Levels 124 and 125 are the standard At the Top experience and give you the city, the fountain and an outdoor terrace. Level 148 is higher, quieter and roughly double the price, with a lounge and refreshments included. For a first visit, 124 and 125 are enough.
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The facts
| Standard decks | Levels 124 and 125, indoor and outdoor |
|---|---|
| Premium deck | Level 148, indoor, with lounge access |
| Entrance | Lower Ground floor, The Dubai Mall — not the tower lobby |
| Time to allow | 90 minutes, including security |
| Standard ticket from | {{TBC: confirm current non-peak price and year}} |
| Prime hours ticket from | {{TBC: confirm current sunset price and year}} |
What the ticket tiers actually get you
Dubai sells the Burj Khalifa in tiers, and the naming is deliberately confusing. “At the Top” is levels 124 and 125. “At the Top SKY” is level 148 plus the lower decks. Prime hours means sunset and the hour either side of it; non-peak means everything else, at a noticeably lower price for the same building.
Getting there without losing an hour
The entrance is inside The Dubai Mall, on the Lower Ground floor, and the mall is enormous. From mall parking, allow fifteen minutes of walking. From a drop-off at the wrong door, allow considerably more.
What we know from standing here
- The advertised slot time is when you enter the queue, not when you reach the deck. Allow 20 to 30 minutes between the two.
- The single best-value slot is about 45 minutes before sunset: you get the city in daylight, the sunset, and the lights coming on — three completely different photographs from one ticket.
- The visitor entrance is inside The Dubai Mall on the Lower Ground floor. Drivers who take you to the tower's own entrance are at the residential lobby, which will not admit you.
Questions people ask
Is level 148 worth the extra money?
Only if the budget is comfortable. It is higher, far less crowded, and includes a lounge and refreshments — but the view of Dubai does not change meaningfully in sixteen floors, and 124's open-air terrace is the more memorable experience.
What is the best time to go up the Burj Khalifa?
About 45 minutes before sunset for the best light, or the first slot of the morning for the smallest crowds. Sunset slots are the most expensive and sell out several days ahead in the December to March high season.
Can you see the Dubai Fountain from the top?
Yes, directly below from the level 124 outdoor terrace. Shows run every 30 minutes through the evening and look completely different from above than from the promenade.
Do I need to print my ticket?
No. The mobile voucher is scanned at the entrance. Screenshot it — mall wifi is unreliable at peak times.
Is it suitable if I am afraid of heights?
The indoor deck on 125 is fully enclosed with seating set back from the glass, and most people who dislike heights manage it comfortably. The outdoor terrace on 124 has a high barrier but is genuinely exposed.