How to Get to Burj Khalifa: Metro, Taxi and the Entrance
- From
- Dubai Metro
- To
- At the Top entrance, The Dubai Mall (lower ground floor)
- By
- Dubai Metro Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, then the Metro Link walkway into The Dubai Mall
- Time
- Allow 20–30 minutes on foot from the platform to the At the Top entrance
- Cost
- AED 3–7.50 on a Silver Nol card, by zones crossed (RTA)
Open directions in Google Maps
The nearest metro station is Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall on the Red Line. It sits on the east side of Sheikh Zayed Road, and from it the Metro Link, an 820-metre elevated, air-conditioned walkway, takes you into The Dubai Mall. The thing that catches visitors out is the entrance: you do not go in at the foot of the tower. The At the Top entrance is on the lower ground floor of The Dubai Mall, and the full walk from the station through the mall to the tower is over a mile. Below are the metro route step by step, fares in AED, and the taxi, airport and parking alternatives.
Step by step
- 1
Get a Nol card or a Red ticket at any metro station.
Fares are charged by the number of zones you cross: AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two adjacent zones and AED 7.50 for more than two on a Silver Nol card. The single-use Red ticket costs AED 4, 6 or 8.50. Gold class costs double. Children 5 and under ride free (RTA). The ticket machine shows the fare for your trip.
- 2
Ride the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall.
Coming from the airport or Deira, the stop after Financial Centre. Coming from Dubai Marina or Jebel Ali, the stop after Business Bay.
- 3
Follow the signs for The Dubai Mall onto the Metro Link.
The 820 m walkway is enclosed, air-conditioned and fitted with travelators. It opened in December 2012 and is elevated, so you stay off the street the whole way.
- 4
Inside the mall, follow the signs for At the Top down to the lower ground floor.
Do not head for the tower's own doors: visitor guides note that those serve the Armani Hotel and the residences. The ticket entrance for levels 124, 125, 148 and 152 is inside the mall.
- 5
Show your ticket at the gate for your time slot.
Tickets are for a fixed slot. The sold listings say entry is valid only for the slot you booked, and some ask you to carry photo ID.
Tips
- Leave 30 minutes between getting off the train and your slot: the mall is large and the walk is long.
- The metro opens later on Sunday: Khaleej Times reports an 8 am start on a normal Sunday, against 5 am on other days.
- On 31 December the station has closed to entry from 5 pm; see the New Year's Eve page before travelling that day.
- A Nol card works on the metro, tram and buses with the same zone fares, and a transfer within 30 minutes continues the same journey (RTA).
- If you drive, park in the free Fountain Views car park or one of the paid ones, and check you have a Salik tag first.
Other ways to get there
| Method | Time | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi or ride-hailing | Depends on traffic; ask to be dropped at The Dubai Mall, not Burj Khalifa | Metered; AED 12 minimum fare reported by Dubai fare guides | The Dubai Mall lists taxi, Careem and Uber among its ways in. Ask for the mall entrance nearest the lower ground floor, or you may be dropped at the hotel or residence entrance of the tower. |
| From Dubai International Airport by metro | 10 stops from Terminal 1, 11 from Terminal 3, no change of train | AED 5 or 7.50 on a Silver Nol card, by zones crossed (RTA); the machine shows the fare | Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 stations are on the Red Line in the direction of Expo 2020 and Life Pharmacy. Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall is the stop after Financial Centre. |
| From the airport by taxi | About 15 km by road; Address Downtown quotes 15 to 20 minutes | Airport taxis start at AED 25 on the meter, as reported by Dubai fare guides | Door to door, which helps with luggage. Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road sets the time. |
| Car, parking at The Dubai Mall | Free for 4 hours Monday–Thursday, 6 hours Friday–Sunday | After the free hours: AED 20 for the next hour on weekdays, rising to AED 1,000 over 24 hours | Tariff as reported when paid parking began in July 2024. Grand, Cinema and Fashion car parks are paid; Zabeel and Fountain Views are free. Fees go to your Salik account, so you need an active Salik tag, including on foreign or rental plates. Valet does not use Salik. |
| Bus | Depends on route | Same zone fares as the metro on a Nol card (RTA) | Since the walkway opened in 2012 the metro no longer needs a bus link to the mall. Check bus routes on rta.ae. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the metro station for Burj Khalifa?
Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, on the Red Line. It opened on 4 January 2010, the same day as the tower, and connects to The Dubai Mall by an 820 m air-conditioned walkway.
Where is the entrance to At the Top?
On the lower ground floor of The Dubai Mall, not at the foot of the tower. Follow the signs for At the Top inside the mall. The tower's own doors serve the Armani Hotel and the residences, not the deck.
How long is the walk from the metro to Burj Khalifa?
The walkway alone is 820 m, and the whole walk through the mall to the tower is over a mile. Allow 20 to 30 minutes from the platform to the At the Top gate.
How much is the metro to Burj Khalifa?
On a Silver Nol card, AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two and AED 7.50 for more than two; a Red paper ticket costs AED 4, 6 or 8.50 (RTA). The ticket machine shows the fare for your trip.
Where should I park for Burj Khalifa?
At The Dubai Mall. Fountain Views and Zabeel car parks are free; Grand, Cinema and Fashion are free for 4 hours on weekdays and 6 hours at weekends, then charged through Salik.
Can I get to Burj Khalifa from the airport by metro?
Yes. Airport Terminals 1 and 3 are on the Red Line, 10 and 11 stops from Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, with no change. On a Silver Nol card you pay the two-zone (AED 5) or more-than-two-zone (AED 7.50) fare; the machine shows which.
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