The Burj Khalifa is Dubai’s most visited tourist attraction. With a staggering 6.19 million visitors, it is one of the most popular attractions in the world. The number of visitors is comparable to the Colosseum in Rome or the Eiffel Tower in France. With so many visitors, it can get extremely crowded. Planning ahead for your visit to Burj Khalifa is advisable. But if you are looking for skip-the-line tickets, we have bad news.
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There is no Skip-the-Line at Burj Khalifa!
First and foremost: no matter what online (re)sellers of tickets tell you, there is no special skip-the-line ticket at Burj Khalifa. The only line to skip is the ticket counter at the reception of At the Top, Burj Khalifa. Luckily that is easy!
Nevertheless, we would recommend buying tickets online through a reseller. It will give you better terms and conditions if you must cancel your stay. Also, timeslots at Burj Khalifa are limited. Buying tickets online will ensure that you can visit the tower conveniently and don’t have to wait for an open slot.
We don't recommend buying tickets directly at Burj Khalifa!
You can book tickets directly at Burj Khalifa or through an authorized reseller who works with Emaar, the building owner. It is, however, not wise to book directly at Emaar or the Burj Khalifa. The tickets cost the same, but the terms and conditions are not favorable.
Suppose, for some reason, you must cancel your visit to Burj Khalifa. In that case, tickets directly bought at the tower will be canceled without a refund. Meanwhile, resellers such as GetYourGuide offer completely hassle-free refunds of 100%. You can cancel your Burj Khalifa up to 24 hours before, while this isn’t possible when you buy your tickets direct.
How do we know this? We read the fine print at the end of the ticket purchase procedure at Burj Khalifa.
- Avoid the risk of losing money on non-refundable tickets: With tickets from a third-party vendor, travelers can cancel their tickets up to 24 hours in advance with no penalty.
- Enjoy the flexibility to change plans: If travelers’ plans change, they can easily cancel or modify their tickets through a third-party vendor.
- Get the same access to the Burj Khalifa for a potentially lower price: If a third-party vendor’s tickets offer the same access to the Burj Khalifa as the tickets sold directly through the tower or its online ticket office, travelers may be able to save money by purchasing from a third-party vendor.
- Don’t miss out on a chance to visit the Burj Khalifa: With the convenience and flexibility of tickets from a third-party vendor, there’s no reason to miss out on the chance to visit this iconic tower.
- Read positive reviews from satisfied customers: If you have customers who have had a positive experience using tickets from a third-party vendor, consider sharing their reviews or testimonials to help convince others to purchase from a third-party vendor.
Burj Khalifa's observation decks
The main attraction of the Burj Khalifa is one of the two observation decks. Every single one of these observation decks is an experience by itself. The higher you want to go on the building, the more you must pay. The lowest observation deck is on floors 124 and 125. The highest observation deck, where a lounge is located, is on floors 152 to 154. You can read all about it our post on Burj Khalifa’s three observation decks.
Lower Deck: At The Top, Burj Khalifa
The most popular ticket for the Burj Khalifa is the standard observation deck on the 124th and 125th floors. Here you can find ‘At The Top, Burj Khalifa.’ This observation deck is located at 456 meters (1496 ft). You will reach the deck by stepping into the fastest double-decker elevator.
From the ‘At The Top Burj Khalifa’ observation deck, you have a 360 degrees view of Dubai. You can see the fountains below and a good view of downtown Dubai. You will also see the coastline, and if you are lucky, you can also see all the manmade islands, such as Palm Jumeirah.
Regular Price*: From 174 AED for adults & 139 AED for children
Prime Hours (sunset): 249 AED for adults & 157 AED for children
*prices are subject to change. The latest check is January 7, 2023
Higher Deck: At The Top, Burj Khalifa SKY
Another 99 meters higher than the regular observation deck, you can find the most elevated observation deck outside China and the highest outdoor observation deck in the world. Situated at 555 meters (1820 ft), you can find the At The Top, Burj Khalifa SKY. This higher observation deck is located on the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa.
The higher experience also comes with a high price tag. The Price of the most elevated outside observation deck in the world is more than double the lower observation deck. You can also go even higher by booking tickets for the ultimate Burj Khalifa experience: the World’s Highest Lounge.
Regular Price Burj Khalifa SKY: From 399 AED to 558 AED (depending on the time)
World’s Highest Lounge: From 774 AED
*prices are subject to change. The latest check is January 7, 2023
Does Burj Khalifa offer skip-the-line tickets?
What are the opening hours of the Burj Khalifa Observation Deck?
Should you go during the day or night to Burj Khalifa? 09:00 – 23:00
What are Burj Khalifa's Prime Hours?
Prime Hours are more expensive tickets for when demand for tickets is higher: in the later afternoon. Simply said, if you want to visit Burj Khalifa around sunset, you must pay a premium. Around dusk, from 16:00 to 18:30, standard tickets become about 50% more expensive.
How expensive is a ticket to Burj Khalifa?
The ticket price of Burj Khalifa depends on the time you want to visit the tower. Tickets to the regular observation deck are more expensive during sunset. It is best to buy tickets through GetYourGuide.
Is Burj Khalifa the highest observation deck in the world?
The Burj Khalifa observation deck on floor 152 to floor 154 is no longer the highest in the world. While the Burj Khalifa is the tallest structure globally, two smaller buildings in China have observation decks on higher floors.
Building | Observation Deck Height | Total Building Height |
Shanghai Tower | 562m | 632m |
Ping An Finance Centre | 562m | 599m |
Burj Khalifa | 555.7m | 929.8m |
The Burj Khalifa does host the world’s highest outside observation deck in the world! At 555 meters, ‘At the Top, Burj Khalifa SKY’ beats all competition within this category. This is significantly higher than, for example, the outside observation decks of the Empire State Building in New York or the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Update January 2023
During the holidays, we saw increased demand for tickets around the 2022/2023. If you travel around public holidays, we recommend reserving tickets in advance if you plan to visit Burj Khalifa on public holidays in December. For example, reserve tickets weeks in advance if you plan to visit Burj Khalifa on New Year’s Day or Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I avoid long lines at the Burj Khalifa ticket office?
One option is to purchase tickets in advance from a reputable reseller like GetYourGuide.com, which offers flexible tickets that can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance. This way, you can avoid standing in line at the ticket office and have your tickets secured before your visit.
Can I buy skip-the-line tickets for the Burj Khalifa?
No, the Burj Khalifa does not offer skip-the-line tickets. However, by purchasing tickets in advance through a reseller like GetYourGuide.com, you can avoid standing in line at the ticket office and go straight to the security check and lift lobby.
How far in advance should I purchase tickets for the Burj Khalifa?
It’s generally a good idea to purchase tickets for the Burj Khalifa as far in advance as possible (90 days), especially if you have a specific time slot in mind. This will help you secure your preferred time and avoid potential sell-outs. Keep in mind that tickets purchased through GetYourGuide.com can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance, so you have some flexibility in your planning.
Can I change the date or time of my Burj Khalifa tickets?
If you purchase tickets through GetYourGuide.com, you can easily modify or cancel your tickets up to 24 hours in advance. However, tickets purchased directly through the Burj Khalifa have non-refundable and non-changeable terms, so it’s important to double-check your plans before making a purchase.
How do I purchase tickets for Burj Khalifa?
You can purchase tickets for Burj Khalifa at the ticket office on the day of your visit or online in advance through a reseller such as GetYourGuide.com.
Are there different ticket options available for Burj Khalifa?
Yes, there are different ticket options available for Burj Khalifa. You can choose from tickets to visit just the observation deck or tickets that also include access to the At the Top SKY lounge or other areas.
Can I buy tickets for Burj Khalifa in advance?
Yes, it is recommended to buy tickets for Burj Khalifa in advance, especially during peak season, to avoid long lines at the ticket office. You can purchase tickets online through a reseller such as GetYourGuide.com, where you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance with no penalty.
Is it possible to visit Burj Khalifa at night?
Yes, it is possible to visit Burj Khalifa at night. The observation deck is open until late evening, and you can purchase tickets for a night-time visit through a reseller such as GetYourGuide.com.
How long does it take to visit Burj Khalifa?
The length of your visit to Burj Khalifa will depend on which ticket option you choose and how long you spend at the observation deck and other attractions. Most visitors spend around 1-2 hours at the tower.
Are there age restrictions for visiting Burj Khalifa?
Children under 4 years old are not allowed to visit the observation deck at Burj Khalifa. Children between 4 and 12 years old can visit the observation deck with a child ticket, which is available at a discounted rate.
Can I get a discount on Burj Khalifa tickets?
Discounted tickets may be available for children, students, and senior citizens. You may also be able to find discounted tickets through a reseller such as GetYourGuide.com.
Are there any special experiences or activities available at Burj Khalifa?
Yes, there are a variety of special experiences and activities available at Burj Khalifa. These include the At The Top, Burj Khalifa observation deck experience, the At The Top Sky experience, which includes a visit to the highest outdoor observation deck in the world. The ultimate experience at Burj Khalifa would be a visit to the World’s Highest Lounge. You can purchase tickets for these experiences through authorized resellers like GetYourGuide.com, where you can also cancel your tickets up to 24 hours in advance.
Are there any restrictions on photography or videography at Burj Khalifa?
Photography and videography are allowed at Burj Khalifa, but the use of drones is not permitted. Additionally, flash photography is not allowed in the At The Top, Burj Khalifa observation deck experience.
Can I bring food or drinks into Burj Khalifa?
No, food and drinks are not allowed inside Burj Khalifa. There are food and beverage options available for purchase at the tower.
