The tallest building in the world… at least for now (more on this below). Owning this superlative has cost plenty of companies plenty of money, and they have only been able to own it until the next one came along and knocked them off of the podium.
Construction started in 2004 for the Burj Dubai, the centerpiece of a large-scale, mixed use development that was designed to diversify the Dubai government’s oil-based economy and to give it international recognition. Unfortunately, it ran into financial problems, and when it reached out to neighboring Abu Dhabi for assistance, it shored up their finances but only with a proviso: a name change. The ruler of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nayan provided the necessary funds when the building was renamed Burj Khalifa.
Today, the building dominates the skyline of a city which already has numerous unique architectural phenomenons, including the sail-shaped Raffles hotel, the open centered Dubai Frame, and the reclaimed land Palm Island. But how to you best view this architectural marvel? There are two opposite vantage points: from below and from above. From below is free and easy. From above will cost you a ticket.
Burj Khalifa SKY. There are three observation floors in the Burj: 124, 125 & 148, with each higher floor offering more exclusivity, more pampering and a higher price ticket. I visited level 148 for the full experience. At almost $150 a pop, you have to make the most of your experience, but that’s not very difficult to do.
When I showed up for my tour a little before my allotted time, I was shown to a separate waiting room, with a handful of other SKY148 visitors. We were offered beverages to quench whatever thirst may have befallen us during our journey to the Burj. Drinks were served on platters. When our time arrived, our private guide ushered us past the line of people waiting for the lower floors, and over to a private elevator. As the elevator rose, images appeared of the previous holders of the tallest building title, and their respective heights (the Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, The Empire State Building, Taipei 101, the (former) World Trade Center, the Sears/Willis Tower, etc. A nice touch and a reminder that the superlative is continuously changing hands. The elevator rose so quickly that I had to re-pressurize my ears.
The 148th floor is MUCH less crowded, and you can enjoy mostly empty windows without struggling with other visitors. When I visited floors 124 & 125 on the way down, there were throngs of visitors vying for views from the windows and outdoor balconies. With my SKY ticket, I bypassed the elevator lines from these floors as well on the way down.
Once on the 148th floor, you are again offered drinks (in case you became parched on the ride up), and some snacks. The views are remarkable and there are plenty of seats to relax in while taking them in. The outside observation deck gives you an unobstructed view, but the day I was there the smog was heavy. It is clear that you can’t stay on this floor forever, but I wasn’t rushed and I had a few drinks while I took in the experience.
Others have said that the top ticket is not worth the cost. It depends on how much you value not being crowded.
My TripAdvisor review of the Burj.
If you want to visit the world’s tallest building in Dubai, you need to get there before 2020. After that you’ll need to head to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to the Jeddah Tower.
Why go?
- Visiting the tallest building in the world is kind of iconic. There’s only one (at any given time).
- You can view it from below (which is also of interest), but viewing it from above not only allows you to put your own mark on it.
What you need to know:
- The SKY tickets are booked online.
- Comparisons of the three floor options is available at the Burj website.
- If you’re going to pay for the highest floor, then relax and enjoy the experience. Don’t rush up, and certainly, don’t rush into the elevator to go down. It was well after the next group of visitors arrived before I wandered to the elevator and made my way to the 125th floor.
- Don’t miss the lower floors. You can visit the floor your purchased and any observation floors below it.
- Getting to the Burj from anywhere in Dubai is easy. You can see it from almost anywhere.
- Before or after you visit the Burj, you may want to stroll around outside and enjoy the dancing fountain.
- You may also want to visit the next door Dubai Mall (which also houses the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo).
- US Citizens do not need a visa to visit the UAE.
- Dubai is a great stopping over point to many destinations, since it is a major hub. This is not as easy to do now, however, since many US carriers have dropped this route after claiming that Emirates is being subsidized on theirs.
CNN’s take on the Burj:
Burj Khalifa - Chillaxing at the top.
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Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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The uppermost observation floor is the 148th, and they treat you well there. Comfortable chairs, "free" drinks, no crowds... I`ve got all the details on my travel blog.
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Head to the link in my profile for more details at my travel blog: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 10/2015
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#BurjKhalifa #Burj #Dubai #BurjKhalifaSKY #SKY #148thfloor #Worldstallestbuilding #tallestbuilding #skyscraper #tall #UAE #UnitedArabEmirates #DubaiUAE
Burj Khalifa - A view of the Dubai Mall.
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Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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One of the many opulent malls in Dubai. This one features an aquarium which you can enter through a glass tunnel at the bottom. Note: This is *not* the one with the indoor ski slope. You get the picture.
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Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 10/2015
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#BurjKhalifa #Burj #Dubai #DubaiMall #Mall #Worldstallestbuilding #tallestbuilding #skyscraper #tall #UAE #UnitedArabEmirates #DubaiUAE
Burj Khalifa - A view straight down.
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Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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A view straight down from the 148th floor of the current World`s Tallest Building. Stay tuned for 2020, when it loses it`s title. More details about the ongoing battle for this title are in my travel blog.
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Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 10/2015
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#BurjKhalifa #Burj #Dubai #Worldstallestbuilding #tallestbuilding #skyscraper #tall #UAE #UnitedArabEmirates #DubaiUAE
Burj Khalifa - A view from the top
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Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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A view from the 148th floor of the current World`s Tallest Building... at least for now. Stay tuned for 2020, when it loses it`s title. More details about the ongoing battle for this title are in my travel blog.
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Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 10/2015
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#BurjKhalifa #Burj #Dubai #Worldstallestbuilding #tallestbuilding #skyscraper #tall #UAE #UnitedArabEmirates #DubaiUAE
Burj Khalifa - The World`s tallest building... until 2020
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Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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A view of the current World`s Tallest Building... at least for now. Stay tuned for 2020, when it loses it`s title.
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Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 10/2015
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#BurjKhalifa #Burj #Dubai #Worldstallestbuilding #tallestbuilding #skyscraper #tall #UAE #UnitedArabEmirates #DubaiUAE
