# Burj Khalifa, Dubai

> Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building — 828 m and 163 floors in Downtown Dubai. Seeing it from below is free; At the Top tickets for levels 124–125 start at AED 189 and At the Top SKY on level 148 at AED 399. Open daily with timed entry; allow about 90 minutes, and you go in through the lower ground floor of Dubai Mall.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/burj-khalifa

- City: [Dubai](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai), United Arab Emirates
- YesGo score: 79/100 (Yes, go)
- Time on site: 1 h 30 min
- Entry: from AED 189
- Opening hours: Daily, timed entry; hours change with the season — the exact slots show when you book
- With kids: Fine with kids
- At the Top (levels 124 + 125): From AED 189 off-peak
- At the Top SKY (level 148): From AED 399, includes levels 124–125
- Sunset slots: Pricier: around AED 250–260 for levels 124–125 — unofficial
- Sessions: Daily; in 2026 mostly 10:00–20:00, last entry 19:00 (level 148: 18:00)
- Entrance: Lower Ground floor of Dubai Mall, by the food court — no street entrance
- Where to buy: Official At the Top website or the desk at the entrance; booking ahead is cheaper and safer
- Outside: Free: the lake promenade and the park at the base
- Metro: Red Line, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, then the covered link bridge into Dubai Mall
- Address: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
- Coordinates: 25.19722, 55.27417
- Facts checked: 03.11.2026

## Key facts

- **828 m** — to the tip of the spire — the tallest building in the world (source: Burj Khalifa official website; English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **163 floors** — the most floors of any building (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **555 m** — height of the At the Top SKY deck on level 148 (source: Burj Khalifa official website; Russian Wikipedia)
- **4 January 2010** — official opening; until then it was called Burj Dubai (source: English and Russian Wikipedia; Burj Khalifa official website)
- **Adrian Smith** — architect, at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in Chicago (source: Burj Khalifa official website; English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **456 m** — height of level 125; level 124 is about 452 m (source: Burj Khalifa official website; English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **10 m/s** — speed of the double-deck lifts up to the deck (source: Burj Khalifa official website; Russian Wikipedia)
- **January 2004** — excavation began; the spire was completed in January 2009 (source: Burj Khalifa official website; English Wikipedia)
- **≈ US$1.5 bn** — developer Emaar’s estimate of the building cost (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **Hymenocallis** — the desert flower behind the tower’s three-lobed plan (source: Burj Khalifa official website; English Wikipedia)
- **57 lifts** — and 8 escalators in the building (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **Level 122** — At.mosphere restaurant, about 442 m up (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)

## Burj Khalifa ticket prices

The standard ticket is **At the Top, levels 124 and 125**: from AED 189 per adult for an off-peak slot booked online. **At the Top SKY** adds level 148 and starts at AED 399; it includes the two lower decks as well. Prices depend on the time slot — afternoon and sunset cost the most.

Unofficial figures put sunset slots for levels 124–125 at around AED 250–260. Children pay less and toddlers go free — check the age bands when you book. Tickets are timed: turn up after your slot and you may not be let in.

Paying is easy for most visitors: international Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted online and at the ticket desk. Keep a few dirhams in cash for small cafés and the metro card machines.

> **The only way in is through Dubai Mall** There is no street entrance to the lifts. At the Top is reached from the Lower Ground floor of Dubai Mall, by the food court, and there is a security check before the lift. Walking from the metro or car park through the mall takes 10–15 minutes, so arrive 20–30 minutes before your slot.

## Burj Khalifa opening hours and best time to go

The decks open every day with timed entry. In 2026 most slots run from 10:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 19:00 (18:00 for level 148), but hours change with the season and some sellers list longer evening sessions — the booking calendar is the only reliable timetable.

The best slot is **30–40 minutes before sunset**: daylight views first, then the sun over the Gulf and the city lights coming on. These are the priciest and sell out first from October to April, so book a few days ahead. Midday is cheaper but often hazy; in bad weather the outdoor terraces can close.

## At the Top vs At the Top SKY: which is better?

For a first visit, **levels 124 and 125** are enough. Level 124 has an outdoor terrace behind glass and digital telescopes; level 125 is a larger hall with mashrabiya screens, a glass floor that “cracks” under your feet and a VR ride. The views over the Gulf, Palm Jumeirah and the desert are already huge.

**SKY on level 148** is for record-hunters and anyone who hates crowds: a staff member takes you up, there is an outdoor terrace at 555 m and a lounge with drinks, then you continue down to 125 and 124. The extra 100 m doesn’t change the view much — the city already looks like a model from 456 m. Upgrade only if the budget is comfortable.

## Is Burj Khalifa worth it?

Yes, once — especially at sunset on a clear day, when the whole city, the Gulf and the desert edge fit into one view. It is less worth it at peak prices on a dusty summer afternoon, when haze hides the coast. On a tight budget, skip the lift: the tower lit up at night and the [Dubai Fountain](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-fountain) at its base are free to watch from the lake promenade.

## What to see

- The open-air terrace on level 124 — wind, glass and a 360° view.
- The glass floor on level 125, 456 m above the ground, with a cracking-glass effect.
- The exhibition on the way to the lifts: a tower model and the story of its records.
- The lift itself — a double-deck cabin climbing at 10 m/s; the ride takes about a minute.
- The lake and fountain far below, which look like a puddle from the top.
- After dark, the tower’s façade lighting from the lake promenade — free.

## How to get to Burj Khalifa

1. By metro: Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station. From Dubai International Airport (DXB) it is about 25 minutes on the Red Line, or 15–20 minutes by taxi without traffic.
2. You need a Nol card for the metro — buy and top it up at station ticket offices or machines with cash or a bank card; tapping a bank card at the gates isn’t an option yet.
3. From the station, follow the covered Metro Link bridge into Dubai Mall — 10–15 minutes on foot. The station is being rebuilt, so follow the signs; its bus and taxi road is closed until the end of 2026.
4. Inside the mall, follow the “At the Top” signs down to the Lower Ground floor near the food court for the ticket desk and security.
5. By taxi, ask for Dubai Mall: cars can’t drop you at the foot of the tower.

## Before you go: checklist

- [ ] Ticket booked for a set time — ideally 30–40 minutes before sunset
- [ ] Nol card for the metro
- [ ] At the Dubai Mall entrance 30 minutes before my slot
- [ ] No big backpack or suitcase — they aren’t allowed up
- [ ] No food or drinks — they won’t pass security
- [ ] Passport or photo ID
- [ ] Shoulders and knees covered — smart casual is the norm

## How tall is Burj Khalifa, and how was it built?

The tower is **828 m** tall with **163 floors**, the tallest building in the world since 2010; with its antenna it reaches about 829.8 m. Excavation began in **January 2004**, it became the world’s tallest building in July 2007, the spire was finished in January 2009 and the official opening was on **4 January 2010**.

It was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in Chicago, with **Adrian Smith** as architect; Samsung C&T of South Korea was the main contractor, with BESIX and Arabtec. The three-winged plan comes from the desert hymenocallis flower, and the spiralling setbacks tame the wind — the design went through more than 40 wind-tunnel tests.

Built as Burj Dubai, it was renamed at the opening after UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, as Abu Dhabi had helped Dubai through the financial crisis. Developer Emaar put the cost at about US$1.5 billion. Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Tower is planned to exceed 1,000 m, but it stood at around 430 m in autumn 2026, with completion targeted for late 2028.

## Which ticket to choose

|  | Levels 124 + 125 | Level 148 (SKY) | From outside |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Height | ≈ 452 and 456 m | 555 m + 124–125 | Ground level |
| Price | From AED 189 | From AED 399 | Free |
| Outdoor terrace | Yes, on 124 | Yes, on 148 | — |
| Experience | Self-guided | Hosted, lounge with drinks | — |
| Time needed | ≈ 1–1.5 h | ≈ 2 h | 30 min, evening |
| Best for | First-timers | Records and fewer crowds | Zero budget |

Prices are the lowest off-peak fares; sunset slots cost more. On a budget, book levels 124–125 for a daytime slot and come back in the evening for the lit tower and fountain for free.

## Dubai’s best views compared

Every Dubai viewpoint rated by YesGo.

- [Burj Khalifa](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/burj-khalifa) — YesGo score 79/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · from AED 189
- [Burj Al Arab](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/burj-al-arab) — YesGo score 59/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free to view; closed inside
- [Palm Jumeirah](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/palm-jumeirah) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · Island free, The View from AED 80
- [The Dubai Fountain](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-fountain) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free; Boardwalk and abra ride paid
- [Dubai Creek and the abra crossing](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-creek) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Abra AED 1–2, waterfronts free
- [Dubai Water Canal](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-canal) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; abra rides from AED 2
- [Dubai Frame](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-frame) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · AED 50, children 3–12 AED 20
- [Dubai Marina](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-marina) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free; boats and cruises extra
- [Madinat Jumeirah and Souk Madinat](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/madinat-jumeirah) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free entry; abra ride AED 100
- [Atlantis, The Palm](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/atlantis-the-palm) — YesGo score 27/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Aquarium ≈ AED 125, waterpark ≈ AED 300

## Downtown Dubai in half a day

The aquarium and mall by day, Burj Khalifa at sunset and the fountain show after dark. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and walks.

1. [The Dubai Mall](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-mall) — YesGo score 56/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · Free entry
2. [Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-aquarium) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free view; tunnel ≈ AED 199
3. [Burj Khalifa](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/burj-khalifa) — YesGo score 79/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · from AED 189
4. [The Dubai Fountain](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-fountain) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free; Boardwalk and abra ride paid

> **The best view of the tower is from below** You can’t see Burj Khalifa itself from the top. For the full-height photo, walk out of Dubai Mall to the lake or the park at the base — in the evening the Dubai Fountain plays and the tower is lit.

## Good to know

Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall is also the name of the metro station, a 10–15-minute walk from the tower. The Armani Hotel and private apartments fill the lower and middle floors, but you can’t reach the observation decks through them — the only visitor entrance is in Dubai Mall.

## Tips

- Start with the [Dubai Aquarium](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-aquarium) in the same mall, then go up for sunset.
- Book a few days ahead — sunset slots go first.
- Check the forecast: on dusty days the coast disappears; move your slot if you can.
- Don’t rush off afterwards — the fountain show starts on the lake side of [Dubai Mall](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-mall) in the evening.
- Finish your water before security: drinks can’t be taken in.
- No budget for the lift? Come to the lake after dark — the lit tower and the fountain are free.

## Questions

### How much are Burj Khalifa tickets?

At the Top (levels 124–125) starts at AED 189 off-peak; sunset slots cost more. At the Top SKY (level 148) starts at AED 399.

### What are Burj Khalifa opening hours?

Daily with timed entry. In 2026 most slots run 10:00–20:00 with last entry at 19:00, but hours change by season — check the booking calendar.

### Is At the Top SKY worth the extra money?

Only if you want the record height and fewer people. The view from 555 m is not very different from 456 m; levels 124–125 are enough for most visitors.

### What is the best time to visit Burj Khalifa?

About 30–40 minutes before sunset on a clear day, so you see the city in daylight and after dark. Book these slots early.

### How long do you need at Burj Khalifa?

Around 1–1.5 hours for levels 124–125 including security and the lift; about 2 hours with SKY. Add 10–15 minutes to walk from the metro.

### How do I get to Burj Khalifa by metro?

Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, then the covered link bridge into Dubai Mall and down to the Lower Ground floor — 10–15 minutes on foot.

### Where is the Burj Khalifa entrance?

On the Lower Ground floor of Dubai Mall, near the food court. There is no street entrance for visitors.

### Is there a dress code at Burj Khalifa?

No strict code, but smart casual with shoulders and knees covered is the norm in Dubai. Skip beachwear.

### How tall is Burj Khalifa and how many floors does it have?

828 m to the tip of the spire and 163 floors — the tallest building in the world.

### Can I bring a bag to Burj Khalifa?

Small handbags are fine; large backpacks and luggage are not allowed up, and food and drinks won’t pass security.

## How we checked

The official Burj Khalifa and At the Top websites blocked automated access on 03.11.2026, so fares come from the Visit Dubai booking platform, cross-checked with an October 2026 summary of the official prices — all fares and hours are marked “verifying”. Sources disagree on session hours (10:00–20:00 versus longer evening sessions); we show the most common and ask you to check slots when booking. Sunset prices are unofficial. Facts about the tower are checked against at least two sources. Sources give different spire lengths (180 to 244 m) and concrete volumes, so we leave them out. The English page is built from English search results and “People also ask”.

## Sources

- Burj Khalifa official website (Emaar): Facts & Figures, Design & Construction, Observation Decks — Internet Archive copy, 2024
- Visit Dubai (Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism) — At the Top booking platform, 03.11.2026
- Official At the Top ticket shop — ticket list, Internet Archive copy, January 2025
- English and Russian Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa; Wikidata Q12495
- MEED, 06.07.2026 — Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station expansion
- Khaleej Times, Gulf Business, 2026 — Jeddah Tower construction progress

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