Sunrise “At the top” Burj Khalifa
Want to see the full walkthrough first?Watch our video above to get an idea!!!
So instead of sleeping peacefully on a vacation, we chose to wake up super early. Why, you may ask!!! Because one must not leave Dubai without visiting Burj Khalifa. That is a NORM! 🙂
But coming back to why we woke up early, we wanted to be at the top before Sunrise, when the crowd is less and the views are amazing.
If you are planning this experience, here is our honest experience, what to expect, what to wear, what to consider, what we spent, and weather we think it is worth it.
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Our experience
We were staying at the Millenium plaza Hotel, right opposite the Museum of the Future. We pushed ourselves to wake up at 4.30AM. got ready by 5.30AM, and booked an Uber to Dubai Mall. We reached the main entrance of the mall in 15 minutes.
We then walked to the other end of the mall for the entrance of At the top Burj Khalifa. We showed our tickets, and after the bagge checks , we entered the exhibitio area and finally reached te lift DOOR. Yes, the infamous lift that takes you to the topmost floor in seconds.
This was my second visit, but it was the first time for Niki, and i was really happy to see her get excited.
So, we reached the top, which is at the 124th floor, in seconds. You won’t even feel gravity doing anything. Although your ears might pop because of the change in Air pressure.
We reached the top, and there were a few other folks too. But it was super calm. Advantage of waking up early. Like the saying goes, the early bird catches the worm.
We then positioned ourselves at one spot for the sunrise. As sunrise got nearer, more and more people started coming and pushing people. But it is way less crowded than the peak hours, which is when i had gone the first time, and there was a long queue to get into the elevator.
We watched the majestic sunrise, rising through the clouds, illuminating the dream city in front of us, opening up the architectural marvels and treating our eyes.
Once the sunrise happened, people started spreading and leaving. We stayed there for some more time, clicking pictures and looking at the skyline through the telescope.
There is also a souvenir shop. We bought a fridge magnet and a snow globe with Burj Khalifa inside.
By 8.00 AM, the place was partially empty., and it was nice just walking around and getting our money’s worth of the visit. 🙂 I tried their VR gaming too, and it was a fun experience. It does cost a lot to play. But it is not everyday that you get to do all these.
After some time we decided to leave for breakfast at Wild &the Moon, a few minute’s walk from Dubai mall, followed by the adventurous activity of edge walk at the Sky view observatory at Address hotel.
While leaving we took the elevator down again, and almost at the end of the exit, we were handed our free snacks, which was a choice of tea or coffee and a doughnut.
As Health conscious people, we were reluctant to make that the first meal of the day, but I, as someone with a sweet tooth, couldn’t resist and ate it, while Nikki watched and judged me. 🙂
Ticket Options and Combos
Sunrise Burj Khalifa
- Best if you want fewer crowds and calmer views.
- Great for first time visitors.
- Ideal for early risers.
Standard Burj Khalifa tickets
- Regular timed access
- Can be more crowded during peak hours.
- Good if sunrise timing does not suit your plans.
Premium Higher level options
- Usually higher cost
- Better for those who want a more premium deck experience.
- Always check exactly which floors are included.
Combo options
Combo options are a good choice.
- Burj Khalifa + Sky view observatory
- Burj Khalifa + Edge walk
- Burj Khalifa + Desert safari.
etc..
What to check before payment
- Time slot
- Included floors
- Snack/Treat options
- Cancellation policy
- Entry instructions
- Combo package validity
Things to consider
The Dubai mall walk takes time
Uber drop off is not the final point. Keep buffer time to walk to the entrance of At the top.
Reach earlier than your slot
Every sunrise visit need time for checks, security and queuing.
It gets busier near the exact sunrise moment
it starts calm, then people gather for the best viewing spots.
Your ears may pop in the lift
its normal due to pressure change. Swallowing or yawning helps.
Snacks are a bonus
It's a nice inclusion, but do not treat it as a full breakfast.
Our Rating
Views
Photo oopportunities
Crowd Comfort (Sunrise)
Value for money
Ease for first timers
Snack inclusion
Overall Verdict
