The world's tallest building has held its record since 2010: 828 metres, 163 floors. There are three ways up — and the price gap between them can be as much as threefold. Below, find out which option fits your plan: a first-time visit, golden-hour photos, or dinner with a panoramic view.
Reference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator. Official website
Tower Observation Decks
choose by budgetAll tickets are sold for specific time slots. Sunset is the priciest — and the hardest to book.
classic
At the Top · floors 124–125
Reference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
Photo: Boss Time / Google
premiumAt the Top SKY · floor 148
555 metres — one of the highest observation decks on earth. No queues, a private lounge, refreshments, and bonus access to the 125th-floor terrace.
Photo: Abrar Rahman Nibir / Google
ultimateThe Lounge · floors 152–154
The world's highest lounge at 575+ metres: cocktails and afternoon tea above the clouds. An experience in its own right — not just a ticket.
Photo: Kento Masuda / Google
The Same View for Less
honest alternativesYou can't see Burj Khalifa from inside the tower itself. These spots give you the best shot of it.
Address Sky View, floors 52–54Sky Views Observatory
The observatory across from the tower: glass floor, a slide at 220 metres up, and the best angle on the Burj Khalifa itself. Twice as affordable.
Photo: Sky Views Observatory / Google
122nd floor of the towerDinner with a view: Atmosphere
A restaurant inside the tower itself: a table reservation doubles as your observation deck ticket. The minimum spend is comparable to a SKY ticket — but you get a full evening out.
Photo: Atmosphere Burj Khalifa / Google
the waterfront promenade by Souk Al BaharFree vantage point
The bridge by Souk Al Bahar and the Dubai Mall terrace: the full tower in frame, fountains and all — no ticket required. Arrive 20 minutes before sunset.
Photo: Souk Al Bahar / Google
Practical
- EntranceDubai Mall, lower level (follow the At the Top signs)
- MetroBurj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (Red Line) + travelator 10–15 min
- Hoursdaily, approximately 9:00 AM–11:00 PM (30-minute slots)
- Prime timesunset slots: 30–60% pricier, book 3–7 days ahead
- Childrenunder 4 free (At the Top)
Reference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
Which ticket to choose
- First timeAt the Top 124/125, daytime slot — base price
- For sunset photosSKY 148 (fewer crowds) or Sky Views across the way
- RomanceAtmosphere or The Lounge — a reservation instead of a ticket
- SavingsSky Views + free fountain shows from the waterfront
Reference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
Tips that actually work
- •Buy your ticket online for a specific time slot — tickets at the box office cost more, and nearby slots may already be sold out.
- •A slot 60–90 minutes before sunset is ideal: you get the city in daylight, the sunset itself, and the evening light show — all on one ticket.
- •After you come down, head to the fountains — shows run every 30 minutes from 18:00. It's a free encore to your visit.
- •Haze (especially in summer) kills daytime visibility. Evening slots give you a much cleaner view.
- •Tripods aren't allowed on the observation deck — for night shots, bracing against the glass and using the self-timer works just fine.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to go up Burj Khalifa?
- Reference information: confirm prices, ratings and schedules with the operator.
- 124th or 148th floor — is there actually a difference?
- The city looks much the same from both heights. SKY 148 is really about the experience: a dedicated elevator, fewer crowds, and a lounge with refreshments. If your goal is simply to “see Dubai from above,” 124/125 is more than enough.
- When is the best time to go up?
- One hour before sunset is the prime slot — daytime, the sunset, and the illuminated city skyline all on one ticket. Book 3–7 days ahead. Morning slots (9:00–11:00) are cheaper and less crowded, but you'll miss the light show.
- Can you get to the top without buying an observation deck ticket?
- Yes — book a table at Atmosphere restaurant (122nd floor) or the lounge. The table deposit runs about the same as a SKY ticket, but instead of queuing for the deck you get dinner with the same panoramic view.
- What's inside the tower itself?
- Beyond the observation decks: Armani Hotel (lower floors), around 900 private apartments, offices, and restaurants. Apartments in and around the tower are their own market — see our Downtown investment guide for a full price breakdown.
A Burj Khalifa view — from your own window
Downtown apartments with tower views rent to tourists year-round. We'll show you real DLD transaction prices and the area's rental yield — no sugarcoating.
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