A first timer’s guide to the Burj Khalifa

The sprawling desert city of Dubai hosts some of the best man-made architectural wonders and awe-inspiring experiences. From skydiving over the Palm Islands to ziplining over a sea of skyscrapers, Dubai is never short of innovative diversions to enthrall even the most stultified millionaire. Of all that Dubai has to offer, Burj Khalifa surely takes the spotlight and this guide will help you choose the best Burj Khalifa tickets.

Standing at a height of over 828 meters, nothing defines the skylines of Dubai like the Burj Khalifa. Crowned the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa hosts over 160 floors and offers visitors a once in a lifetime opportunity to get a panaromic view of the Persian Gulf from the highest outdoor observation deck (555 meters). The superstructure is a pandora’s box of cutting edge technology and engineering marvels.

Within Burj Khalifa are offices, residential units, ultra-luxurious restaurants, and stunning observation decks, constantly buzzing with locals and tourists alike. This is our comprehensive guide to visiting the top of the world -- the Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa - In a nutshell

Why is Burj Khalifa worth visiting?

• Sky-high views: From the tippy-top of Burj Khalifa, you get these jaw-dropping views of Dubai that are like something out of a movie. The city looks like a tiny Lego town, and the whole scene is just unreal.
• Dubai dazzle at night: When the sun decides to take a break, that's when the real magic happens. The city lights up like a disco ball, and you're there soaking it all in.
• A spaceship like elevator: Hold on to your hats, because the elevator ride is a thrill in itself. It zooms up faster than you think and suddenly, you're on top of the world.
• You're on top of the world (literally): There's something about being on the tallest building on the planet that makes you feel like a VIP. You can spot all those tiny people below, and for a moment, you're the king or queen of the city.
• Dizzying architecture: Even if you're not an architecture buff, Burj Khalifa will make you one. The way it stretches into the sky is mind-boggling, and you can't help but wonder, "How did they even build this thing?"

Recommended Burj Khalifa tickets

Burj Khalifa Ticket variations

To experience what the Burj Khalifa has to offer, you need to head to one of the superstructure’s observation decks. Burj Khalifa offers two observation decks - one on the 124th & 125th floor and another on the 148th floor. Depending on your Burj Khalifa ticket, you will get access to the 124th and 125th floors or the 148th floor (includes access to 124th and 125th floors). Know more about these here.

Your Burj Khalifa experience

Visiting the Upper & Lower Observation Decks

At the Top vs At the Top SKY

Your Burj Khalifa tickets let you choose between two observation decks - At the Top, which grants you access to the lower observation deck on the 124th and 125th floors, and the premium At the Top SKY tickets, which will take you to the higher observation deck on the 148th floor.

However, there is a major price difference between the two experiences: Burj Khalifa At the Top tickets cost as little as 149 AED, whereas At the Top SKY tickets are priced at 378 AED. The prices vary depending on your visiting hours. There is a special counter for visitors with an At the Top SKY reservation across the main ticket counter.

Highlights of Burj Khalifa

Best time to visit Burj Khalifa

The best time to hit up Burj Khalifa? Easy – sunset vibes are where it's at! Picture this: the sun's descending, painting the sky with shades of pink and orange. This is the exact moment that you want to be up there, witnessing the city below waking up to its night glam, as you're soaking in that breathtaking transition. Day or night, the views from Burj Khalifa are always a winner, but catching a sunset from way up high just makes everything sweeter. So, grab your ticket, time it right, and get ready for a view that'll have you saying, "Totally worth it!"

Prime hours vs non-prime hours

When selecting your time slot, you will either choose a prime time visit or a non-prime time visit. Entry during prime hours cost slightly more because these tickets correspond with Dubai’s sunset timings. The views you get from the observation decks are absolutely spectacular, as you get to see the city bathed in a beautiful amber hue. Just imagine watching the sun setting over the Persian Gulf from the highest man-made point in the world!

Burj Khalifa timings

• The Burj Khalifa observation decks and experiences are open from 8:30 AM to 11 PM every day.
• The building functions 24 hours a day since it consists of hotels, nightclubs and restaurants.

Getting there

• By Dubai Metro: Take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa Metro Station. From here, you can either walk or take the F13 bus and get off at the next stop, which is the Dubai Mall Bus Stop.
• From Abu Dhabi: Take the exit to Financial Centre Road (Doha) from 1st interchange. The approach road to The Dubai Mall will be on the right-hand side.
• By Bus: There are two buses that service The Dubai Mall every 16 minutes: Route 27 which picks up passengers from the Deira Gold Souk Bus Station and Route 29 from the Ghubaiba Station.
• By Taxi: You can also take a taxi to the Burj Khalifa; while it may be the fastest option, it is the least economical one. Meter fare starts from AED 1.6/kilometer. Waiting fare is AED 0.5/kilometer. Starting fee for regular taxis is AED 3 (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM) and AED 3.50 (10:00 PM to 6:00 AM). Starting fee for pre-booked taxis is AED 6 (day) and AED 7 (night).

Burj Khalifa - Tips, rules, and regulations

• The ‘At the Top’ ticketing counter is located on the lower ground floor of the Dubai Mall. If you have purchased your tickets online, simply display them on your smartphone at the will-call counter for a fast and easy pickup.
• You may cancel your tickets up to 48 hours prior to your date of booking for a full refund when you purchase your Burj Khalifa tickets online.
• Children under the age of 4 do not require a ticket. Children between the ages of 4-12 have a special child price. Anyone above the age of 12 will be charged the full amount.
• Large pieces of luggage are not allowed inside. However, you can check them in at the Secured Baggage Area located near the entrance.
• If you’re keen on watching the sunset, get a weekday ticket because weekends always attract a lot of people.
• If possible, visit Burj Khalifa on a foggy morning. When a thick layer of fog settles over the city of Dubai, it appears as though you are standing above the clouds.
• You can download the official app of the Burj Khalifa “At the Top” experience where you will find all the information you need.
• If you are travelling to Dubai during the busy months (October - March), be sure to make your reservation for the Burj Khalifa tickets at least 3-4 weeks in advance, online. Tickets sell out very quickly! Even if you are travelling during the off-season, it is recommended that you purchase your tickets online at least 2-3 days in advance. Aside from reserving your spot, purchasing Burj Khalifa tickets online will also save you the hassle of waiting in a potentially long line at the ticketing counter.
• Before you select your Burj Khalifa ticket date and time, be sure to check the weather forecast for the day you plan to visit. Bad weather like rain, haze and fog can drastically spoil the view from the top.
• Make sure you catch the fountain show that happens right under the Burj Khalifa. Fountain shows begins at 6PM and go on until 11PM, with shows starting every 30 minutes. You can catch the show from the observation decks - an absolutely magical vantage point. The view of the Dubai Fountain show from At The Top, Burj Khalifa’s is an event you shouldn’t miss. Feast your eyes on the intricately combined light and water effects, made even better with a projection of colors and music playing in the background.
• Make sure you arrive 15 minutes prior to your given admission time. This will give you time for a peaceful security check and other last minute hassles.Food & Drinks are not allowed atop, so make sure you don't have any on you.

Dubai Burj Khalifa facts that will surprise you

• Burj Khalifa Bin Zayed or Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and was opened in 2010 after almost 6 years of construction at the cost of $1.5 billion.
• Sheikh Khalifa, the ruler of the United Arab Emirates, granted monetary aid for the building to being built, hence resulting in the naming the building "Burj Khalifa."
• The building has 2,909 stairs from the ground floor to the 160th floor.
• Designed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merril, the architecture features a triple-lobed footprint, which is an abstraction of the desert flower Hymenocallis.
• Burj Khalifa boasts a dizzyingly height of 828 meters and has a total of 206 floors, with observation decks on the 124th, 25th, and 148th floors.
• The world’s tallest building is a multi-use development tower with a total floor area of 460,000 square meters, including residential, hotel, commercial, office, entertainment, shopping, leisure, and parking facilities.
• Apart from holding the world record for the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa holds six other world records - the tallest freestanding structure in the world, the highest number of stories in the world, the highest occupied floor in the world, the highest outdoor observation deck in the world, the elevator with longest travel distance in the world, and the tallest service elevator in the world.

Restaurants at Burj Khalifa

Dining at the Burj Khalifa is an experience that you should never miss. Gazing at the view of the Dubai Fountains and the Burj Park while dining at some of Dubai’s best restaurants during twilight is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The restaurants situated in the Burj Khalifa offer their guests the best service, vibrant ambiance and best-in-class delicacies. The chefs of each restaurant specialize in a variety of cuisines, however, each restaurant has its own niche set of delectable cuisines, ranging from Mediterranian and Italian to Indian and Arabic.

While there are quite a few restaurants to choose from, here are our top picks.

Attractions around Burj Khalifa

Apart from the Burj Khalifa, there are quite a few attractions on offer in Downtown Dubai, the city’s tourism hotspot. From the sprawling Dubai Fountains to the Dubai Opera, the complex plays host to a myriad of megastructures, restaurants and entertainment options.

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