approximate and based on the official Eiffel Tower access information.

Which station should you choose?

There is no single correct station for every traveller. The closest station is not automatically the best one. Choose by what matters most to you: a short walk, the best view, fewer stairs, or the easiest change of line.

Bir-Hakeim (Metro Line 6)

Bir-Hakeim is the closest Metro station, roughly a 10-minute walk to Entrance 1. You approach the tower along the Left Bank and over the Seine area, with a clear view as you get near. Choose Bir-Hakeim when you want the simplest, shortest arrival and you are already on or near Line 6. Avoid it when you are travelling with a wheelchair or heavy luggage: the station has stairs and is not step-free.

Trocadéro (Metro Line 9, also Line 6)

Trocadéro gives the best first view of the Eiffel Tower. You come up at Place du Trocadéro and see the whole tower straight ahead across the river. You then walk down through the Jardins du Trocadéro and cross Pont d'Iéna to reach the base — about 15 to 20 minutes on foot. Choose Trocadéro when the view and photos matter more than saving a few minutes. Avoid it when you have mobility limits or are carrying luggage, because the gardens include slopes and some steps.

École Militaire (Metro Line 8)

École Militaire sits south of the tower. From here you walk up the long lawns of the Champ de Mars with the tower growing in front of you — a calm, classic approach that is about a 15-minute walk. Choose École Militaire when you are on Line 8 or want the lawn approach from the south. Avoid it when you need the shortest possible walk.

Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel (RER C)

When it is running, this is the shortest rail walk of all — about 5 minutes to Entrance 1. It is most useful if you are already on the RER C corridor along the Left Bank. Important temporary situation: this station is closed from 15 July to 22 August 2026 for works, so it is not available right now. Until it reopens, treat Metro Line 6 to Bir-Hakeim as the practical replacement. The station is also not step-free even when open.

The shortest route is not necessarily the easiest because the closest stations (Bir-Hakeim and the RER stop) both involve stairs, while a slightly longer bus ride can avoid them entirely.

Getting there by Metro

Three Metro lines bring you within a short walk of the Eiffel Tower.

• Line 6 (Charles de Gaulle–Étoile ↔ Nation) serves Bir-Hakeim and Trocadéro.
• Line 9 serves Trocadéro.
• Line 8 serves École Militaire.

From Bir-Hakeim (Line 6): leave the station and head toward the river and the tower, which is visible ahead. It is a flat, straightforward walk of about 10 minutes, but expect stairs inside the station.

From Trocadéro (Line 9): follow signs for the Tour Eiffel / Jardins du Trocadéro exit. You arrive at the viewpoint terrace, then walk down through the gardens and across Pont d'Iéna.

From École Militaire (Line 8): walk north toward the Champ de Mars and continue up the lawns to the tower.

Most scenic Metro journey: Line 6. Between Passy and Bir-Hakeim the line runs above ground and crosses the Seine on the Pont de Bir-Hakeim, giving you a view of the tower from inside the train.

A note on stairs and lifts: most central Metro stations, including these three, are not step-free. Only Metro Line 14 is fully accessible with lifts. See the accessibility section below.

Getting there by RER

The RER is the regional express train. RER C is the line that normally serves the Eiffel Tower, at Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel, about a 5-minute walk from Entrance 1. RER C is most useful when you are coming from the Left-Bank Seine corridor (for example Musée d'Orsay or Invalides) or combining the tower with Versailles.

Current situation: Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel is closed for works from 15 July to 22 August 2026, and some RER C branches toward Versailles have replacement buses during this period. What to use instead: take Metro Line 6 to Bir-Hakeim. If you are coming from Versailles, use a Transilien train to Montparnasse and change to Line 6 (see the Versailles route below). After 22 August 2026, RER C service to Champ de Mars is expected to resume — but check the live journey planner, as summer works and events on this line change frequently.

Getting there by bus

Buses are slower than the Metro but avoid stairs and let you see the city at street level. The following lines stop within a short walk of the tower and are confirmed on the official Eiffel Tower access information:

• Lines 82, 30 and 42 — stops about 5 minutes from Entrance 2.
• Lines 69 and 86 — stop at the Champ de Mars, about 7 minutes from Entrance 1.
• Line 72 — runs along the Right Bank and drops you near Trocadéro, about a 15-minute walk, and is a scenic option from the Louvre direction.

Buses are less predictable than the Metro because they share the road and can be delayed by traffic, which is often heavy around the tower and along the river. On the plus side, all Paris buses are low-floor with ramps and wheelchair spaces, which makes them the most reliable option for anyone who cannot use station stairs. Remember that a bus needs a separate Bus–Tram ticket; a Metro ticket does not transfer to the bus.

Getting there by taxi or ride-hailing service

A taxi or ride-hailing car (such as Uber or Bolt) is useful when you have luggage, are travelling as a group, or arrive tired.

No, taxis cannot always stop directly beside the entrance. A permanent security perimeter surrounds the tower, and cars are usually dropped along Quai Branly or nearby streets, leaving a short walk to the entrance. During major events or heightened security, drop-off points can move further away.

Traffic is the main risk. The streets around the tower and along the Seine are often congested, so a car can be slower than the Metro at busy times. For luggage or limited mobility this is usually still worth it, and wheelchair-accessible taxis can be booked in advance through specialist services.

Official fixed fares apply from the airports (see the airport routes below): from CDG the regulated flat fare to the Left Bank — where the Eiffel Tower is — is €65; from Orly it is about €36. Inside the city, ordinary taxi rides are metered, not fixed. A river shuttle (Batobus) also stops at the tower and is a pleasant alternative if you are already near the Seine.

Routes from airports, stations and attractions

Journey times are realistic ranges. Waiting times, engineering works, events and traffic can all change them, so treat these as planning estimates and check live times before you leave.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Take the RER B toward Paris, change at Denfert-Rochereau onto Metro Line 6 (direction Charles de Gaulle–Étoile), and ride to Bir-Hakeim. One change; about 60–80 minutes in total, then a 10-minute walk. You need the Paris Region ↔ Airports ticket (€14), which covers the whole rail journey including the Metro transfer. Alternative: an official taxi from the rank outside the terminal, at the fixed €65 Left-Bank fare (up to four passengers, luggage included), 45–75 minutes depending on traffic.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower from Orly Airport

Take Metro Line 14 (direction Saint-Denis–Pleyel) from Aéroport d'Orly, change at Madeleine onto Metro Line 8 (direction Balard), and exit at École Militaire for a 15-minute walk. One change; about 45–60 minutes. Line 14 needs the €14 airport ticket. Line 14 is also fully step-free, which helps with luggage. Alternative: an official taxi at the fixed €36 Left-Bank fare, roughly 30–50 minutes.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower from Beauvais Airport (BVA)

Beauvais is about 85 km from Paris. Take the official Aérobus shuttle to Porte Maillot (about 1 h 15–1 h 30; roughly €17.90 booked online). At Porte Maillot take Metro Line 1 (direction Château de Vincennes) one stop to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, then Line 6 (direction Nation) to Bir-Hakeim. Allow around 2 hours door-to-door. The Metro leg needs an ordinary €2.55 ticket. Alternative: a pre-booked private transfer, given the distance and limited late-night options.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower from Gare du Nord

Take Metro Line 4 (direction Bagneux–Lucie Aubrac) to Montparnasse–Bienvenüe, then Line 6 (direction Charles de Gaulle–Étoile) to Bir-Hakeim. One change; about 30–40 minutes plus a 10-minute walk. Ordinary €2.55 ticket. Alternative: RER B or D to Châtelet, then Line 1 to Étoile and Line 6 — more changes, so the Metro route above is usually simpler.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower from Gare de Lyon

Take Metro Line 1 (direction La Défense) to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, then Line 6 (direction Nation) to Bir-Hakeim. One change; about 35 minutes plus the walk. Ordinary €2.55 ticket. Alternative: RER A to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, then Line 6.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower from Gare Montparnasse

This is the easiest of all: take Metro Line 6 (direction Charles de Gaulle–Étoile) directly to Bir-Hakeim. No change; about 15 minutes plus the walk. Ordinary €2.55 ticket.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower from the Louvre Museum

Take Metro Line 1 (direction La Défense) from Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, then Line 6 (direction Nation) to Bir-Hakeim. One change; about 25 minutes plus the walk. Alternative: the 72 bus along the Right Bank toward Trocadéro for a scenic surface ride, then walk down and across Pont d'Iéna.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower from the Arc de Triomphe

Charles de Gaulle–Étoile is a terminus of Line 6, so take Line 6 (direction Nation) straight to Bir-Hakeim — about 10 minutes, no change. Alternative: walk down Avenue Kléber to Trocadéro (about 10–12 minutes) for the classic view, then continue on foot to the tower.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower from Montmartre / Sacré-Cœur

From Anvers, take Metro Line 2 (direction Porte Dauphine) to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, then Line 6 (direction Nation) to Bir-Hakeim. One change; about 30–40 minutes plus the walk.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower from Disneyland Paris

Take RER A (direction Paris) from Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, then Line 6 (direction Nation) to Bir-Hakeim. One change; about 50–70 minutes plus the walk. Because Disneyland is inside the Île-de-France region (and not an airport), the ordinary €2.55 Metro-Train-RER ticket now covers the whole journey.

How to get to the Eiffel Tower from Versailles

The normal route is RER C to Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel, but with that station closed and RER C works on the Versailles branch, use the rail alternative: from Versailles-Chantiers, take a Transilien train (Line N or U) to Montparnasse, then Metro Line 6 (direction Charles de Gaulle–Étoile) to Bir-Hakeim. One change; about 45–60 minutes plus the walk. Ordinary €2.55 ticket. Check RER C status again once it reopens.

Tickets and payment

For any journey inside Paris and the wider region (airports excluded), you need the Metro-Train-RER ticket at €2.55. It is valid on the Metro, RER and Transilien trains across Île-de-France for up to 120 minutes, including connections within the rail network. Buses and trams use a separate Bus-Tram ticket at €2.05, and changing from a train to a bus means buying a second ticket.

Airport journeys need the Paris Region ↔ Airports ticket at €14 (reduced €7). This covers the rail trip to or from CDG or Orly, including Metro Line 14 to Orly and the RER B to CDG. A standard €2.55 ticket is not valid to or from the airports.

Paris no longer uses paper tickets or simple bank-card tap-in. Load your ticket onto a reusable Navigo Easy card (€2) bought from a station machine, or buy it on your phone through the Île-de-France Mobilités or Bonjour RATP app and tap the phone at the gate. Tap (validate) every time you enter, and keep your card or phone until you leave, as inspectors can check proof of travel. Children aged 4–9 travel at the reduced fare; under 4s travel free. If you expect five or more rides in a day, the day pass (€12.30) may be cheaper.

For full detail, see our separate guide to Paris Metro tickets.

Accessibility and travelling with children

Only Metro Line 14 is fully step-free with lifts at every station; the three stations nearest the Eiffel Tower (Bir-Hakeim, Trocadéro, École Militaire) all involve stairs. The RER C station is not step-free either. This is the single most important accessibility fact to plan around.

For wheelchair users and anyone who cannot manage stairs, the most reliable options are: - City buses, which are all low-floor with ramps and wheelchair spaces — the practical way to reach the tower without station stairs (lines 82, 30, 42, 69, 86). - Wheelchair-accessible taxis, bookable in advance, dropping near Quai Branly. - On the RER, staff can place a portable ramp to help you board, but this suits manual wheelchairs and needs planning.

With strollers and luggage, expect to carry them up and down steps at most stations; buses avoid this. When arriving from Orly, Line 14 is step-free and the easiest airport option for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

At the tower itself, lifts reach the 1st and 2nd levels; the summit is not wheelchair accessible. Never assume a Metro route is step-free unless it is on Line 14 — for every other line, plan a bus or taxi alternative.

Best approach for photographs and views

The direction you arrive from changes your first impression of the tower.

• From Trocadéro: the strongest first view. You emerge to a full, head-on panorama across the river, then descend through the gardens.
• Crossing Pont d'Iéna: the tower grows in front of you as you cross the bridge from the Trocadéro side — the classic straight-on approach.
• From Bir-Hakeim: a closer, quicker arrival with a good side-on view as you walk toward the base; less of a grand reveal, more convenience.
• Through the Champ de Mars (from École Militaire): the tower rises at the end of long lawns, good for wide shots with open space around it.

These are the standard, well-used viewpoints rather than secret spots. During major events, security zones can restrict access to the gardens, the bridge or parts of the Champ de Mars, so approaches may change on short notice.

Common mistakes

1. Relying on the RER station named "Tour Eiffel." Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel is closed until 22 August 2026; using Metro Line 6 to Bir-Hakeim is the current answer.
2. Assuming the nearest station gives the best view. Bir-Hakeim is closest, but Trocadéro gives the far better first view.
3. Following old RER C advice during the summer closure. Check live status before choosing RER C.
4. Using a standard ticket for the airport. Airport trains need the €14 ticket; a €2.55 ticket will not let you through.
5. Not validating, or expecting a bank-card tap. Paris needs a Navigo Easy card or phone ticket, tapped at every entry.
6. Assuming one ticket covers bus and train. Buses need a separate €2.05 ticket.
7. Underestimating the final walk. Most stations leave a 10–20 minute walk to the entrance.
8. Taking a taxi at peak congestion. Traffic near the tower and river can make a car slower than the Metro.
9. Expecting door-to-door drop-off. A security perimeter means cars stop near Quai Branly, not at the entrance.
10. Arriving at the wrong entrance for a timed ticket and losing time crossing to the correct side.
11. Not allowing for security screening before a timed slot; arrive with a margin.

Conclusion

The best way to get to the Eiffel Tower depends on who you are. First-time visitors who want the classic reveal should arrive at Trocadéro and walk across Pont d'Iéna. Anyone who just wants the simplest trip should take Line 6 to Bir-Hakeim. Travellers with luggage or from Orly are best served by step-free Line 14 (then a short onward hop), or a fixed-fare taxi. Wheelchair users and families with strollers should plan around buses, since the nearest stations have stairs. And while the RER C stop is usually the shortest walk, it is closed until 22 August 2026, so treat Bir-Hakeim as the default until it reopens — and check the live journey planner before you set off.