Every day, hundreds of tourists flock to the Burj Khalifa’s observation deck to take in the breathtaking views of Dubai from the top of the world’s highest building.
Does it deliver on the promise?
Everything you need to know to organize a trip is right here.
Indicators of the Burj
Some pretty astounding statistics are associated with the Burj Khalifa, the highest structure in the world.
It stands at an impressive 828 meters tall and requires over 110,000 tons of concrete and 22 million man-hours.
More than 31,000 tons of, or enough to go halfway around the world, of steel rebar, can be found in its construction.
About 26,000 panes of the glass cover its outside, giving it a reflective sheen maintained by 36 fearless window washers.
You can get from the lobby to floor 124 in around a minute (that’s a pace of 10 meters per second) on one of the world’s fastest elevators.
The Bare Minimum
The public can choose from three distinct viewing platforms. The first two floors, 124 and 125, are located at 452 meters, despite the misleading name.
You’ll find the upscale SKY lounge on the 148th floor (or 555m).
You can spend as much time as you wish at At The Top for a price of 200 AED during peak hours.
The SKY observation deck is lower to the ground but offers comfortable seats strewn throughout should you take a break from looking out over the edge.
Admission to At The Top is included with purchasing a SKY ticket, which costs a hefty 500 AED for just 30 minutes.
If you want to witness the sunset, you should reserve a time slot at least 90 minutes in advance to get the most out of it, so plan.
On Fridays and Saturdays this winter, you can schedule a time to watch the dawn.
How Do Guests Find Their Time Here?
There will likely be a wait in line, as is customary at any popular tourist destination.
You’ll have to wait in line to acquire tickets and then again to get on the elevator, but it moves very quickly, and there are displays every so often to keep you occupied.
The elevator to floor 124 isn’t the fastest in the world, which is a bit of a letdown.
Even though the ride to the observation deck only takes a minute, you won’t even feel a thing.
Visitors who are too shy to venture outside can explore the interior area of Level 124, which features a gift shop and cameras attached to touchscreens that allow visitors to zoom in on the ground below.
You’ll have to squeeze close to the glass on the outside terrace if you want a good view of Dubai’s city center.
Looking up at the next 400 meters will make for an even more disorienting experience.
There’s an audio tour that goes into detail about the building’s design and construction, but the breathtaking panorama is the main attraction.
If you’ve purchased a SKY ticket, you’ll be led to a VIP waiting area on the bottom floor where you can have Arabic coffee and dates while you wait for the next available VIP elevator ride to the top of the building (floor 148).
There are usually only around twenty to thirty people on this floor at any given moment, making it a much more peaceful and tranquil environment; nevertheless, you only have about half an hour here before you have to head down to floor 125 to rejoin the masses.
Is It Really Worth Going There?
If you’re the kind to cross items off a list, you should definitely pay to visit the top of the world’s highest structure (though perhaps not all the way to level 148).
Although the vistas are breathtaking, the News Burj Khalifa stands head and shoulders above the other buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road to arguably provide the most incredible view in Dubai.
