Burj Khalifa at Night

Climbing the Burj Khalifa at night allows you to see one of the most famous cities from the tallest building in the world. This is known as the "Vertical City", when it gets dark it still offers excellent views that I recommend you enjoy.

Luisa María Lugo

Luisa María Lugo

10 min read

Burj Khalifa at Night

View of the Burj Khalifa in the late afternoon | ©George Kurzik

It is impossible to miss the Burj Khalifa when you visit Dubai, as it has an impressive height of 828 meters. According to Guinness World Records, this is the tallest building in the world, which is one of the reasons why so many people visit it. They even decide to climb the Burj Khalifa at night, do you want to do it?

The Burj Khalifa is a showcase of how far structural engineering and architecture have advanced. Don't settle for just taking a picture of yourself in front of this skyscraper, I encourage you to take in the views from the top of the Burj Khalifa, don't worry if you can only do it at night. I guarantee you that the experience of seeing the city after sunset from the heights is incredible.

Tickets to climb the Burj Khalifa in the evening hours

Tickets to climb the Burj Khalifa| ©Jules Shamblin
Tickets to climb the Burj Khalifa| ©Jules Shamblin

Tickets to the nighttime hours of the observation decks that are in the Burj Khalifa are purchased in the same way as daytime tickets. Therefore, one way to make the purchase is online. The advantage of this method is that you can purchase tickets in advance and choose the night time you want.

The night hours available range from 19:00 to 23:00 (until midnight from Thursday to Saturday). As for the ticket offices, they work from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm.

Night tickets have higher prices than during the day. It is necessary to pay between 15 € and 35 € more than during the day (depending on the viewpoint you want to climb).

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Burj Khalifa viewing platforms night tickets prices

Climbing the Burj Khalifa| ©Jose Aliling
Climbing the Burj Khalifa| ©Jose Aliling

Something important to know if you want to go up to this building at night is that the entrance fees to the Burj Khalifa increase during those hours. In addition, access to the 148th floor observation deck is more expensive than the 124th and 125th floors.

Children under 4 years of age have free access to both observation decks. Please note that there are times of the year (when there are more tourists in the city) when tickets are more expensive. Likewise, if you purchase your tickets in a package that includes other services, prices also increase.

  • 124th and 125th floors
  • Approximately 35 € during the day
  • Approximately 50 € at night.
  • Apartment 148
  • Approximately 90 € during the day
  • Approximately 125 € per night

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Burj Khalifa observation decks night schedule

Burj Khalifa observation deck area| ©Ilya Varlamov
Burj Khalifa observation deck area| ©Ilya Varlamov

The 124th and 125th floors open at 10:00 and close at 22:00, the days when the closing time changes are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Both floors remain open until midnight on these three days.

The only factor that changes in the schedule of the 148th floor is the opening time, which is at 12:00. Thanks to this schedule, people have the opportunity to visit them when it is getting dark and even when night has already fallen over Dubai.

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Reasons to go up to the Burj Khalifa at night

View from the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa| ©Ole Bendik Kvisberg
View from the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa| ©Ole Bendik Kvisberg

Perhaps the fact that it is one of the most visited points in Dubai has not convinced you to go up to the Burj Khalifa at night. That's why I'd like to talk to you about what reasons there are for you to add a night visit to this building to your plans for your trip to the city.

I encourage you to go up to one of the Burj Khalifa's observation decks for the following reasons:

The night shows of the Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain is located at the foot of the imposing Burj Khalifa, every day, from 18:00 to 23:00, shows are presented. These are performed every 30 minutes and have an approximate duration of 3 minutes. They include lights, water jets that can exceed 100 meters and music.

The shows can be seen from a distance of 1000 meters and even more, so when you are on the 124th, 125th or 148th floors of the Burj Khalifa you can enjoy them. The best thing is that the songs that accompany the lights and water jets change during the night, so the night shows of the Fountain are varied.

The Dubai Fountain was designed by the same people who were in charge of the creation of the Bellagio Hotel (Las Vegas).

The temperature is lower than during the day

When the sun goes down, the temperature and therefore the wind chill in Dubai decreases. This allows you to enjoy more at the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa, especially the outdoor ones. Many visitors to the world's tallest building do not spend much time outside the observation decks due to the heat.

By being able to spend more time on the terraces, you can admire every detail of the incredible view you get at the Burj Khalifa.

Fewer people at the observation decks

Besides going in the early morning hours, entering the observation decks after sunset is a highly recommended time. The reason is that when the sun is setting, many people enter At the Top and At the Top SKY.

As the sun leaves the sky and night falls over Dubai, visitors leave the observation decks. Therefore, in the evening hours you can enjoy the scenery in peace and quiet and have the opportunity to take as many pictures as you wish.

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This is what the night views from the Burj Khalifa look like

View of the Dubai Mall from the Burj Khalifa| ©elisasophia
View of the Dubai Mall from the Burj Khalifa| ©elisasophia

Many of the buildings you can see when you climb the Burj Khalifa are characteristic of the Dubai night. From the heights you clearly see the following:

  • Burj Al Arab: the luxurious hotel is 321 meters high.
  • Dubai Frame: building similar to a frame, its height is 150 meters.
  • Dubai Mall: the mall has about 1,200 stores.
  • Emirates Towers: Emirates Tower One (355 meters) and Emirates Tower Two (309 meters).
  • Dubai Fountain: it has a length of 275 meters.

During the day you can see the best mosques of Dubai on the horizon, but those named are some of the buildings whose lighting allows you to appreciate them at night.

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More about Dubai's nighttime illumination

Burj Khalifa Illumination| ©Many Wonderful Artists
Burj Khalifa Illumination| ©Many Wonderful Artists

Although a few years ago Dubai was not known for its night lighting, that has changed. All the buildings around the Burj Khalifa are very well lit, so the city looks great at night.

Below I tell you about the lighting that some of the buildings I named above have:

  • The exterior of the Burj Al Arab is lit in a different color every night, many times it has blue lights. It is not difficult to see the building from the heights and admire its ship sail shape.
  • The Dubai Frame is one of the newest structures to grace the Dubai landscape and its design could not be without lights that allow it to stand out at night. During your nighttime visit to the Burj Khalifa you are sure to see the grand framework of the city illuminated in blue, yellow, green, pink or any other color.
  • The Dubai Fountain is the closest point to the Burj Khalifa and at night it is illuminated by thousands of lights. Sometimes they change colors, but, normally, they are yellow and this changes intensity to adapt to the rhythm of the song of each water show.

Burj Khalifa illumination

I can't talk about Dubai's nighttime lighting without focusing on the Burj Khalifa. Obviously, being inside you can't enjoy the light on the outside, but when you step outside, you're right to take notice. The building is not only illuminated with different colors, but also with images, how is this achieved?

The Burj Khalifa has an LED system, so the building is able to reflect images as if it were a giant screen. Everything is controlled thanks to a software in which the pixels are configured. Maybe when you visit Dubai you will have the opportunity to see the world's largest LED screen in the Burj Khalifa.

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Tips for climbing the Burj Khalifa at night

Burj Khalifa illuminated at night| ©Zoltan Tasi
Burj Khalifa illuminated at night| ©Zoltan Tasi

Now that you know what a great experience you get when you climb the Burj Khalifa at night, it's time for some tips for your visit:

  • It's best to buy your ticket online in advance, so you won't have to wait in line at the building.
  • Don't forget to bring your ID or passport, as you have to show them to enter the observation decks.
  • Arrive about 30 minutes before the time you booked your ticket.
  • The elevators go up very fast to get you to your destination in less than 2 minutes. So don't worry if your ears hurt a little when you start going up.

How to get back to your accommodation after climbing the Burj Khalifa at night

If you decide to go to the Burj Khalifa at night, what options do you have to get back to your place of accommodation? Cabs in the city are available until late, and the prices are not high.

As for the city's bus network, it has a schedule that goes from 10:00 to midnight. Therefore, when you leave the Burj Khalifa it is valid that you go to your accommodation by bus. It is also an option to use the metro that runs until midnight and until 1:00 on Thursdays and Fridays.

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Places to dine near the Burj Khalifa

Dining at Burj Khalifa's Mosphere Att.| ©David Jones
Dining at Burj Khalifa's Mosphere Att.| ©David Jones

In case you don't eat before going up to the Burj Khalifa, there are places where you can dine at the end of your visit. **The restaurants I recommend are as follows:
**

  • At. Mosphere: you don't even have to leave the building, as this elegant restaurant is on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa. If you want to eat here, ideally you should book a table a few hours before. At. Mosphere closes at 1:30.
  • Slice and Mix Restaurant: this is ideal for those who prefer to eat in an informal place. The service is fast and it is a restaurant recommended for families. Slice and Mix is on Jumeirah Street and closes at 1:00.
  • Johnny Rockets: this business specializes in burgers, shakes and fries. There are several locations in different areas of Dubai, on their website you know the addresses of Johnny Rockets.
  • 800 Pizza: this restaurant was opened in 2007 and offers thin, light and crispy pizzas. There are several branches of 800 Pizza in Dubai.

Viewpoints from which you will contemplate the night views of Dubai

Mirador At the Top| ©Gray Line
Mirador At the Top| ©Gray Line

In addition to everything you can do inside the Burj Khalifa, you should keep in mind that the building has two viewpoints, I speak first of the At the Top, this is the one located on the 124th and 125th floors. The time to be on these floors is unlimited, of course, that does not mean that it is possible to be from morning to night. However, there are people who have enjoyed the observation deck for three hours.

At the Top observation deck

At the At the Top observation deck there is an area that is outside, from which you see the city through large windows. Now, inside the 124th floor there is a cafeteria and it is possible to take a picture on a green background. In addition, small screens are installed to show you how the city has evolved over the years and the view in different climates.

From the 125th floor you can also enjoy an unparalleled panoramic view, but this has a different appearance than the 124th floor. The roof has a unique design and there are games in which you can participate, some of them are free.

The 148th floor observation deck

The At the Top SKY is at a height of 555 meters, so from it you get unique views of the city. As on the 124th floor, there is an open-air observation deck on the 148th floor, and there is also a premium lounge where visitors can have a good time.

The visit to the At the Top SKY is much more exclusive than on the 124th and 125th floors, but time on the observation deck is limited. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the view for 30 minutes.

How to get to the Burj Khalifa

Waiting for the Metro| ©Fabio Achilli
Waiting for the Metro| ©Fabio Achilli

There are several ways to get to the Burj Khalifa from downtown Dubai. The options you have are:

  • Metro: get on the red line, the stop where you have to get off is named "Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall". The schedule is from Saturday to Wednesday from 5:30 to midnight and on Thursdays and Fridays until 01:00 so you will have time to return to your hotel.
  • Cab: just tell your destination to the driver, the fare is about 20 € or less, depending on where you are.
  • Bus: take the F13 line and get off at the "Dubai Mall" stop. You have time until midnight to return to your hotel after seeing the night views from the Burj Khalifa. Unlike if you buy tickets to see the Burj Khalifa by day, the Dubai sightseeing bus will not work for you as many do not have night schedules.
  • Walking: if you consider that the walk from where you are to the Burj Khalifa is not too long, you can walk. It is easy to find the building, as it stands out among the others in the city.

The information I have given you in this article will be useful if you decide to go up to the Burj Khalifa at night. Enjoy it to the fullest!

Book a night tour with tickets to the Burj Khalifa