The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building, at about 828 metres, and visiting its observation decks is one of the most popular things to do in Dubai. The tower is also a vertical city with a hotel, residences, offices and the world’s highest restaurant, and it is surrounded by the Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain. This guide explains which deck to choose, what tickets cost, how to visit on a budget, the best time to go, what is inside the tower, how it was built and how to plan your visit.
Is the Burj Khalifa Worth Visiting?
Yes, and the standard At the Top ticket on levels 124 and 125 is the best choice for most first-time visitors. It gives you the full tower experience, including an outdoor terrace and a glass floor, at a much lower price than the SKY ticket on level 148. Book a timed ticket in advance, preferably for sunset or for a cheaper off-peak slot, and plan the rest of your evening around the Dubai Mall and the fountain show.
Burj Khalifa at a Glance
- Height: about 828 metres, with some recent surveys quoting 829.8 metres to the tip of the spire
- Floors: 163 floors, including the observation decks on levels 124, 125 and 148
- Opened: January 2010, after construction that started in January 2004
- Architect: Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, with Emaar as developer
- Design: a Y-shaped floor plan inspired by the spider lily, with stepped setbacks that reduce wind forces
- Lifts: public elevators travel at about 10 metres per second and reach level 124 in around a minute
- Location: Downtown Dubai, next to the Dubai Mall, with the observation entrance inside the mall
The Burj Khalifa Observation Decks
At the Top: levels 124 and 125
At the Top is the standard ticket. Level 124, at about 452 metres, has an indoor gallery and an outdoor terrace, and level 125, at about 456 metres, has a glass floor and interactive displays that show the city and the tower’s history. There is no time limit once you are inside, so you can stay for sunset and after dark. It is the best value, and most visitors spend between 60 and 90 minutes.
At the Top SKY: level 148
At the Top SKY sits at about 555 metres and is the highest public observation deck in the world. It is a quieter, more premium experience, with hosted entry, a lounge and a drink, and it also gives access to levels 124 and 125. Tickets cost much more than the standard ticket and the deck often opens later in the day, so it suits special occasions and visitors who want to avoid crowds. Check the current opening hours when you book.
Which should you choose?
- For most visitors: At the Top, levels 124 and 125
- For couples and special occasions: At the Top SKY, level 148
- For families on a budget: At the Top, with a non-prime ticket
Burj Khalifa Ticket Prices
Prices change by season, seller and time slot, so treat these figures as a guide drawn from recent listings.
- At the Top, off-peak (non-prime): roughly AED 150 to 175 for adults, usually in the morning and late evening
- At the Top, prime time: about AED 250 for adults, usually from around 4 pm to 7 pm, which includes sunset
- Children: lower prices for ages three to 12 or so, with infants under three free
- At the Top SKY: roughly AED 340 to 400 off-peak and AED 400 to 550 in prime time, with no child discount in many listings
- Combo tickets: some packages pair the tower with the Dubai Aquarium or a meal
Walk-up tickets cost more than online tickets, and sunset slots can sell out days ahead, so book online and choose a time that suits you.
How to Visit the Burj Khalifa Cheaply
- Choose non-prime hours: morning and late-evening slots cost much less than sunset, and the view at night is excellent.
- Book online in advance: online prices are lower than at the counter.
- Skip the SKY ticket: levels 124 and 125 already give you a high, outdoor view.
- Compare combos: packages with the aquarium or other attractions can reduce the total cost.
- Bring children under three: they enter free.
- Use the free views: the base of the tower, the Dubai Fountain show and the promenade cost nothing, and our Dubai Fountain guide explains where to stand.
Best Time to Visit the Burj Khalifa
- Best for sunset: the prime slot between about 4 pm and 7 pm, booked at least a few days ahead
- Best for night views: after dark, when the city and the Dubai Fountain are lit up
- Best for clear photos: morning in winter, when the air is cleanest
- Worst conditions: summer afternoons and dusty or foggy days, when haze reduces visibility
- Quietest: weekday mornings and late evenings
Day versus night is a matter of taste. Daytime gives you long views across the desert and the coast, while night gives you glowing streets and the fountain show. A sunset ticket lets you see both. Clouds are rare in Dubai, but low cloud and morning fog can sometimes sit around the upper floors or hide the view completely, so check the forecast. For month-by-month conditions, see our Dubai weather guide.
What Is Inside the Burj Khalifa?
- Armani Hotel and Armani Residences: the hotel occupies the lower floors, with serviced and private residences above
- Residences: luxury apartments across the middle section of the tower, privately owned
- Offices: business space on higher floors
- At.mosphere: a restaurant and lounge on level 122, recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s highest restaurant at about 442 metres
- Observation decks: levels 124, 125 and 148
- Mechanical floors and spire: the technical systems and communications equipment at the very top
Dining and Drinks at the Burj Khalifa
At.mosphere on level 122 serves modern French cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and its lounge serves afternoon tea and cocktails. Recent guides put afternoon tea from around AED 350 and dinner at roughly AED 600 to over 1,100 per person, depending on the menu and drinks. A drink at the lounge costs far more than at a typical Dubai bar, because you are paying for the altitude and the view. If you want the setting on a smaller budget, consider booking a window table for afternoon tea, or watch the sunset from the observation deck and eat in the Dubai Mall afterwards. See our guide to the Dubai Mall for where to eat nearby.
Living and Staying in the Burj Khalifa
Visitors cannot walk into the residences. The Armani Hotel in the lower part of the tower has been reported closed for refurbishment in 2026, with a reopening targeted for late 2026, so check before you plan a stay. The apartments higher up are privately owned, and they come onto the market only occasionally, at prices far above ordinary Dubai apartments. Ownership details are mostly private, so treat online lists of famous owners with caution.
How the Burj Khalifa Was Built
Construction began in January 2004, and the tower opened on 4 January 2010 after about six years of work and tens of millions of man-hours. It was designed by Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, and its Y-shaped plan was inspired by the spider lily, with three wings that buttress each other against the wind. The stepped design reduces wind forces as the tower narrows, and the structure combines a reinforced concrete core with a steel spire. It overtook Taipei 101 as the world’s tallest building, and it has kept that title for more than 15 years.
How to Get to the Burj Khalifa
- Metro: take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, then follow the covered walkway to the mall, which takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
- Taxi or ride-hailing: the easiest option, with drop-off at the Dubai Mall.
- Car: parking is available in the mall, but it fills up at weekends and sunset.
The observation entrance is inside the Dubai Mall, so allow extra time to find it and to pass through security.
How to Plan Your Visit
If you have 2 hours
Book an off-peak At the Top ticket, spend an hour on the decks and finish with a fountain show outside.
If you have half a day
Combine the tower with the Dubai Aquarium and lunch in the mall, then go up for the afternoon slot.
If you have a full evening
Shop and eat in the Dubai Mall, go up at sunset, stay for the night views and watch the fountain at the end of your visit. For more ideas, see our list of the tourist attractions in Dubai.
Practical Tips
- Book timed tickets online and arrive 15 to 30 minutes before your slot.
- There is no strict dress code for the decks, but dress comfortably and modestly, because you will be in the mall.
- Photography is welcome, but tripods may be restricted, and glass reflections are lower if you press your lens close to the window.
- Arrive early, because security checks at the Dubai Mall entrance can take time at busy hours.
- Check the weather forecast, because haze and fog can reduce the view.
- Leave large bags at your hotel, because bag checks are strict.
Burj Khalifa: Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is the Burj Khalifa?
About 828 metres, or 2,717 feet, and some recent surveys quote 829.8 metres to the tip of the spire.
How much does it cost to go up the Burj Khalifa?
The At the Top ticket costs roughly AED 150 to 175 off-peak and about AED 250 at sunset, and the SKY ticket costs more, so check current prices when you book.
What is the best time to go up the Burj Khalifa?
Sunset is the most popular time, and an off-peak slot in the morning or late evening is cheaper.
How long does a visit take?
Plan for one to two hours, including the lift and the time on the deck.
Can you see clouds from the Burj Khalifa?
Clouds are rare in Dubai, but low cloud and fog can sometimes cover the upper floors or reduce the view.
What is the highest point you can visit?
Level 148, at about 555 metres, is the highest public observation deck in the world.
Can I stay in the Burj Khalifa?
The Armani Hotel in the lower part of the tower has been reported closed for refurbishment in 2026, with a reopening targeted for late 2026, so confirm before you book. The apartments higher up are privately owned.
Is there a dress code?
There is no strict dress code, but dress modestly because you will pass through the Dubai Mall.
Is the At.mosphere restaurant worth it?
It is a splurge. It suits special occasions, and a shorter visit for afternoon tea costs less than dinner.
Final Thoughts
The Burj Khalifa is worth the ticket if you plan it well: book an off-peak or sunset slot online, pick the At the Top deck unless you want the premium SKY experience and leave time for the Dubai Mall and the fountain. For more ideas on what to do around Downtown, see our guide to the Dubai Mall.
