Traveling to the Tallest Skyscraper in the World: Burj Khalifa
An Architects Sandbox
What was once nothing more than the shifting sands off of the Arabian coast has transformed into the glistening city of Dubai. Noted as being the valued gem in the crown of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai and it’s engineering marvels attract tourists from around the globe. Walking down the main street of Sheikh Zayed Road, pedestrians are presented with some of the most astonishing yet absurd architecture on the entire planet. Towering above the rest of the steel and glass frames of the Dubai skyline is the iconic Burj Khalifa.
Many luxury travelers and backpackers alike make the pilgrimage to Dubai just to have a chance to marvel at the tallest skyscraper in the world. For many, visiting the Burj Khalifa is just another quick stopover to mark off of the bucket list before getting on your next flight to a more cultural and cheap destination. If you have ever wondered what it was like to travel to the tallest building in the world or contemplated if visiting the Burj Khalifa worth it, you can walk through downtown Dubai in this article.
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The Dubai Mall
Other than being home to the Burj Khalifa, what is Dubai famous for? To put it simply: malls. The UAE first struck oil in 1966, but they know that their reserves would not last. In the 90s the United Arab Emirates made it their goal to diversify their economy and become a tourism hub in the Middle East. Dubai then became the model city that many other nations in the region began to follow. Along with the steel-framed spectacles that begin to emerge from the sands, Dubai made a name for itself as being the leader in luxury tourism. And where do must of these tourists head to the second they touch down in Dubai? One of the many luxury brand name stores that line the halls in the immaculate mega-malls.
Centered around the Burj Khalifa, you will find many upscale restaurants along with the mall built into the base of the enormous skyscraper. The shops and restaurants found around the Dubai Mall are quite expensive. Even if you are looking to just buy a ticket to the top of the skyscraper, you will find that the privilege costs an arm and a leg. You can buy tickets the same day to the Burj Khalifa costing 149 AED (41 USD) to floors 124 & 125 or floor 148 (At the Sky) for 378 AED (103 USD).
If you are not looking to shell out all of your money to get to the top of Burj Khalifa you can still enjoy some great views from below. Especially at night, you will see the sky fade from blue into shades of crimson and the Dubai skyline light up in an array of colors. One of the best places to take in the evening is at the Dubai Fountain which has light and water shows every 30 minutes from 6 – 11 pm.
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At the Top of the Burj Khalifa
Even if you are a budget backpacker, the temptation will be too great not to fork over the money to get to the top of the Burj Khalifa. Depending on the time of year, you may want to buy your tickets ahead of time online. During the summer months Dubai is incredibly hot and you will have low visibility from the top of the tower. Although you will have no problem buying tickets during the off-season, you will not be able to see as much of the surrounding desert and Arabian coast as you would during the cooler months.
After paying for your ticket you will walk down a long corridor with many dioramas and displays showcasing the impressive feat of constructing the tallest building in the world. While a lot of the information seems to be the engineers patting themselves on the back, there are still some interesting facts hidden within the exaggerated praise. When entering the elevator dramatic music will beat with the sound of your heartbeat as you are shot 124 floors up the Burj Khalifa.
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124 Floors Above Dubai
Even during the summer months when the horizon is shrouded in dust and obstructed by a blurry haze, the view from the Burj Khalifa is astounding. From the observation deck you will see how bizarre Dubai is as a city. Other than the one main strip, the entire country is nothing but sandy dunes and deserts. The skyscrapers off of Shiekh Zayed Road are neatly lined up in a row like dominoes in a sandbox. With one gust of strong wind it seems as if the desert would reclaim the city.
After wandering around in circles for half an hour you may decide that you have had your fill of the views from the top of the Burj Khalifa. But knowing who much you paid for the ticket, you may find yourself still lingering next to the souvenir stall and people-watching rather than taking in more of the Dubai skyline from the glass barricade. The 124th floor is not even the top floor of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. When Canton Tower in China opened an observation deck higher than Dubai’s 124th floor, the powers that be decided to maintain their record by allowing visitors to buy tickets to “At The Top Sky” on the 148th floor. There is also a nightclub located on the 144th floor if you are looking for a more unique experience at the top of the tallest building in the world.
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Is The Burj Khalifa Worth It?
Nearly every person from around the world has dreamed of visiting the tallest skyscraper in the world in Dubai. Much like how many travelers consider the Great Pyramids and the Great Wall of China are destinations that you must see before you die, the Burj Khalifa is also sure to top the list. For many, simply seeing the Burj Khalifa is not enough. To get true bragging rights you will have to begrudgingly pay the astronomical ticket price and look out over Dubai from the observation deck. At the end of the day, bucket list or not, you will have to consider that if you do not go up the Burj Khalifa, will you regret it once you leave the UAE?
For budget backpackers in Dubai there is not a whole hold your attention. Other than being a city to relax in for a few days before your next flight, you will find yourself wandering around the malls with not much of a purpose. The architectural marvels are sure to make your jaw drop, but will only hold your attention for so long. When night falls and you are wanting another view of the Dubai skyline, be sure to check out Level 43 Lounge. The bottom line is that Dubai is a place to relax and spend money. If you are not looking to totally empty your wallet, be sure to visit the Burj Khalifa and get out when you can.
