Burj Khalifa has made it to multiple travel bucket lists and rightly so. It is the tallest building in the world at 828 meters (2,716.5 feet). To put things into perspective, it’s three times as tall as the Eiffel Tower and nearly twice as tall as the Empire State Building.

Designed by Adrian Smith to resemble a spider lily, Burj Khalifa is also the tallest free-standing structure and has the highest observation deck (at 555 meters) in the world. There are two observation decks: At The Top, situated on the 124th and 125th floors, and At The Top Sky on the 148th floor. When you visit, be prepared for a lot of walking due to the building's vast size. To easily find the entrance and navigate the building, refer to this blog post.

Burj Khalifa entrance from Dubai Mall

Burj Khalifa has one main entrance, through Dubai Mall. As you head to the Burj Khalifa elevator via the lower ground floor of the Dubai Mall, you will see two different elevator lines, one for those who have purchased At The Top Burj Khalifa tickets and the other for those who wish to explore other accessible levels, without tickets.

If you have purchased tickets for At The Top, proceed to the counter to scan your e-ticket and obtain a physical ticket. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time to allow for security checks. After passing through the queue, you will encounter a 3-D model of the Burj Khalifa, where you will learn about its construction history. Next, head to the lift, the interiors of which feature audio and visual effects, giving you the sensation of reaching for the stars!

1. At The Top entrance

The Burj Khalifa's elevator will whisk you to the 124th-floor observation deck, situated at a height of 452 meters, in just one minute. Level 124 consists of two sections: an open-air viewing deck and an indoor area with floor-to-ceiling glass, a cafe, and a gift shop. High-powered telescopes provide clear views of the city's landscape and feature monitors that help identify popular landmarks.

To reach level 125, take the wooden stairs to the observation deck called "Dubai – A Falcon's Eye View," which offers a stunning 360-degree panorama of the city. On this level, you have the option of clicking a green screen photo and enjoying a virtual reality game where the glass cracks underneath you. Quite literally an earth-shattering experience! Grab your Burj Khalifa At The Top tickets for a speedy entry.

2. At The Top Sky entrance

To feel like you’re on top of the world, go right up to the 148th floor - Burj Khalifa’s highest observation deck which can be accessed from Level 124. Level 148 is located at a whopping 555 meters above the ground; as you can imagine, the view is simply sensational. Not only is the view spectacular, but Level 148 is generally less frequented by visitors. So, if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and just bask in the glorious sunlight, get a Burj Khalifa At The Top Sky ticket. It also offers a luxurious experience to visitors, with a personalized tour, luxury lounge and an interactive experience where you are surrounded by a life-size motion-sensing screen that allows you to explore different corners of the Emirate.

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Fancy yourself a guided tour to the Burj Khalifa? Check out our helpful guide and avoid the hassle of planning your trip all by your lonesome!

Burj Khalifa: Essentials

There are two time slots during which you can visit Burj Khalifa:
Prime hours: 3pm - 6pm. In this time slot, you'll be able to witness mesmerizing views of the sunset.
Non-prime hours: 8:30am - 2:30pm and 7pm - 11pm.
Prime hours for Levels 124 and 125: 4pm - 6pm
Prime hours for Level 148: 9:30am - 6pm.
Burj Khalifa is open throughout the week, all year round.
You can avoid rush hours by visiting between 8:30am - 10am | 1:30pm - 3:30pm | after 8:30pm.

Getting there

The entrance to the Burj Khalifa is through the Dubai Mall and the closest mall exit that leads to the skyscraper is the one near the Dubai Fountain. If you’re staying in Downtown Dubai, you can walk to the Dubai Mall. Here are the best ways to get to Dubai Mall to get into the Burj Khalifa:

By metro

To reach the Burj Khalifa, take the metro's red line and disembark at the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station. From there, you can either take the feeder bus or walk to the mall. If you choose to walk, use the Metro Link Bridge, which operates during the same hours as Dubai Mall. The walk is lengthy, as you'll cross a six-lane road, but you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the Burj Khalifa's gleaming facade as you approach. Don't forget to snap a photo!

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. The buses arrive and depart from the tourist drop-off area located in front of the Grand Drive Entrance, lower ground floor of The Dubai Mall. You can access the buses with your Nol red ticket.

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 start from AED 1.6/kilometer. Waiting fare is AED 0.5/kilometer. Starting fee for regular taxis is AED 3 (6 AM to 10 PM) and AED 3.50 (10 PM to 6 AM). Starting fee for pre-booked taxis is AED 6 (day) and AED 7 (night).

Burj Khalifa entrances: Visiting tips

• If you’re keen on watching the sunset, get a weekday ticket because weekends always attract a lot of people. Burj Khalifa sunset tickets are a steal buy and worth the extra money spent.
• There’s no entrance to Burj Khalifa from the outside, only from the Dubai Mall. The closest mall exit that leads to Burj Khalifa is the one near the fountain and this is the one that could save you some time.
• No large pieces of luggage are allowed inside, but you can check them in at the Secure Baggage Area located near the entrance. Handbags, cameras and other small accessories are allowed inside.
• If you have chosen to head to Level 148, you will be served a complimentary drink and some traditional dates. But if you haven’t, make sure you carry a bottle of water as drinks are not served on the upper floors.
• If possible, visit the 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.
• Plan a visit to one of the many coveted Burj Khalifa restaurants and enjoy a meal in the skies.

Burj Khalifa dress code

While Burj Khalifa doesn't have a strict dress code, it's always a good idea to dress to impress. After all, you'll want to look your best for those Instagram-worthy shots, right? Smart casual is the way to go, and don't be afraid to wear some bright colors—they'll really contrast against that stunning blue sky. Oh, and if you're visiting during the scorching summer months (May to August), make sure to slather on that sunscreen! Alternatively, you could opt for some loose, long-sleeved shirts or tees to keep those rays at bay.

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