Exploring a New Point of View-At the Top

What’s more impressive than Burj Khalifa in Dubai’s impressive skyline? Staggering at 828 meters, this structure earns its mark as the tallest building in the world. A trip to Dubai without a visit to the magnificent observation deck-At the Top is definitely not complete. Below we take a deeper look into the structure.

Getting here

Burj Khalifa is situated in downtown Dubai beside Dubai Mall. Travelling by Dubai Metro? Board the red line to Burj Khalifa station. Then board the F13 bus and alight at Dubai Mall Bus Stop. Walk through the mall to get to the lower ground floor. You could opt to walk to the mall via the air conditioned overpass which takes approximately 15 minutes. Else, use the moving walkways like those found in airports which is highly recommended.

Once in the mall, walk through the mall to the lower ground floor. 

What to know

●        At the Top, Level 125 Burj Khalifa is a tribute to the Arab’s arts and culture. On this level, guests get to enjoy 360 views of the city, desert and the Arabian gulf beyond.

●        To go to the observation deck, you travel up by a lift moving at speeds of up to 10m/s

●        Along the way, catch glimpses of other landmarks around the world and how they compare to Burj Khalifa Tickets

●        At the Top is just one of the three levels open to the public. The rest include level 125 which is also part of At the Top. By the way this observation is not really at the top but only halfway the building. The third level is the luxury lounge, SKY on level 148 and at 555m.

●        There are notable differences between At the Top and At the Top, SKY. One is the pricing and SKY is way quieter with comfy seats around should you need a rest after peering over the edge.

●        The piece of art was designed by Adrian Smith whose firm designed the Willis Tower formerly Sears Tower and world trade center which are all remarkable mega structures :)

●        Beside being the tallest building in the world, the structure has broken several other world records including: The tallest freestanding structure in the world, the highest number of stories in the world, the highest occupied floor in the world, the highest outdoor observation deck in the world, the elevator with the longest travel distance in the world and the tallest elevator in the world.

●        Big news 2020! ‘Jeddah Tower’ in Saudi Arabia will claim the world’s tallest building title standing at least 3280 feet tall.  

What to expect 

●        If you won’t have booked your ticket online in advance, you’ll be required to queue before proceeding to the lift to embark on your journey to At the Top

●        An outdoor section. However, if like most people you’re creeped out to step out zoom in on the ground using cameras connected to touch screens around.

●        A dizzying experience looking up to see the remaining 400 metres or so soaring above you.

●        An audio tour detailing the engineering and architectural detail of the structure

Why you should visit

●        A bucket list ticker? Then the novelty of going up the world’s tallest building is absolutely worth it!

●        Impressive panoramas from At the Top that will sweep you off your feet.

●        The beauty of the structure as it towers above all other structures along Sheikh Zayed Road

Helpful Tips

●        To avoid crowds, consider visiting during weekdays or off peak times

●        The views from the observation deck are terrific at night

●        There are gift shops near exit elevators, and another one on ground floor near the exit. So be sure to check in for cool souvenirs

●        A beautiful spiraling staircase known as the ‘spiral flight’ which connects levels 124 and 125. You’ll spot a giant, sparkly chandelier overhanging the staircase and glass walls that give you more open views as you move up or down the stairs.

●        There are more advanced, interactive equipments on this level such as the giga-panoramic telescopes that help zoom in both day and nights for more up close views.

●        If you’re questioning your photography skills, there’s a photographer to take some cool photos of you

●        Don’t miss the outdoor observation deck. A lot of guests miss this opportunity because they’re not aware of it.

●        To catch the breathtaking sunset, book your time slot 90 minutes prior to the scheduled time.

●        Backpacks, large bags or tripods are not allowed up there.

●        When booking your ticket on iticket.ae, you’re allowed to select your preferred time of visit. It’s commendable to visit at least 10-15 minutes before your selected time.

●        If you plan on visiting over the weekend, book in advance. However, have in mind the city tends to get hazy at times hence limiting visibility. So don’t book so far in advance.

The overall view from At the Top observation deck is overwhelmingly impressive and the rate at which Dubai is growing, the skyline will explode into even something more impressive in near future. Seeing and experiencing the city at such a perspective is such a spectacle and a must do for everyone. By the way, skyscraper/photographer lovers, this is a golden chance to have the best shots of the opulent Dubai.

Dalphine Wanjiru is a passionate content writer with over 6 years writing experience across different industries and currently working as a content marketer at itickets.ae. When I’m not writing I’m enjoying the captivating views of Dubai city from At the Top :)

A Day At the Top, Burj Khalifa

It’s a modern building that has aroused so much curiosity not only locally but around the globe-Burj Khalifa. The world’s tallest building that hosts At the Top, an observation deck on level 124 and 125 which is an immensely popular attraction that welcomes more than 5,000 visitors a day.

What to Expect

●        On the ground, visitors interact with Burj Khalifa’s large interactive model before making your way to an immersive video tunnel

●        Like any major attraction, expect queueing if you haven’t already booked your tickets online in advance. As you wait, enjoy interactive displays for more information about the tower

●        The visitor experience from the ground to the observation deck includes a series of interactive multimedia presentation showcasing the history of Dubai and the construction of the tower.

●        Finally on Level 124, there are high resolution screens embedded around for visitors to gaze down and have a close up glimpse of the opulent Dubai

●        An audio tour is availed detailing the engineering and architectural process of the structure

●        If you’re heading to At the Top, SKY you wait at an exclusive lounge at ground floor and you’re offered traditional coffee and dates before heading to a VIP elevator to make your way up

●        At the Top, SKY can only host 20-30 people at any one time which makes it a more relaxed experience

●        I know like most people you don’t expect to get aid getting views atop world’s tallest tower, right? Well, Dubai’s weather is tricky and this combined with the significant distance from the ground, potential visibility problems may arise.To address this, custom-designed state of the art telescopes help complement the views. They allow for more closer look of the city in real time.

●        The setting At the Top, SKY screams luxury from the combination of high end interior design and sophistication that makes the guests feel appreciated and on top of the world.

●        At the Top, SKY on level 148 guests are welcomed with dates and coffee and offered the most optimal views of the city and beyond

●        On level 148, guests are taken on an interactive tour of Dubai. The Kinect motion controls and floor to ceiling parabolic screens take you on a journey into Dubai’s four most iconic locations including Al Fahidi district of Old Dubai, the desert, a Mosque’s interior and the Ultra Modern Dubai Marina neighbourhood. For each of the locations, guests can interact with the video for a more intimate experience with graphics and sounds. 

Helpful Tips

●        Book early on in advance online. It’s easier and convenient

●        While at the observation deck, it’s an opportunity to take cool photos of the landscape, ocean and the city

●        Utilize the state of the art telescopes for a real-time experience of the views

●        Don’t forget to utilize the outdoor observation deck for unlimited views and a breeze that you may never experience on ground

●        Burj Khalifa opens from 8:30-11:00pm

Fun Facts

●        Burj Khalifa tower stands at 828m

●        It took over 110,000 tonnes of concrete and 22 million man hours to completion

●        The structure has over 31,000 tonnes of steel which if laid end to end would stretch a quarter way around the world

●        The exterior of the structure is clad with about 26,000 glass panels which gives it the mirror finish.

●        It takes upto 36 men to clean Burj Khalifa’s window panels

●        It takes approximately 1 minute to travel from ground floor to At the Top, level 124. That’s a staggering speed of 10 metres per second

●        At the Top includes level 124 and level 125 at 452 metres. Please note, At the Top isn’t really the top because it’s only about halfway up the building. The top of Burj Khalifa is on 163rd floor but not accessible to the public

●        The luxury lounge SKY, level 148 is at a height of 555 metres

Types of Tickets

To go to At the Top, several factors affect the ticket price including:

●        The observation deck you choose

●        The time of day you want to visit. Prime hours for At the Top are between 3:30pm-6:00pm which is also sunset

●        At the Top observation deck tickets get booked quickly. To secure a slot, book your tickets online in advance 

What more could you ask for than enjoying 360 degree views of stunning Dubai from the vantage point-At the Top. Book your ticket online in advance at itickets.ae and you don’t have to wait a month for confirmation. You get instant confirmation and you get a host of other benefits including amazing discounts.

Dalphine Wanjiru is a passionate content writer with over 6 years writing experience across different industries and currently working as a content marketer at itickets.ae. When I’m not writing, I’m At the Top Burj Khalifa enjoying the spectacular views  beyond.

A Look at the Wondrous Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai gracefully rises from the desert and high into unsurpassed heights bringing more glitz and wonder to a city already boasting beauty and glamor like no other in the world such as the region’s largest shopping mall and dancing water fountain, to mention but a few. Below we go into fine details of the world’s tallest building and why it’s a must visit with Burj Khalifa tickets.

Interesting to Know about Burj Khalifa

●        The structure has 162 stories that combine local and cultural influences.

●        The tower features high-end technology for resilience in the extreme desert climate

●        The centerpiece hosts offices, retail stores, residential units and Giorgio Armani Hotel

●        The Y shape assumed by the structure is for maximized, views of the city, the ocean and the Arabian gulf beyond. It also plays a crucial role guarding the structure against strong winds.

●        On ground level of Burj Khalifa, the surrounding features green space, water features and boulevards

●        The design of the building was drawn from the regional desert flower and patterns predominant in Islamic culture

●        The building comprise of reinforced concrete and glass clad. Sculpted volumes are then arranged around a central buttressed core by a series of wings each featuring its own concrete core and perimeter columns.

●        To help reduce the mass of the building as it rises skywards, the structure is set on a flat base with setbacks occurring in a spiraling pattern. At the peak, the central core is finished as a spire

●        The building has new structural and constructional efficiencies aimed at reducing material usage and wastage. A ‘sky sourced’ ventilation system draws in cool, humid air through the top of the building. The building also has the world’s largest condensate recovery system. Impressive!

Fun Facts Burj Khalifa 

●        Burj Khalifa is 828 metres high equivalent to 2,716.5 feet which is triple the height of Eiffel Tower in Paris.

●        The building laid end to end, it would stretch a quarter way around the world.

●        The structure is popularly known for one world record (world’s tallest building), but it holds six other world record titles including: The tallest freestanding structure in the world, highest stories in the world, the longest travel distance elevator in the world and finally the world’s tallest service elevator

●        The weight of the concrete used to build the structure is equivalent to 100,000 elephants. Can you imagine that?! As if that’s not insane, the aluminium used to construct the building is equivalent to the weight of not one but five A380 aircraft

●        Every year, 15 million gallons of water are collected sustainably

●        The longest single running elevator in the building is 140 floors. The elevators travels at an ear popping speed of 10m/s and among the fastest in the world. Hold on tight!

●        The building’s tip (sphere) can be seen up to 95 km away

●        In the early stages of the construction, 12,000 workers worked on the building every day

●        In yet another shocking revelation! The structure comprise 110,000 tons of concrete, 55,000 tons of steel bar and 22 million man hours for its successful completion

●        The construction of Burj Khalifa kicked off in 2004 and saw its completion in January 2010. This automatically put behind Taipei Financial Center in Taiwan which stood at 1,667 feet (508 metres) and was then the world’s tallest building. 

●        In 2010, Tom Cruise and crew travelled to Dubai for the filming of Mission Impossible, Ghost protocol to film him hanging like Tarzan from the top of the tower. To be precise, Tom Cruise was required to hop out of a window and scramble vertically on the side of the tower. Thankfully he was strapped in ropes and harnesses. Quite daring, but worth it!

●        The material makeup of the building which is steel and aluminium allows for powerful jolts from lightning. This attracts countless photographers and videographers from across the globe to capture the dramatic effect in mid-strike.

●        During construction, the tower’s height remained a closely guarded secret 

●        The building was designed by a Chicago firm Owings & Merrill, whilst  Adrian Smith served as the architect and William F Baker as the structural engineer. 

●        The building’s spire is constructed inside the building and was moved to its final position using a hydraulic pump

●        The foundation of the tower is supported by reinforced concrete mat that’s nearly 13 feet or 4 metres thick

●        The exterior of the tower comprise of Aluminium, stainless steel panels, vertical tubular fins and hand cut glass panels

●        At the Top observation deck is located on Level 124 and the SKY on level 148

Helpful Tips

●        The observation deck opens from 10am-10pm from Sunday to Wednesday and 10am to midnight on Thursday-Saturday

●        Expect a bag check at the entrance

●        Burj Khalifa is accessed from the lower level of Dubai Mall

Getting here

Like most people in Dubai, renting a car is unnecessary. It’s totally optional though, but the roads here are immaculate and way easier to take a metro. Then the distance from the metro station to Dubai Mall which is the entrance to the tower will take you approximately 10 minutes. The walkways are enclosed with moving sidewalks to ease the distance. Just to be sure, The entrance to Burj Khalifa is situated near the food courts on the ground level of the mall.

Burj Khalifa magnificence can’t be described in words alone. Visit and be part of this noble experience especially this festive season. Book your ticket online in advance to avoid last minute disappointments. Check in itickets.ae for Burj Khalifa tickets that come at a discount and have it confirmed instantly!

Dalphine Wanjiru is a passionate content writer with over 6 years writing experience across different industries and currently working as a content marketer at itickets.ae. When I’m not writing I’m at Burj Khalifa enjoying the spectacular views  beyond.