Eiffel Tower Transport Guide: Best Metro Stations, Exits and Routes
Eiffel Tower Transport Guide: Best Metro Stations, Exits and Routes
Heading to the Eiffel Tower?
Four different Metro and RER stations serve the Eiffel Tower, and the one you pick shapes your arrival: some deliver you to the entrance in minutes, others reward you with the most famous view in Paris before you even reach the tower. This guide compares every option so you can pick the right station, the right exit, and the right route for your visit.
👉 Compare Eiffel Tower Tickets
Quick answer: Bir-Hakeim on Metro Line 6 gets you to the entrance fastest. Trocadéro on Lines 6 and 9 gives you the postcard view first. Read on for the full comparison.
Where Exactly Is the Eiffel Tower?
The tower stands on the Champ de Mars in the 7th arrondissement, on the Left Bank of the Seine. The full address is Champ de Mars, Av. Gustave Eiffel, 75007 Paris. Thanks to this riverside position in the heart of the city, nearly every part of Paris connects to it within 30 minutes by public transport.
The Four Stations Compared
| Station | Line | Exit to Use | Walk | Choose It If... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bir-Hakeim | Metro 6 | Quai de Grenelle | 8-10 min | Speed is your priority |
| Trocadéro | Metro 6 & 9 | Place du Trocadéro | 10-12 min | You want the iconic photo first |
| Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel | RER C | Main exit | 6-8 min | You're coming from Versailles or on the RER |
| École Militaire | Metro 8 | Av. de La Motte-Picquet | 15 min | You prefer a calmer approach through the park |
Station by Station: What to Expect
Bir-Hakeim (Line 6): the fast route
Take the Quai de Grenelle exit and follow Avenue de Suffren straight toward the tower. In under ten minutes you're at the entrance, which makes this the natural choice when you already hold timed Eiffel Tower tickets and don't want to risk your slot. Bonus: Line 6 runs above ground here, so the tower appears through the train windows just before your stop.
Trocadéro (Lines 6 & 9): the scenic route
Leave through the Place du Trocadéro exit and the full-height view of the Eiffel Tower opens up across the river the moment you step onto the esplanade. From there, descend through the Trocadéro gardens, cross Pont d'Iéna, and walk up to the entrance. It takes a few minutes longer than Bir-Hakeim, but first-time visitors rarely regret it.
Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel (RER C): the connection hub
This RER C stop puts you closest to the monument of all four stations. It's the smart pick if you're arriving from Versailles, Saint-Michel, or anywhere along the RER C corridor, since you avoid a Metro transfer entirely.
École Militaire (Line 8): the quiet approach
The longest walk of the four, but also the most relaxed: you cross the full length of the Champ de Mars with the tower growing larger ahead of you the entire way. Ideal for photos without the crowds that gather at Trocadéro.
Arriving by Bus
Bus lines 42, 69, and 82 all stop within a short walk of the tower. Buses move slower than the Metro but let you watch the city go by, a pleasant option if your hotel sits along one of these routes.
Arriving on Foot
From central Paris, walking can be the most memorable arrival of all. The approach over Pont d'IĂ©na frames the tower against the river, and the paths of the Champ de Mars offer photo stops the whole way. Many visitors pair the walk with a Seine River Cruise departing from the foot of the tower, turning the journey itself into part of the day. If you want both in one booking, the Eiffel Tower summit tickets with Seine River cruise combine them at a better price.
Taxi, Rideshare and Parking
Taxis and rideshare services can drop you near the entrance, but central Paris traffic makes timing unpredictable, so leave a generous buffer if you have a timed entry. If you drive, the closest paid garages are Parking Pullman Tour Eiffel at 18 Avenue de Suffren and Parking Quai Branly at 27 Quai Branly, with rates of roughly €3-€5 per hour. Free street parking around the tower is nearly nonexistent, which is why most visitors stick to public transport.
Good to Know Before You Set Off
- Security screening at the tower entrances adds time, so arrive 15-30 minutes before your ticket slot.
- Around sunset, Trocadéro and the Champ de Mars are at their busiest; the École Militaire approach stays noticeably calmer.
- Booking your Eiffel Tower entry tickets before you travel means your only task on arrival is finding the right station exit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nearest station to the Eiffel Tower?
Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel on RER C is technically the closest, while Bir-Hakeim on Metro Line 6 is the closest Metro station.
Should I get off at Trocadéro or Bir-Hakeim?
Trocadéro for the view and the photos, Bir-Hakeim for the shortest walk to the entrance. Many visitors do both: arrive via Trocadéro, leave via Bir-Hakeim.
Does the RER stop at the Eiffel Tower?
Yes, RER C stops at Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel, just a few minutes on foot from the monument. It's the most direct option from Versailles.
Can you park at the Eiffel Tower?
There is no visitor parking at the tower itself, but paid garages on Avenue de Suffren and Quai Branly are within walking distance.
Which bus goes to the Eiffel Tower?
Lines 42, 69, and 82 all serve stops within easy walking distance of the tower.
Conclusion
Reaching the Eiffel Tower is simple once you match the station to your plans: Bir-Hakeim when time matters, Trocadéro when the view comes first, RER C when you're connecting from further out, and École Militaire when you'd rather stroll. Sort out your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance and the journey becomes the easy part.
👉 See All Eiffel Tower Entry Options
Continue Planning Your Eiffel Tower Visit
A little more reading can make your day at the tower even smoother.
Choose the Right Ticket
- Seen sites promising you can skip the queues? Read can you really skip the line at the Eiffel Tower? (2026 guide) before you book.
Getting to the Eiffel Tower
- Flying into Charles de Gaulle or Orly, or arriving by train? Follow our guide on how to reach the Eiffel Tower from airports and train stations.
Plan Your Visit
- Building your schedule? Find out how long an Eiffel Tower visit takes.
- Curious what other travelers think? Read what visitors always say after their visit.
- Want the story behind the monument? Explore the history of the Eiffel Tower and why it was built.
Complete Your Paris Day
- Hungry after the climb? Book a table through our Eiffel Tower restaurant experiences, including Madame Brasserie on the first floor.
- Adding world-class art to your day? Reserve your Louvre Museum tickets ahead of time.
- Prefer the Impressionists? The Musée d'Orsay entry ticket with digital audio guide pairs easily with your Eiffel Tower day, the museum sits right on the Seine.
Comments