Burj Khalifa in Dubai receives over 6 million visitors a year – everyone wants to see the world’s tallest building when they visit Dubai. This travel guide includes practical information and tips for visiting the Burj Khalifa (entrance, tickets, attractions, opening times, how to get around and more).
- Quick Overview for Burj Khalifa in Dubai
- Interesting facts about Burj Khalifa
- View and tickets to Burj Khalifa
- Admission and Opening Hours Burj Khalifa
- How to get to Burj Khalifa?
- Burj Khalifa at sunset
- How to skip the line for Burj Khalifa?
- What to visit around Burj Khalifa?
- How to save in Dubai?
- Map of Dubai
- More information about Dubai
Quick Overview for Burj Khalifa in Dubai
Interesting facts about Burj Khalifa
Most of us think of Dubai as a city of skyscrapers. And the biggest symbol of the city’s modern boom is the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, which has held the title of the world’s tallest building since 2010. The height of Burj Khalifa is 829.8 metres – it is not easy to get the building in one photo.
World’s tallest building and other records
Construction began in 2004 and was completed in 2009 to open to the public in 2010. And ever since then, queues have been forming because everyone wants to see the world’s tallest building when they visit Dubai.
However, a competitor to the Burj Khalifa is currently under construction – the Jeddah Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is expected to reach over 1,000 metres in height, making it the world’s tallest building when completed. However, the work was suspended for an extended period of time. Now it is supposed to be built again, but the completion date is not yet known.
Interestingly, the architect Adrian Smith is the same for the current and future tallest building in the world.
In addition to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa holds many other records, such as the tallest free-standing structure, the largest skyscraper, the highest restaurant in the world, etc.
Design and construction of Burj Khalifa
The design of the tower is based on the desert flower Hymenocallis. So is Burj Park, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the skyscraper. The primary structure is reinforced concrete and some of the structural steel even comes from the Palace of the Republic in East Berlin.
Number of floors and lift
The building has 57 lifts and the interesting thing is that they are made in the Czech Republic. There are 154 floors + 18 floors for maintenance and 2 floors for underground parking.
The building is so large that it takes 36 people 3-4 months to clean it. It was originally intended to serve as a residential house.
Today it has the following arrangement:
- the first floors are occupied by the Armani Hotel
- floors 20-108 are dedicated to residential apartments, which according to the developer Emaar were sold within 8 hours of being launched on the market
- on the 43rd and 76th floors there are swimming pools
- the remaining floors are mostly filled with offices and apartments
- on the 122nd floor is the luxurious Atmosphere restaurant
- on the 124th-125th floors are the At the Top viewpoints (one with an outdoor observation deck)
- on the 148th floor there is an observation deck on the Sky level
- 154th floor is accessible as part of a more expensive lounge package including a view
In good visibility you can see up to 80 km away to the shores of Iran, which lies on the other side of the Persian Gulf. The elevator is one of the fastest in the world – up to 124th floor, where the main observation deck is located, will take you up in a minute. Accompanied by music and video projection.
The skyscraper is named after the late UAE President Khalifa bin Zyed Al Nahyan, who died in May 2022.
At the foot of the Burj Khalifa, the perfectly manicured Burj Park stretches along Burj Lake. It was originally intended to be used for special occasions, but is now open to the public.
☞ How to save money on Burj Khalifa: The queues at the Burj Khalifa are long and tickets are more expensive on site. By booking in advance, you skip the ticket queue and save money at the same time.
Downtown Dubai
Burj Khalifa is part of a huge mixed-use complex called Downtown Dubai, a project by developer Emaar Properties to contribute to the new development of the area. It also includes the Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain, which will be discussed shortly.
Downtown Dubai is worth $20 billion and covers an area of 2 km2.
View and tickets to Burj Khalifa
There are several types of tickets to choose from:
Tickets to 124th and 125th floors called At the Top
With the most popular At the Top ticket type, you get access to the viewpoints in 124th a 125th floors at 452 metres.
From the observation deck on the 124th floor, a spiral staircase leads to the observation deck on the 125th floor. A lot of visitors stay on the 124th floor and don’t come up here, so it’s less crowded.
☞ How to save money on Burj Khalifa: The queues at the Burj Khalifa are long and tickets are more expensive on site. By booking in advance, you skip the ticket queue and save money at the same time.
You can stay up there as long as you want. If you plan your tour before sunset, you can enjoy the view of the city during the day and after dark. On the other hand, these times tend to be the most popular.
Tickets for At the Top SKY in 148th floor and entrance to the lounge
Then the even higher lookout is Sky level in 148th Floor, where you can see Dubai from 555 metres. This ticket automatically gives you access to the viewpoints in 124th a 125th floors (+ extra small snacks in the lounge in the form of coffee and dates).
Tickets to the Luxury Lounge
The last type of ticket to Burj Khalifa is ticket to the lounges in 152nd to 154th floorswith which you get a luxurious view with a minimum of tourists. There is also an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy the best views of the city.
Admission and Opening Hours Burj Khalifa
There is a queue for tickets before entering the Burj Khalifa. If you book your tickets in advance, you can skip this queue and save money as tickets are more expensive on the spot.
The entrance fee varies depending on the time you book into the Burj Khalifa. The most expensive tickets are for sunset, when they also sell out the fastest. Ticket to 124th a 125th floors will cost AED 179 (AED 259 for sunset) for anyone over 9 years old, and AED 145 for children 4-8 years old.
Tickets for Sky level at 148th floor will cost 399 AED and the outdoor terrace to the 152nd – 154th floors (including lounge access) AED 769.
Burj Khalifa is open daily from 7:00-23:00. You choose the specific time when booking.
How to get to Burj Khalifa?
The red metro line passes by Burj Khalifa, where you get off at Burj Khalifa/ Dubai Mall station. From here, a 500-metre corridor leads to Dubai Mall, where the entrance to the sightseeing area is located.
If you take a taxi here, say you want to get off at Dubai Mall. The driver will take you directly to the main entrance of the shopping centre.
Entrance
As you enter the Dubai Mall, you will see signs for the entrance to the Burj Khalifa. You don’t have to worry about getting lost – everything in Dubai is perfectly signposted in both Arabic and English.
The first thing you’ll see is the ticket line (unless you order tickets in advance and depending on the time of day). Before you go upstairs, you go through a security check similar to the airport security check.
Allow extra time as there may be queues at the lift – especially from mid-morning until sunset.
The elevator ride takes a minute and on the way here you will see photos of the construction and how they designed the skyscraper. Once you’re up there, you can stay as long as you want.
Burj Khalifa at sunset
If you want to come for sunset, arrive at least 90 minutes early to get up early and have a chance to find a seat.
The best spots with a view tend to be taken right away and many people wait for several hours for the sunset.
This is especially true for the high season, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, when the most people are here. The Dubai Fountain light and sound show starts at 18:00.
How to skip the line for Burj Khalifa?
In Dubai, at attractions like this – where you can, buy tickets in advance. They’re cheaper online and you can skip the ticket lines.
This also applies to the Burj Khalifa, where queues can form in three places – at the ticket counter, at the security checkpoint and at the elevator.
☞ If you book your tickets in advance, you can at least skip the queue and save money, because tickets are more expensive on the spot.
And when to visit Burj Khalifa to avoid the biggest crowds?
There are fewer people during the week from Monday to Thursday and in the morning or later in the evening after dark. Special entry will then be given when you buy tickets for Sky View or to Lounge. In both cases, you can avoid the queues for the observation decks on the 124th-125th floors, where most visitors go.
What to visit around Burj Khalifa?
Aquarium in Dubai Mall
In addition to the Dubai Mall, you can visit the popular aquarium and underwater world, where you can see 33,000 aquatic animals and fish, including sharks and rays. It is located right in the Dubai Mall and runs across several floors.
☞ Are you planning to visit Burj Khalifa too? Buy combined ticket to the Aquarium and Burj Khalifa for 264 AED. A single ticket to the Burj Khalifa costs a minimum of AED 179, so you’ll save significantly when you buy a combination ticket.
Dubai Fountain
At the foot of the Burj Khalifa is Burj Lake, where the Dubai Fountain show takes place. It takes place between 18:00-23:00 every half an hour and lasts up to 5 minutes. During the day you will see the show at 13:00 and 13:30 and on Fridays at 13:30 and 14:00. You can watch the show directly from the railings and from the adjacent park.
Sky Views – a cheaper alternative for Burj Khalifa
Less than 10 minutes towards the metro station, a skyscraper Sky Views . Take the Burj Khalifa Park on your left and follow it all the way past the skyscraper, where there are beautiful water fountains around the roundabout.
Cross the main road, with the Emaar buildings on your right and in a few minutes you will see the Sky Views skyscraper on your right.
You can recognize it at a glance because it is a twin tower with several floors connected by a so-called sky walkway. And it is this walkway with a glass floor at a height of 219.5 metres that you can walk along.
☞ Tip: You can enjoy the Sky Views book at a discounted price along with the Burj Khalifa.
Wings of Mexico and Green Planet
Do you want to take a nice photo with the wings and the tallest building in the world behind your back? Head to the main entrance of the Burj Plaza, where the Wings of Mexico statue is (just the other way from the Sky Views).
The last tip in the area is The Green Planet, a giant tropical rainforest greenhouse half an hour’s walk away. Here you can touch a snake, feed a sloth or admire the artificial waterfalls.
How to save in Dubai?
Dubai cherishes the label of a luxury and shopping destination. If you want to enjoy it to the full, a holiday here can get quite expensive. Here are a few tips to help you save money, not just on admission:
- It is generally recommended to buy tickets in advance in Dubai. Not only are they sometimes significantly cheaper, but you don’t have to wait in line for tickets.
- Tickets to the viewpoint at Burj Khalifa are AED 73 more expensive at sunset between 16:00-18:00. Visit the Burj Khalifa during the day or in the evening when the city lights up beautifully.
- Thanks combined ticket to the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall Aquarium, you’ll get a major treat.
- You can also experience beautiful views from Sky Views with a 219.5 metre glass sky walkway, and the ticket is half the price of the Burj Khalifa.
- Get yourself Dubai Pass or Dubai Explorer Pass which gives you access to more than 45 attractions in the city for one price. More information can be found in separate article.
- Paying in a traditional abra boat is a great and inexpensive experience that will only cost you about 1 dirham.
- Dubai’s public beaches are clean with perfectly white sand and crystal clear water. In addition, beaches like Kite and JBR provide great services that make you feel like you’re on a private beach.
Map of Dubai
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map of Dubai. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the Dubai guide. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.
This was our guide and tips for visiting Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More information about Dubai
DUBAI: Get inspired by the things to do in Dubai (including information on entrance fees, opening times and a map). Find practical information and tips in our Dubai travel guide. In the next article we share some interesting facts about Dubai.
Here you will find a detailed description of how to fly to Dubai and how to get from the airport to the center. We’ve compiled practical tips for getting around the city in our Dubai Transport Guide.
HOW TO SAVE IN DUBAI: Dubai Pass is one of the ways to save money on sights and attractions in Dubai.
