How to Get to Burj Khalifa: Metro, Taxi, Bus & Parking

The best way to reach Burj Khalifa is by Dubai Metro. Take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, then walk through Dubai Mall for 10–15 minutes to the tower’s lower ground floor entrance — the route is air-conditioned and well-signposted. Alternatively, take a taxi or Careem/Uber directly to the Dubai Mall Grand Entrance, which drops you closest to the ticketing area. The observation deck entrance is inside Dubai Mall — there is no street-level entrance at the tower’s base.

The Burj Khalifa is at 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, adjacent to Dubai Mall. Understanding that the entrance is inside the mall — not at the tower’s base — is essential for first-time visitors. Before you set off, make sure your Burj Khalifa tickets are booked. All observation deck visits are time-slotted — arriving late can cause complications.

Top Tickets

# Level 124 & 125 Ticket – At the Top Burj Khalifa
# Level 124, 125 & 148 Ticket – At the Top SKY (Premium)

Burj Khalifa Location & Address

The closest parking to Burj Khalifa is inside Dubai Mall — over 14,000 spaces, including sections close to the lower ground floor Burj Khalifa entrance. Parking is free for the first 4 hours with a purchase or attraction validation. Standard parking is AED 20 per hour thereafter. Valet parking is available from AED 50–100 at select entrances.

Downtown Dubai is also home to Dubai Opera and the Dubai Fountain. If you are combining your visit with nearby attractions, most are within a 5–15 minute walk of the tower.

By Dubai Metro (Recommended)

The closest parking to Burj Khalifa is inside Dubai Mall — over 14,000 spaces, including sections close to the lower ground floor Burj Khalifa entrance. Parking is free for the first 4 hours with a purchase or attraction validation. Standard parking is AED 20 per hour thereafter. Valet parking is available from AED 50–100 at select entrances.

Step-by-step from Dubai International Airport:

Board the Red Line at Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 (follow airport signage to the metro)
Travel towards UAE Exchange — approximately 12 stops, around 25 minutes
Exit at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station
Follow the covered, air-conditioned walkway into Dubai Mall (300 metres, well-signposted)
Inside the mall, follow Burj Khalifa signs to the lower ground floor (Level LG)
Join the At the Top or At the Top SKY queue depending on your ticket

Dubai Metro operating hours (2026):

Saturday – Thursday: 5:30 am – 12:00 midnight
Friday: 10:00 am – 1:00 am

By Taxi or Ride-Hailing App (Careem / Uber)

The closest parking to Burj Khalifa is inside Dubai Mall — over 14,000 spaces, including sections close to the lower ground floor Burj Khalifa entrance. Parking is free for the first 4 hours with a purchase or attraction validation. Standard parking is AED 20 per hour thereafter. Valet parking is available from AED 50–100 at select entrances.

Approximate taxi fares in 2026:

From Dubai International Airport: AED 55–80 (20–35 min)
From Palm Jumeirah: AED 70–100 (25–40 min)
From Dubai Marina: AED 60–90 (25–45 min)
From Deira / Bur Dubai: AED 40–60 (20–35 min)

Taxi starting fare: AED 3.00 (day, 6 am–10 pm) and AED 3.50 (night, 10 pm–6 am). Meter rate: AED 1.96 per km. Careem and Uber typically match or slightly undercut standard taxi fares.

By Bus

Key bus routes serving Dubai Mall:

Route 27: Deira Gold Souk Bus Station → Dubai Mall (every 16 minutes)
Route 28: Ghubaiba Station → Dubai Mall (every 16 minutes)
Route 29: Ghubaiba Station → Dubai Mall
Route 50: International City → Dubai Mall
Route X22: Business Bay → Dubai Mall

Bus fares range from AED 9 to AED 15. Use a Nol Card or Nol Red Ticket (AED 2 purchase price, available at metro station vending machines) for payment.

By Car — Parking at Dubai Mall

The closest parking to Burj Khalifa is inside Dubai Mall — over 14,000 spaces, including sections close to the lower ground floor Burj Khalifa entrance. Parking is free for the first 4 hours with a purchase or attraction validation. Standard parking is AED 20 per hour thereafter. Valet parking is available from AED 50–100 at select entrances.

Navigate to ‘Dubai Mall Parking P2 or P3’ — these sections are closest to the observation deck entrance on the lower ground floor. Traffic around Downtown Dubai is heavy during rush hours (7–9 am and 5–8 pm) and during weekend sunset visiting hours.

Alternative parking options nearby:

Old Town Visitor Parking (8 min walk): More affordable and less congested on busy days
The Address Downtown hotel parking (5 min walk): Often available on weekdays

Finding the Entrance Inside Dubai Mall

The Burj Khalifa observation deck entrance is on the lower ground floor (Level LG) of Dubai Mall, near the waterfall area. Look for prominent Burj Khalifa signage. You’ll pass through a security screening, then join either the At the Top (124/125) or At the Top SKY (148) queue depending on your ticket.

If you enter from the fountain-facing (south-east) side of the mall and descend to the lower ground floor, the Burj Khalifa signage is prominent. The walk from the nearest mall entrance to the queue takes approximately 5 minutes from the Grand Entrance and 10–15 minutes from the metro-side entrance.

Two separate queues at the entrance:

At the Top (Level 124 & 125): Standard and prime time tickets — double-deck elevators travel at 10 m/s
At the Top SKY (Level 148): Premium tickets — separate, quieter process with hosted experience

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the nearest metro station to Burj Khalifa?

Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station on the Red Line — approximately 300 metres from the mall entrance, 10–15 minutes walk from the observation deck entrance inside the mall.

Can I walk to Burj Khalifa from Downtown Dubai hotels?

Yes. From hotels on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard or near Dubai Opera, the walk takes 5–15 minutes via the pedestrian boulevard or through Burj Park.

Is there parking at Burj Khalifa?

There is no dedicated Burj Khalifa car park — parking is inside Dubai Mall. Sections P2 and P3 are closest to the observation deck entrance. The first 4 hours are free with a retail or attraction validation.

How do I get to Burj Khalifa from Dubai Marina?

By taxi: 25–45 minutes, AED 60–90 (easiest and fastest). By metro: take the Red Line from DMCC station, change at Union if needed, and exit at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall.

Do I have to enter through Dubai Mall?

Yes. All visitors to the observation decks must enter through Dubai Mall. The tower’s base is accessible from outside for views of the fountain and exterior, but the elevator to the decks is inside the mall.

Shanmathy S

Shanmathy S is an avid traveler with a deep fascination for modern architecture and iconic landmarks. Her journeys often take her to towering skyscrapers and engineering marvels, with a particular fondness for capturing the grandeur of urban skylines. For Shanmathy, travel is about exploring the world's architectural wonders while immersing herself in the culture and history that surround them. She enjoys uncovering hidden gems in bustling cities like Dubai, New York, and Tokyo. Favorite travel experience: watching the sunset from the Burj Khalifa. Next destination: Shanghai.