Visit Burj Khalifa: tickets, prices, schedules

Want to touch the stars and scratch the belly of the cumulus? We'll take you to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Imagine. You are perched at the top of two and a half Eiffel Tower. It’s high, isn’t it? Yes, it's 828 meters and 163 floors! This is nothing but the height of the highest tower in the world!

The Khalifa Tower, named after the President of the United Arab Emirates, overlooks the demeaning city of Dubai. Inaugurated in 2010, this building contains offices, apartments, a swimming pool, a mosque or a luxury hotel. This exceptional size is worth being a major tourist attraction in the city. Visible attraction at 95 kilometers in the round! Two million visitors a year visit the Burj Khalifa of Dubai. In fact, everyone has to take it in advance to reserve their place and make sure to arrive scrupulously on time.

As if this was not enough, the building alone holds several world records. Of course, the highest tower, but also the highest restaurant, the highest apartments and a number of living rooms ever reached. Want to visit the Burj Khalifa in Dubai? Follow our guide!

History of the Burj Khalifa of Dubai

The Burj Khalifa: a crazy project

The show must be grand! To do this, we must appeal to engineering geniuses, overflowing imagination, the best designers and a monumental background lift. Result? A billion and a half dollars, 500 thousand tons on the scale, 57 lifts, twelve thousand workers, 22 million hours of work, six years of work. It immediately gives vertigo.

The adventure began in 2003. In Dubai, nothing is impossible. That’s exactly why the government decides to bring out this tower of the extremes. The idea? May the whole world visit the Burj Khalifa of Dubai and see the richness and ambition of the country. The proposals of many architects and engineers are coming. The lucky winner? An American architecture firm specializing in skyscrapers. Work begins a year later. The team brushes the constraints, sprays the obstacles and imposes no limits. A goal in mind: build this tower at all costs!

What did architects rely on to create such an innovative and aesthetic design? On a flower named Hymenocallis. If you visit the Burj Khalifa tower, you will find that it has three sections built around a central core. From heaven, it looks like a dome in several layers, typical of Islamic architecture.

All is covered with 142 thousand square meters of glass, aluminum and stainless steel. The materials used are tested and the teams redouble their ingenuity to achieve this feat. The means of construction are innovative and sometimes even mad!

The Burj Khalifa tower dips its feet in an artificial lake of twelve hectares. It is also in vigy in front of the world’s largest shopping centre – Dubai Mall – and the incredible Dubai Fountain .

The Burj Khalifa: challenges in the backdrop

But the construction of the Burj Khalifa is not all pink! In 2006, a revolt broke out. The workers, angry, protest against their working conditions. It must be said that they are experiencing terrible cadences, under a lead sun, sometimes forced to sleep on the spot. All for... four dollars a day. But despite this, the tower was erected in six years.

At the top: 124 and 125th floors of the Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa offers three levels of observation. The “At the Top” platforms at the 124th and 125th floors of the tower are the first of them. But don't trust his name, they're not at the top of the Burj, but at half an hour.

Before climbing to the upper floors, you can wait in a large room with other visitors. According to the tourist season, the wait can be longer or less, but on average it does not exceed the quarter of an hour. The management of the public is relatively fluid and in this period of Covid-19, for reasons of health management, the flow is limited, the temperature verified, and social distancing and the marking on the ground are to be respected...

We then cross long corridors exposing the history of the Burj and then borrow one of the lifts. As the floors defy, the walls of the cabin show the meters covered in height. In less than a minute, we are 456 metres from the ground.

Here we are at "At The Top"... The 124th floor is divided into two spaces: an indoor observation room and an outdoor platform. The interior room has a large glass bay, a souvenir shop and a photo booth. In addition to enjoying the view, you will find interactive twins that will inform you about what you are watching, and about the old Dubai.

The outdoor platform is surrounded by large glass panels. Interstices are designed to take photos without a glare. Be careful, tripods are forbidden, but you can ask the photographer of the Burj Khalifa to take a picture if you wish.

If the gods of the weather are with you, you will have a clear view that allows you to see the ocean and some artificial islands on the coast. Otherwise, you will see a miniaturized Dubai with its buildings, highways And her artificial lakes... It is in height that one realizes that Dubai is a metropolis that pushed into the wilderness, a perception that one quickly forgets on the ground, immersed in urban life.

On the 125th floor there is only one observation room, but you will have a 360° view of Dubai. On some of the walls are painted wings for very "instagramable" souvenir pictures. If the breathtaking view is not enough to give you a good dose of chill, the most temeral of you, will be able to cross a glass bridge that overlooks the void and that cracks each step! This is actually a rather spectacular virtual animation!

At the Top Sky: the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa

You can be satisfied with the basic visit to the 124th and 125th floors, but if you try the experience of a VIP visit to the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa, you will not regret it. Honestly, the view is the same and the twenty floors that separate them, does not make a big difference. But taking his ticket “Sky”, it is above all to make the experience of the visit of the biggest skyscraper in the world, even more exceptional.

To begin with, when we arrive at the entrance of the Burj Khalifa, we are taken to a living room where, Arab hospitality forces, we are offered coffee and dates. Then, we are headed to the VIP elevator that makes us climb to the 125th floor, then take a second elevator to the 148th floor located 555 meters from the ground.

The observation room is a large luxurious living room, with sofas and comfortable armchairs to sit and enjoy the moment. The atmosphere is fuzzy and servers will provide you with other refreshments and small-spots.

As on the 124th floor, there is an outdoor platform to fully enjoy the view of Dubai. The number of visitors being limited to 148th, you will not play elbows to enjoy the panorama and you will not have the incessant brouha of 124th and 125th floors. The visit is limited to half an hour, however you will not be thrown out if you make rabies!

After living this privileged moment, you can go down and enjoy the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa.

At.mosphere: the highest restaurant in the world

Taking a meal in the top restaurant in the world, does it tell you? Direction l’At.mosphere! To access it, you must go directly to the Armani Hotel . A free valet service will take care of your vehicle.

Located on the 122nd floor, this luxury restaurant offers menus ranging from breakfast to gourmet dinner concocted by a starred chef. Prices are expensive and you are required to spend a minimum amount per person, this amount varies according to the chosen menu:

• 200 AED minimum (approximately 45 €) for breakfast;
• 300 AED minimum (approximately 70 €) for lunch;
• 450 AED minimum 100 €) for a classic table and 600 AED minimum (or about 140 €) for table with view.

For this price, the view is breathtaking and varied dishes. The atmosphere is relaxed, but can also take a romantic look with the violinist who plays adaptations of love songs and the rose stabilized under a glass bell placed on the table.

A cheaper alternative, but equally pleasant, is offered in the lounge area of the At.mosphere. Here too, you will have to pay a minimum amount and the Lounge At.mosphere is only available at certain times.

First, you can enjoy sunrise in the morning of 7h to 9h sipping a hot drink or fresh fruit juice per 100 AED minimum, or 25 € about.

However, if you prefer one tea-time in the afternoon, with sandwich and mignardises:

• The classic table with sparkling wine offered: 430 AED minimum, or 100 € about;
• The table with view with sparkling wine offered: 503 AED minimum, or 120 € about;
• And the table with view with champagne offered: 664 AED minimum, or 160 € about.

Finally, you can also have dinner between 5pm and 2am . You'll find a bistronomic map.

• For a classic table: 250 AED minimum or 60 € about;
• For a table with view: 350 AED minimum or 80 € about.

It is best to book at least one week in advance for a table with a view. Last minute reservations are only very rarely accepted.

One. dress code is required, but it remains relatively casual while being chic. Avoid sportswear, caps, shorts and t-shirts, open shoes for men and beach sandals for women.

If the restaurant and lounge area welcome children for breakfast formulas, there are age restrictions for other meals:

• To theAt.mosphere, lunch is open to children over 5 years and dinner for children over 7 years ;
• To theAt.mosphere Lounge, tea-time is open to children over 5 years, but dinner is reserved for major persons (21 years).

The Lounge: access floors 152 to 154

Take height and relax in the highest bar in the world: welcome to the Lounge. Usually known as Lounge 154 to distinguish it from the restaurant At.mosphere, it occupies floors 152, 153 and 154 and peaks at 575 metres from the ground.

Each floor has its living room with a unique decoration (size coffee table Majlis , opulent sofas, cocktail table...). On the 152nd floor, you will have access to an outdoor terrace and musical programming is provided daily.

Three nicely appointed offers are available at a rate of 759 AED (182 € approximately):

• The Tea in the Clouds invites you between 12:30 and 16:00 to enjoy in the clouds a selection of teas and coffees, all with small ovens;
• The Bubbly Sundowner from 5.30 p.m. and this until 7pm to enjoy the sunset, hand-worn and small sofas;
• And the Cocktails under the Stars to enjoy the nightlife with cocktails home to siroter and champagne accompanied by gourmet sofas 19:30 to midnight.

The Burj Khalifa at sunset

The most popular visit of the Burj Khalifa is that of sunset that allows you to enjoy the day and night view. When the sun is still in the sky, you can admire the panoramic view of the environment, including desert areas and the ocean.

At night, you can observe from above the city lights and the dancing fountains of Dubai Mall. Not to mention the beauty of the sunset that, from the top of the Burj Khalifa, lays down three minutes later than on the ground.

To make sure you arrive at the best time, we recommend that you book your time slot about 90 minutes in advance as you need to take into account the security checks and visitors’ safety checks on this peak time before accessing the observation rooms.

For those who wish to enjoy sunrise at Burj Khalifa, the booking periods are restricted during the weekend (Friday and Saturday) during the winter.

Are there combined visits?

To save money, you can opt for a combined e-billet that includes the "At the Top" tour and other attractions around the Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa and aquarium

From heaven to underwater depths, you can combine the visit of the "At the Top" platform (124th and 125th floors) and the entrance ticket to the Dubai Mall Aquarium. This is a very popular attraction. Dubai forces, the superlatives connect, it’s the world’s largest suspended aquarium. It contains thousands of underwater species and you can admire the rays and sharks in immersion in a 48-metre long submarine tunnel.

The visit of At the Top takes place according to the scheduled slot on the ticket. You can visit the aquarium and its submarine zoo at any time on the same day.

Burj Khalifa with meals

You will find two offers that combine the visit of Burj Khalifa and a meal. You can choose between a preferential rate for the visit and a lunch or dinner formula Rooftop Burj Club or the option to visit and breakfast Coffee .

First of all, you have the offer “At the Top” and a meal at Rooftop Burj Club . The restaurant is located on the 5th floor and you will enjoy an entry-plat-dessert menu between noon and 14h or 19h and 21h depending on your choice. The terrace offers a clear view of Dubai Mall and fountains. The choice of dishes is varied and vegetarians are not forgotten. However, drinks are excluded from the menu.

If you choose a time slot that corresponds to the hours of lunch or dinner, you will first have to visit the Burj Khalifa and then you will then be able to eat.

Another option is available to you. This time, start your day on the roof of the world with sunrise and breakfast. This offer is only available on Friday and Saturday morning during the winter. The arrival in Dubai Mall is already an experience in itself since the shopping centre is strangely quiet and empty at this very morning hour. To get in, go to the taxi depot. The doors seem closed in this place, but it's enough to push in. We're going through the biggest. mall from the deserted world and unlit until the Burj Khalifa ticket office.

The visit can start on the "At the Top" platform on the 124th floor. The sunrise view from the Tour is great and you can enjoy the less crowded platform in the early morning. Be careful, as you are told, there can be fresh, think about taking a jacket to cover you.

Then back to the ground floor of Dubai Mall where you will take your breakfast at the well-named Café. It consists of a hot drink and a pastry. The service is provided until 8 am.

The entry ticket is 134 AED for an adult (over 12 years) or about 30 € and 99 AEDs for a child (from 4 to 12 years old) 25 € . This is the cheapest ticket to visit the Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa and the Infinity of the Lights exhibition

You can combine your visit to Burj Khalifa with the Infinity of the Lights exhibition. The digital art gallery of 200 m2 makes you experience an amazing immersion experience by plunging you into the projection of iconic works of art. With the help of 130 projectors diffusing 3,000 moving images, canvases take life on the floor and walls on 7 meters high.

It is a multisensory journey made of colors, lights, movements and rhythms, but also of a gentle symphony that accompanies immersion. Three exhibitions are offered: Van Gogh, Japan of the 19th century and the beauty of the universe. The duration of the visit is 90 minutes.

Schedules and rates

Visits to the Burj Khalifa are on precise time slots, you have a maximum of 30 minutes to present yourself, so plan to go to the ticket office in advance, even having booked your ticket directly online. You have to take into account the time of the journey to get there and the passage of Dubai Mall quite long, especially if you don't know the place.

The admission schedules of observation platforms are:

Last admissions are 1 hour before closing. Attention, during Ramadan, the schedules of visits vary, first learn if you are travelling during this period.

The rates vary according to the proposed schedule slots. They will be more or less expensive depending on whether the visit is in hollow hours or peak hours.

Rates for the observation platform At the Top

Standard Ticket - hollow hours: 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. depending on the day of the week or weekend until 3:30 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to midnight

Premium Ticket – peak hours: from 4pm to 6:30pm

Rates for the observation platform At the Top Sky

Standard Ticket - hollow hours: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Premium Ticket – peak hours: from noon to 6 p.m.

How to go to the Burj Khalifa Tower?

The Burj Khalifa is located in the district Dubai Downtown 1 Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. Several means of transport are available to you:

• The cab: They're affordable. In the day, the counter starts at 5 AED (1,20 €) and in the evening at 5,50 AED (1,30 €). If you order a taxi, it is 10 to 12 AED (about €2.50). Taxis from certain shopping centres (including Dubai Mall) or monuments can also be ordered by 12 AEDs;
• The subway: it’s the red line you have to follow to the station Burj Khalifa – Dubai Mall. Think first, take the NOL rechargeable card that will serve you to pay the metro, but also the bus. There is no individual ticket sales. The subway station is a little far away, count 15 minutes walk;
• The bus: Lines 27, 29 and F13 take you to Burj Khalifa;
• The car: Follow the Sheikh Zayed Road, direction Dubai Mall, then exit Burj Khalifa. To park, take the parking lot of Dubai Mall.

What to do about the Burj Khalifa?

♪ activities and attractions Don't miss around the Burj Khalifa. Here are our suggestions.

Dubai Mall

A day would not be enough to explore Dubai Mall. The largest shopping centre in the world is an attraction in itself. Outside the shopping, you will see inside the Mall , the largest suspended aquarium and its submarine zoo, the entire skeleton of a diplodocus dinosaur, waterfalls Waterfalls with their impressive sculptures of divers visible on 4 levels, the umbrella ceiling and the butterflies you can admire by strolling through the Mall , a rink, cinemas, playgrounds for children, a digital art gallery Infinity of the Lights on the 2nd floor... Anyway, you can't be bored!

By leaving Mall, you can discover the Souk Al Bahar and the dancing fountains The Dubai Fountain .

The Dubai Fountain (Funtain view and light)

The fountains of Dubai Mall are a sound and light show where huge streams of water dance on music. The stage is different to each performance. The ideal is to settle on a terrace on the first floor of a restaurant to enjoy the show .

You can borrow one of the abras , small boat typical of the United Arab Emirates, to enjoy the show on the water of Dubai Fountain Lake . The show is grand in the middle of the lake. In addition, in the basin you have an interesting angle of view to take the Burj Khalifa in photo.

For a tour abra , the rate is 65 AED (15 €) per person. The show takes place every 30 minutes, daily, from 1pm to 2pm and from 6pm to 11pm .

Souk Al Bahar

In front of Dubai Mall is the Souk Al Bahar which you can access by a bridge. It is worth a look first for its Arab decor, then for its view of the Burj Khalifa. Less frequented than the famous mall, you will not find the main signs of the department stores, but small craft shops, antiques, souvenirs or artistic reproductions.

There are also many restaurants where the location gives directly to the Dubai Fountain Lake perfect to enjoy the spectacle of the dancing fountains. We can recommend without hesitation the terrace of the Lebanese cuisine restaurant Abd Al Wahab where you find an excellent wine map; l AAfterlife , restaurant with fusion cuisine (sushi, Italian, Oriental) where one can order a narguilé; or even ASammach , a typical UAE fish restaurant where you choose your own fresh fish to cook, and ideally located to admire the fountains or the Burj Khalifa.

The Burj Park

The Burj Park is a small park below Dubai Mall, located on an artificial island bordering the Dubai Fountain Lake . It is scattered many sculptures, some of which are very known as The Wings of Mexico by Jorge Marin, a very "instagramable" work. It’s also an excellent spot to have the best angle of view to take the whole Burj Khalifa, successful exploit with a smartphone! It also hosts many festivals and exhibitions throughout the year.

If you want a bike ride, you can rent one on site, ideal for exploring the Burj Khalifa and its surroundings. Count 15 AED ( 3,50 € about) half hour at 80 AED ( 20 € approximately) for 24 hours. Prices are degressive depending on the length of rental.

At Burj Park you can also borrow the floating bridge that crosses the Dubai fountain Lake . It is about 300 meters long and allows to approach less than 9 meters from the dancing fountains, guaranteed sensations!

Where to sleep around the Burj Khalifa?

♪ hotels not missing on Downtown Dubai . Local hotel standards are particularly stringent, so you will not have any bad surprises in terms of hygiene and comfort. Here is a small selection of hotels with good value for money and a great view of the Burj Khalifa.

• Rove Downtown : it is a recent sign on Dubai. This hotel is 600 metres from Burj Khalifa. You can find a double room with views of the Burj Khalifa from 120 € per night. Free shuttles are at your disposal to get to the hotel beach Jumeirah, to Deira to visit the Dubai Museum or the Jumeirah Madinat Souk ;
• One Bedroom Apartment Dubai Fountain & Old Town View by Hostel : one bedroom apartment with a bed king size and a living room with sofa bed, ideally located 600 metres from the Burj Khalifa and overlooking the fountain;
• Taj Dubai : 4 star hotel in Indian decor that offers a panoramic view of the Burj Khalifa. Located in _Downtown Dubai_Dubai Mall is 1.5 km from the hotel, but a free shuttle can take you there;
• Leva Hotel and Suites, Mazaya Centre : 4-star apartment located 1.5 km from Burj Khalifa. The staff speak French, which is rather appreciable. The accommodation has a bedroom with a bed king size and breakfast is included.

FAQ

What is the duration of the visit?

The visit of the 148th floor lasts in principle 30 minutes. Visiting the 124th and 125th floors is free, you can stay there as long as you want.

What is the best time to visit Burj Khalifa?

It is according to your preference. The most popular and popular visit is that of sunset with its view of the illuminated city. But the day visit allows you to better distinguish the elements of the city and its environment.

The most pleasant season to discover the Burj Khalifa is winter with temperatures around 25°C. Think about checking the weather forecast before taking your ticket, it would be a shame if the panorama was spoiled by the mist, fog and frequent sandstorms in Dubai.

Can I fly over the Burj Khalifa?

It is possible to make hot air balloon tours, helicopter tours, or seaplane To fly over the Burj Khalifa.

Why should he book his ticket online?

From the Covid-19 pandemic, online booking is mandatory. Note that you must choose a time slot and that you must go to the Burj Khalifa ticket office at least 30 minutes before the time of the visit.

Can I visit the Burj Khalifa virtually?

Yes, you can visit the Burj Khalifa here .

Can I sleep at Burj Khalifa?

You can book a room in the luxurious Armani hotel located in the Burj Khalifa.

What are the best views to take pictures of the Burj Khalifa?

The best place to take a picture of the tour in its entirety is the Burj Park which is between Dubai Mall and the Dubai Opera. But you will also get very beautiful shots if you take them from a abra in the middle of the Dubai Fountain Lake .

Is the Burj Khalifa accessible to people with reduced mobility?

The tour of observation platforms is wheelchair accessible. However, strollers are prohibited.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not allowed, and assist animals for persons with disabilities either.

Are there any side effects when visiting the Burj Khalifa?

Depending on your sensitivity, you can feel a slight nausea and ear buzzing when you borrow elevators, but it doesn’t last. However, the visit is not recommended to people with acrophobia.