How to Combine the Paris Museum Pass with the Eiffel Tower and a Seine Cruise
The Eiffel Tower and Seine cruises aren’t included in the pass, but they pair perfectly with it: use the pass for museums and monuments by day, then book the Eiffel Tower and a cruise separately for evenings. Slot the Eiffel Tower in near pass-covered sites like the Rodin Museum and Les Invalides for an efficient day. Here’s how to combine them seamlessly.
What the pass does and doesn’t cover
The pass covers 50+ museums and monuments — the Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, the Arc de Triomphe and more — but not the Eiffel Tower, Seine cruises or transport. So the plan is simple: lean on the pass for the cultural core, and book the Tower and cruise as separate, paid experiences around it.
Book the Eiffel Tower separately and early
Reserve Eiffel Tower tickets in advance on the official site, choosing a timed slot and whether you want the lift or stairs and how high to go. Slots sell out in peak season, so book early. Sunset is spectacular but popular; a daytime or late-evening slot can be calmer.
Pair the Tower with nearby pass sites
The Eiffel Tower sits close to several pass-covered sites, so build an efficient day around it: spend the morning at the Musée Rodin and Les Invalides with Napoleon’s Tomb (both included) and the Musée du Quai Branly nearby, then walk to the Tower for an afternoon or sunset slot. One area, pass sites and the icon together.
Slot the cruise into the evening
A Seine cruise is the perfect way to end a pass-packed day. Book an evening cruise separately and glide past the illuminated Louvre, Notre-Dame and the sparkling Eiffel Tower after your museums have closed. Because cruises run into the night, they don’t eat into your daytime pass hours at all.
A sample combined day
- Morning: Rodin Museum and Les Invalides on your pass.
- Early afternoon: the Musée du Quai Branly nearby (included).
- Late afternoon: the Eiffel Tower for sunset (booked separately).
- Evening: dinner, then a Seine cruise (booked separately).
Use the Arc de Triomphe for a pass-covered view
If you’d like a high view without paying extra, the Arc de Triomphe’s rooftop terrace is included in the pass and looks straight at the Eiffel Tower — a budget-savvy complement to the paid Tower climb. Some travellers do both: the Arc on the pass, the Tower separately, for two different perspectives.
Budget and book in the right order
Plan your spending and bookings together: buy the pass and reserve its free timed slots first, then book the Eiffel Tower for a specific evening, then the cruise. Lining them up in advance avoids clashes and ensures the uncovered extras fit neatly around your pass-covered days.
What it costs to add the extras
Budget the uncovered experiences alongside your pass: Eiffel Tower tickets vary by how high you go and whether you take the lift or stairs, and Seine cruises range from short sightseeing trips to dinner cruises. Neither is covered by the pass, so treat them as separate line items — but because they fill evenings and a sunset slot, they complement your pass-covered days rather than competing with them.
Buy your Paris Museum Pass and add the icons
For the museums and monuments, buy your Paris Museum Pass online in advance and book your free timed slots — then add the Eiffel Tower and a Seine cruise separately for your evenings. Secure your pass and combine Paris’s culture with its most iconic experiences.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Eiffel Tower and cruises in the pass?
No — both must be booked separately.
How do I combine them with the pass?
Use the pass by day for museums; book the Tower and a cruise for evenings.
Where does the Eiffel Tower fit?
Near pass sites like the Rodin Museum, Les Invalides and the Quai Branly.
When should I do the cruise?
In the evening, after museums close — it won’t use daytime pass hours.
Can I get a view with the pass?
Yes — the included Arc de Triomphe terrace faces the Eiffel Tower.
In what order should I book?
Pass and its slots first, then the Eiffel Tower, then the cruise.