Journey Up Burj Khalifa: The Highest Outdoor Observation Deck In The World

To say the Burj Khalifa is a tall building would be the understatement of the century. This massive building has broken numerous world records and remains by a considerable margin the tallest building in the world. The view one can get from here is incredible with all of Dubai laid out below.

The Burj Khalifa rises to 829.8 meters or 2,272 feet high (just over half a mile) - excluding antenna but including a 244-meter spire. It is the unmissable centerpiece of the massive development called Downtown Dubai. Dubai is a city that has changed profoundly in the last 20 years.

World Records For Observation Decks

The Burj Khalifa has several observation decks - Level 148, Level, 125, and Level 124

The tower's first outdoor observation deck is named "At The Top" and first opened in 2010 on the 124th floor. At the time it was the highest outdoor observation deck in the world until it was surpassed the following year by the Cloud Top 488 on the Canton Tower in Guangzhou in China.

At The Top Level: 452 Meters or 1,483 Feet
Sky Level: 555 Meters or 1,821 Feet

A couple of years later in 2014, the Burj Khalifa opened its 148th-floor SKY level at a height of 555 meters or 1,821 feet and so once again won back the title of the highest observation deck. That was until the Shanghai Tower opened in 2016 with an observation deck at 561 meters high.

Shanghai Tower: Currently Has the Highest (Indoor) Observation Deck In The World
Jeddah Tower: Plans To Be The Tallest Building At Over 1,000 Meters or 3,281 Feet
Private Balcony: The Jeddah Tower is Planned To Have A Private Balcony At 610 Meters or 2,000 Feet

Over the border, in Saudi Arabia, another record-breaker is under construction. The Jeddah Tower is planned to be the first building to surpass 1 kilometer (1,000 meters or 3,281 feet). As of the time of writing, the tower is around one-third completed but the construction is on hold. The planned massive dedicated circular sky terrace is planned to be a private 30 meter (98 foot) diameter balcony at over 610 meters or 2,000 feet high.

Remarkably, when the tide is low and the visibility is high, it is even possible to see the shores of Iran from the top of the Burj Khalifa.

Fortunately, the mighty tower boasts the world's fastest double-deck elevators. They zip up at cruising speeds of 10 meters per second.

At The Top, Burj Khalifa SKY

With the At The Top and Sky tour, one can choose between the three levels (Level 148, Level, 125, and Level 124). Enjoy a personalized tour being guided by their Guest Ambassador. On this tour, one will step out onto one of the world's highest observation decks with its outdoor terrace of 555 meters above the streets far below.

While in the luxury SKY Lounge, just relax, have some refreshments, and enjoy the view. After this on this level continue one's journey to levels 125 and 124. While the SKY Level may no longer be the highest observation deck in the world, it is still the highest outdoor terrace and the highest restaurant in the world.

General Admission: 360.00 to 533 AED ($98 - $145 USD)
Varies: The Cost Varies By Time of Day

At The Top, Burj Khalifa

On this tour, one can enjoy the views from Levels 125 and 124 (but not the SKY Lounge on Level 148).

While on Level 124 gaze out at the city and landscapes stretched below and look through the Avant-grade, high-powered telescopes. Then step out into the public outdoor observation terrace overlooking Dubai's burgeoning skyline.

Going up one level on Level 125, one can enjoy a spacious deck that has tastefully been decorated in Arabic mashrabiya and affords awe-inspiring 360-degree views all around. This level also offers green screen photography that allows visitors to integrate reality. Enjoy a virtual reality experience to the pinnacle of Burj Kahlifa.

Like the CN Tower in Toronto in Canada (the tallest tower in North America), this observation deck has a glass floor. This is not for the faint-hearted as it can feel like stepping out into certain death with countless millions of years of evolution screaming out saying don't do it!

Experience: The Feel Of Glass Cracking Beneath One's Feet

But even more frightful, this is a glass floor with a nerve-wracking twist. One can feel the glass crack underneath one's feet. See who in the group freaks out first! This level is 456 meters (or 1,496 feet). That is even higher than the limited CN Tower's highest SkyPod that rises to 447 meters. The CN Tower's glass floor is 342 meters (1,122.0 feet) high.