Burj Khalifa 2026: tickets, observation decks and prices

The short version

Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building (828 m) with three observation decks: floors 124-125 (standard), floor 148 At The Top SKY (premium), and The Lounge on 152-154 (cocktails + tea, not a pure deck). Prices swing 2-3× with the slot: Off-Peak from 169 AED, Prime Time (sunset) 249 AED, SKY 148 in Prime Time 449 AED. Pre-booking is essential — on-site walk-up adds 25-40 %, and the popular sunset windows sell out 1-3 days ahead.

What's inside: three levels

124-125 — At The Top (standard)

Two-tier deck at 452 m and 456 m. Open-air terrace on 124 (strong wind), full-glass on 125. The high-speed lift (10 m/s, ~60 seconds) with ceiling + floor lighting is an attraction in itself. Views: Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Fountain right below, Abu Dhabi coast on a clear day.

• Visit length: 45-90 min
• Any age, strollers welcome
• Includes Arabic coffee + dates

148 — At The Top SKY (premium)

The world's highest observation deck with a premium walk-in: VIP lounge on 124, dedicated lift to 148 (555 m), personal host, sparkling drink. Glass-floor sections and an exclusive gift shop.

• Visit length: 60-90 min (plus 124-125 afterwards)
• Best photos without crowds
• Age 4+ only

The Lounge — 152-154

Third, food-focused level: cocktail bar at 585 m with afternoon tea (from 320 AED) and evening menu. Not a pure deck — it's a sit-and-sip experience.

2026 prices by slot

| Ticket | Off-Peak (day) | Prime Time (sunset / evening) | |---|---|---| | 124-125 | 169 AED | 249 AED | | At The Top SKY 148 | 379 AED | 449 AED | | The Lounge | from 320 AED (afternoon tea) | from 540 AED (sunset cocktail) |

Kids 4-12 get ~30 % off. Under 4 free.

Prime Time = slots from 15:30 through the sunset wave (≈18:30 winter, ≈19:30 summer). Most expensive, most photogenic — book 30-40 min before sunset and you'll see day → sunset → city lights in one visit. +50 % over Off-Peak but it's the experience.

When to go

• Clear day: check AccuWeather the day before — haze and dust from October to March (especially after sandstorms) drop visibility to 1-2 km, no Marina. After rain or strong wind, the air clears
• Sunset: book your slot 45 min before sunset (e.g., December sunset 17:42 → book 17:00). You'll be on deck as the city flips to night lighting
• Morning: 8:30-10:00 — light crowds, soft east light, excellent for photos. Less "wow" than sunset but uncrowded
• Avoid: 13:00-16:00 (harsh back-light, hazy desert, peak crowds)

How to buy cheaper

1. burjkhalifa.ae official — base price, free 24h cancellation, no surcharge
2. Klook / GetYourGuide — sometimes 10-20 % promo discounts but non-refundable
3. As part of a Dubai city tour — our city tours bundle Burj Khalifa 124-125 + Dubai Mall + fountain + Old Dubai at ~190 AED/person over the base tour rate (see /tours)
4. Counter inside Dubai Mall (SF level, At The Top entrance) — same day, 25-40 % surcharge, risk of sold-out slots

Tip: if budget is tight, book Off-Peak by day — same views, minus the sunset magic. For the sunset shot of the tower itself, head to Sheikh Zayed Bridge or The Address Sky View (free) — both frame Burj Khalifa at golden hour.

What to bring

• ID (passport or Emirates ID copy) — sometimes checked for child tickets
• Light jacket for floor 124 — 30-50 km/h wind even on dry days, -2-3 °C below ground temp
• Polaroid backdrop if you photograph — glass reflects flash, switch it off
• Don't bring: tripod (banned on 124-125), large bags (locker 40 AED), food

Combine the same evening

• Dubai Fountain — show every 30 min, 18:00-23:00, ~5 min each. Best vantage: the bridge over the lake or Dubai Mall waterfront. Free
• Dubai Mall — covered 5-min bridge walk. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (see /attractions)
• Souk Al Bahar — Old Dubai-styled mall facing the fountain, panoramic restaurants (Karma Kafe, Asado), or alcohol-free (Stay Out, At.Mosphere)

Common mistakes

• "We'll just pop up, no time" — budget 2 hours minimum with queue + lift on 124-125, 3 hours on SKY 148
• Dress / heels — the open 124 terrace is windy, uncomfortable
• Didn't match sunset slot to actual sunset — summer sunset 19:15, winter 17:30. Site slots show a window, not exact sunset
• Booking SKY 148 for kids 4-7 — kids prefer 124-125 with the open terrace and dates; SKY 148 is romantic-adult territory
• Going after a sandstorm — dust hangs 24-48 hrs. Views through hazy air won't justify the price

What's around for a full day

• 9:00: Dubai Frame (50 AED) — different angle, Old vs New Dubai
• 11:00: Burj Khalifa Off-Peak slot
• 13:00: lunch in Dubai Mall (Carluccio's / Eataly)
• 15:00: Souk Madinat Jumeirah (canal, Burj Al Arab views)
• 17:00: back to Dubai Fountain, 18:00 show
• 19:00: dinner with fountain view at Souk Al Bahar

Ready-made tours

We run [Dubai city tours](/tours) with Burj Khalifa included, [Burj Khalifa + Dubai Mall + fountain combo](/attractions/burj-khalifa) as a standalone, and [private programs](/tours?kind=private) timed for sunset. All with Russian-speaking guides and hotel transfers.