Watch the Dubai Fountain from a small wooden boat on the lake at the foot of Burj Khalifa: 30 minutes, 6 to 8 per boat, from $20.
- Free cancellationFree cancellation: cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Duration30 minutes
- Starting times15 minutes before each fountain show: afternoon 1:00 and 1:30 pm (Friday 1:30 and 2:00 pm); evenings every 30 minutes, 6:00 to 11:00 pm
- LanguagesEnglish
You book the Dubai Fountain lake ride online by choosing a date and a show time: the boat is a traditional wooden abra that leaves 15 minutes before the show and stays on Burj Lake for 30 minutes, from $20 (AED 75) per person. You watch the show from the water at the foot of Burj Khalifa instead of from the crowded promenade. The listing says 6 to 8 people share each boat, and the driver speaks English. It holds 4.5 on 21,215 reviews of this ride on GetYourGuide. Evening rides line up with shows every 30 minutes from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and there are two afternoon shows. Bring a passport or ID.
Book Burj Khalifa TicketsKey facts
fountain- Duration
- 30 minutes
- Starts
- 15 minutes before each fountain show: afternoon 1:00 and 1:30 pm (Friday 1:30 and 2:00 pm); evenings every 30 minutes, 6:00 to 11:00 pm
- Meeting point
- Burj Lake, Downtown Dubai, beside The Dubai Mall; the boarding pier is named on your ticket
- Price
- $20 per person
- Languages
- English
- Group size
- 6 to 8 per boat, per the listing
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation: cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Included
- ✓ 30-minute boat ride by traditional water taxi
Not included
- ✗ Food and drinks
Meeting point
Burj Lake, Downtown Dubai, beside The Dubai Mall; the boarding pier is named on your ticket — The listing does not print a pier. Sellers of the same ride name piers on the promenade in front of The Dubai Mall and in front of Souk Al Bahar, so follow the instructions on your voucher and arrive before the 15-minute departure.
Nearest transit: Dubai Metro Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, then the covered link bridge into the mall and out to the waterfront
What the lake ride is
The lake ride is a 30-minute trip in a traditional wooden abra, a water taxi, on Burj Lake during a Dubai Fountain show. You book it online for a date and a show time, and the boat leaves 15 minutes before that show. On the way it passes Burj Khalifa and Souk Al Bahar, then holds position for the show. The fountain is 275 m long and sprays water up to 152 m high. It was designed by WET Enterprises and cost AED 800 million (Wikipedia). The listing says the show uses 6,000 lights and puts 22,000 gallons of water in the air. Music ranges from classical to Arabic and world songs.
Show times it lines up with
The ride lines up with every scheduled show, as listed by the booking listing. Afternoon shows run at 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm daily except Friday. On Friday they run at 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm. Evening shows run every 30 minutes from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. The boat leaves 15 minutes before your show, so a 7:00 pm show means a 6:45 pm boat. Times can change in Ramadan and on event days. For the lights, go after dark. On 15 October the sun sets at about 5:52 pm, and on 15 June at about 7:10 pm (computed for the tower). Two recent reviewers mention the evening light show on the tower as well.
How many people share the boat
Each boat carries 6 to 8 people, per the listing. Its description says 6 per boat, and its practical notes say up to 8. Either way it is a small boat, and you share it with other guests unless your own group fills it. The driver speaks English, and three of the nine relevant recent reviews praise the driver. Two say the driver took photos for them. One reviewer warns that the boat gets hot with little breeze, and suggests a hand-held fan. Dubai's average evening low is still about 29°C in July and August (Open-Meteo normals), so the cooler months are more comfortable.
Lake ride vs boardwalk vs free viewing
There are three ways to watch the show, and two of them cost money. The free way is the promenade around the lake, outside The Dubai Mall, which Khaleej Times lists with Burj Park among the free spots. It gets crowded at peak times. The boardwalk is a floating 272 m path on the lake. Its ticket starts at $7 (AED 25), and the listing says the evening shows run 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. You exchange it at the Burj Khalifa ticket counter inside the mall. The lake ride costs $20 and puts you on the water, seated, with a set view. Pick the ride if you want a seat and photos from the lake.
Pairing the ride with Burj Khalifa
The ride does not include Burj Khalifa entry, but both start in the same spot. A common plan is a deck slot before sunset, then an evening boat. The standard levels 124 and 125 ticket starts at $51, so the pair costs from $71. The deck tickets advise booking about 30 minutes before a show if you want to watch it from above. Another option is the dinner bundle, from $90, whose 3rd-floor restaurant overlooks the fountain. Compare all burj khalifa tickets and the show times guide before you choose.
Book the lake ride
Pick a date and a show time on the listing, then pay; there is no reserve now, pay later on this ride. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before. The listing says your booking can be confirmed up to three months before your visit. Bring a passport or ID, as the listing asks. Arrive at the pier on your voucher in time for the 15-minute early departure. Food and drinks are not included. For the evening light show on the tower as well, pick a later boat and stay on the promenade after the ride.
| Compared on | Lake ride (this ticket) | Boardwalk ticket | Free promenade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person | from $20 (AED 75) | from $7 (AED 25) | Free |
| Where you watch | On the lake, in a boat | On a floating path on the lake | Around the lake |
| Time on site | 30 minutes | Valid 1 day, evening shows | As long as you like |
| Seat | Yes | No | No |
| Crowd | 6 to 8 per boat | Shared path | Can be crowded |
| Rating on GetYourGuide | 4.5 (21,215 reviews) | 4.3 (1,188 reviews) | Not applicable |
What reviewers consistently say
- All 10 of the latest reviews (25 September to 21 October 2026) give 5 stars; 1 of them describes a different boat trip and is left out of the counts below
- 3 of 9 say the boat gives a front-row or best-spot view of the show
- 3 of 9 praise the boat driver
- 3 of 9 mention good value for money
- 2 of 9 say the driver took photos for them
- 2 of 9 mention the evening light or laser show on the tower
- 1 of 9 says the boat gets hot and recommends a hand-held fan
Who should not book this
- Anyone who wants to go up Burj Khalifa: the ride does not include tower entry
- Travelers on a tight budget: the show is free from the promenade
- Groups who want a boat to themselves: you share with others up to 6 to 8 per boat
- Anyone sensitive to heat in summer: reviewers say there is little air on board
-
Dubai Fountain boardwalk ticket
from $7Stand on the floating boardwalk on the lake instead of sitting in a boat. Far cheaper, but no seat; 4.3 on 1,188 reviews.
Check availability -
Burj Khalifa levels 124 and 125 ticket
from $514.3 92,917 reviews
Watch the show from 452 m above instead of from the water. Book a slot about 30 minutes before a show.
Read the full page -
Burj Khalifa tickets with dinner
from $904.2 9,577 reviews
The deck plus a 3-course meal at a 3rd-floor restaurant that overlooks the fountain.
Read the full page -
Dubai night tour with Burj Khalifa
from $1324.8 347 reviews
A 4-hour guided evening loop with hotel pickup that stops at the fountain and includes levels 124 and 125.
Read the full page
4.5(21,215 · GetYourGuide)
Check prices & dates
Book your tickets in advance: popular time slots sell out.
Dubai Fountain Lake Ride: Abra Boat Tickets from $20
From$20per person
Check availabilityHow to book
Use the button on this page to open the listing, choose a date and the fountain show you want; the boat leaves 15 minutes before it. Payment is taken at booking, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before. Bring a passport or ID and go to the pier named on your voucher. This site may earn a commission on bookings at no extra cost to you.
This site may earn a commission on bookings at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How do you book the Dubai Fountain lake ride?
Online, by picking a date and a fountain show time. The boat leaves 15 minutes before that show. It costs from $20 (AED 75) per person.
How long is the Dubai Fountain boat ride?
30 minutes, on a traditional wooden abra on Burj Lake.
What time are the fountain shows?
As listed by the booking listing: 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm daily except Friday, 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm on Friday, and every 30 minutes from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Times can change in Ramadan and on event days.
How many people are on each boat?
6 to 8, per the listing. Its description says 6, and its practical notes say up to 8.
Is the Dubai Fountain free to watch?
Yes, from the promenade around the lake and spots such as Burj Park. You pay only for the boat, the boardwalk or a view from the tower.
Does the lake ride include Burj Khalifa?
No. It is the boat ride only. Book a Burj Khalifa ticket separately if you want to go up.
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