Burj Khalifa at Night

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

The Burj Khalifa is a testament to how far structural engineering and architecture have come. Don't just take 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 the experience of seeing the city after dark from the heights is incredible.

Tickets to the night time observation decks at 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 your desired night time.

The evening opening hours available range from 19:00 to 23:00 (until midnight from Thursday to Saturday). Ticket offices are open from 8.30am to 10pm.

Night tickets have higher prices than day tickets. You need to pay between €15 and €35 more than during the day (depending on the viewpoint you want to go to).

One important thing to know if you want to go up to the Burj Khalifa at night is that the entrance fees to the Burj Khalifa increase during those hours. Also, access to the observation deck on the 148th floor is more expensive than on 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. Also, if you purchase your tickets as part of a package that includes other services, prices also increase.

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 on the 148th floor is the opening time, which is 12:00. Thanks to this time, people have the opportunity to visit when the sun is setting and even when night has fallen over Dubai.

Perhaps the fact that it is one of the most visited spots in Dubai hasn't convinced you to go up to the Burj Khalifa at night. That's why I'd like to talk to you about the reasons why you should 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 Dubai Fountain's nighttime spectacles

The Dubai Fountain is located at the foot of the imposing Burj Khalifa, every day, from 18:00 to 23:00, shows are presented. The shows take place every 30 minutes and last approximately 3 minutes. They feature lights, water jets that can reach over 100 metres and music.

The shows can be seen from a distance of 1000 metres and more, so when you are on the 124th, 125th or 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa you can enjoy them. The best part is that the songs that accompany the lights and water jets change throughout the night, so the Fountain's nightly shows are varied.

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

The temperature is cooler than during the day

When the sun goes down, the temperature and therefore the wind chill in Dubai decreases. This allows you to enjoy the viewpoints of the Burj Khalifa more, especially the outdoor ones. Many visitors to the world's tallest building do not spend much time outside the observation decks because of 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 on 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 viewing platforms. Therefore, during the evening hours you can enjoy the scenery in peace and quiet and have the opportunity to take as many photographs as you wish.

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

• Burj Al Arab: the luxurious hotel is 321 metres high.
• Dubai Frame: The frame-like building is 150 metres high.
• Dubai Mall: the shopping mall has about 1,200 shops.
• Emirates Towers: Emirates Tower One (355 metres) and Emirates Tower Two (309 metres).
• Dubai Fountain: it is 275 metres long.

During the day you can see Dubai' s finest mosques on the skyline, but these are some of the buildings whose illumination allows them to be seen at night.

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

Below I'll tell you about the lighting of some of the buildings I mentioned above:

• The exterior of the Burj Al Arab is lit up in a different colour every night, often with blue lights. It is not difficult to see the building from above and admire its sail-like shape.
• The Dubai Frame is one of the newest structures to grace the Dubai skyline and its design couldn't do without lights to make it stand out at night. During your nighttime visit to the Burj Khalifa, you're sure to see the grand framework of the city illuminated in blue, yellow, green, pink or any other colour.
• The Dubai Fountain is the closest point to the Burj Khalifa and at night it is illuminated by thousands of lights. Sometimes they change colours, but usually they are yellow and the intensity of the yellow changes to match the rhythm of the song of each water show.

Burj Khalifa lighting

I can't talk about Dubai's night-time 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'd do well to take notice. The building is not only illuminated with different colours, 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 by software in which the pixels are configured. Perhaps when you visit Dubai you will have the opportunity to see the world's largest LED screen in the Burj Khalifa.

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 queue at the building.
• Don't forget to bring your ID or passport, as you have to show it to enter the observation decks.
• Arrive about 30 minutes before the time you booked your ticket.
• The lifts go up very fast so you will reach your destination in less than 2 minutes. So don't worry if your ears hurt a bit 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 are your options for getting back to your accommodation? Taxis in the city are available until late, and fares are reasonable.

As for the city's bus network, it is open from 10am to midnight. So, when you leave the Burj Khalifa, it's a good idea to take the bus to your accommodation. Alternatively, you can use the metro, which runs until midnight and 1am on Thursdays and Fridays.

In case you don't eat before you go 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, it is best to book a table a few hours in advance. At Mosphere closes at 1:30.
• Slice and Mix Restaurant: This is ideal for those who prefer to eat in a casual setting. The service is fast and the restaurant is recommended for families. Slice and Mix is on Jumeirah Street and closes at 1:00.
• Johnny Rockets: This business specialises in burgers, shakes and fries. There are several locations in different areas of Dubai, check their website for directions to Johnny Rockets.
• 800 Pizza: This restaurant opened in 2007 and offers thin, light and crispy pizzas. There are several branches of 800 Pizza in Dubai.

In addition to everything you can do inside the Burj Khalifa, there are two observation decks in the building, the At the Top, which is located on the 124th and 125th floors. The time you can spend on these floors is unlimited, but that doesn't mean you can stay there from morning till 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 outside, from which you can see the city through large windows. Now, inside the 124th floor there is a café and it is possible to take a photograph against a green backdrop. In addition, there are small screens showing you how the city has evolved over the years and the view in different climates.

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

The 148th Floor Observation Deck

The At the Top SKY is at a height of 555 metres, so you get unique views of the city. As on the 124th floor, there is an open-air observation deck on the 148th floor, as well as a premium lounge where visitors can spend some quality time.

The visit to 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.

There are several ways to get to the Burj Khalifa from downtown Dubai. Your options are:

• Metro: get on the red line, the stop where you get off is called "Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall". The timetable is from Saturday to Wednesday from 5:30 to midnight and on Thursdays and Fridays until 01:00 so you will have time to get back to your hotel.
• Taxi: just tell the driver your destination, the fare is around €20 or less, depending on where you are.
• Bus: Take the F13 bus and get off at the "Dubai Mall" stop. You have until midnight to get back 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 time schedules.
• Walking: If you find that the walk from where you are to the Burj Khalifa is not too long, you can walk. It's 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!