To see the sunset from the Burj Khalifa, the official operator advises entering Level 124 about 120 minutes before sunset: there is no specific « sunset » ticket. Booking is not mandatory, but it is recommended to get the time you want.
The Burj Khalifa offers three high-altitude experiences, all sold by At the Top, the official ticket office of the operator Emaar. Prices there vary by time slot; we do not copy them, as no fixed price list is published. What we have done is calculate, for each month, the entry time that matches the official 120-minute rule. For the rest of your stay, see our guide to visiting Dubai. For passport and visa rules, see entry requirements for the United Arab Emirates.
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Key facts – Burj Khalifa (At the Top)
- Hours: chosen when you book; the official FAQ refers to the ticket office for available time slots (checked 15 October 2026 on the At the Top FAQ).
- Price: varies by experience and time slot, shown only when booking on ticket.atthetop.ae (no fixed price list published on 15 October 2026).
- Booking: not mandatory, but recommended by the operator.
- Duration: about 1 h 30 min on average at Levels 124–125; 30 minutes maximum at Level 148, before going back down to Levels 124–125.
- Sunset: entry advised about 120 minutes before sunset, at Level 124.
- Information checked on 15 October 2026 on ticket.atthetop.ae and burjkhalifa.ae.
Tickets: which experience, and where to buy?
| Experience (official site) | Levels | Height / stated content |
|---|---|---|
| At The Top, Burj Khalifa | 124 and 125 | 456 m (1,496 ft), telescopes, outdoor terrace, Wi-Fi |
| At The Top, SKY | 148 (then 124–125) | exclusive outdoor terrace, refreshments, VR experience |
| The Lounge | 152, 153 and 154 | 585 m (1,919 ft), « the world’s highest lounge », sofas and refreshments |
The official ticket office is ticket.atthetop.ae, linked from the burjkhalifa.ae site. Activity platforms also resell these tickets, sometimes bundled with other attractions. The official price depends on the time: compare for the same date and slot before you buy. The FAQ states that no refund is given for bad weather; the outdoor terrace may then close.
Opening hours: when to go up
The official FAQ does not publish fixed hours: each experience is booked for a time slot, visible in the ticket office. The only timing rule published concerns the sunset: book an entry to Level 124 about 120 minutes before. As the sunset time in Dubai varies from 5:31 pm to 7:11 pm over the year, the right slot changes from month to month.
Best time: the entry time calculated for sunset
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Advised entry (sunset − 2 h) | Avg. max °C (°F) | Rain mm (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:06 am | 5:50 pm | 10 h 44 min | 3:50 pm | 24.4 (76) | 20.8 (0.8) |
| February | 6:53 am | 6:12 pm | 11 h 19 min | 4:12 pm | 26.1 (79) | 9.9 (0.4) |
| March | 6:28 am | 6:27 pm | 11 h 59 min | 4:27 pm | 28.9 (84) | 21.7 (0.9) |
| April | 5:57 am | 6:41 pm | 12 h 44 min | 4:41 pm | 33.7 (93) | 3.3 (0.1) |
| May | 5:34 am | 6:56 pm | 13 h 22 min | 4:56 pm | 38.2 (101) | 0.1 (0.0) |
| June | 5:28 am | 7:10 pm | 13 h 42 min | 5:10 pm | 40.0 (104) | <1 (<0.04) |
| July | 5:37 am | 7:11 pm | 13 h 34 min | 5:11 pm | 41.5 (107) | 1.1 (0.0) |
| August | 5:52 am | 6:54 pm | 13 h 02 min | 4:54 pm | 41.9 (107) | <1 (<0.04) |
| September | 6:04 am | 6:23 pm | 12 h 19 min | 4:23 pm | 39.5 (103) | <1 (<0.04) |
| October | 6:16 am | 5:52 pm | 11 h 35 min | 3:52 pm | 35.9 (97) | 1.5 (0.1) |
| November | 6:35 am | 5:31 pm | 10 h 56 min | 3:31 pm | 30.7 (87) | 5.9 (0.2) |
| December | 6:56 am | 5:31 pm | 10 h 35 min | 3:31 pm | 26.5 (80) | 14.8 (0.6) |
How to read it: in December, the sun sets around 5:31 pm, so an entry around 3:30 pm follows the official recommendation; in June and July, aim for about 5 pm instead. This calculation is ours (the official 120-minute rule applied to the calculated sunset time). As the visit is indoors with an outdoor terrace, heat matters mostly from May to September (average maximums of 38 to 42 °C or 101 to 107 °F). See the detail on the best time to visit Dubai, or our pages Dubai in December and Dubai in February.
How the visit works and how long it takes
- Levels 124–125: about 1 h 30 min on average according to the operator, with no time limit.
- Level 148: up to 30 minutes, then back down to Levels 124–125.
- A longer stay is possible in high season or at peak times, according to the FAQ.
- Café on the ground floor and at Level 124; outside food and drink are not allowed.
- VR experience at extra cost, from age 10.
Getting there
According to the official FAQ, you reach the Burj Khalifa by metro on the Red Line, Burj Khalifa station; by car, parking is at Dubai Mall (Fashion Avenue car park). The attraction’s entrance is through Dubai Mall.
For younger visitors, note two age limits published by the operator: the virtual reality experience is reserved for ages 10 and over, and the Sky Views Edge Walk, a neighboring attraction, requires a minimum age of 12, a height of 130 cm (4 ft 3 in) and a weight between 30 and 120 kg (66 and 265 lb). The FAQ also states that the experience is safe for pregnant women, who are however excluded from virtual reality.
Accessibility and prohibited items
The operator states that the whole At the Top experience is wheelchair accessible. However, the FAQ states that assistance animals are not admitted during the visit. Strollers, shopping bags, gym bags and backpacks must be left at the cloakroom near the entrance; only handbags are accepted.
Common mistakes (based on the official rules)
- Looking for a « sunset » ticket: there is none; choose a slot about two hours before sunset.
- Bringing a backpack or a laptop: backpacks go to the cloakroom; laptops, tablets and e-cigarettes are banned.
- Expecting a refund if the sky is hazy: no refund for bad weather.
- Arriving just on time: the FAQ asks you to arrive well in advance, as waits vary at peak times.
- Bringing a picnic: outside food and drink are not allowed.
Checklist before going up
- Check the sunset time on the day (table above) and book an entry about two hours before.
- Choose the experience: Levels 124–125 (no time limit), 148 (30 minutes, then 124–125) or 152–154 (The Lounge).
- Leave your backpack, stroller and laptop at the hotel or at the cloakroom near the entrance.
- Plan to arrive well in advance: waits vary at peak times.
- Keep in mind there is no refund if the sky is hazy or dusty.
- In summer, limit time outdoors between the metro and Dubai Mall: average maximums exceed 40 °C (104 °F) from June to August.
This checklist draws only on the rules published by the operator and our calculations; it does not replace reading the terms of sale when you book.
What to see nearby
The Dubai Fountain, Dubai Mall and the Opera are at the foot of the tower. For the rest of the city, see our guide to visiting Dubai. Arriving by ship? See our page on cruises to Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to book to go up the Burj Khalifa?
It is not mandatory according to the operator, but booking in advance is recommended to get the slot you want.
What time should you go up for the sunset?
The operator advises entering Level 124 about 120 minutes before sunset. By our calculation, that gives around 3:30 pm in December and around 5 pm in June–July.
How long does a Burj Khalifa visit take?
About 1 h 30 min on average at Levels 124–125, according to the official FAQ; 30 minutes maximum at Level 148.
How much does a Burj Khalifa visit cost?
The price varies by experience (Levels 124–125, 148 or 152–154) and time slot; it is shown when booking on ticket.atthetop.ae.
Is the Burj Khalifa wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the whole At the Top experience is wheelchair accessible according to the operator.
Our sources
- At the Top, Burj Khalifa, official FAQ, consulted on 15 October 2026.
- Burj Khalifa (Emaar), Observation Decks, consulted on 15 October 2026.
- WMO / NOAA, 1991–2020 normals for Dubai airport (via our best-time-to-visit page).
- NOAA, solar calculation algorithm; coordinates: Wikipedia / Wikidata (Q12495).
- Method: our methodology.
Updated November 2026.