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Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, first took my breath away in November 2023. During my first-ever international trip to KubeCon Chicago, I turned what should have been a boring Dubai layover into an adventure by squeezing in a quick visit to the top. Forgetting my iPad in my flight seat to racing against the clock with just my backpack, I managed to zip up through the city using the Dubai Metro to reach the Burj Khalifa.
That rushed visit, while exciting, was quite relaxing as I got ample time to spend at the top. I never imagined that just a year later, I’d be back – this time with my parents on our first international family trip! Standing at the base together, watching their faces as they gazed upward trying to comprehend its massive height, made the second visit infinitely more special.
In this post, I’ll share everything about my journey rediscovering Burj Khalifa – from its fascinating history to practical tips that will help you plan your own perfect visit.
The Magnificence of Burj Khalifa
This isn’t just a building – it’s a testament to human ambition and engineering brilliance. Standing tall at 828 meters (2,717 feet), it has held the title of the world’s tallest building since its grand opening in 2010.
The journey of this architectural marvel began in 2004 when construction kicked off as part of the ambitious “Downtown Dubai” development. Designed by the renowned architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the same minds behind One World Trade Center in New York, the building’s design draws inspiration from the Hymenocallis flower, with its Y-shaped floor plan maximizing views of the Arabian Gulf.
What makes Burj Khalifa truly remarkable goes beyond its height. The building boasts 163 floors, houses the world’s highest outdoor observation deck (Level 148 at 555 meters), the highest occupied floor, and even the highest swimming pool (76th floor). The elevator system alone is mind-blowing – capable of traveling at 10 meters per second, making them among the fastest in the world.
The construction required over 330,000 cubic meters of concrete and 39,000 tonnes of steel, and at its peak, employed over 12,000 workers from more than 100 countries. Imagine managing that kind of workforce!
But why build something so tall? Burj Khalifa emerged as part of Dubai’s strategic vision to diversify its economy beyond oil. The emirate needed a landmark so spectacular it would put Dubai firmly on the global tourism map. And it worked – the building has become synonymous with Dubai itself.
Inside this vertical city, you’ll find a mix of residential apartments, corporate suites, and the luxurious Armani Hotel (occupying 15 floors!). There are swimming pools, fitness facilities, restaurants, and observation decks spread throughout the building. The Armani Residences, corporate suites, and luxury apartments occupy most of the building, with the observation decks being the main attraction for tourists.
What many visitors don’t realize is that Burj Khalifa is designed to withstand Dubai’s extreme desert conditions. The exterior temperature at the top can be up to 6°C cooler than at ground level, and the building can sway up to 1.5 meters at the top without structural damage!
Visiting Burj Khalifa: The Complete Guide
Location & How to Reach
Finding Burj Khalifa is easy – it’s literally the tallest thing around! Located in Downtown Dubai, it’s connected to Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping centers. During my first visit, I took the Dubai Metro (Red Line) to Dubai Mall station, followed by a 10-minute walk through an air-conditioned walkway. This time, with my family, we opted for a taxi, which dropped us directly at Dubai Mall’s “At The Top” entrance, saving us some walking.
Ticket Packages & Pricing
When it comes to tickets, you have several options, and this is where planning ahead really pays off. During my layover visit, I had pre-booked the standard package, and this time too I pre-booked it. It’s not as busy as the Statue of Liberty, so tickets are relatively easier to get.
Standard Package: At The Top (Levels 124 & 125)
The standard package gives you access to levels 124 and 125. Prices vary based on time slots: non-prime hours (weekdays 7:00 PM- closing or 9:00 AM-3:30 PM) cost about AED 169 for adults (₹3,800), while prime hours (sunset periods and weekends) jump to AED 225 (₹5,000).
My parents were shocked by the price – “We’re paying this much just to go up a building?” But I laughed it off, saying it isn’t a regular building!
Premium Package: At The Top SKY (Levels 124, 125 & 148)
For those willing to splurge, this package includes levels 124, 125, plus access to level 148 – currently the world’s highest observation deck. This premium experience starts at AED 379 (₹8,500) for non-prime hours and AED 579 (₹13,000) for prime hours. It includes refreshments, a guided tour, and a more personalized experience with fewer crowds.
Luxury Experience: The Lounge (Levels 152, 153 & 154)
The most luxurious option is “The Lounge” experience on levels 152, 153, and 154. These aren’t observation decks but an actual lounge where you can enjoy breakfast (7:00 AM-9:00 AM), tea (12:30 PM-4:00 PM), or sunset cocktails (5:30 PM-7:00 PM). Prices start at AED 600 (₹13,500) per person. I’ve saved this for my next visit!
Booking Tips
My biggest tip: book online and at least a week in advance, especially if you want prime sunset slots. The official website often has the best rates, though I’ve occasionally found good deals through GetYourGuide. Avoid buying tickets on-site.
If you’re visiting during the high season (November-March), book even earlier. During our family trip in February, many of the sunset slots were booked a solid two weeks ahead. But the morning slots tend to have better availability and are perfect for clear-day photography.
The Burj Khalifa Experience
Queue Times & Entry Process
Queue times at Burj Khalifa vary dramatically depending on when you visit. During my first visit on a weekday afternoon, I waited about 25 minutes to get through security and boarding. However, with my family during a weekend sunset slot, our wait stretched to over an hour despite having pre-booked tickets. Weekday mornings and late evenings typically have the shortest waits – sometimes under 15 minutes!
The Elevator Journey
The elevator experience has significantly improved since my first visit! Previously, it felt like a standard elevator with a digital display showing your rapid ascent. Now, the walls transform into immersive screens showcasing Dubai’s evolution while the elevator rockets upward at 10 meters per second. It’s impressive, but it still doesn’t match One World Summit‘s mind-blowing time-lapse elevator experience that transported me through centuries of New York’s development.
Views From The Top
Once you reach the observation deck, the panoramic views are absolutely breathtaking. The 360-degree view showcases Dubai’s remarkable landscape – where the vast desert meets ultramodern architecture. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Persian Gulf in one direction and endless desert in another.
My favorite spot is the north-facing windows, where you can watch planes taking off and landing at Dubai International Airport. The interactive telescopes help you identify landmarks and offer historical information about what you’re seeing.
While there’s no strict limit on how much time you can spend here, ideally, 30 minutes is a good duration, depending on the crowd.
Souvenir Shopping
The souvenir store at Level 124 offers everything from tacky keychains to premium collectibles. Prices are predictably inflated. Don’t feel pressured to buy here, though – the Dubai Mall below has many shops selling similar souvenirs at lower prices. But again, you’re at the top of the world, so you must buy something, so I got a fridge magnet for AED 29 (700 Rs)
Will I Visit Burj Khalifa Again?
Visiting Burj Khalifa twice has been an interesting contrast in experiences. My first visit during that hurried layover had its own charm – the spontaneity, the rush of squeezing in such an iconic landmark between flights, and the personal achievement of making it happen.
My second visit with my parents? Well, let’s just say it was different. The excessive crowds, particularly during our pre-premium sunset slot, meant much longer waiting times than anticipated. What should have been a quick entry involved nearly an hour of queuing and jostling for the best spots at the windows.
Yet standing atop the world’s tallest building twice is undeniably a flex! There’s something special about being able to compare those experiences – to see how both the attraction and my perception of it had changed over time.
Would I go up a third time? Probably not during peak tourist season, and will surely take the higher priced package to see what extra it offers. But I’m glad I gave Burj Khalifa another chance, if only to confirm that sometimes our first experiences leave the most lasting impressions.
Further, if you have any queries regarding this visit, please feel free to ask in the comments below, tweet me at @Atulmaharaj, DM on Instagram or Get In Touch.
