Burj Khalifa 124 vs 148: At the Top or At the Top SKY?
Updated October 27, 2026
Verdict
Level 148 is worth it if you hate lines, are going at sunset, or this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip: for about $58 more ($109 against $51) you skip the security and elevator lines, get a lounge with snacks and hot drinks, and stand 103 m higher on a deck capped at 50 people. Levels 124 and 125 are the better buy on a budget, with kids, or on a weekday morning, when lines are shorter and the view of the city is nearly the same.
The Burj Khalifa sells two main observation-deck tickets. At the Top takes you to levels 124 and 125, at 452 m. At the Top SKY takes you to level 148, at 555 m, and then down to 124 and 125 as well. So the SKY ticket is not a different visit: it is the standard visit plus a higher floor, a faster way through the lines and a lounge. The question is whether those extras are worth about $58 more per person. Below is the answer first, then the height, what SKY adds, the price gap, the crowds and how to book. Prices are the partner's "from" prices read on 27 October 2026, converted at the dirham peg of 1 USD = 3.6725 AED. For every ticket type, see Burj Khalifa tickets.
| Criterion | At the Top (levels 124 & 125) | At the Top SKY (level 148 + 124 & 125) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (from, per person) | $51 (AED 189) | $109 (AED 399) |
| Highest deck | Level 125 (level 124 is at 452 m) | Level 148 at 555 m, plus 124 and 125 |
| Lines | Standard security and elevator lines | Skip-the-line for security and elevator |
| Food and drink | None included (café treat is a paid option) | Lounge with snacks and hot drinks |
| Host | None; self-guided | Introductory tour with a guest ambassador |
| Crowd cap | None stated | Maximum 50 people on the deck at a time |
| Time on the listing | 1.5 hours | 1.5 hours |
| Rating on GetYourGuide | 4.3 on 92,917 reviews | 4.6 on 24,553 reviews |
The short answer: which level for whom
Pick level 148 if lines would spoil your day. The SKY ticket includes skip-the-line access for security and the elevator, and its listing caps the level 148 deck at 50 people at any time. It also suits a sunset slot, when the standard decks are at their busiest. Pick levels 124 and 125 if the view is the point and the budget matters. The city, the coast and the desert look much the same from 452 m as from 555 m. Families with young children often find the $58 gap better spent elsewhere: the 124/125 listing lets under-3s in free. For the full value question, read is the Burj Khalifa worth it.
Height and view difference
Level 124 sits at 452 m and opened on 5 January 2010; level 125 is the floor above it. Level 148 sits at 555 m and opened on 15 October 2014 (Wikipedia, "Burj Khalifa"). That is 103 m higher. From 148 the buildings of Downtown Dubai look flatter and you see further along the coast on a clear day. Both levels have an outdoor terrace: the 124/125 listing describes an open-air terrace on 124, and the SKY listing includes the outdoor terrace on 148. See the view from the Burj Khalifa for what you can pick out.
What SKY adds (lounge, guided tour, priority lift)
The SKY listing (t49181) includes admission to level 148 and to levels 124 and 125, skip-the-line access for security and the elevator, an introductory tour with a guest ambassador, access to a lounge with snacks and hot drinks, interactive stations and Wi-Fi. The 124/125 listing (t49019) includes entry, Wi-Fi and the viewing telescopes; a café treat, a souvenir or the Dubai Aquarium are paid options. In Ramadan, the SKY listing says food and drinks are not served until Iftar. Both listings exclude an audio guide. If you want more than SKY, the Lounge on level 152 goes higher again, from $209.
Price gap and value
On 27 October 2026 the 124/125 ticket started at AED 189 ($51) and the SKY ticket at AED 399 ($109), a gap of about $58 per person. Both are "from" prices: sunset slots cost more, and the booking calendar shows the price for your time. A middle option exists. The fast-track ticket for levels 124 and 125 costs from $69 and removes much of the waiting without the extra floor. For a family of four, SKY costs about $232 more than the standard ticket, so it pays to be sure the lines are the problem you want to solve. More on prices: Burj Khalifa ticket price.
Crowds and time slots
Reviews of the 124/125 ticket keep coming back to queues: one reviewer says it took an hour to get up and they missed the sunset, another that it was not too busy on a Sunday morning. SKY reviewers describe the higher level as a way to avoid the general public levels, which get very busy. Both tickets are valid only for the slot you book. The listings advise booking about 30 minutes before a Dubai Fountain show to get a good spot; the shows run every 30 minutes from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm as listed by the booking listing, and times can change in Ramadan. See the best time to visit.
Book the level you chose
Both tickets come with free cancellation up to 24 hours before your slot. The SKY ticket can also be reserved now and paid later; the 124/125 ticket cannot. Choose your date and slot on the listing; reviewers say the entrance is inside The Dubai Mall and the visitor screens are the easiest way to find it. Book levels 124 and 125 or level 148 with 124 and 125. This site is an independent guide, not the official ticket office, and earns a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is level 148 of the Burj Khalifa worth it over 124?
If lines, sunset or a quieter deck matter to you, yes: for about $58 more you skip the security and elevator lines, get a lounge with snacks and stand 103 m higher. For the view alone, 124 and 125 give most of it for $51.
What is the difference between 124 and 148 at the Burj Khalifa?
Level 124 is at 452 m and is the standard At the Top deck. Level 148 is at 555 m and is part of the At the Top SKY ticket, which adds skip-the-line access, a guest ambassador and a lounge with snacks and hot drinks.
Does the 148 ticket include levels 124 and 125?
Yes. The SKY listing includes admission to level 148 and to levels 124 and 125.
Is level 148 less crowded than 124?
The SKY listing caps the level 148 deck at 50 people at any time. The 124/125 listing states no cap, and its reviews often mention long queues at busy times.
How long do you spend on each ticket?
Both listings give a duration of 1.5 hours, and both tickets are valid only for the time slot you book.
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