The Burj Khalifa is the reason many people go to Dubai.
Getting there turned out to be very easy. This is how we did it, and how fast the lift takes you up.
We also cover which deck to pick, how the metro card works, and the fountain show at the foot of the tower.
The tower
The Burj Khalifa is about 828 metres tall. Its observation decks are called At the Top. The main ones are on levels 124 and 125, about 450 metres up. A higher deck, on level 148, is at 555 metres.
Which deck to choose
For most people, a ticket for levels 124 and 125 is enough. Both give you the full view over the city.
Level 148 costs more. Ticket listings say it also covers 124 and 125, and adds a short guided introduction, drinks and snacks in a lounge, and an outdoor terrace. Check what your ticket includes when you book.
Booking your time slot
Tickets are sold for a set time slot. Book online before you go, because popular slots sell out.
Sunset is the most popular time, and these slots are sold as "prime" tickets at a higher price. The prime window shifts with the seasons, so check the booking calendar for your date.
A late afternoon slot gives you the city by day and the lights coming on as you leave.
Where we stayed, and the metro
We stayed in old Dubai, close to Baniyas Square, and used the metro to get around.
Baniyas Square station is on the Green Line. You change to the Red Line at Union and ride to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station. Check the RTA journey planner for the exact route on the day.
Your metro card: nol
To ride the metro you need a nol card or a nol Red ticket. The same card also pays for buses, the tram and taxis.
The Red ticket is a paper ticket for short stays. You buy it from the machines at any metro station. The Silver card is a plastic card you top up, sold at station ticket offices. It suits a longer stay.
Tap your card on the gate when you go in and again when you come out. If you forget, you can be fined. You also need a minimum balance on the card to travel, so keep it topped up.
Some carriages are for women and children only, marked in pink. Gold Class carriages need a Gold card. Eating and drinking are not allowed on the metro.
Children under 5, or under 90 cm tall, travel free. Metro hours change on holidays and event days, so check the RTA website.
From the station straight into the mall
This is the clever part. From Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, a long covered bridge of about 820 metres takes you straight into Dubai Mall. It is air-conditioned, with moving walkways along the way, so you never step out into the heat or the traffic.
Inside the mall, follow the signs for At the Top. The entrance is on the Lower Ground floor.
Coming straight from the airport
If you land at Dubai International, the Red Line has its own stations at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. It runs straight to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall in about half an hour, with no change.
So you can step off the plane and be at the tallest building in the world the same afternoon.
The ride to the top
The lifts climb at about 10 metres a second. You reach the deck in about a minute.
From the top, the city spreads out below you like a model. We wrote about that view in Dubai in December.
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is one of the largest malls in the world. It opened in 2008 and has more than 1,200 shops.
It is more than shops. Inside there is a large aquarium, an Olympic-sized ice rink and a big cinema.
It is also very busy. It counted 105 million visitors in 2023.
The Dubai Fountain
In front of the mall, at the foot of the tower, is the Dubai Fountain. It sits in a lake and is about 275 metres long. Its jets shoot up to about 150 metres, in time to music. It first opened in 2009, and reopened in October 2025 after a renovation.
In the evening there is a show every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 11 pm. There are also two shows in the early afternoon.
You can watch from the promenade around the lake. Times can change on holidays, so check before you go.
Come back at night
After dark the tower lights up. It is worth seeing both by day and by night.
Quick tips
Book your At the Top tickets in advance, and pick your time slot.
Use the metro. With the bridge into the mall, it is the easiest way to arrive.
Give yourself time in the mall. The walk from the station and down to the Lower Ground floor takes a while.
Stay on after your slot for an evening fountain show.
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About the writer
Shrawani
Shrawani is an avid traveller. She writes about the trips she takes, in India and abroad.
