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Burj Khalifa: A Complete Guide For First-time Visitors

TeamAckoMay 13, 2024

If you're planning to visit the Burj Khalifa for the first time and feeling a bit clueless, don't worry! We’re here to help you out. This guide will provide all the nitty-gritty details about the observation decks, entrance, timings, tickets, and how to get there. So, stick around and read on to be fully prepared for your visit to the Burj Khalifa.

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Contents

About Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa Timings
Best Time to Visit Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa Ticket Variations
How to Get to Burj Khalifa?
Things to Look for Around Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa -Tips for first-time visitors
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions

About Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa, an architectural wonder and a symbol of Dubai's rapid advancement, is the tallest building in the world at 828 metres (2,722 ft). It has 163 floors and includes residential units, office spaces, restaurants, medical centres, and the world-famous Armani Hotel (located on levels 1–8, 38, and 39).

It has two observation decks on the 124th and 125th floors and the 148th floor at the top of the sky. It has three lounges on floors 152, 153, and 154. The building has the longest and fastest single-running elevator, which runs at a speed of 10 metres per second. One interesting fact is that from up to 95 kilometres away, you can see the Burj Khalifa tip.

Burj Khalifa Timings

The Burj Khalifa is open 24*7 throughout the week. However, here are the prime time slots:

Hours	Type
8:30 AM - 2:30 PM	Non-prime
3 PM - 6 PM	Prime
7 PM - 11 PM	Non-prime
4 PM - 6 PM	Prime (for levels 124/125)
9:30 AM - 6 PM	Prime (for level 148)

Tickets are available for time slots throughout the day, but it's advisable to purchase them online in advance, especially during the peak seasons, to save your preferred time slot.

Best Time to Visit Burj Khalifa

For the best views, consider visiting either early in the morning or just before sunset. The rest of the time is very crowded because a lot of tourists are here, and it is particularly popular as you can witness the mesmerising transition from day to night. Remember to book in advance, as these times can get quite crowded.

Burj Khalifa Ticket Variations

The Dubai Burj Khalifa ticket price varies based on the level of access (general admission to the observatory decks to more exclusive experiences like the SKY Lounge) and the time of day you visit (prime/non-prime).

Here is a general breakdown of prices to help you understand:

Ticket Type	Non-prime Time	Prime Time
At the Top (Adults)	AED 179	AED 245
At the Top (Children)	AED 145	AED 149
At the Top (Infants)	Free	Free
At the Top SKY (Adults)	AED 359	AED 459
At the Top SKY (Children)	AED 259	AED 359
At the Top SKY (Infants)	Free	Free

How to Get to Burj Khalifa?

Burj Khalifa is a very popular spot and one of the city's main attractions. Because of this, it is easy to get to and has good public transport links. However, if this is your first trip, you should know about all of your choices. Take note of the many that are there.

Metro, the fastest route: The Dubai Metro has two lines (routes): red and green. To get to the Burj Khalifa by metro, you will have to take the red line. This line is quite famous among tourists as it links some of the popular spots like the Dubai Mall and the airport. Get off at the station closest to the Dubai Mall, and from there, walk a few minutes to the Burj Khalifa.

The metro runs every day of the week and is quite cheap. It takes around 5-7 minutes to reach by metro.

By bus, the cheapest way possible: Taking the bus (F13 line) and getting off at the Dubai Mall stop is another good way to get to the Burj Khalifa. It will only take you a few minutes to walk to the Burj Khalifa gates.

One good thing is that all bus stops are linked to the metro, which is helpful because it makes it easy to plan a trip that uses both. Don't forget that cash payments are not accepted for the bus ride to Burj Khalifa. Instead, you'll need to buy a rechargeable Nol Card.

The buses run every half an hour daily from 4 a.m. morning to 1 a.m mid-night.

By taxi, the easiest way: Taxis are another good way to get to the Burj Khalifa. They are quite cheap compared to other places, and you can find a lot of them all over the city.

There are a lot of them near hotels, malls, metro stops, and the airport.

Things to Look for Around Burj Khalifa

The area surrounding Burj Khalifa, known as Downtown Dubai, is bustling with activities and attractions.

The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s biggest shopping centres, offers an array of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Another must is the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Here, you can see several underwater animals, including penguins, sharks, rays, and a giant crocodile.
The Dubai Fountain is another must-see. Its water, light, and music shows are very interesting. The fountain shot water up to 500 feet into the air. Fountain shows start at 6 p.m. and go until 11 p.m., with a new show every 30 minutes.

Burj Khalifa -Tips for first-time visitors

If you buy Burj Khalifa tickets online, you can cancel them before 48 hours to get a full refund.
Burj Khalifa has only one entrance that goes inside the Dubai Mall.
Burj Khalifa has two elevator lines via the lower ground floor of the Dubai Mall: one is for people who have bought tickets to 'At The Top' of Burj Khalifa, and the other is for people who want to explore other levels without tickets.
Young children (under 3 years old) do not need a ticket. Children between the ages of 4-12 have a discounted price.
Luggage is not allowed inside.
Make sure you get there 15 minutes before the time.
Food & drinks are not allowed.

Final Thoughts

We hope that our complete guide to visiting Burj Khalifa will help you make the most of your Dubai visit and provide you with all the information you need. However, make sure that you keep your passport and everything safe, as the Burj Khalifa can be very crowded during prime times, and phones, jewellery, cards, and passports can be easily lost.

While we cannot predict what will happen, we can always mitigate the extra loss that might occur during travel with travel insurance.

So be safe and travel smartly!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are few question and answers about Burj Khalifa

Is Dubai Mall inside the Burj Khalifa?

No, Dubai Mall is located just next to the Burj Khalifa.

Can I bring my camera inside the Burj Khalifa?

Yes, photography is allowed, so bringing a camera is highly recommended.

How do I get into Burj Khalifa?

The main Burj Khalifa entrance is inside the Dubai Mall. To get there, take the exit from the Dubai Mall lower ground floor and go towards the Burj Khalifa lift.

Can we enter the Burj Khalifa for free?

Yes, you can enter Burj Khalifa for free but with limited access. For observation deck at floors 124, 125 and 148, you need to pay the ticket cost.

Is Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo are inside the Burj Khalifa?

No, the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo are not in Burj Khalifa. It is located in the Dubai Mall, which is just next to it.

How much do Burj Khalifa tickets cost?

The normal ticket prices to the Burj Khalifa range from 149 AED to 245 AED per adult and from 145 AED ($31) to 149 AED per child aged 4-12 years old. Children under three years old can enter for free.