Tips for Visiting the Burj Khalifa

Jun 1, 2015United Arab Emirates12 comments

Tips for Visiting the Burj Khalifa

It rises from the desert into the sky, surpassing the surrounding skyscrapers as if they were miniature toys. Its needle-like spire reaching towards the heavens, casting a shadow for a mile. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, and it is worth conquering.

The Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa holds an impressive set of records, including:

  • Tallest structure ever built at 829.8 meters (2,722 feet to the top of the spire)
  • Building with the most floors at 163
  • Longest elevator travel distance at 504 meters (1,654 ft)
  • Highest observation deck on the 148th floor at 555 meters (1,821 ft)
  • Highest outdoor observation deck on the 124th floor at 452 meters (1,483 ft)
  • Highest restaurant on the 122nd floor at 442 meters (1,450 ft)
  • Highest nightclub on the 144th floor

It’s no wonder why so many people want to get a view from the top. Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit to the Burj Khalifa.

Best Time to Visit

While you can’t go wrong anytime during the day, most people would agree that the best time to visit the Burj Khalifa is just before sunset. (I’m not sure the sun “sets” in Dubai; it just disappears into the haze.) If you arrive early enough you can take pictures from the top during the daylight hours, throughout sunset and blue hour, and then into the evening. Tickets for “prime hours” (which is when sunset will occur, with time fluctuating throughout the year) increase in price by AED 75 ($20.42). We recommend purchasing a ticket just before prime hours begin and just plan on spending a couple hours at the top. Your ticket defines only your entrance time. You can stay up at the top as long as you want.

Burj Khalifa Illustration

Did you know…?

In order to be able to hang, run, and jump off the side of the tallest building in the world, Tom Cruise fired the insurance company that was insuring the movie Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol so that he could perform his own stunts.

Purchasing Tickets

The Burj Khalifa has two observation decks. The lower outdoor observation deck known as At the Top is located on the 124th floor and allows visitors to soak in the view from 452 meters (1,483 ft) above the earth. When it opened in 2010, it was the highest observation deck in the world. When it was surpassed by the observation deck on the Canton Tower in China, a second indoor observation deck known as At the Top Sky was opened on the 148th floor at 555 meters (1,821 ft).

Ticket prices vary depending on which observation deck and what time of day you wish to go up. While tickets can be purchased from the entrance in the lower ground level of the Dubai Mall near the Café Court, they are are often sold out once you arrive. We highly recommend you purchase tickets online in advance – even as much as a couple weeks ahead of time during high season – as tickets purchase on the spot cost 75% more!

In addition to purchasing tickets to the observation decks, tickets can be purchased to dine in the restaurant on the 122nd floor during your visit. For an extra cost, a Fast Track ticket gives you priority access, allowing you to skip the elevator queues.

Ticket Costs

The following are ticket costs when purchased online*:

HoursTicket TypeCost (AED)
8:30 AM - 2:30 PMAdult (12 years +)
Child (4 - 12 years)
Infant (Less than 4 years)
125
95
Free
3:00 PM - 6:30 PMAdult (12 years +)
Child (4 - 12 years)
Infant (Less than 4 years)
200
160
Free
7:00 PM - MidnightAdult (12 years +)
Child (4 - 12 years)
Infant (Less than 4 years)
125
95
Free
AnytimeFast Track (Immediate Entry Admission)300
HoursTicket TypeCost (AED)
9:30 AM - 6:00 PMAdult (12 years +)
Child (4 - 12 years)
Infant (Less than 4 years)
500
500
Free
7:00 PM - MidnightAdult (12 years +)
Child (4 - 12 years)
Infant (Less than 4 years)
350
350
Free

*Ticket prices and prime hours are subject to change. Please refer to the Burj Khalifa website for the most accurate times and pricing.

Burj Khalifa by day
Burj Khalifa by night

At the Top

It’s up to you how long you want to spend at the top, but the average stay is about one hour. Be sure to plan a lead time of about 1 hour to get to the top. The 22 mph (35 kph) elevators reach the observation deck in about a minute, but the queue to reach the elevator may be lengthy.

The At the Top observation deck has both indoor and outdoor areas. The indoor area comprises three-quarters of the observation deck and offers views to the north, west, and south. The indoor deck is air conditioned and surrounded by full length panels of glass. A gift shop is available to purchase souvenirs, but not food.

The outdoor observation deck comprises the remaining one-quarter of the floor and offers views to the south, east, and north. Temperatures at the top are mild – about 15 degrees cooler than at the building’s base. Large glass panels prevent wind from harassing visitors. There are horizontal spaces in the glass for photography. There are no chairs or benches on the lower observation deck, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to stand for the duration of your stay.

Making Plans to Visit

  •  Hours of operation: daily from 8:30 AM to Midnight. Last entry is 45 minutes prior to closing.
  •  Location: Lower ground level of the Dubai Mall
  •  Phone: +971 4 888 8124
  •  Website: http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/
  •  Metro Stop: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (#25)

 

Burj Khalifa

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