- Entrance via Dubai Mall: The visitor entrance to At The Top is located on the Lower Ground (LG) level of The Dubai Mall near the food court. You cannot enter the observation decks through the building’s ground-level street lobby, which is reserved exclusively for Armani Hotel guests and private residents.
- Metro Access: Take the Dubai Metro Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station. From the station, walk through the air-conditioned, moving-walkway Metro Link Bridge (approximately a 12-to-15-minute walk) directly into the mall.
- The Double Sunset Phenomenon: Because of the tower’s extraordinary height, you can watch the sunset at ground level from the lake promenade, take the elevator up to the 124th floor, and watch the exact same sunset a second time over the Arabian Gulf horizon!
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is the observation deck on the Burj Khalifa?
The standard At The Top observation deck on Level 124 is 456 meters (1,496 feet) high, while the luxury At The Top SKY deck on Level 148 is 555 meters (1,821 feet) above the ground.
Where do you enter the Burj Khalifa for observation tickets?
Observation deck ticket holders must enter through the Lower Ground floor of The Dubai Mall, following directional signs for “At The Top, Burj Khalifa.”
Is the Level 148 SKY ticket worth the extra cost?
Yes, for travelers seeking a luxury VIP experience. Level 148 includes skip-the-line elevator queues, access to the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, and complimentary Arabic refreshments in an uncrowded lounge.
- Non-Prime Hours: 399 AED (~$108 USD).
- Prime Hours (Sunset window): 553 AED (~$150 USD).
Visitor Entrance, Transit & Tips
- Entrance via Dubai Mall: The visitor entrance to At The Top is located on the Lower Ground (LG) level of The Dubai Mall near the food court. You cannot enter the observation decks through the building’s ground-level street lobby, which is reserved exclusively for Armani Hotel guests and private residents.
- Metro Access: Take the Dubai Metro Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station. From the station, walk through the air-conditioned, moving-walkway Metro Link Bridge (approximately a 12-to-15-minute walk) directly into the mall.
- The Double Sunset Phenomenon: Because of the tower’s extraordinary height, you can watch the sunset at ground level from the lake promenade, take the elevator up to the 124th floor, and watch the exact same sunset a second time over the Arabian Gulf horizon!
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is the observation deck on the Burj Khalifa?
The standard At The Top observation deck on Level 124 is 456 meters (1,496 feet) high, while the luxury At The Top SKY deck on Level 148 is 555 meters (1,821 feet) above the ground.
Where do you enter the Burj Khalifa for observation tickets?
Observation deck ticket holders must enter through the Lower Ground floor of The Dubai Mall, following directional signs for “At The Top, Burj Khalifa.”
Is the Level 148 SKY ticket worth the extra cost?
Yes, for travelers seeking a luxury VIP experience. Level 148 includes skip-the-line elevator queues, access to the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, and complimentary Arabic refreshments in an uncrowded lounge.
- Non-Prime Hours (Morning & Late Night): 179 AED (~$49 USD) adult / 139 AED children.
- Prime Hours (Sunset window 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM): 259 AED (~$70 USD) adult / 165 AED children.
- Non-Prime Hours: 399 AED (~$108 USD).
- Prime Hours (Sunset window): 553 AED (~$150 USD).
Visitor Entrance, Transit & Tips
- Entrance via Dubai Mall: The visitor entrance to At The Top is located on the Lower Ground (LG) level of The Dubai Mall near the food court. You cannot enter the observation decks through the building’s ground-level street lobby, which is reserved exclusively for Armani Hotel guests and private residents.
- Metro Access: Take the Dubai Metro Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station. From the station, walk through the air-conditioned, moving-walkway Metro Link Bridge (approximately a 12-to-15-minute walk) directly into the mall.
- The Double Sunset Phenomenon: Because of the tower’s extraordinary height, you can watch the sunset at ground level from the lake promenade, take the elevator up to the 124th floor, and watch the exact same sunset a second time over the Arabian Gulf horizon!
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is the observation deck on the Burj Khalifa?
The standard At The Top observation deck on Level 124 is 456 meters (1,496 feet) high, while the luxury At The Top SKY deck on Level 148 is 555 meters (1,821 feet) above the ground.
Where do you enter the Burj Khalifa for observation tickets?
Observation deck ticket holders must enter through the Lower Ground floor of The Dubai Mall, following directional signs for “At The Top, Burj Khalifa.”
Is the Level 148 SKY ticket worth the extra cost?
Yes, for travelers seeking a luxury VIP experience. Level 148 includes skip-the-line elevator queues, access to the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, and complimentary Arabic refreshments in an uncrowded lounge.
- At The Top General Admission (Levels 124 & 125):
- Non-Prime Hours (Morning & Late Night): 179 AED (~$49 USD) adult / 139 AED children.
- Prime Hours (Sunset window 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM): 259 AED (~$70 USD) adult / 165 AED children.
- At The Top SKY (Level 148 + 124/125):
- Non-Prime Hours: 399 AED (~$108 USD).
- Prime Hours (Sunset window): 553 AED (~$150 USD).
- Booking Rule: Always book online in advance through the official Burj Khalifa website (burjkhalifa.ae). Buying on-site tickets on the day of your visit can cost more than double due to immediate-entry surcharges, or timeslots may be completely sold out.
Visitor Entrance, Transit & Tips
- Entrance via Dubai Mall: The visitor entrance to At The Top is located on the Lower Ground (LG) level of The Dubai Mall near the food court. You cannot enter the observation decks through the building’s ground-level street lobby, which is reserved exclusively for Armani Hotel guests and private residents.
- Metro Access: Take the Dubai Metro Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station. From the station, walk through the air-conditioned, moving-walkway Metro Link Bridge (approximately a 12-to-15-minute walk) directly into the mall.
- The Double Sunset Phenomenon: Because of the tower’s extraordinary height, you can watch the sunset at ground level from the lake promenade, take the elevator up to the 124th floor, and watch the exact same sunset a second time over the Arabian Gulf horizon!
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is the observation deck on the Burj Khalifa?
The standard At The Top observation deck on Level 124 is 456 meters (1,496 feet) high, while the luxury At The Top SKY deck on Level 148 is 555 meters (1,821 feet) above the ground.
Where do you enter the Burj Khalifa for observation tickets?
Observation deck ticket holders must enter through the Lower Ground floor of The Dubai Mall, following directional signs for “At The Top, Burj Khalifa.”
Is the Level 148 SKY ticket worth the extra cost?
Yes, for travelers seeking a luxury VIP experience. Level 148 includes skip-the-line elevator queues, access to the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, and complimentary Arabic refreshments in an uncrowded lounge.
- At The Top General Admission (Levels 124 & 125):
- Non-Prime Hours (Morning & Late Night): 179 AED (~$49 USD) adult / 139 AED children.
- Prime Hours (Sunset window 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM): 259 AED (~$70 USD) adult / 165 AED children.
- At The Top SKY (Level 148 + 124/125):
- Non-Prime Hours: 399 AED (~$108 USD).
- Prime Hours (Sunset window): 553 AED (~$150 USD).
- Booking Rule: Always book online in advance through the official Burj Khalifa website (burjkhalifa.ae). Buying on-site tickets on the day of your visit can cost more than double due to immediate-entry surcharges, or timeslots may be completely sold out.
Visitor Entrance, Transit & Tips
- Entrance via Dubai Mall: The visitor entrance to At The Top is located on the Lower Ground (LG) level of The Dubai Mall near the food court. You cannot enter the observation decks through the building’s ground-level street lobby, which is reserved exclusively for Armani Hotel guests and private residents.
- Metro Access: Take the Dubai Metro Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station. From the station, walk through the air-conditioned, moving-walkway Metro Link Bridge (approximately a 12-to-15-minute walk) directly into the mall.
- The Double Sunset Phenomenon: Because of the tower’s extraordinary height, you can watch the sunset at ground level from the lake promenade, take the elevator up to the 124th floor, and watch the exact same sunset a second time over the Arabian Gulf horizon!
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is the observation deck on the Burj Khalifa?
The standard At The Top observation deck on Level 124 is 456 meters (1,496 feet) high, while the luxury At The Top SKY deck on Level 148 is 555 meters (1,821 feet) above the ground.
Where do you enter the Burj Khalifa for observation tickets?
Observation deck ticket holders must enter through the Lower Ground floor of The Dubai Mall, following directional signs for “At The Top, Burj Khalifa.”
Is the Level 148 SKY ticket worth the extra cost?
Yes, for travelers seeking a luxury VIP experience. Level 148 includes skip-the-line elevator queues, access to the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, and complimentary Arabic refreshments in an uncrowded lounge.
- At The Top (Levels 124 & 125 — 456 meters / 1,496 feet): The classic viewing experience. Guests ascend in double-decker elevators traveling at 10 meters per second (36 km/h / 22 mph)—reaching the 124th floor in just 60 seconds. Level 124 features an outdoor open-air observation terrace and high-powered digital telescopes with live and historic day/night views. Level 125 is a spacious indoor viewing gallery decorated in Arabic mashrabiya motifs, featuring an interactive glass-floor experience that simulates the glass cracking beneath your feet.
- At The Top SKY (Level 148 — 555 meters / 1,821 feet): The VIP luxury tier. Guests are greeted in a private lounge with dates and Arabic coffee, bypassing all elevator lines with a dedicated guest ambassador. At Level 148, visitors step out onto the world’s highest outdoor observation deck with complimentary refreshments, luxury seating, and interactive motion-sensor screens. SKY tickets also include full access to Levels 124 and 125.
- The Lounge (Levels 152, 153 & 154 — 585 meters): The world’s highest lounge, offering afternoon high tea and evening bubbly cocktails on an open-air sky terrace among the clouds.
The Dubai Fountain: World’s Largest Choreographed Fountain
Directly beneath the Burj Khalifa on the 30-acre artificial Burj Lake lies The Dubai Fountain. Designed by WET Design (creators of the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas), this monumental aquatic installation features water jets shooting up to 150 meters (500 feet / equivalent to a 50-story building) in the air, illuminated by 6,600 superlights and 25 color projectors. Daily shows take place at 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM (1:30 PM and 2:00 PM on Fridays) and every 30 minutes in the evening from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, choreographed to classical, pop, and traditional Arabic melodies. The show is completely free to view from the lake promenade.
Tickets, Pricing & Prime Sunset Hours
- At The Top General Admission (Levels 124 & 125):
- Non-Prime Hours (Morning & Late Night): 179 AED (~$49 USD) adult / 139 AED children.
- Prime Hours (Sunset window 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM): 259 AED (~$70 USD) adult / 165 AED children.
- At The Top SKY (Level 148 + 124/125):
- Non-Prime Hours: 399 AED (~$108 USD).
- Prime Hours (Sunset window): 553 AED (~$150 USD).
- Booking Rule: Always book online in advance through the official Burj Khalifa website (burjkhalifa.ae). Buying on-site tickets on the day of your visit can cost more than double due to immediate-entry surcharges, or timeslots may be completely sold out.
Visitor Entrance, Transit & Tips
- Entrance via Dubai Mall: The visitor entrance to At The Top is located on the Lower Ground (LG) level of The Dubai Mall near the food court. You cannot enter the observation decks through the building’s ground-level street lobby, which is reserved exclusively for Armani Hotel guests and private residents.
- Metro Access: Take the Dubai Metro Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station. From the station, walk through the air-conditioned, moving-walkway Metro Link Bridge (approximately a 12-to-15-minute walk) directly into the mall.
- The Double Sunset Phenomenon: Because of the tower’s extraordinary height, you can watch the sunset at ground level from the lake promenade, take the elevator up to the 124th floor, and watch the exact same sunset a second time over the Arabian Gulf horizon!
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is the observation deck on the Burj Khalifa?
The standard At The Top observation deck on Level 124 is 456 meters (1,496 feet) high, while the luxury At The Top SKY deck on Level 148 is 555 meters (1,821 feet) above the ground.
Where do you enter the Burj Khalifa for observation tickets?
Observation deck ticket holders must enter through the Lower Ground floor of The Dubai Mall, following directional signs for “At The Top, Burj Khalifa.”
Is the Level 148 SKY ticket worth the extra cost?
Yes, for travelers seeking a luxury VIP experience. Level 148 includes skip-the-line elevator queues, access to the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, and complimentary Arabic refreshments in an uncrowded lounge.
- At The Top (Levels 124 & 125 — 456 meters / 1,496 feet): The classic viewing experience. Guests ascend in double-decker elevators traveling at 10 meters per second (36 km/h / 22 mph)—reaching the 124th floor in just 60 seconds. Level 124 features an outdoor open-air observation terrace and high-powered digital telescopes with live and historic day/night views. Level 125 is a spacious indoor viewing gallery decorated in Arabic mashrabiya motifs, featuring an interactive glass-floor experience that simulates the glass cracking beneath your feet.
- At The Top SKY (Level 148 — 555 meters / 1,821 feet): The VIP luxury tier. Guests are greeted in a private lounge with dates and Arabic coffee, bypassing all elevator lines with a dedicated guest ambassador. At Level 148, visitors step out onto the world’s highest outdoor observation deck with complimentary refreshments, luxury seating, and interactive motion-sensor screens. SKY tickets also include full access to Levels 124 and 125.
- The Lounge (Levels 152, 153 & 154 — 585 meters): The world’s highest lounge, offering afternoon high tea and evening bubbly cocktails on an open-air sky terrace among the clouds.
The Dubai Fountain: World’s Largest Choreographed Fountain
Directly beneath the Burj Khalifa on the 30-acre artificial Burj Lake lies The Dubai Fountain. Designed by WET Design (creators of the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas), this monumental aquatic installation features water jets shooting up to 150 meters (500 feet / equivalent to a 50-story building) in the air, illuminated by 6,600 superlights and 25 color projectors. Daily shows take place at 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM (1:30 PM and 2:00 PM on Fridays) and every 30 minutes in the evening from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, choreographed to classical, pop, and traditional Arabic melodies. The show is completely free to view from the lake promenade.
Tickets, Pricing & Prime Sunset Hours
- At The Top General Admission (Levels 124 & 125):
- Non-Prime Hours (Morning & Late Night): 179 AED (~$49 USD) adult / 139 AED children.
- Prime Hours (Sunset window 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM): 259 AED (~$70 USD) adult / 165 AED children.
- At The Top SKY (Level 148 + 124/125):
- Non-Prime Hours: 399 AED (~$108 USD).
- Prime Hours (Sunset window): 553 AED (~$150 USD).
- Booking Rule: Always book online in advance through the official Burj Khalifa website (burjkhalifa.ae). Buying on-site tickets on the day of your visit can cost more than double due to immediate-entry surcharges, or timeslots may be completely sold out.
Visitor Entrance, Transit & Tips
- Entrance via Dubai Mall: The visitor entrance to At The Top is located on the Lower Ground (LG) level of The Dubai Mall near the food court. You cannot enter the observation decks through the building’s ground-level street lobby, which is reserved exclusively for Armani Hotel guests and private residents.
- Metro Access: Take the Dubai Metro Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station. From the station, walk through the air-conditioned, moving-walkway Metro Link Bridge (approximately a 12-to-15-minute walk) directly into the mall.
- The Double Sunset Phenomenon: Because of the tower’s extraordinary height, you can watch the sunset at ground level from the lake promenade, take the elevator up to the 124th floor, and watch the exact same sunset a second time over the Arabian Gulf horizon!
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is the observation deck on the Burj Khalifa?
The standard At The Top observation deck on Level 124 is 456 meters (1,496 feet) high, while the luxury At The Top SKY deck on Level 148 is 555 meters (1,821 feet) above the ground.
Where do you enter the Burj Khalifa for observation tickets?
Observation deck ticket holders must enter through the Lower Ground floor of The Dubai Mall, following directional signs for “At The Top, Burj Khalifa.”
Is the Level 148 SKY ticket worth the extra cost?
Yes, for travelers seeking a luxury VIP experience. Level 148 includes skip-the-line elevator queues, access to the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, and complimentary Arabic refreshments in an uncrowded lounge.
Overview: Why Burj Khalifa Is the Pinnacle of Human Architectural Ambition
The Burj Khalifa, soaring an astonishing 828 meters (2,716.5 feet / more than half a mile) into the desert sky above Downtown Dubai, is the undisputed tallest building and tallest freestanding structure on earth. Officially inaugurated on January 4, 2010, the colossal 163-story needle broke dozens of global height records upon its unveiling, redefining modern skyscraper design and standing as the ultimate symbol of Dubai’s transformation from a regional trading port into a premier global metropolis.
Designed by American master architect Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) with structural engineering by Bill Baker, the tower’s geometry was inspired by the symmetrical desert spider lily flower (Hymenocallis). Its tripartite Y-shaped floor plan incorporates stepped setbacks that spiral upward, an engineering breakthrough designed to “confuse the wind” by breaking up vortex shedding forces that would otherwise rock a building of this colossal height. Clad in 26,000 hand-cut reflective glass panels that deflect the intense Arabian sun, the tower welcomes over two million visitors each year to its world-famous observation decks.
Observation Decks: “At The Top” vs. “At The Top SKY”
Guests can choose between two distinct observation experiences:
- At The Top (Levels 124 & 125 — 456 meters / 1,496 feet): The classic viewing experience. Guests ascend in double-decker elevators traveling at 10 meters per second (36 km/h / 22 mph)—reaching the 124th floor in just 60 seconds. Level 124 features an outdoor open-air observation terrace and high-powered digital telescopes with live and historic day/night views. Level 125 is a spacious indoor viewing gallery decorated in Arabic mashrabiya motifs, featuring an interactive glass-floor experience that simulates the glass cracking beneath your feet.
- At The Top SKY (Level 148 — 555 meters / 1,821 feet): The VIP luxury tier. Guests are greeted in a private lounge with dates and Arabic coffee, bypassing all elevator lines with a dedicated guest ambassador. At Level 148, visitors step out onto the world’s highest outdoor observation deck with complimentary refreshments, luxury seating, and interactive motion-sensor screens. SKY tickets also include full access to Levels 124 and 125.
- The Lounge (Levels 152, 153 & 154 — 585 meters): The world’s highest lounge, offering afternoon high tea and evening bubbly cocktails on an open-air sky terrace among the clouds.
The Dubai Fountain: World’s Largest Choreographed Fountain
Directly beneath the Burj Khalifa on the 30-acre artificial Burj Lake lies The Dubai Fountain. Designed by WET Design (creators of the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas), this monumental aquatic installation features water jets shooting up to 150 meters (500 feet / equivalent to a 50-story building) in the air, illuminated by 6,600 superlights and 25 color projectors. Daily shows take place at 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM (1:30 PM and 2:00 PM on Fridays) and every 30 minutes in the evening from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, choreographed to classical, pop, and traditional Arabic melodies. The show is completely free to view from the lake promenade.
Tickets, Pricing & Prime Sunset Hours
- At The Top General Admission (Levels 124 & 125):
- Non-Prime Hours (Morning & Late Night): 179 AED (~$49 USD) adult / 139 AED children.
- Prime Hours (Sunset window 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM): 259 AED (~$70 USD) adult / 165 AED children.
- At The Top SKY (Level 148 + 124/125):
- Non-Prime Hours: 399 AED (~$108 USD).
- Prime Hours (Sunset window): 553 AED (~$150 USD).
- Booking Rule: Always book online in advance through the official Burj Khalifa website (burjkhalifa.ae). Buying on-site tickets on the day of your visit can cost more than double due to immediate-entry surcharges, or timeslots may be completely sold out.
Visitor Entrance, Transit & Tips
- Entrance via Dubai Mall: The visitor entrance to At The Top is located on the Lower Ground (LG) level of The Dubai Mall near the food court. You cannot enter the observation decks through the building’s ground-level street lobby, which is reserved exclusively for Armani Hotel guests and private residents.
- Metro Access: Take the Dubai Metro Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station. From the station, walk through the air-conditioned, moving-walkway Metro Link Bridge (approximately a 12-to-15-minute walk) directly into the mall.
- The Double Sunset Phenomenon: Because of the tower’s extraordinary height, you can watch the sunset at ground level from the lake promenade, take the elevator up to the 124th floor, and watch the exact same sunset a second time over the Arabian Gulf horizon!
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is the observation deck on the Burj Khalifa?
The standard At The Top observation deck on Level 124 is 456 meters (1,496 feet) high, while the luxury At The Top SKY deck on Level 148 is 555 meters (1,821 feet) above the ground.
Where do you enter the Burj Khalifa for observation tickets?
Observation deck ticket holders must enter through the Lower Ground floor of The Dubai Mall, following directional signs for “At The Top, Burj Khalifa.”
Is the Level 148 SKY ticket worth the extra cost?
Yes, for travelers seeking a luxury VIP experience. Level 148 includes skip-the-line elevator queues, access to the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, and complimentary Arabic refreshments in an uncrowded lounge.
