Burj Khalifa Dubai ticket prices; Best option & time

Here’s a quick summary of all of the options for At The Top:
(for more information about each experience plus combination tickets, see the sections below)

Burj Khalifa Options	Cost	What’s included in your Burj Khalifa ticket	Open Times
At The Top Sunrise	159 AED per adult ($43 USD)	– Level 124 only – Coffee and a pastry at The Cafe	5 am till 7:30 am Saturdays & Sundays only
At The Top	168 or 243 AED* per adult ($46 or $66 USD)	– Levels 124 & 125 – Self-guided tour	8 am till Midnight (Last entry 11 pm)
At The Top SKY (Most recommended)	399 or 553 AED* per person ($108 or $150 USD)	– Levels 124, 125 & 148 – Guided tour – Skip the queue – Arabic coffee with dates – Lounge with snacks – Unlimited soft drinks & hot drinks	9 am till 11 pm (Last entry 10 pm)
At The Top VIP Lounge	769 per adult ($209 USD)	– Levels 152, 153 & 154 – Levels 124, 125 & 148 – Skip the queue – Arabic coffee with dates – Selection of light bites, desserts & pastries – Sparking alcoholic beverage and canapés	9 am till 11 pm (Last entry 9 pm)

At The Top Sunrise

⭐️ RATING: 4.5 / 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  1.5 hours | ✅ Book it!

Experience the magic of Dubai from new heights with the Burj Khalifa At The Top Sunrise tickets, an exclusive and breathtaking opportunity available only on weekends, Saturdays and Sundays.

You’ll get to enjoy the world’s tallest building without all the crowds between 5 am and 7:30 am, an awe-inspiring window where the city transitions from night to day. As the sun bathes the skyline in hues of gold, you’ll enjoy a tranquil and crowd-free encounter with this iconic structure.

It is only to the 124th floor, but it does include coffee and a pastry from The Cafe. It is the cheapest ticket available for At The Top Burj Khalifa and gives you 2 hours inside.

It’s best to go early; otherwise, you’ll miss the sunrise. The 7:00 am and 7:30 am tickets can be a way to enjoy the Burj Khalifa at a slightly lower price, with fewer crowds, plus the coffee and a pastry.

There are two cafes, one on the Ground floor and one on the 124th floor – You need to go down to the ground floor for the hot drink and food included in the ticket.

We had a ticket for 5.30, which we were very happy about. It was worth getting up early because we didn’t have to wait 5 minutes to get to the top. So you can first see Dubai at night and then watch the sunrise. The time drags on a bit because the sun doesn’t rise until 7 a.m., but we were able to secure a spot at the window so we could take photos, which the visitors who came later were no longer able to do. The view was great and the elevator ride was also very impressive!

Noelle (Read more reviews)

Rise and shine, and seize the weekend in a way that only the Burj Khalifa can offer.

Ticket Information

Open times: 5 am to 7:30 am
Saturdays & Sundays only

Children under 4 – Free
Children 4 to 11 – 124 AED
Adults – 159 AED

🌅 Book Burj Khalifa At The Top Sun Rise Tickets 🌅

At The Top – Levels 124 & 125

⭐️ RATING: 4.5 / 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  1.5 hours | ✅ Book it!

Embark on an awe-inspiring adventure with Burj Khalifa At The Top tickets, unlocking access to the iconic observation decks on Levels 124 and 125. No frills, just the pure thrill of being at the top of the world’s tallest building.

The Observation decks sit at 456 meters (1496 ft) high and these tickets are self-guided for up to 2 hours.

Marvel at panoramic views of Dubai through floor-to-ceiling windows and step out onto the open-air terrace for a unique experience so high up! You’ll enter on Level 124, where the open-air observation deck is located. During busy times, there can be a wait to go outside.

There is also a cafe and gift shop on this floor.

Level 125 is an enclosed area that offers a 360-degree view of Dubai. Make sure to check out the viewfinders, which display pictures of old Dubai and different views at various times. Additionally, there’s a VR experience and a green screen for souvenir photos.

The two different prices are due to peak and off-peak tickets. Sunset is the most popular and best time to visit due to the beautiful golden hues across Dubai, but it is busy!

This ticket does not include ‘skip the line‘ and the lift (elevator for my American friends) queue and can be up to 2 hours long.

Insider tip – If you’re planning to go for sunset, make sure to book at least 90 minutes before sunset and potentially even 2 hours before during busy times. Make sure to check the sunset time before you go! It’s not worth paying the peak price if you miss the sunset.

Amazing! Just breathtaking! Had to stand in the queue to get the ticket but rest was super easy.

Jonathan (Read more reviews)

Ticket Information

Open times: 7:00 am till Midnight
(Last entry is 11 pm)
Peak time: 4 pm to 6:30 pm

Children under 4 – Free
Children 4 to 11 – 145 or 165 AED
Adults – 179 or 259 AED

🎟️ Book Burj Khalifa At The Top Tickets at the cheapest price 🎟️

At The Top SKY – Level 124, 125 & 148

⭐️ RATING: 4.6 / 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  2 hours | ✅ Book it!

Elevate your visit to the next level with Burj Khalifa At The Top SKY tickets, where you literally get to sit in the sky on the 148th-floor luxury lounge, sitting at an incredible 555 meters (1821 ft) above the ground.

This ticket includes a “skip the line” pass for a quicker entry and exit compared to the basic At The Top ticket.

You’ll get complimentary Arabic coffee and dates while you wait for the lifts if there’s a wait and a second cup to welcome you to the lounge. Enjoy a personalised tour, complimentary refreshments and snacks, plus the freedom to roam to the lower floors after you finish.

I recommend this as the best option instead of queueing for two hours and dealing with the crowds on the lower observation decks. The Top Sky also offers unlimited refreshments and snacks, allowing you to relax and enjoy the view from the clouds. It’s really worth the extra money.

The only downside is that it is a little expensive for younger children over four, but skipping the queue to avoid a meltdown is worth it and they can enjoy lots of juice at the lounge.

Insider tip – According to the visitor information, you’re only allowed 30 minutes in the lounge. However, it seems it isn’t enforced unless it’s very busy.

I 100% recommend paying to go up to the higher 148th floor. Whilst the views aren’t too different from the 125th floor, you get to skip the queues (which can be an hour or more). There are also a lot less people on the 148th floor. You also get excellent service, free drinks and snacks as much as you want. I’m so happy I chose this option over the regular tickets

Eleanor (Read more reviews)

Ticket Information

Open times: 9 am till 11 pm
(Last entry is 10 pm)
Peak time: 9 am till 6 pm

Children under 4 – Free
Children over 4 & Adults – 399 or 553 AED

🤩 Book the best Burj Khalifa At The Top Tickets 🤩

The VIP Lounge – Levels 152, 153 & 154

⭐️ RATING: 4.6 / 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  3-4 hours | ✅ Book it!

Experience a touch of royalty with Burj Khalifa At The Top VIP Lounge tickets, where luxury meets the clouds.

Your journey begins with skip-the-line access, whisking you away to the world’s tallest building. You’ll get to enjoy an Arabic coffee with dates while you wait.

As you ascend to Level 154, you’ll get to savour the panoramic views of Dubai through floor-to-ceiling windows in a much more exclusive setting. The three floors mean no waiting for a seat or table like the Sky Lounge.

You’ll be greeted by a glass of sparkling wine and enjoy a more substantial meal than the snacks offered on Level 148. You can purchase additional alcoholic drinks, if you choose, or unlimited soft drinks for no extra cost. You can spend unlimited time in the lounge, plus there are secluded areas for those wanting more privacy from fellow VIP guests.

There is also an outdoor terrace where you’ll find hardly any crowds.

I wouldn’t recommend this option if you have children over four, as you will pay full price despite them not being able to have alcoholic drinks and unlikely to eat much food. If you have someone to look after your kids with you or a nanny, then I’d treat them to Sky lounge tickets while you enjoy the VIP lounge. 😉

In the higher levels, it isn’t easy to see the fountains. So if you plan to stay till the evening, it’s better to go to the lower levels for a better view of the dancing Dubai Fountain. As you can visit all the levels of At The Top with a VIP ticket.

It is truly a unique experience being in a building this high up with very luxurious food and live entertainment. Similar to what you would pay to dine in the Burj Khalifa at At.Mosphere, so it’s definitely worth the higher price.

Insider tip – Go for a late lunch here around 3 pm, relax, and wait until the sunset for an amazing experience. Then, wander down each level and watch the Dubai Fountain after nightfall.

We skipped very long queues and went straight up to floor 154. Where we got lovely food and drink there was an array of sandwiches and dessert. Very chilled out atmosphere and great views. Well worth the money.

(Read more reviews)

Ticket Information

Open times: 9 am till 11 pm
(Last entry is 9 pm)

Children under 4 – Free
Children 4+ & Adults – 769 AED per person

💎 Book VIP lounge Burj Khalifa At The Top Tickets 💎

Burj Khalifa Timings

The Burj Khalifa At The Top observation decks are open daily at the following times below:

Levels 123 & 123:

Weekdays 7 am till Midnight
Weekends 5 am till Midnight
Last entry at 11 pm

Level 148

9 am till 11 pm
Last entry at 10 pm

Levels 152 to 154

9 am till 11 pm
Last entry at 9 pm

Other useful times to know

Dubai Fountain display times

Lunch: 1 pm & 1:30 pm
Fridays Lunch: 1:30 pm & 2 pm
Evening: 6 pm till 11 pm

Burj Khalifa laser show times

7:15 pm till 11:15 pm

Guide to Visiting the Burj Khalifa

Going up the Burj Khalifa is definitely one of those Dubai bucket list items!

I go through every possible detail you can think of so you can visit the Burj Khalifa like a pro!

Burj Khalifa Levels

Here’s a list of what’s on each floor so you can ensure you won’t miss anything:

Lower Ground & Ground

• Entrance
• Ticket sales
• Burj Khalifa timeline exhibit
• Photo souvenir
• Burj Khalifa construction exhibit
• Large gift shop
• The Cafe

If you buy your tickets online, you’ll exchange your ticket for a sticker to access the different levels.

Level 124

• Outdoor observation deck
• Indoor observation deck
• Windows with wings for photos
• Penny machine
• Gift shop
• The Cafe 124

Level 125

• Indoor observation deck
• Windows with wings for photos
• Green screen photography souvenir
• VR Burj Khalifa climbing experience
• Penny machine
• Digital observation screens
• Facts about the Burj Khalifa exhibit

Level 148

• SKY ticket lounge
• Outdoor observation deck
• Boutique gift shop
• Snacks & refreshments bar

Levels 152 to 154

• VIP lounge
• Outdoor observation lounge

What to Expect At The Top Burj Khalifa

The queues for At The Top can be very long. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the whole of Dubai. Only so many people can fit in the lift simultaneously to go up.

So plan for an extra two hours if you book a ticket without a skip-the-line. Often the queue for a ticket or to show your entry ticket is shorter but the lift queue is very long!

Visiting At The Top takes around one and a half to two hours once you’re up, as you’ll typically need to wait to take a photo at the various different spots due to all the people.

You can also take your time to enjoy a coffee from one of the cafes or relax in the lounge if you buy Sky Tickets or VIP tickets. This will add on more time, depending on how long you want to sit and enjoy the view.

It’s possible to visit the Burj Khalifa in a shorter time if you don’t read all the displays and visit outside peak hours when the queue is smaller. The quietest times are in the morning, it gets busy around 3 or 4 pm.

Level 125 tends to be quieter than 124, so make sure to get the full experience by heading up those stairs. If you do the Sky Lounge or VIP lounge, the VIP lounge is the least crowded.

Best time to visit Burj Khalifa

The best time to visit the Burj Khalifa is from golden hour until sunset. You’ll see amazing views and get incredible photos as the beautiful colour tones shimmer off Dubai’s many glass skyscrapers.

To catch this time, you’ll have to arrive at At The Top between 3 pm and 4 pm; however, I would highly recommend going for the more expensive tickets during this time, either At The Top Sky or the VIP lounge.

If you go for the regular tickets, you must book an earlier ticket to account for the lift (elevator) queue of up to 2 hours.

If you buy VIP tickets, then it’s nice to get there early and enjoy the lounge before the sunset. Taking in both daytime and nighttime views.

If you go early in the morning during winter, fog can cover the buildings and block visibility but it is a unique experience. The fog usually clears as it gets later in the morning. Seeing the buildings peeking out from beneath the clouds is surreal.

So make sure to check the weather when planning what day to visit. A sandstorm or hazy day can also limit visibility and these are more common in summer. Ideally, you want a nice clear day so you can take those incredible photos.

After sunset, the city does look amazing, all lit up at night. This is one of my favourite times to go to the Burj Khalifa to enjoy the view, but it isn’t as good for photography.

When is the Burj Khalifa the busiest?

The busiest time is from 3 pm onwards and is due to people wanting to catch the sunset. It is also when most people in Gulft start to go out, unlike Europe, where places are busiest in the mornings. You’ll find malls in Dubai get busier around this time also.

It is also more expensive to access At The Top Burj Khalifa during these peak times.

• At The Top: 4 pm till 6:30 pm
• At The Top Sky: 9 am till 6 pm

Insider tip – If you want to visit the Burj Khalifa during the sunset, it’s best to book a time slot that is 2 hours before sunset.

When is the Burj Khalifa less crowded?

Burj Khalifa is less crowded from early in the morning until early afternoon around 3 pm. Dubai Mall will also be less crowded during this time.

Another less crowded time for At The Top is the evening slot between 8 pm and 10 pm however the mall will be very busy during this time.

If you’re going more for the view than to take photos, this is the perfect time. It’s quieter and it’s a really beautiful view, seeing all the lights twinkle below.

Combined ticket offers with Burj Khalifa

This is a great way to save money if you plan to visit other tourist attractions while in Dubai. These are some of the options:

Burj Khalifa with Dubai Aquarium

The Dubai Aquarium is also located inside Dubai Mall, so it’s an easy one to combine with the Burj Khalifa.

🐟 Burj Khalifa At The Top Ticket with Dubai Aquarium 🐟

Burj Khalifa and Sky Views

This is the famous glass slide you’ve seen all over social media and is also located in Downtown Dubai, opposite the Burj Khalifa, so it’s an easy one to include on the same day.

🏙️ Burj Khalifa At The Top Ticket with Sky Views 🏙️

Burj Khalifa with Burj Club Meal

If you’re looking for a more affordable option of dining inside the Burj Khalifa, this is a great option that offers a 3 course meal in the lovely Burj Club. You’ll get a beautiful view of the Dubai Fountain while enjoying visiting the Burj Khalifa At The Top also.

🍽️ Burj Khalifa At The Top Ticket with Burj Club 🍽️

You can buy a multi-pass that allows you entry in multiple Dubai attractions over a set time in order to save money.

The Dubai Pass

This pass gives you access to over 40 different Dubai attractions and can save you up to 60% off entry prices along with being able to skip the line at some attractions.

The pass can be used for At The Top but you must book 48 hours in advance and it does not include peak price timings!

There are a few different options if you want the Burj Khalifa included with the pass:

• Dubai Flexi Attractions Pass – For 3, 5 or 7 attraction tickets & valid for 7 days
• Dubai Unlimited Pass – Unlimited attractions over 3 or 5 days

*Please note you can only enter an attraction once per person, for example you couldn’t go to the Burj Khalifa twice if you had an unlimited pass

For more details about the pass and to purchase, check out the Flexi Pass or the Ulimited Pass from Get Your Guide

Ways to get to the Burj Khalifa

Hop on Hop Off Tour Bus

If you’re planning to see a lot of sights in Dubai, the Hop on Hop off Bus is the perfect way to get around Dubai without needing to rent a car.

These open-top double-decker buses have a complimentary audio guide so you can learn about Dubai as you travel around. They stop at all the main tourist attractions without stopping elsewhere. So ideal for those who want an easy, no-stress way to see the sights.

If you want to learn more about where exactly the Hop on Hop off Dubai buses stop, my previous article covers them in detail.

🚌 See the ticket options for a Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour 🚌

Metro

Getting to At The Top Burj Khalifa by metro is easy. I highly recommend this way if your hotel is close to a metro stop, as it’ll save you the headache of trying to find a parking space or paying for parking.

Take the red metro line to the ‘Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall’ stop. There are air-conditioned tunnels with travelators connecting directly to Dubai Mall. It is approximately a 15-minute walk to Dubai Mall and will take another 5 minutes to get to At The Top.

The Metro comes out on the upper level. You’ll need to head down the escalators to the lower ground, follow the signs or ask customer service the way. There’s also a handy Dubai Mall app you can download before you head out which has a virtual map.

The metro cost is cheap, depending on how many zones you go through. Costs are between 4 AED and 8.50 AED ($1 to $2 USD) each way or between 8 AED and 17 AED ($2 to $5) for the gold class.

Be aware – If you plan to visit The Armani Hotel or At.Mosphere, it’s better to get a taxi from the mall as it’s a long walk from Dubai Mall, plus the Burj Khalifa driveway isn’t suitable for walking.

Taxi

Taxi is pretty easy and if you ask for them to drop you at At The Top, they’ll usually know the way. You can be dropped off either at Fashion Avenue or Dubai Fountain. It takes around 5 minutes to reach the lower ground for At The Top.

If you do get a newer taxi driver. For At The Top, you need to access it via Dubai Mall and the main entrance to Burj Khalifa. So make sure they don’t drop you where Armani Hotel is. Otherwise, you’ll have a very long walk to At The Top.

If you accidentally end up on the wrong side of the mall, close to Grand Parking. Then grab one of the taxi buggy carts inside the mall for 20 to 30 AED ($5.50 to $8 USD) if you don’t feel like walking.

Car

There is lots of parking in Dubai Mall but certain floors can get very busy, especially those close to the lower ground and ground floors. I recommend parking in Fashion Avenue as this is the closest. Make your way to the lower ground floor from the car park, follow the signs for At The Top.

Cinema Parking is also close depending on which end you park. You want the side closer to Dubai Fountain. Avoid the Grand Parking as it’s on the opposite side of the mall.

Insider tip – The car parking floors have different numbers to the mall floors which is confusing but check the plastic sign around the buttons. It tells you which floor corresponds to which car parking floor. Be aware that not all lifts go to the lower ground level inside the mall.

You can also do valet parking at one of The Address hotels, meet the minimum spend for the hotel (usually around 100 AED – though they don’t always check your bill). It’s a nice way to grab a coffee and snack while enjoying the convenience of valet parking for free!

💎 Book VIP lounge Burj Khalifa At The Top Tickets 💎

Hotels Near Burj Khalifa

If it’s a dream of yours to stay close to the Burj Khalifa or you just love staying in the centre of the action. Here are all the best hotels for a wide range of budgets!

Check out my full article here with hotels with a view of the Burj Khalifa

Affordable Hotels Near Burj Khalifa

There aren’t many budget options available as Downtown is the most expensive area for both real estate and staying in Dubai.

Business Bay, an area right next to Downtown Dubai, offers more affordability but is not the cheapest area to stay due to its proximity to the centre. However, you can save money compared to Downtown while still being in a great location!

The Rove Downtown

These cool hotels have many extras for those coming to Dubai for business, on a longer trip or for those who need to work remotely. This includes shared working areas with plug socks & desks, a laundromat and even their restaurant features long wooden benches, so you can get chatting to people as you dine.

Check Prices and Availability! 🤩

Mid-range and Luxury Hotels

Radisson Blu Dubai Waterfront, Business Bay

This modern hotel in Business Bay, has lovely views of the Burj Khalifa and offers more affordability than the Downtown area. You book direct here with Radisson or via Booking.com. It’s great value for a 5 star hotel and the location!

If you want a Burj Khalifa view room, you will typically need to pay a premium.

Check Prices and Availability! 🤩

Burj Khalifa Facts

Do you know how the Burj Khalifa got its name? Originally the Burj Khalifa was going to be called Burj Dubai but was changed to the Burj Khalifa after the UAE ruler and announced when it opened.

Reportedly this was due to the large investment Abu Dhabi had made into Dubai after the 2008 global recession

• The Burj Khalifa opened on 4th January 2010
• Construction started in January 2004 for a total of 6 years
• It is the World’s Tallest freestanding structure at 828m (2,716 ft)
• It also holds the title of the highest occupied floor, highest building, highest number of stories, elevator with the longest travel distance and tallest service elevator in the world
• Along with the highest outdoor observation deck in the world
• It cost $1.5 billion USD to build
• The building is multifunctional, containing a hotel, restaurants, offices and private residences.
• The height of the tower was kept a secret until the building was finished
• The very highest floors of the Burj Khalifa aren’t usable
• Bill Baker was the engineer behind the Burj Khalifa who created a building that was not only structurally sound but could withstand the climate and sandstorms of Dubai at such a height
• The architect who designed the building was Adrian Smith while working at Skidmore Owings & Merrill
• The building is inspired by the ‘Spider Lily’ which is native to the desert
• It is owned by Emaar Properties

Saudi Arabia has a tower planned called ‘Jeddah Tower,’ previously ‘Kingdom Tower’ to beat the height of the Burj Khalifa by 180m (591 ft). Construction was halted but the plans have been revived again. According to the plans, it would be a total of 1008m (3,307 ft).

After Jeddah Tower, Dubai announced plans to beat its own world record with ‘Dubai Creek Tower’ but hasn’t released what its height would be. This building was put on hold in 2018 until Emaar announced it would be having a redesign in 2023. The height still hasn’t been confirmed; however, Emaar founder said it is now unlikely to beat the Burj Khalifa height.

FAQs about visiting Burj Khalifa

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Final thoughts on the best Burj Khalifa ticket

As a local, this is the best way to visit Burj Khalifa:

Buy the At The Top SKY ticket which gives you access to the 124, 125 & 148 floor and go for sunset, which is best at a 4 pm ticket. This ticket you get to jump the queues, which can be up to two hours long!

At 4pm, you’ll get time to explore during day time and take the famous Burj Khalifa pictures you see all over Instagram. This also allows you access to floor 148 which is less crowded.

You can then sit and enjoy the lounge as the sun sets. Perfect!

If you really want to go all out, including arriving at thw Burj Khalifa in a luxury vehicle with access to the beautiful VIP lounge, then I highly recommend this VIP package including lunch or afternoon tea plus half a bottle of champagne or sparking wine.

Then finally I would go grab a coffee from one of the many restaurants with outdoor seating close to the fountains and sit outside to watch the dancing Dubai fountains and laser show while relaxing, as the perfect end to my evening.

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Want to learn more about the Burj Khalifa or other attractions in Dubai? These helpful articles have you covered:

• All restaurants inside the Burj Khalifa, which one will you choose to dine in?
• Guide to Dubai Fountain show times and where is best to watch
• Best hotels near Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa for your stay in Dubai
• The absolute best restaurants with a view of the Burj Khalifa
• All restaurants inside the Burj Al Arab, experience the best luxury hotel in Dubai
• Learn more about the Burj Al Arab, facts you didn’t know about this 7 star hotel
• Things to do inside Mall of Emirates, Dubai’s favourite mall!
• The ultimate Dubai dresscode, what to wear in Dubai so you fit in with the locals

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