Visiting the Eiffel Tower can be one of the greatest experiences for travelers. It is crowded and it's not cheap to get a ticket, but you can't get a better view of Paris. There is a reason why over 250 have made the long trek up to the 1,000 foot tall tower. Here are some tips to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.

Tickets

It's a good idea to book your tickets in advance. Waiting until you get to the Eiffel Tower to purchase them can mean that you are waiting at least 2 hours in line, in the hot sun. Be forewarned though that dates open up about three months in advance and usually sell out within a few hours. Ticket options include Lift entrance ticket with access to the summit, which means riding to the top of the tower on elevators. You can also choose to only ride to the second level or climbing the stairs-- you will need to ride the elevator to the top as that's the only way it's accessible. You may be tempted to try to save money on your ticket by just walking up the stairs as opposed to taking the elevator. However, you will be exhausted if you aren't physically fit. It really is worth paying the extra Euros as tickets prices only range from 11 to 17. Remember that in order to gain access to the Eiffel Tower, you will either need to print the barcode of the ticket and bring it with you or have it texted to your phone. Either way, you will need to scan the barcode before you are allowed to gain entry. Expect to spend anywhere from 90 minutes to 4 hours at the Eiffel Tower.

When To Go

One of the best times to go to the Eiffel tower is at sundown. The view is incredible as you can see the city lights. Believe or not, another good time to go is when it's raining out. The crowds tend to be less and visitors can get an interesting look of Paris in the rain. Just don't forget to bring your raincoat.

Dressing Properly

No matter what kind of ticket you have, you will be on your feet a long time and doing a lot of walking. It's imperative that you wear comfortable shoes. You should also wear shoes that have a back and they really should be sneakers with some sort of support. Unfortunately, just like in any other place, there may be some pickpockets. Leave your valuables at your hotel. If you bring a purse, keep it in front of you and hold onto it as much as possible. Don't put your phone, cash or credit cards in your back pocket, move them to your front pockets instead.

Pace Yourself

There is a lot to see at the Eiffel Tower. Don't just to rush through it as you will just find yourself feeling exhausted. Your best bet is to first ride the elevator as far up as you can (which is the second level) and then get in line to take the other elevator to the top. It is worth it to slowly use the steps to make your way back to the bottom so that you will have a lot of amazing sightseeing opportunities. Just don't rush it and don't be afraid to take breaks if you need too. You will have to take the elevator at the top of the tower, to the second level, but you can take the stairs the rest of the way down.