The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, that stands at a height of 830 meters. It is well-recognized as the world’s tallest building and Dubai’s most well-known tourist attraction.
This page introduces some building facts as well as associated information.
Appellation (Title)
Burj Khalifa is Arabic for “Khalifa Tower.” Formerly known as Burj Dubai or Dubai Tower, the name was changed to Burj Khalifa on January 4, 2010, when the tower formally opened. The word Khalifa is derived from the name of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Maktoum, the president of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. Due to the onslaught of the Financial Crisis, the Burj Khalifa and other development projects in Dubai were once on the edge of being halted, and it was neighboring Abu Dhabi that was on the verge of being halted.
The major reason for this is because of Abu Dhabi, which gave cash to Dubai during this tough time. Furthermore, the word Khalifa has a significant meaning in Islam; it refers to the Islamic world’s top leader.
Development
The exterior of the structure was finished on October 1, 2009, after construction began in January 2004. The structure, which is part of the 2 km2 (490-acre) Downtown Dubai development at the ‘First Interchange’ along Sheikh Zayed Road, near Dubai’s main business center, opened on January 4, 2010. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill of Chicago designed and engineered the tower, with Adrian Smith as chief architect and Bill Baker as the chief structural engineer. The major contractor was Samsung C&T of South Korea.
Records
The Burj Khalifa set several world records, including the following:
- 829.8 m (2,722 ft) Tallest extant structure (formerly KVLY-TV mast – 628.8 m or 2,063 ft)
- World’s highest elevator installation (situated inside a rod at the very top of the building)
- 829.8 m (2,722 ft) Tallest freestanding structure (formerly CN Tower – 553.3 m or 1,815 ft)
- Tallest structure ever built: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (before, the Warsaw radio mast, which stood at 646.38 m or 2,722 ft).
- Building with most floors: 163 (previously World Trade Centre – 110)
- Tallest skyscraper (to top of spire): 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously Taipei 101 – 509.2 m or 1,671 ft)
- World’s highest restaurant (At.mosphere): 122nd floor at 442 m (1,450 ft) (previously 360, at a height of 350 m (1,148 ft) in CN Tower)
- The world’s highest New Year’s Eve fireworks show.
- The world’s biggest light and sound extravaganza on a single structure
- Tallest skyscraper to top of antenna: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (previously the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower – 527 m or 1,729 ft)
- Elevators with the world’s longest trip distance: 504 m (1,654 ft)
- 606 m is the highest vertical concrete pumping (for a structure) (1,988 ft)
- The world’s highest building with living quarters
- World’s highest installation of an aluminum and glass façade: 512 m (1,680 ft)
- World’s highest nightclub: 144th floor
Elevation (Height)
Burj Khalifa’s architectural elevation is 828 meters (2717 feet), measured from the top of the spire, which is considered an architectural element of the tower.
Before 2010, the Burj Khalifa’s height was kept a secret to prevent it from being surpassed by possible competitors. Finally, the owner Emaar declared that the Burj Khalifa’s standard height is 828 meters, with a total height of 829.8 meters (there’s a 1.7 meter tiny needle above the top of the spire at 828 meters), making it the world’s tallest skyscraper in all categories. Burj Khalifa has held the title of the World’s Tallest Building for ten years, and it will continue to do so for another three to five years until either the Dubai Creek Tower or the Jeddah Tower exceeds it in 2022 or later.
Level 154, which is 584 meters above ground, is the highest occupied floor. There are three observation decks for public viewing, located on levels 124, 125, and 148, respectively. With a height of 555 meters, the one on level 148 is now the world’s highest observation deck.
Locality
Burj Khalifa’s address is 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; the tower is located in Downtown Dubai, an area along Sheikh Zayed Road; it’s one of several districts in the city filled with high-rise buildings; another district with a significant amount of skyscrapers is Dubai Marina; the two districts are about 11 miles apart.
Burj Khalifa is 2.1 miles from the sea, thus the natural vista around the tower is not as appealing as Dubai Marina’s, but there are numerous man-built lakes and rivers around the tower, which have made up for the deficit to some extent.
Customs (Uses)
The mixed-use skyscraper serves a range of functions, including office, residential, hotels, restaurants, observation, and communication.
Armani uses the 39th floor, or level 39, and the floors below as hotels or homes; the floors from level 39 to 108 are primarily utilized for housing. Except levels 124,125, and 148, which are three distinct observation decks for public viewing, all of the levels above 108 to 154 are office spaces. At.mosphere, a restaurant on level 122, is another option.
All mechanical floors are located above levels 154 to 163. There are a total of 2909 stairs from the ground floor to the 160th story, making it the tallest building in the world.
The number of floors of the Burj Khalifa is widely recognized as 163, but a 2717-foot skyscraper couldn’t possibly have just 163 levels, right? That’s because the floors above level 163 and below the spire serve as the spire’s base construction, which isn’t livable and isn’t used for mechanical purposes, the building now has a total of 209 stories after rising 46 stories.
Burj Khalifa Features
The Dubai Fountain
Outside, WET Enterprises developed a Dh 800 million (US$217 million) fountain system. It is 270 meters (900 feet) long and sprays water 150 meters (500 feet) into the air, with 6,600 lights and 50 colored projectors. It is accompanied by a variety of classical to modern Arabic and other music. It is the biggest choreographed fountain in the world. Emaar announced on October 26, 2008, that the Dubai Fountain would be named after the winner of a naming contest.
Observation deck
On the 124th level, At the Top, an outdoor observation deck opened on January 5, 2010. When it first opened, it was the world’s tallest outdoor observation deck, standing at 452 meters (1,483 feet). Although Cloud Top 488 on the Canton Tower in Guangzhou at 488 m (1,601 ft) surpassed it in December 2011, Burj Khalifa reclaimed the title of the world’s highest observation deck on October 15, 2014, when it opened the 148th-floor SKY level at 555 m (1,821 ft), until the Shanghai Tower opened in June 2016 with an observation deck at a height of 561 m.
The electronic telescope, an augmented reality device developed by Gsmprjct° of Montréal, is located on the 124th-floor observation deck and allows visitors to view the surrounding landscape in real-time as well as view previously saved images such as those taken at different times of the day or in different weather conditions. To alleviate the daily flow of tourists, management enables visitors to purchase tickets in advance for a certain date and time at a 75 percent discount off the price of tickets purchased on the spot.
After power outages led an elevator to become stuck between floors, trapping a group of visitors for 45 minutes, the observation deck was closed to the public for two months on February 8, 2010. People can view the Iranian beaches from the top of the tower when the tide is low and visibility is good.
Burj Khalifa Park
The Burj Khalifa is surrounded by an 11-hectare (27-acre) park designed by SWA Group. The park’s design, like the tower, was inspired by the Hymenocallis flower, a desert plant.
The water room, which consists of a series of pools and water jet fountains, is located in the heart of the park. Images of the Burj Khalifa with the Hymenocallis flower can be found on benches and signage. Irrigation collected from the building’s cooling system is used to water the plants. Annually, the system produces 68,000,000 L (15,000,000 imp gal). The park’s six water elements were designed by WET Enterprises, the same company that created the Dubai Fountain.
Burj Khalifa Tickets Cost in 2021
The cost of Burj Khalifa tickets varies depending on when you visit. The figures shown here are the initial costs. Prices may be higher during busy hours (particularly after sunset). The rates shown below are from the official website; however, numerous other websites provide discounts regularly.
Tickets for “At the Top” level of the Burj Khalifa – floors 124 and 125
General entrance fee
With this self-guided tour, you may take in panoramic views from floors 125 and 124 at your leisure.
Ticket for non-prime hours (from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to closing):
- Adult (12 years and above) – Tickets start at 154 AED (about 42 USD or 3,060 INR)
- Child (4-12 years) – Tickets start at 119 AED (about 33 USD or 2,365 INR)
- FREE for children under the age of four.
Primary hours ticket (from 4 pm to 6 pm)
- Adult (12 years and above) – Tickets start at 229 AED (about 63 USD or 4,550 INR)
- child (4-12 years) – Tickets start at 137 AED (about 38 USD or 2,722 INR)
- FREE for children under the age of four.
Fast track entry
With this Burj Khalifa ticket, you may avoid the lengthy ticket lines and go right to the elevators that will whisk you to the 124th and 125th floors.
- Ticket prices are as follows: Adults (12 years and older): 323 AED (88 USD)
At the Top Along With Armani Deli
Combine an At the Top tour with a three-course set lunch at Dubai’s first Armani Hotel.
- The cost of a ticket is 309 AED (84 USD)
At the Top + Rooftop, The Burj Club
Complement your trip to the top with a 3-course set dinner at the Rooftop, of The Burj Club, which offers outdoor dining with views of the Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa.
- The cost of a ticket is 284 AED (78 USD)
Burj Khalifa tickets – floor 148 (At the Top Sky)
At the Top Sky
At Burj Khalifa’s Level 148, see the world’s tallest observation deck with an outdoor patio. For complimentary beverages, be led to the SKY lounge.
Tickets for non-prime hours (from 7 p.m. until closing):
- Adult (12 years and older) – Ticket prices start at 364 AED (99 USD or 7,232 INR)
- Child (4-12 years): Tickets start at 364 AED (99 USD or 7,232 INR)
- Free for children under the age of four.
Ticket for prime hours (from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.):
- Adult (12 years and older) – Ticket prices start at 464 AED (127 USD or 9,220 INR)
- Ticket pricing for a child (4-12 years) starts at 464 AED (127 USD or 9,220 INR)
- Free for children under the age of four.
VIP Lounge – Floor 154
The VIP Lounge is on the top floor of the Burj Khalifa and is open to the public. Only at 4 p.m., during twilight hours, is access to the VIP Lounge permit
- The cost of a ticket for an adult or a kid is 754 AED per person (about 205 USD or 15,000 INR).
If you genuinely want to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Dubai, make sure to go up the Burj Khalifa. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the box office (note that buying the tickets at the entrance is more expensive).
If you genuinely want to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Dubai, make sure to go up the Burj Khalifa. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the box office (note that buying the tickets at the entrance is more expensive).
Burj Khalifa’s opening hours
The Burj Khalifa is open from 8.30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Sunrise tours are available at 5.30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Please keep in mind that ticket costs change based on when you visit and whatever experience you choose, such as the At the Top or the Sky deluxe lounge.
Places to Visit around Burj Khalifa
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
The world-class Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, with hundreds of aquatic species and a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel, is located in the Dubai Mall. The aquarium is home to the world’s largest acrylic panel, which was officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Piranha, penguins, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, otters, and eels are among the animals housed in the approximately 40 exhibits. You may go cage diving with sharks or take a ride on a glass-bottom boat to see over 33,000 aquatic creatures.
Tickets for the Dubai Aquarium are available online or at the mall’s ticket counter. A single entrance is allowed per ticket. Visitors are welcome to spend as much time as they like here. Visitors who come frequently can purchase a membership card to have access to exclusive benefits. Seven days a week, the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo are open. The hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday.
Next to the mall is the Rainforest Café, which is a fantastic location to eat with kids. The rainforest-themed café includes life-size replicas of giraffes, gorillas, and crocodiles set in a replica of the rainforest. The aquarium tank is also visible.
MAD Gallery
The MAD Gallery is located in the brand-new Fashion Avenue, a premium shopping district. It contains several lovely artworks and art galleries, as well as 150 international high-end companies. The MAD gallery, located adjacent to Dior on the first level of Fashion Avenue, is unique.
The MB&F M.A.D. The gallery is a fascinating kinetic art realm where Horological Machines and Mechanical Art Devices rule supreme. They are owned by Maximilian Busser, the creator of the MB&F watch company. He chooses all of the items on exhibit, including those made under his label.
Not only will you find the full range of MB&F Horological Machines and Legacy Machines inside the galleries, but you’ll also have the pleasure of discovering carefully curated pieces – or, as we like to call them, Mechanical Art Devices from all over the world – each one making your heart beat a little faster.
Dubai Fountain
The Dubai Fountain, the world’s highest-performing fountain, is a fascinating water, music, and light display in Downtown Dubai. The Dubai Fountain, which spans over 900 feet and is the length of two football fields, is located on the 30-acre Burj Lake and features a variety of musical performances. The fountain dances to a variety of melodies ranging from classical to modern Arabic and global music. Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman’s Time to Say Goodbye, and Korean pop band EXO’s Power are all popular songs.
The one-of-a-kind design has five rings of jets that spray water to dizzying heights visible from almost 30 kilometers away. The show is a visual marvel, with thousands of WET super lights and over 20 color projectors. The laser beam may be seen from 32 kilometers away.
If standing to the side of the fountain isn’t close enough, the Dubai Fountain Lake Ride may get you even closer. You can also sail on a traditional Abra on the Burj Lake for the finest display of the fountains, or take the boardwalk for AED 20 for the best view of the fountains. The fountains are only 9 meters distant from the nearest point.
Every day at 1.30 p.m., the fountain begins to run at half-hour intervals until 6 p.m., when it stops.
Performances are free and may be watched in a variety of places across Downtown Dubai. The seaside promenade immediately outside the Dubai Mall is the most popular spot. Thousands of people stream out of the mall just before each show, making the area very congested. The stroll through Souk Al Bahar is much less congested and provides a more enjoyable viewing experience. At a busy hour, spectators leaving the Dubai Mall will need to set aside about 15 minutes to secure a place.
Souk al Bahar
Souk Al Bahar, the “sailor’s market,” is a trip back in time to the wonder and enchantment of old Arabia, blending the traditional with the contemporary. It is enchantingly Arabesque – a vibrant marketplace that gives the city’s residents and tourists alike an exciting experience of shopping, entertainment, and dining in interesting contrast to The Dubai Mall – and is located in Downtown Dubai’s pulsating core.
It has approximately 100 stores, including 22 restaurants, cafés, and lounges, the majority of which are located on the waterfront promenade on the outskirts of Burj Lake. Souk al Bahar is home to some of Dubai’s top restaurants, as well as some unusual eateries serving a wide range of cuisines. Thai cuisine is served at Mango Tree, British cuisine is served at Rivington Grill, and Cuban cuisine is served at Café Habana, as well as the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Award winner Baker & Spice. The outdoor dining restaurants provide the finest views of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain, which is undoubtedly one of the world’s most photographed places.
Public Outdoor Art Work
Beautiful public art may also be seen in the heart of Downtown Dubai, near the Souk Al Bahar and the Dubai Fountains. Donald Greig’s Camels is a collection of three life-size sculptures of modest creatures. Camels are a real Arabian Gulf emblem. A standing camel, a sitting camel, and a camel calf make up the trio. Greig is known for his wildlife sculptures, and he produced Camels after spending hours watching and riding camels. The sculptures were then melted down into silicone before being molded in wax. They were then dipped in 15 layers of ceramic before being completed with molten bronze. The tallest camel is 3 meters tall, and all three weigh around 800 kilos.
Dubai Opera building
The Dubai Opera House may also be seen from the Burj Plaza. It is Dubai’s gleaming Centre of culture and the sparkling gem of The Opera District.
The construction is primarily made of glass, with a translucent entryway and a ‘box inside a box’ sense to allow light to flow in. The main chandelier at the Dubai Opera weighs 5000kg and includes 2900 LEDs, while the building has 600 lighting fixtures.
While the opera house’s dhow-inspired design pays homage to the region’s nautical history, the interior’s utilitarian features are very much of the era. The internal space’s functional configuration ranges from a concert hall setting for 1,901 people to a theatre setting for 1,875 people, thanks to cutting-edge hydraulic technology, moving floor plates, and a series of overhead reflectors; box seating provides additional space. The building’s “flat floor” mode allows it to accommodate a broad range of events, including weddings, trade fairs, exhibitions, and banquets for up to 1,000 people.
The Lounge- Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa Lounge will be open every day from the 152nd to 154th floors of the world’s tallest structure. With a height of 575 meters, you’ll need a head for heights to make a date here, but if you want a bird’s eye view of the city, you’ve come to the perfect place. On the 152nd story, there’s even an outside patio with glass walls for a spectacular view.
Every day from 12.30 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Lounge Burj Khalifa will offer afternoon tea, sunset drinks, and canapés from 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and evening drinks from 7.30 p.m. to midnight.
Convenient guidelines
- The greatest time to visit At the Top is during the sunset hours when the sky is bathed in an amber hue. The sunset hours of 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. provide the finest opportunity to see the Dubai skyline in the evening!
- Allow plenty of time to watch the sunset from the Burj Khalifa – security checks are required, and this is the busiest time of day.
- You may access “At The Top” during peak hours and spend as much time as you like up there. Aside from the difference in height, the primary distinction between the two floors is that SKY is quieter and features soft sitting everywhere.
- It’s better to reserve ahead of time to guarantee you get the greatest time, and if you want to see the sunset, book at least 90 minutes in advance to get the most out of it. Don’t forget that you may visit on Fridays and Saturdays as well.
- To get your tickets, scan your QR code at any of the kiosk offices around the Dubai Mall. You may also get them at the Burj Khalifa’s entry, which is located on the Lower Ground Floor of the Dubai Mall.
I hope this article was useful in helping you learn more about the Burj Khalifa tickets. If you have any queries, please leave them in the comments section below!
