By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 3 min read
Most visitors ask the same question: which deck is worth the ticket? There are three, and they differ mainly in height. This guide compares them and helps you choose a slot. Ticket prices change, so check the current price on the official Burj Khalifa site. If you want a ticket with a transfer, see attraction tickets.
The levels compared
| At the Top | At the Top SKY | The lounge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | 124 and 125 | 148 | 152 to 154 |
| Height | 452 m | 555 m | 585 m |
| Opened | January 2010 | October 2014 | February 2019 |
| Outdoor terrace | Yes, on level 124 | Check the official site | Check the official site |
Heights and opening dates are from the published record of the tower. What each ticket includes and the current time slots change, so confirm them with the Burj Khalifa before you book.
Level 124 and 125: the standard visit
At the Top is the original deck, opened in January 2010 at 452 m. Level 124 has an outdoor terrace, and the deck continues to level 125. At 452 m you are already higher than any other building in the city, and the Dubai Mall, the fountain pool and Sheikh Zayed Road lie directly below.
Choose it when:
- it is your first visit
- you want the standard deck rather than the highest one
Level 148: At the Top SKY
SKY is about 100 m higher than level 124, at 555 m, and opened in October 2014. At that height the Palm Jumeirah and the coast become clearer. It suits people who want the highest standard deck.
Levels 152 to 154: the lounge
The lounge is the highest, at 585 m, and opened in February 2019. It suits a special occasion more than a first look at the city. Check what the visit includes on the official site, because the format can change.
When is the best time to go?
Sunset is the busiest and most rewarding slot. In mid-December the sun sets at about 5:30 pm, and in mid-June at about 7:05 pm, using the NOAA solar calculator. In the cooler months from November to March the air is clearest. In summer, dust and humidity can cut visibility, so a morning slot may beat the afternoon.
A few rules that help:
- Book a time slot early for sunset.
- Arrive well before the slot. The walk through The Dubai Mall to the entrance takes time.
- Check the weather on the day. A hazy afternoon reduces the view from every level.
The best time to visit Dubai guide and the month-by-month weather guide show which months give the clearest days.
Getting there by car
The entrance is through The Dubai Mall, and the mall and the tower share a busy road network in Downtown Dubai. Evenings and weekends are the worst. Your chauffeur drops you at the mall entrance that suits your slot and waits. Our Dubai Mall pickup points guide shows where cars stop, and the Dubai attractions by car guide shows how to link Downtown with other sights. Parking is covered in the Dubai parking guide if you drive yourself.
Combining it with a city tour
The tower sits in Downtown Dubai, so it fits into a day that also covers the old town and the coast. A Dubai city tour can include a stop here, and a ticket with a transfer is handled under attraction tickets. For other places to pair it with, see the places to visit in Dubai guide and the Dubai itinerary. More planning is in the day trips from Dubai hub.
Photos in this guide
Burj Khalifa rising beside the Dubai Fountain lake in Downtown Dubai at sunsetChristian Raggini / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0
DIFC and the Sheikh Zayed Road towers seen from the observation deck of the Burj KhalifaYourusernamewillbepublic2 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0
Two cruise ships berthed at Mina Rashid, seen from the Burj Khalifa across the rooftops of DubaiEdgar El / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
The Souk entrance inside Dubai Mall, with bronze camel statues on the marble floorCoolP1x4rt / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
