REVIEW · DUBAI
Admission Ticket to the Top 124 and 125 of the Burj Khalifa
Book on Viator →Operated by Mayra Tours LLC · Bookable on Viator
From the fastest elevator up, Dubai feels close. This ticket gets you to the Top 124 & 125 floors for telescopes and spacious 360-degree viewing, and I really like how the 125th-floor deck is set up for wide skyline photos. The one thing to consider is that total time can stretch to a few hours if you hit peak crowds and add waiting.
If you’re choosing a time, you’ll be glad you did. One simple trick: go late—an 11pm visit kept the wait around 30 minutes, and the views felt extra dramatic after dark. Expect about 30 minutes on the observatory deck, plus a bit of time for the elevator ride and any included extras.
Logistics are also pretty smooth because this is a mobile ticket. You’ll want to confirm your access within the promised window (up to 48 hours, subject to availability), and then show up ready with your camera. This is a straightforward experience, not a long guided tour, so plan your timing in Dubai around your next stop.
In This Review
- Key things that make Top 124 & 125 worth it
- What you’re actually buying: Top 124 & 125 access
- The ride up: Burj Khalifa elevators at 10m/s
- Level 124: telescopes and “look around” sightseeing
- Level 125 deck: 360-degree views from the observation area
- Where the time goes: 30 minutes on the deck, up to 3 hours overall
- VR experience: a bonus if your booking includes it
- Price and value: is $55.82 a fair deal?
- When to go: late-night timing can change everything
- Who this is best for (and who should choose differently)
- Planning tips that make the visit smoother
- Quick FAQ
- FAQ
- What levels are included in this Burj Khalifa ticket?
- How long do I get on the observatory deck?
- Is a virtual reality experience included?
- About how long will the whole visit take?
- Will I get a mobile ticket?
- Can I cancel or change the booking?
- Should you book Top 124 & 125 tickets?
Key things that make Top 124 & 125 worth it
- Telescopes on Level 124 help you spot buildings across the city for sharper sightseeing
- Level 125 deck with Mashrabiya-style detailing gives you a great framing for wide photos
- Fast elevators run at 10m/s, so you’re up there quickly
- 30-minute deck access keeps the experience focused and efficient
- Optional virtual reality experience is included when your booking is for these specific levels
- Late-night timing can cut waiting time, based on real visit feedback
What you’re actually buying: Top 124 & 125 access
This ticket is all about getting you into the Burj Khalifa at the 124th and 125th floors, with access tied to those levels. The key word here is targeted access: if you book specifically for 124 and 125, you unlock the observatory time on those floors.
You’re not purchasing a general “see the Burj” ticket and hoping you get the best views. You’re buying time and viewpoint at the top, where the views are meant to be wide and dramatic. That matters in a city like Dubai, where the skyline is part of the appeal—and you’ll want the cleanest angles you can get.
Also, you get mobile ticket delivery, which is a practical win. No ticket printing hassle, and it keeps your plan simple.
A few more Dubai tours and experiences worth a look
The ride up: Burj Khalifa elevators at 10m/s
The experience starts with the climb—literally. The Burj Khalifa’s elevators are described as running at 10m/s, which is what makes this so “efficient-feeling.” You’re not spending your time in transit. You’re spending it looking out.
Why I think that’s valuable: when you’re traveling, every minute matters. Fast ascent means less fatigue and less time watching queues grow while you wait to get your first views. It’s also a confidence booster. You can arrive with reasonable flexibility and still expect to get up quickly.
Level 124: telescopes and “look around” sightseeing
On Level 124, you get telescopes. That turns the visit from “pretty skyline” into actual city-spotting. Dubai’s buildings are spread out, so being able to zoom in (even in a basic observational way) helps you connect landmarks with what you’re seeing below.
What this level is good for:
- Sharp city orientation: you can compare the skyline, coastline features, and distant towers
- Photography help: telescopes can help you line up what you’re trying to capture
- Short attention-friendly viewing: if you don’t want to stand still for long, telescopes let you move your focus quickly
You’re still high enough for big panoramic effects, but the telescopes give you a different kind of payoff than just standing at a window.
Level 125 deck: 360-degree views from the observation area
This is the main stage. Level 125 includes access to a spacious deck designed for 360-degree viewing. You’ll also notice the Arabic Mashrabiya-style element—basically a patterned structure that changes how light and lines fall across the deck and makes for more interesting photo compositions than plain railings.
From this viewpoint, the information provided for the experience specifically calls out sights like:
- Dubai Marina
- Palm Jumeirah
- Burj Al Arab
- the wider skyline stretching in multiple directions
Practical photo tip: keep your camera ready before you reach the deck. You don’t want to be fumbling with settings while other people already have their first “perfect angle” shot. The deck layout is built for looking around, so shoot while you still have the first clean views before crowds settle into their rhythm.
Where the time goes: 30 minutes on the deck, up to 3 hours overall
The observatory deck time is about 30 minutes. That’s a helpful detail because it sets expectations. You’ll get enough time to do the big panoramic look, try the telescopes if you want, and take photos without the experience dragging on.
But the total outing can take longer. The full experience may run up to 3 hours, depending on rush, queues, and waiting. That’s not a flaw—it’s just the reality of high-demand attractions in a busy city.
So here’s how I’d plan it:
- Treat the ticket as a half-day anchor you can flex around
- If you want a smoother flow, go at a time that avoids the heaviest demand
- Build buffer time for entering, elevator ride, and any included segments like the VR part
VR experience: a bonus if your booking includes it
If your booking is for the 124th & 125th floors, the package includes a virtual reality experience of Burj Khalifa.
I like VR as a “warm-up” because it can help you understand what you’re seeing from that height. Even if you’re mainly there for the real view outside, this kind of extra stops the visit from feeling only like a lookout stop. It adds a different angle to the experience without adding a huge chunk of time.
One consideration: if you’re not into VR at all, you may still find it useful—but don’t expect it to replace the deck views. The outside panoramas are the reason to come.
Price and value: is $55.82 a fair deal?
At $55.82 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, but it also isn’t priced like a luxury private tour. Your money goes directly toward the high-value parts:
- access to the 124th and 125th floors
- 30 minutes on the deck
- and, when booked for these levels, the included VR segment
- plus the experience is designed around quick elevator access and dedicated observation time
The biggest value driver is that you’re paying for specific floors, not hoping to get the best angles by doing something general. If you care about views (and you’re going to Dubai mainly to see Dubai), this direct access model usually makes more sense than broad sightseeing tickets.
One more value note: the booking is often made about 18 days in advance on average. That can hint at demand. If you leave it late, you may find fewer options.
When to go: late-night timing can change everything
A real-world tip from the experience details: one visitor went at 11pm specifically to avoid line pressure, and reported waiting of around 30 minutes. That kind of timing can make the difference between feeling rushed and enjoying the view at a slower pace.
Why late-night can work well:
- You may spend less time waiting
- The city can look even more dramatic after dark (lights spread, and the skyline becomes more “graphic”)
- You still get the full deck access window
If your schedule is flexible, I’d prioritize either a later slot or a time that reduces waiting for you personally. The views are the prize, but the queue experience affects how you feel when you reach the top.
Who this is best for (and who should choose differently)
This ticket fits best if you:
- want a focused Burj Khalifa experience tied to the Top 124 & 125 viewpoint
- care about skyline photography, including landmarks like Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and Burj Al Arab
- like the idea of telescopes plus a deck built for 360-degree viewing
- want a visit that’s not overly long, since deck time is about 30 minutes
It may not be ideal if:
- you hate any chance of waiting and your day has no flexibility at all (total time can reach up to 3 hours)
- you’re only interested in the building’s height as a quick photo and don’t care about viewing time
Planning tips that make the visit smoother
Here are a few practical moves that align with what’s provided for this experience:
- Arrive with enough buffer time. Even with fast elevators, the full visit can expand depending on rush.
- Bring a charged phone or camera. You’ll want photos right away on the deck.
- Decide your priorities. If you’re telescope-focused, spend a bit of your deck time using them before you start your wide panorama rounds.
- Pick a time slot you can enjoy. Late-night has shown it can reduce waiting for some visitors.
- Don’t forget it’s a mobile ticket. Keep it accessible on your phone.
And yes—dress for the conditions you’ll be in at your chosen time. You’ll be standing on a deck, looking outward, for your deck window.
Quick FAQ
FAQ
What levels are included in this Burj Khalifa ticket?
This experience provides access to the 124th and 125th floors of the Burj Khalifa.
How long do I get on the observatory deck?
You’ll have about 30 minutes access to the observatory deck.
Is a virtual reality experience included?
Yes. A virtual reality experience of Burj Khalifa is included when your booking is for the 124th & 125th floors.
About how long will the whole visit take?
The total experience can take up to 3 hours, depending on rush and waiting.
Will I get a mobile ticket?
Yes. The ticket is issued as a mobile ticket.
Can I cancel or change the booking?
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.
Should you book Top 124 & 125 tickets?
If you want the Burj Khalifa experience to feel like a real viewpoint visit—not just a quick stop—this is a strong choice. The combination of telescopes on Level 124, a 360-degree deck on Level 125, and a focused 30-minute deck window makes it efficient and worth your time. Add the potential for shorter waiting at late-night slots, and you get a plan that’s easy to enjoy.
Just be honest about your schedule: total time can stretch to up to 3 hours with crowds. If you can build in that wiggle room, you’ll likely come away with the kind of skyline photos and landmark spotting that make Dubai feel instantly real.
