Burj Khalifa

Ride the high-speed elevator to the 124th-floor At The Top observation deck for stunning 360-degree views over Dubai at the Burj Khalifa or go higher still to the 148th-floor At The Top SKY, the world’s tallest observation deck. Or, stay on solid ground in the Burj Khalifa Park.

Just about every Dubai city tour stops at the Burj Khalifa, with some including tickets to the observation decks, visits to the Dubai desert, Ski Dubai, or the Burj Al-Arab. The Burj Khalifa also houses the Dubai Mall, Galeries Lafayette, Bloomingdale’s, Marks & Spencer, as well as an aquarium, ice rink, Sega theme park, and cinema.

• Burj Khalifa tickets are required to access the structure's observation decks.

• The Burj Khalifa observation decks have floor-to-ceiling glass walls—perhaps avoid if you don’t have a head for heights.

• An At the Top admission ticket includes access to floors 124 and 125, while an At the Top SKY ticket allows access to floors 124, 125, and 148.

• Kids under 4 years old enter free.

• The Burj Khalifa is fully accessible for wheelchair users.

Previously known as Burj Dubai, the towering Burj Khalifa is located at the First Interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road, not too far from the central business district. Taxis and buses run along Sheikh Zayed Road, the Red Line metro stops here, and a free shuttle runs from major hotels. Many private Burj Khalifa tours include round-trip transportation.

Both Burj Khalifa ticket options have prime and non-prime hours, with higher prices during prime hours. For At the Top tickets, prime hours are from 3:30pm to 6pm daily; for At the Top SKY, prime hours are from opening until 6pm.

If you've got a head for heights, consider visiting one of the world's other towering buildings. In China, the twisted Shanghai Tower is as tall as it gets; South Korea's Lotte World Tower is a sight to behold; the One World Trade Center is the USA's tallest offering; and Malaysia's twin Petronas Twin Towers offer a double dose of stellar views and skyscraping architecture.

No, entry to the Burj Khalifa isn’t free, but there are admission ticket packages for every budget. Choose between tickets that grant you access to the At the Top observation deck on levels 124 and 125, or entry to The Lounge on levels 152, 153, and 154—which boasts the title of the World’s Highest Lounge.

No, there isn’t a dress code for the Burj Khalifa. That said, if you plan to visit one of the many restaurants in the building, smart-casual attire is recommended. Avoid wearing shorts or sandals if you’re dining at Atmosphere Restaurant and Lounge on the 122nd floor.

Yes, you should buy Burj Khalifa tickets in advance, especially if you want to beat the crowds and arrive at a time of your choice. Entry times are staggered to keep crowds at bay, so tickets for certain time slots can sell out ahead of time. Sunset tickets are often the first to go.

If you want to admire the city lights, the Burj Khalifa is better at night. For more detailed photos of Dubai’s desert landscapes and skyline, visit during daylight hours. Sunset makes for magical shots—if you time it right, you might get to see light and dark vistas in one visit.

If you’re visiting Burj Khalifa Sky, you can spend around 30 minutes at level 148 before descending to levels 124 and 125 (At the Top), where there’s no time limit. However, most visitors don’t end up spending more than an hour to 90 minutes at the tower.

The best way to avoid queues at the Burj Khalifa is by prebooking your ticket. During peak times, you might still need to wait in line to get into the building and onto the elevator, so it’s always wise to show up a little early.