Burj Khalifa Guide: Floors, Tickets, Height, Owner & More

Most buildings let you look at them. The Burj Khalifa makes you look up — and then keep looking: at 829.8 meters and 163 floors, it has held the title of the world’s tallest building since its opening in January 2010.

Height: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) ·
Floors: 163 ·
Year completed: 2010 ·
Construction cost: $1.5 billion ·
Observation deck: 148th floor at 555 m ·
Elevator speed: 10 m/s (36 km/h)

The Burj Khalifa’s core specifications tell the story of its engineering ambition.

How many floors is Burj Khalifa?

What is the total height of Burj Khalifa?

• The building rises 829.8 meters (2,722 feet) above ground, making it the tallest human-made structure ever built (Wikipedia).
• It contains 163 habitable floors, plus maintenance and mechanical levels that bring the total count higher (Britannica).
• The architect, Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, designed the tower with a stepped, spiraling form inspired by the Hymenocallis flower (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill).

Six hundred thousand square meters of concrete and 55,000 tonnes of steel rebar were used to create a structure that could withstand extreme desert heat and wind loads. The Y-shaped floor plan reduces wind forces while maximizing views of the Arabian Gulf.

The pattern: Burj Khalifa’s height is not just a number—it defines its entire identity.

Which building is the tallest in the world?

• Burj Khalifa has held the title of world’s tallest building since its completion in 2010, surpassing Taipei 101 (509 m) (Britannica).
• The next contenders are Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur (678.9 m) and Shanghai Tower (632 m), both significantly shorter (Wikipedia – List of tallest buildings).
• Burj Khalifa also holds records for the highest occupied floor, highest observation deck, and longest travel distance by elevator (Guinness World Records).

The pattern: No other completed building comes within 150 meters of its height. If you placed the Empire State Building on top of the Chrysler Building, they would still not reach the tip of Burj Khalifa’s spire.

What this means: For travelers and architecture enthusiasts, Burj Khalifa is not merely the tallest — it is in a category of its own. No other observation deck in the world offers a viewpoint from 555 meters. That gap will persist for years, as no under-construction tower is slated to surpass it before 2027 at the earliest.

How much is Burj Khalifa per person?

What are the different ticket options?

• At the Top (Levels 124 & 125): Standard access from AED 169 per person with free telescope use (At The Top – official).
• At the Top SKY (Level 148): Premium access from AED 500 per person, includes a private lounge, guided tour, and complimentary drink (Thrillophilia).
• Lounge (Levels 152, 153 & 154): Higher-tier experience with an outdoor terrace and dedicated concierge service (Dubai-Experience).

The three ticket tiers reflect different levels of access and exclusivity.

How much does a 3-day trip to Dubai cost?

A three-day trip to Dubai typically runs between AED 1,500 and AED 3,000 per person for mid-range accommodation, meals, and one attraction entry — not including flights. Adding a Burj Khalifa SKY ticket at AED 500 pushes the total closer to AED 2,500 for a modest itinerary (Klook). Budget travelers can reduce costs by choosing the standard At the Top ticket (AED 169) and visiting during non-peak hours.

Are there any discounts available?

• Children under 3 enter free of charge (At The Top – official).
• Combined packages with Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Fountain, or desert safaris often reduce the per-attraction cost.
• Early-bird weekday slots (10:00 am – 12:00 pm) are generally cheaper than sunset and evening time slots.

Who is the real owner of Burj Khalifa?

Which company developed Burj Khalifa?

• Emaar Properties, a Dubai-based real estate developer, built and owns the tower (Emaar Properties).
• The building is named after Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former president of the UAE, who provided financial support during the 2008 financial crisis (Wikipedia – Khalifa bin Zayed).
• The design and engineering were led by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, with Adrian Smith as the lead architect (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill).

Who buys the 22 flats in Burj Khalifa?

In 2023, Indian businessman George V Nereamparambil and his family purchased 22 apartments in the Burj Khalifa for a combined value of approximately AED 500 million. The acquisition was reported as one of the largest single residential transactions in the tower’s history (Khaleej Times). While other high-net-worth individuals from Russia, China, and the Middle East also own units, the exact distribution of residential ownership is not publicly disclosed.

What this means: Burj Khalifa is not owned by one person — it is a corporate asset owned by Emaar, with individual residential units held by private owners. The naming after Sheikh Khalifa was a political and financial gesture, not an ownership transfer.

How long does the elevator take in Burj Khalifa?

How fast is the Burj Khalifa elevator?

• The elevators travel at 10 meters per second (36 km/h), making them among the fastest in the world (Klook).
• The ride from the ground floor to the 124th floor observation deck takes approximately 60 seconds (Klook).
• Double-decker cabins are used to move more visitors during peak hours.

To put that in perspective: climbing 160+ floors in under a minute means the elevator accelerates faster than a roller coaster. The cabins are pressurized to prevent ear discomfort during rapid ascent.

How do you climb 160 floors in less than a minute?

The trick is a combination of high-torque motors, lightweight carbon-fiber cables, and regenerative braking systems that capture energy during descent. The elevators were built by Otis Elevator Company, which also installed the world’s longest elevator travel distance (504 meters) inside the tower (Otis Elevator Company).

The implication: For visitors, the elevator experience is a trade-off between speed and convenience. If you want to avoid queues, book the SKY ticket or visit on a weekday morning.

What is on the 148 floor of Burj Khalifa?

What is the At the Top SKY experience?

• The 148th floor houses the At the Top SKY observation deck, the highest outdoor observation deck in the world at 555 meters (At The Top – official).
• It offers 360-degree views of Dubai, the Arabian Gulf, and the surrounding desert.
• Access includes a private lounge with comfortable seating, a complimentary beverage, and a guided tour by a host who points out landmarks (Thrillophilia).

Can you dine on the 148th floor?

No full-service restaurant operates on the 148th floor. However, the SKY lounge offers light refreshments, tea, coffee, and soft drinks included with the ticket. For a full meal, visitors can go to Atmosphere, the fine-dining restaurant on the 122nd floor, which is accessible via a separate reservation (Britannica).

Why this matters: The 148th floor is optimized for views, not dining. If you want a meal with a view, book Atmosphere on 122. If you want the highest possible vantage point, the SKY deck is your option — but bring your own appetite for a drink-only experience.

What is the most famous building on Earth?

How does Burj Khalifa compare to other famous landmarks?

• Burj Khalifa is often ranked alongside the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Great Pyramid of Giza, and Empire State Building as one of the most recognizable structures on the planet (Britannica).
• What sets it apart is its uncontested height — no other building comes close. But height alone does not define fame. The Eiffel Tower draws 7 million visitors annually; Burj Khalifa draws about 2.5 million (Statista).
• Fame in architecture is a mix of historic significance, cultural symbolism, and media exposure. Burj Khalifa represents the ambition of Dubai, much like the Eiffel Tower represents Paris or the Taj Mahal represents love.

Comparing Burj Khalifa to other iconic landmarks shows how height and cultural significance diverge.

What makes a building famous?

Fame is a blend of architectural uniqueness, media presence, and emotional resonance. Burj Khalifa dominates headlines for height records and luxury lifestyle. The Eiffel Tower dominates for history and romance. The Taj Mahal for love and craftsmanship. Each claims a distinct niche.

The pattern: Burj Khalifa is the youngest among the top-tier famous buildings, yet it has already secured a place in the global imagination. Its fame is tied to superlatives — tallest, fastest, highest — which makes it a natural entry for listicles, news segments, and travel itineraries. But its long-term cultural staying power is unproven compared to centuries-old landmarks.

Construction timeline

• January 2004: Excavation and foundation work begins (Britannica).
• October 2009: Structure reaches its final height of 829.8 m (topping out) (Wikipedia).
• 4 January 2010: Official opening ceremony with fireworks and light show (Wikipedia).
• 2010 – present: Holds title of world’s tallest building (Guinness World Records).

The trade-off: The 6-year construction timeline was aggressive by global standards. At peak, 12,000 workers were on site daily. The cost of $1.5 billion was partly offset by government support from Abu Dhabi, hence the naming after Sheikh Khalifa.

What we know and what remains unclear

The pattern: While many core facts are confirmed, the lack of transparency on residential and financial details leaves room for speculation.

Perspectives from the people who built it

“Burj Khalifa is not just a building. It is a symbol of the ambition of the UAE and of Dubai. It represents what can be achieved when you have a vision and you pursue it relentlessly.”

— Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties (Emaar Properties)

“The design was inspired by the Hymenocallis flower. The three wings emerge from a central core, and the stepping pattern reduces wind loads while creating a dynamic, sculptural form.”

— Adrian Smith, Lead Architect (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill)

Both perspectives highlight a common thread: Burj Khalifa was conceived as more than a tall building. It was designed to be a landmark that would redefine what a skyscraper could represent — economic ambition, architectural innovation, and a permanent spot on the global tourist map.

Summary

Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world by a wide margin, offering three distinct observation experiences, an elevator ride that covers 160 floors in a minute, and a ownership structure split between a corporate developer and private apartment owners. For travelers visiting Dubai, the decision comes down to budget and expectations: the standard AED 169 ticket gives you a 452-meter view that rivals almost any other skyscraper on earth, while the AED 500 SKY ticket adds 100 meters of elevation and a quieter lounge. For the curious observer, the building’s real story lies in the engineering choices — the Y-shaped floor plan, the 10 m/s elevators, the 55,000 tonnes of steel — that make its height possible. For prospective buyers, the 22-flat purchase by a single Indian family signals that luxury residential demand remains strong, even if the exact vacancy rate is undisclosed. For the traveler booking a trip, the choice is clear: book standard for value, book SKY for the bragging rights, and book neither if you are afraid of heights — but at least look up from the street level. The Burj Khalifa ensures no visitor forgets it.

Standing at 828 meters, the Burj Khalifa has held the title of the worlds tallest building since 2010, and this guide covers everything from floor counts to ticket prices.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Things to Do in Byron Bay: Top Attractions & Insider Tips · The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne: Luxury Hotel Review, Celebrity Stays