Burj Khalifa is the most iconic building in Dubai, UAE.
At 829.8 meters (2,722 feet), it is the tallest building in the World.
More than two million tourists visit Burj Khalifa’s observation decks yearly.
The design of the Burj Khalifa was inspired by Islamic architecture, with the building featuring a spiral minaret design that is common in traditional mosques.
In this article, we explain everything you need to know before you visit the Burj Khalifa .
Table of contents
- Observation decks at Burj Khalifa
- Burj Khalifa ticket price
- Best place to buy Burj Khalifa tickets
- Which Burj Khalifa ticket to buy?
- Burj Khalifa tickets
- How to reach Burj Khalifa
- Burj Khalifa timings
- Best time to visit Burj Khalifa
- Waiting times at Burj Khalifa
- How long does Burj Khalifa take
- How to avoid the crowd at Burj Khalifa
Observation decks at Burj Khalifa
There are three observation decks at Burj Khalifa – Level 124, Level 125, and level 148.
Levels 124 and 125 are together known as ‘At the Top, Burj Khalifa.’
And Level 148 is known as ‘At the Top, Burj Khalifa Sky.’
Level 124
The observatory at Level 124 is the lowest of all three observation decks and the most popular.
This Level of Burj Khalifa is 452 meters (1,483 feet) high and helps experience a mesmerizing view of the Dubai skyline.
The Burj Khalifa At the Top has high-powered telescopes to help you get closer to the skyline.
Visitors can access the deck via a high-speed elevator that travels 10 meters per second, reaching the deck in just 60 seconds.
The observation deck features floor-to-ceiling glass walls that provide an unobstructed 360-degree view of the city.
Level 125
Level 125 of Burj Khalifa stands at 456 meters (1,496 feet) and is one Level above the At the Top Observatory on Level 124.
It is a spacious observation deck decorated in Arabic mashrabiya for illuminating 360-degree views from the top.
At Level 125, you can preserve your memories with the help of green screen photography, where reality merges with special effects to create unique photographs.
On this floor, you can also step into the ‘Dubai: A Falcon’s Eye View’ exhibit to see an exhilarating ariel view of the city – as a flying Falcon would.
To visit both Level 124 and 125, you must buy the Burj Khalifa’s General Admission ticket.
Level 148
Level 148 at the top of the Burj Khalifa is the highest observation deck in the World.
It is also called At the Top, Burj Khalifa Sky.
It is 555 meters (1,821 feet) and has an outdoor terrace.
On this top floor, a guest Ambassador greets you and takes you on a personalized tour.
You also get refreshments at the famous SKY Lounge.
Book the Burj Khalifa VIP ticket to enjoy this Burj Khalifa Sky experience
Burj Khalifa ticket price
Burj Khalifa’s general admission tickets, which get you to Level 124 and 125, cost AED 169 ($46) for non-prime hours and AED 244 ($66) for prime hours.
Burj Khalifa’s VIP ticket, with which you can skip all the lines and visit Levels 124, 125, and 148, costs AED 553 ($151) for prime hours and AED 399 ($109) for non-prime hours.
The price you pay for your Burj Khalifa ticket depends on three factors.
Observatories you plan to visit
If you plan to visit the Observatories on Levels 124 and 125, your tickets will be relatively cheaper.
To go up to Level 148, you must pay a higher price and buy the VIP ticket.
Time of your visit
The price of the Burj Khalifa ticket also depends on when you want to visit the attraction.
Prime hour (4 pm to 6 pm) tickets are costlier than non-prime hour tickets.
The tickets are costlier during these hours because sunset is the best time to be at an observatory.
The setting sun makes for a colorfully stunning Dubai skyline.
Type of ticket you buy
You can buy two types of tickets – the General Admission ticket or the Skip The Line ticket.
Since Skip The Line Burj Khalifa ticket helps you avoid all the queues and walk right into the building, it is more expensive.
If you are short on time and can afford the high prices, we recommend you buy Skip The Line tickets.
The General Admission ticket is the cheapest ticket to go up Burj Khalifa.
Best place to buy Burj Khalifa tickets
If you are looking to buy Burj Khalifa tickets, you have two options –
Option 1: Buy them on the day of your visit to the venue
Option 2: Buy them online in advance
Here are the three reasons why you must buy your tickets online and NOT at the attraction –
Reason 1: If you decide to buy your tickets at the attraction, you must wait in the long line at the ticket counter. Once you have the ticket, you must wait in another line to go to the elevators. Buying your ticket online helps you skip the first line (at the ticketing counter).
Reason 2: If you are visiting during the peak months or prime hours, you may reach Burj Khalifa only to find out that all the tickets have sold out.
Since the officials sell only a limited number of tickets for every time slot, ‘Sold out!’ is a message seen often.
Reason 3: When you buy your tickets from the counter at Burj Khalifa, you pay more than three times the online ticket price.
The general admission ticket, which is the cheapest way to explore Burj Khalifa, costs AED 169 ($46) online, and at the venue, it costs more than 500 AED.
Which Burj Khalifa ticket to buy?
While buying Burj Khalifa tickets, you will have lots of doubts.
Should you visit Levels 124 and 125 or also go for Level 148?
What is better – a general admission ticket or a ‘Skip the Line’ ticket?
Which hours are advisable – prime hours or non-prime hours?
At the Top vs. At the Top SKY
At the Top ticket = entry to Levels 124 and 125
At the Top Sky ticket = access to Levels 124, 125 and 148
The Top Sky ticket is also known as the ‘VIP ticket.’
Besides the bragging rights of being on the World’s highest observation deck, this VIP ticket also gets you a guided tour of the Observatory and refreshments at the Sky Lounge.
Our Verdict:
The ticket to visit Levels 148 is almost three times costlier than the tickets to see Level 124 and 125.
If you are on a budget holiday, we recommend you stick to the lower levels and buy only the At the Top tickets.
However, if money isn’t a concern, but you care about the experience, we highly recommend the Sky Experience at Burj Khalifa.
You must know that visitors can’t stay at Level 148 for as long as they want – there is a time limit of 30 minutes.
General Admission vs. Skip the Line
During peak times, the General Admission ticket holders may have to wait an hour to enter the elevator.
Skip The Line Burj Khalifa tickets help avoid the crowd and the long lines.
Our Verdict:
Buying a General Admission ticket is the best option if you have time.
Skip the Line tickets at Burj Khalifa are almost three times the cost of General Admission tickets.
Despite being so costly, the Burj Khalifa Skip The Line tickets don’t get you access to Level 148.
That’s why instead, we recommend the next best option – the VIP ticket, which costs only 40 AED more but lets you Skip The Line and visit Level 148 as well.
Prime hours vs. non-prime hours
The Burj Khalifa ticket prices vary according to the time of entry to the building.
The ticket prices for entry at prime hours are around 40% higher than the non-prime hour prices.
The prime and non-prime hours differ for At the Top and At the Top Sky tickets.
At the Top (Levels 124 and 125)
Prime Hours: 4 pm to 6 pm
Non-Prime hours: 9 am to 3.30 pm and from 6.30 pm to closing time
At the Top SKY (Level 124, 125, and 148)
Prime hours: 9.30 am to 6 pm
Non-prime hours: 7 pm to closing time
Our Verdict:
If the primary objective of your Burj Khalifa visit is to see the sunset, you have no option but to buy the ticket during the prime hours.
If this is your first visit to an observatory and money is not a concern, we suggest selecting prime hours while booking your tickets.
If you have seen the sunset on a skyline from some Observatory, we recommend you stick to non-prime hours to save money and avoid the crowd.
Burj Khalifa tickets
Burj Khalifa offers various kinds of tickets, each offering a unique experience.
Before you book your Burj Khalifa tickets online, please read through this section thoroughly so that you know the different kinds of Burj Khalifa tickets.
General admission tickets
General admission tickets are the cheapest and most popular way to get to the observatories in the tallest building in the World.
You step into one of the world’s fastest elevators and reach Burj’s observation decks, with lookout points across Levels 124 and 125.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money but want to experience the sunset from Burj Khalifa, opt for a timeslot that coincides with when the sun will go down.
Ticket Prices
(non-prime hours: 9 am to 3.30 pm, 6.30 pm till closing)
Adult Ticket (12+ years): AED 169 ($46)
Child Ticket (4 to 11 years): AED 139 ($38)
Ticket Prices
(prime hours: 4 pm to 6 pm)
Adult Ticket (12+ years): AED 244 ($66)
Child Ticket (4 to 11 years): AED 152 ($41)
Burj Khalifa VIP tickets
The VIP Tickets allow Skip the Line access to all three observation decks on Burj Khalifa – Levels 124, 125, and 148.
You will be like a VIP all through your visit – so you don’t have to wait in long lines for the elevator.
On Level 148, a guest ambassador of Burj Khalifa gives you a tour of the observation deck.
After spending 30 minutes in Level 148, you can come down to Level 124 and 125 and hang around for as long as you want.
Children 3 years and below enter for free.
Ticket Prices
(prime hours – 9.30 am to 6 pm)
Adult Ticket (4+ years): AED 553 ($151)
Ticket Prices
(non-prime hours – 7 to 10 pm)
Adult Ticket (4+ years): AED 399 ($109)
124th & 125th Floors + Café
This Burj Khalifa ticket gets you an extra something because, besides the views from the 124 and 125 floors, you can also sit down and discuss the experience.
After visiting the observation deck of Dubai’s tallest building, you can get a signature drink or snack at the ground-level cafe.
Ticket price (non-prime hours): AED 167 ($45)
Ticket price (prime hours): AED 238 ($65)
At The Top + Sky Views
This Burj Khalifa admission gives you access to Sky Views, a premium experience.
Besides entry to Burj Khalifa floors 124 & 125 (At The Top), you can explore the Sky Views Observatory and the Sky Walk.
Guests love walking between the Sky Views Towers, high above the ground (and outside the building!).
This ticket also includes a one-time slide on the Glass Slide, which usually costs an additional 25 AED ($7).
Ticket prices
Adult ticket (12+ years): AED 249 ($68)
Child ticket (4 to 11 years): AED 199 ($54)
At the Top + 3-course meal at Rooftop
This At The Top Burj Khalifa entry gets you access to Floors 124 & 125 and also a 3-course set menu lunch or dinner at Rooftop, The Burj Club.
Guests will first have the observation deck experience and then be escorted to the Rooftop at The Burj Club.
The restaurant offers an alfresco dining experience overlooking The Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.
Ticket prices
Adult ticket (12+ years): AED 307 ($84)
Child ticket (4 to 11 years): AED 275 ($75)
The Lounge – Levels 154, 153, 152
This Burj Khalifa Observatory ticket gets you to access the 152nd, 153rd, and 154th floors of Burj Khalifa.
At the Lounge of these floors, you sip on tea or champagne while taking in jaw-dropping city views.
You also get an assortment of freshly baked pastries and dainty cakes, even as you enjoy live entertainment in the lounge.
Later you tour the outdoor terrace to check out the skyscrapers and the sprawling desert.
This tour of the world’s highest lounge at 585 meters (1919 feet) above the ground lasts 90 minutes.
Ticket price: AED 769 ($209) per person
Burj Khalifa + Dubai Aquarium
The Metro Link Bridge, which connects Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Aquarium, makes moving from one attraction to another easy.
This 828-meter (2715 feet) long air-conditioned glass tunnel travellator link also offers fantastic views of Dubai.
This is why the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium ticket combination is quite popular with visitors.
This combo ticket allows one entry to both attractions on a single day.
Like all combo tickets, it also helps you reduce your ticket costs by 15 to 20%.
Ticket price
Adult ticket (12+ years): 245 AED ($67)
Child ticket (3 to 11 years): 210 AED ($57)
Visual Story: 12 must-know tips before visiting Burj Khalifa
| Popular combo tickets | Cost |
|---|---|
| Museum of the Future + Burj Khalifa 124 & 125 | AED 282 |
| Burj Khalifa + Dubai Frame | AED 219 ($60) |
| Burj Khalifa + Aquaventure Waterpark | AED 460 ($125) |
| Dubai Fountain Show and Lake Ride + Burj Khalifa | AED 237 ($65) |
| Dubai Garden Glow + Burj Khalifa | AED 227 ($62) |
| Burj Khalifa + The Yellow Boats Tour | AED 445 ($122) |
| Burj Khalifa + The Dubai Fountain Boardwalk | AED 180 ($49) |
| Dubai Dolphinarium + Burj Khalifa | AED 260 ($71) |
| Burj Khalifa + Motiongate Dubai | AED 390 ($106) |
How to reach Burj Khalifa
The towering structure of Burj Khalifa stands in Downtown Dubai, right next to the Dubai Mall. Get Directions.
If you plan to take Dubai Metro, board the Red Line to reach Burj Khalifa station.
From the station, take the F13 bus and get off at the Dubai Mall Bus Stop.
Now, walk to the Mall through an air-conditioned overpass. This walk takes approximately 15 minutes.
You must go through the Mall and reach the Lower Ground Floor (LG).
The Ticket Office to Burj Khalifa is near the Subway Sandwich Restaurant on the Lower Ground floor.
Important: We recommend you buy Burj Khalifa tickets online, much in advance – you save time money and avoid last-minute surprises.
Burj Khalifa timings
Burj Khalifa opens at 9 am and closes at 11 pm throughout the week.
The last entry is 45 minutes before closing.
Non-prime hour rates apply from 9 am to 3.30 pm, 6.30 pm to 11 pm, and 4 pm to 6 pm; prime hour rates apply on the tickets.
The prime hours are also known as the sunset hours.
Ticket prices are higher when you book your visit during a prime hour slot.
Best time to visit Burj Khalifa
If high ticket cost during prime hours is not an issue, sunset is the best time to visit Burj Khalifa Observatory and see the fantastic Dubai skyline.
You can purchase a general admission or VIP ticket for this prime-time visit.
If you are on a budget, you can visit as soon as the prime hours get over at 6.30 pm.
If you do not mind waiting, you can buy your ticket right before prime hours kick in and stay long enough in the Observatories to see the sunset.
Best time to see sunrise
The observation deck at Burj Khalifa opens at 5.30 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and it is best to reach before 6 am to see the sunrise.
It is best to purchase Sunrise tickets to enjoy this early morning Burj Khalifa experience.
Tip: Watch the weather because a foggy day means a not-so-good experience.
Burj Khalifa in winter
If you visit Dubai in winter, it will be best to see Burj Khalifa in the late mornings or early afternoons.
During winter, Dubai gets dark by 6 pm.
Waiting times at Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa is the most popular tourist attraction in Dubai.
On average, 7,000 tourists come to see Dubai’s skyline from the Burj Khalifa observatory every day.
Peak months (Nov to March)
If you visit Burj Khalifa during the prime hours, the queue for general admission might exceed one hour.
During such times, it is best to buy Skip The Line tickets.
During non-prime hours, you may still have to wait around 30 minutes in the elevator lines.
Off-season (Apr to Oct)
Dubai is hot during these months and hence draws fewer tourists.
However, being Dubai’s most popular tourist destination, you may still have to wait 20-30 minutes during your visit.
How long does Burj Khalifa take
If your question is, how long does a tour of Burj Khalifa take? Well, the answer is, “it depends on you.”
Going up Burj Khalifa’s observatory and enjoying the fantastic views at your own pace takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Some tourists are also known to finish the Burj Khalifa tour in an hour.
It is essential to keep in mind that your trip can take longer if you visit during peak season and sunset hours.
We propose you keep one hour of lead time to reach the top because while the elevators reach the observation deck in one minute, the waiting line to enter the elevator might take a while.
If you want to avoid waiting in the elevator lines, go for Skip The Line tickets – you can reach the observatory in less than 15 minutes.
How to avoid the crowd at Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa is one of Dubai’s most popular tourist attractions, attracting around 2.5 million tourists annually.
Here are three tips to help you avoid the crowd in this usually crowded tourist attraction.
Buy tickets online and in advance
Being the must-visit attraction in Dubai for most tourists, Burj Khalifa tickets are always in demand, especially during tourist seasons, weekends, school holidays, festivals, etc.
As a result, at peak hours and during peak months, the waiting time at Burj Khalifa’s ticket counter even exceeds one hour.
The best way to avoid these lines at the ticketing counter is by booking your tickets online in advance.
Booking online helps you avoid long lines and gets you your preferred time slot.
Purchase ‘Skip the Line’ tickets
All visitors to Burj Khalifa must take the elevators to visit the observatories.
Visitors with ‘General Admission’ tickets must stand in long lines until they turn to take the elevator.
However, if you buy a “Skip the Line’ ticket, you can walk past all these people waiting for their turn and enter the elevator.
Get the time of your visit right
If you want to avoid the crowd, visiting Burj Khalifa during non-prime hours is best.
In the process, you will also end up saving money.
Sources
# Tourscanner.com
# Forevertourism.com
# Musement.com
# Tripadvisor.com
The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.
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