How to Get to Burj Khalifa

In the heart of Downtown Dubai (at 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd) is the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the tallest building in the world at over 800 metres high, and one of the most important tourist attractions in the city.

It is very well connected by public transport and is easy to get to. However, if this is your first trip, you may not be aware of all the options available to you. There are quite a few, so take note, because in this post I'll tell you how to get to the Burj Khalifa.

While you're strolling around Downtown Dubai, take the opportunity to see the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. The most economical way to get around the city centre and get to this skyscraper is to walk because, apart from not costing you a dirham, during the tour you will have the opportunity to enjoy this unique desert landscape surrounded by skyscrapers.

If you love walking and you are not in a hurry, I recommend walking to get from one tourist attraction to another. For example, if you're in Downtown Dubai and you've just seen the huge Dubai Mall, the next stop on your route might be to go up to the Burj Khalifa Observatory and then walk over to the Dubai Fountain, which is located just a short distance from the iconic skyscraper.

Getting to the Burj Khalifa on foot is my favourite option because you'll do it without even realising it and on the way you'll have the opportunity to see several of the city's landmarks by exploring new routes. Something that when we are sightseeing is always a marvellous thing to do. So don't hesitate and go into the streets of downtown Dubai to investigate Downtown on foot and go up to the viewpoint of the Burj Khalifa. In the Burj Khalifa observation deck ticket prices post you can find out in detail how much the tickets cost.

Walking distances from popular sites in the city

• Dubai Mall: it will take you 4 minutes to walk from this popular shopping mall.
• Dubai Fountain: it will take you about 6 minutes to walk from here.
• Dubai Opera House: it will take you about 24 minutes to get to the Burj Khalifa from this location.
• Al Khazzan Park: it will take you about 25 minutes to get to the Burj Khalifa from this park.

If you're not in Downtown and don't feel like walking under the hot Dubai sun to enjoy the spectacular views from the 124th and 148th floors of the Burj Khalifa observatories, I recommend using the metro to get around Dubai as it connects the most important places in the city quickly.

The Dubai metro consists of only two lines and the one you'll have to take to go to the famous skyscraper is the red one. This line is the one most tourists use because it links some of the most important stops in the city such as the Burj Khalifa, the Ibn Battuta Mall, the Dubai Mall and the International Airport.

To get to the Burj Khalifa by metro you will have to get off at the station of the same name, which is the closest to the Dubai Mall and from there walk a few minutes to the skyscraper.

How much does the Dubai metro ticket cost?

The price of a metro ticket is quite cheap. You can get a single ticket from €0.80 although the cost of the journey varies depending on the distance to your destination.

When does the Dubai Metro run?

To see the Burj Khalifa, you can take the metro any day of the week. Frequency is usually 5 minutes during rush hour while the rest of the time it's about 7 minutes.

Another good option to get to the Burj Khalifa is to take the bus, specifically the F13 line and get off at the Dubai Mall stop. In just a few minutes' walk you'll be at the entrance to the skyscraper.

In recent years Dubai's bus fleet has been modernised and has become one of the most modern forms of transport in the city, which is why many tourists use it alongside the metro to get around Dubai. In fact, all bus stops are linked to the metro, making it easy to plan a journey combining the two modes of transport.

How much does a bus ticket cost?

The cost of a bus ticket varies depending on the distance you travel, but in general it can be around €0.50. If you choose to take the bus for the journey, the cost will vary depending on the distance you travel.

If you choose to take the bus to the Burj Khalifa, remember that you won't be able to pay in cash and you will need to buy a rechargeable Nol Card to validate your journey.

When do the Dubai buses run?

To plan your journey to the Burj Khalifa by bus, it is useful to know the operating hours of the fleet. They operate every day of the week between 4am and 1am and run every half hour.

Taxis are also a good option for getting to the Burj Khalifa as they are quite affordable (compared to other cities) and there are plenty of them dotted around the city.

You can easily find them around hotels, shopping malls, metro stations and the airport.

How much does a taxi ride in Dubai cost?

Taxis in Dubai operate with a meter. The flag-down charge is around €2 and the fare is around €0.50 per kilometre.

However, if you want to calculate the exact taxi fare between two points, I recommend installing the RTA S'hail app on your phone, which is available for both Android and iOS.

If you've bought a ticket for the Dubai Sightseeing Bus, don't rule out using it to get to the Burj Khalifa, one of the top things to see in Dubai, it's a fantastic alternative!

As well as showing you the main sights of the city, the Dubai Sightseeing Buses also allow you to use the vehicles as a means of transport to get from one place to another. Thanks to the system of free stops that the tourist buses have, you will be able to go around the city at your own pace and get on and off wherever you want to move around Dubai.

In case you want to use the Dubai tourist bus to get to the Burj Khalifa, the nearest stops where you can get off are number 1 Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall (Red Route - City Tour with a frequency of 30 minutes) and number 9 Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall (Blue Route - Beach Tour with a frequency of 40 minutes).

How to buy a ticket for Dubai sightseeing bus?

If you don't have your ticket for the Dubai sightseeing bus yet, the most convenient and fastest way to buy it is to do it online and in advance.

When you complete your booking you will receive a voucher to your email address which you can exchange at any stop along the route.

The above are the best options for getting to the Burj Khalifa, but there are a few other options for getting around Dubai.

If it's your first time in the city and you don't know how the transport network works, I recommend you to read the post how to get around Dubai to clear all your doubts, so you can plan your visits better and make the most of your time there!