In a nutshell: Our tips for your Burj Khalifa visit
- The Burj Khalifa is a real tourist magnet, so you should definitely book tickets before your trip to Dubai.
- Our ticket recommendation: the Burj Khalifa standard sunset ticket. You can get it here.
- You can’t spontaneously visit the Burj Khalifa, you always have to specify the date and time of your visit in advance.
- If a mere visit to the Burj Khalifa is not enough for you, you can also spend the night – at the super luxurious Armani Hotel Dubai.
Visiting the Burj Khalifa is the highlight of any trip to Dubai, and all the different ticket options can be confusing. We will give you important information for your visit to the world’s tallest tower.
Is a visit to Burj Khalifa worth it?
Are you planning a trip to Dubai and aren’t quite sure if you should add the Burj Khalifa to your travel bucket list? If you ask us: definitely!
We’re not the biggest fans of Dubai and would definitely prefer other destinations, but if you’re there anyway, you should definitely check out the top attraction in Dubai and one of the most famous places in the world.
Clearly, the tickets aren’t cheap – but we still think it’s worth it. You just have to see the highest building in the world. The architecture is very impressive, not to mention the height.
Find out next which tickets are the most worthwhile and which ticket we recommend.
Our Burj Khalifa ticket recommendation
Before you read all about the available different ticket options, we would like to give you our personal ticket recommendation for your visit to Burj Khalifa.
Book the Burj Khalifa standard sunset ticket. If you choose a time slot between 4-6:30pm for your visit to Burj Khalifa, you will pay an additional 20 euros.
In our opinion, this is the best ticket option, as the time at sunset shows Dubai in its most beautiful light. The atmosphere on the viewing platform is fantastic then. Ticket prices start at 63 euros per person and you should definitely book it in advance.
Burj Khalifa Sunset Ticket (with sunset surcharge)
Burj Khalifa ticket overview
There are many possibilities and different ticket options when visiting the Burj Khalifa. To give you an overview, we have listed the most important tickets in a table.
| Price per person | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ticket for morning & evening | from 43 euros | Book here |
| Tickets with sunset time slot | from 63 euros | Book here |
| Ticket incl. aquarium and 124th floor | from 60 euros | Book here |
| Ticket 124th floor + lunch/dinner | from 96 euros | Book here |
| Tickets for all 3 viewing platforms | from 100 euros | Book here |
| Tickets to Burj Khalifa Lounge on 154th floor | from 191 euros | Book here |
| Day tour incl. Burj al Arab, aquarium and Burj Khalifa | from 336 euros | Book here |
In the following section, we will go into more detail on the various ticket options.
Burj Khalifa tickets: the different options
We spent what felt like half a day looking at the different ticket options before our Dubai visit.
To make it easier for you, we will explain the offers listed in the table above so that you can find the best ticket option for you.
Burj Khalifa basic ticket: morning or evening
With this ticket you can visit the Burj Khalifa during a time slot of your choice, however not between 4 – 6.30 p.m. This is the time when most people want to visit the Burj Khalifa, because you can see the sunset over Dubai. Clever, as the Dubaiers are, it’s more expensive.
But the tickets gets more expensive already from 3 p.m., because then the most popular time already begins.
The ticket will be deposited for you at the Burj Khalifa and you just pick it up there before you get into the elevator.
- At any time, except between 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
- Pick-up the ticket at the entrance
- Price: from 43 euros per person
To the basic Burj Khalifa ticket
Basic ticket at sunset
With this ticket you can visit the Burj Khalifa at sunset, between 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. You just have to select the right time when buying a normal ticket on Get Your Guide and 20 euros surcharge will be added.
Whether the sunset is worth it is always a gamble. We were on the Burj Khalifa for sunset, but unfortunately we weren’t lucky. There was a lot of sand and haze in the air, so we didn’t see much of the sunset.
However, we were there in September and it was still very hot. In the cooler months the chances are much better.
So if the weather plays along, we think the ticket at sunset is the best Burj Khalifa ticket option.
- Between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at sunset
- Pick-up the ticket at the entrance
- Price: from 63 euros per person
Burj Khalifa combo ticket
If you plan on visiting both the Burj Khalifa and the aquarium anyway, then you should take a closer look at this combo ticket. You can then save quite a bit of money.
With the combo ticket, starting at 62 euros, you will get access to the observation deck on the 124th and 125th floor and also to the underwater world of the Dubai Aquarium.
Note: If you want to go to the aquarium first, you have to pick up your ticket at Burj Khalifa’s Will Call desk beforehand. So it makes more sense to visit the Burj Khalifa first and then the aquarium afterwards.
- Burj Khalifa: any time except 4 – 6:30 p.m.
- Dubai Aquarium: time of your choice
- Price: from 60 Euro per person
To the Burj Khalifa + Aquarium combo ticket
Ticket + Dinner at the Burj Club
You can also combine your visit to the Burj Khalifa with a fancy meal. With this ticket, you can go up to the 124th floor for just under 97 euros and then enjoy a 3-course meal on the 5th floor at the Burj Club.
5th floor sounds boring? Admittedly, at the Burj Khalifa it does. But you’ll have an amazing view of the massive tower from the restaurant below. At the same time, you also have a view of the Dubai Fountain.
However, you can only choose the ticket for 6:30 pm or 7 pm. So you will miss the Dubai Fountain Show, which takes place daily at 6 pm.
A three-course menu is served. Each course offers 3 or 4 different dishes, from which you get to select one.
- Either 6:30pm or 7pm.
- Pick-up the ticket at the entrance
- Price: 96 euros per person
Burj Khalifa tickets for the 148th floor
The options shown so far all include a ticket for the lower viewing platform of Burj Khalifa on the 124th and 125th floor.
If the lower viewing platform is not enough for you and you would like to get to the very top, then tickets for the 148th floor at 555 meters are the right choice for you.
The tickets are valid for a time of your choice, including sunset, and will be deposited at your hotel. Snacks and drinks are also available on the 148th floor, and the 124th and 125th floor platforms can also be visited with this ticket.
- At any time
- Ticket will be deposited at the hotel
- Snacks and drinks on the 148th floor
- Price: from 100 euros per person
To the ticket for the 148th floor
Ticket to the Burj Khalifa Lounge on the 154th floor
On the 152nd, 153rd and 154th floors is the Burj Khalifa Lounge, officially the highest lounge in the world. In addition to elegant interiors and splashing fountains, there’s even an outdoor terrace here, 585 meters above the ground.
You can choose different time slots for the Burj Khalifa Lounge: either for breakfast, an afternoon snack or in the evening, including a glass of champagne and canapés.
However, this also comes at a price: around 191 euros per person. But for that it is definitely a unique and exclusive experience.
- Bookable at different times during the day
- Pick up your ticket at the entrance
- With outdoor terrace
- Including breakfast or champagne and canapés
- Price: from 191 euros per person
To the Burj Khalifa Lounge ticket on the 154th floor incl. meal
Day tour to the Burj al Arab, aquarium and Burj Khalifa
You not only want to visit the Burj Khalifa, but also the world famous Burj al Arab? And on top of that you want to visit the Dubai Aquarium? Then this package is perfect for you.
Your day starts with a pick-up at your hotel and a transfer to the first stop of the day: the Burj Khalifa. From the 124th floor you can enjoy the view of Dubai before continuing to the Dubai Aquarium and the Dubai Marina. There will also be time for photos at the legendary Atlantis The Palm Hotel before heading to the 7-star Burj al Arab Hotel for an afternoon snack.
But this tour also has its price! If you want to see all three highlights though, it’s worth considering this day tour.
- Pick up from hotel
- Tickets for the 124th floor in the Burj Khalifa
- Admission to Dubai Aquarium
- Afternoon snack at the Burj al Arab
- Price: from 336 Euro per person
To the day tour: Burj Khalifa, Burj al Arab & Dubai Aquarium
Tips for buying Burj Khalifa tickets
Now that we’ve given you a detailed overview of the different Burj Khalifa ticket options, let’s round things up with some general tips for buying tickets.
#1 You should book your ticket well in advance
Around 5,000 people climb the Burj Khalifa every day. Accordingly, the lines are quite long. So you should definitely book your tickets in advance. The best time to do so is as soon as you have booked your airline tickets to Dubai.
Tickets for the Burj Khalifa are very popular, especially during the peak season between November and April or on dates such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve. They are then already fully booked months in advance. Especially the sunset tickets!
#2 There are different tickets for different viewing platforms
The Burj Khalifa has two viewing platforms from which you can overlook the entire emirate. The first viewing platform is on the 124th and 125th floor at an altitude of 452 or 456 metres.
If you want to go even higher, you can also visit the second viewing platform on the 148th floor. There you will find yourself 555.7 metres above sea level.
You can also start off by buying a ticket to the 124th floor and decide to upgrade on site.
#3 Burj Khalifa opening hours
The platforms are open daily from 8:30 a.m. until midnight. The last opportunity to go up is at 11:00 p.m..
#4 There are not always discounts for children
Whether kids get a discount depends on the observation deck. There are discounted tickets for the 124th floor. Children between the ages of 4 and 11 pay a discounted price of 28 euros, regardless of the time of day. But there are no discounted tickets for children for the 148th floor. Children up to the age of 4 are free of charge for both floors.
#5 Tickets are always time based
Tickets for the Burj Khalifa are always issued for a fixed time. So you decide when you buy your ticket on which day and at what time you want to go to the Burj Khalifa.
#6 For a ticket to the sunset you pay a surcharge
At sunset, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., you pay a surcharge. This is the most popular time to visit the Burj Khalifa.
General tips for your visit to Burj Khalifa
To conclude, we will give you some tips on how to make the most of your visit to the Burj Khalifa.
When is the best time for the Burj Khalifa?
This question is not easy to answer, because it depends on the weather. If the view is clear, the time around sunset is wonderful.
We would avoid the blazing midday sun. It’s probably not that crowded, but you have the worst light for taking pictures.
Of course Dubai is also very worth seeing at night. Either you wait a bit after sunset until it’s dark or you go up later in the evening.
A visit in the evening can also be perfectly combined with a visit to the Dubai Fountain. The water show takes place daily between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. at the base of the Burj Khalifa. Depending on the season, the performances start every 20 or 30 minutes and last about 5 minutes.
How to get to the Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is located in downtown Dubai. Only a few years ago, there was not much more here than desert. Now there are skyscrapers and huge shopping malls everywhere.
The red metro line takes you directly from the airport, Deira and Bur Dubai to Burj Khalifa. The station is called Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall.
However, the metro station is still about 1 km away from Burj Khalifa. The way leads completely through air-conditioned pedestrian tunnels, most of which are even equipped with roller conveyors.
Alternatively you can take a taxi. Taxi rides are relatively cheap in Dubai.
Burj Khalifa Tickets: Comparison of providers
In principle you could also buy Burj Khalifa tickets on site. The elevators to the viewing platform and the ticket counters are located in the Dubai Mall at the base of the Burj Khalifa.
However, if you see the long queues at the ticket counter, you will wish you had bought your tickets before. Even if you buy the tickets locally, you will have to decide on a time.
So you can’t just go there, buy a ticket and start right away. This only works if there are still free spots available at that time.
We strongly recommend that you buy your tickets online in advance. There are different providers for this.
We do not recommend buying directly on the Burj Khalifa website. The site is extremely confusing and payment is only possible by credit card.
Third party prices are the same and the booking process is much easier. It also gives you the opportunity to book interesting combo tickets.
We have had the best experiences with Get your Guide, a German provider. The booking is fast, safe and reliable and in case of an emergency there is a good customer service in nine different languages.
Burj Khalifa Hotel: Overnight stay at Armani Hotel Dubai
Just visiting the Burj Khalifa is not enough for you? Then just spend the night there. There is also a hotel in the Burj Khalifa.
The Armani Hotel Dubai extends over 11 floors of the Burj Khalifa and is certainly one of the most special places to spend the night in Dubai. Of course it’s not cheap, but hey, it’s Dubai!
Hotel tip for your visit to Dubai
If the Armani Hotel Dubai is too expensive for you, there are of course many other options in Dubai. To be honest, it doesn’t really matter in which neighborhood you stay in Dubai.
It is important that you are close to a metro station so that you can get anywhere quickly and especially in the heat of the city, you don’t have to walk far to the nearest air conditioning.
We stayed in the Somewhere Hotel Apartment in the Deira district. It’s right next to a subway station. You can reach the airport by metro in 10 minutes and of course you can also quickly reach all the sights.
To the Somewhere Hotel Apartment
If you prefer staying close to Palm Island and Burj Khalifa, we can warmly recommend the Rove Downtown. The price-performance ratio is almost unbeatable for Dubai.
You can find even more hotel tips in our article Where to stay in Dubai?
That was all the important information for your visit to the Burj Khalifa
Have you ever been to the tower and do you have more tips to share? Which Burj Khalifa ticket did you choose? Leave us a comment!