Burj Khalifa: Floors, Cost to Visit, Owner & Dress Code

The Burj Khalifa makes you forget standing on solid ground. But once the photos are taken, the real questions start: how many floors does it actually have, how much does it cost to get in, and who owns all those private apartments up there? Here’s what official records and reliable guides actually say — and what remains frustratingly unclear.

Total height: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) ·
Total floors: 163 (occupied) + 2 parking levels ·
Year completed: 2010 ·
Architect: Adrian Smith of SOM ·
Observation deck (At the Top): Floors 124, 125, 148

The concrete specs on the building, pulled from verified sources, are straightforward.

How many floors are in Burj Khalifa?

The short answer: 163 occupiable floors above ground, plus two parking levels. The Driven Properties (UAE property guide) confirms 163 as the count for usable residential, office, and observation floors.

How many usable floors does Burj Khalifa have?

• Residential floors: 45–108 (Driven Properties (UAE property guide))
• Office and hotel floors: lower sections through level 39
• Observation decks: 124, 125, and 148
• Mechanical and maintenance floors: interspersed, not part of the 163 count

What is the highest occupiable floor?

Floor 163 is the top occupiable level. Above it sits the spire, which is non-occupiable structural steel. The Driven Properties (UAE property guide) notes that the spire pushes total structural height to 829.8 m, but humans don’t set foot there.

The implication: When someone says “top of Burj Khalifa,” they mean the observation decks — not the actual peak. Floor 148 is the highest you can pay to reach.

How much does it cost to go into the Burj Khalifa?

Ticket prices vary by time, demand, and which deck you want. No single price is universal — booking early and off-peak saves real money.

Burj Khalifa ticket prices 2025

Four data points from different sources show the range a visitor should expect.

At the Top vs At the Top Sky experience

The basic visit (“At the Top”) gets you to floors 124 and 125, with indoor and outdoor viewing. The “Sky” tier adds floor 148, the highest observation deck, plus lounge access. According to Burj Khalifa Tickets (ticket reseller), the Sky ticket costs roughly double the standard — about AED 173–250 vs AED 343–401.

The trade-off: For occasional visitors, the standard deck already offers spectacular views. Sky works best for those who want fewer crowds and the bragging rights of a 148th-floor photo.

Who is the owner of Burj Khalifa?

Emaar Properties, the Dubai-based developer, owns and operates the tower. Driven Properties (UAE property guide) confirms Emaar as the majority owner, held largely through Dubai Holding, the government’s investment arm. The UAE government was the original project backer.

What company owns Burj Khalifa?

Emaar Properties — one of Dubai’s largest real estate developers. The same source, Driven Properties (UAE property guide), notes Emaar built and continues to manage the tower.

Is the government of Dubai involved?

Yes. Dubai Holding, owned by the Dubai government, holds a majority stake in Emaar. So Burj Khalifa is effectively under state-backed ownership, though operated as a commercial asset.

Why this matters: If the tower ever faces structural or financial issues, the owner’s public-sector backing means the UAE government stands behind it — that’s a different risk profile than a purely private developer.

Who owns the 100th floor of Burj Khalifa?

Floor 100 is within the residential zone (floors 45–108), but specific ownership is not public record. Driven Properties (UAE property guide) explains that individual apartment ownership data isn’t disclosed — only aggregated sales listings appear.

Are there residential units on floor 100?

Yes, it’s part of the residential section, comprising private apartments available as freehold property to expatriates in some cases.

Any known celebrity owners?

Rumors of celebrity purchases persist — Tom Cruise is frequently mentioned. No verified source confirms his ownership of any Burj Khalifa apartment.

The pattern: Claims about specific floor ownership (floor 100, “22 flats”) are unverifiable using official records. Any story citing floor numbers without a named trust or registry is speculation.

Why are the top floors of Burj Khalifa empty?

They’re not empty — they don’t exist as occupiable space. Above floor 163, the tower continues as a structural spire: steel and concrete, not bedrooms or boardrooms.

What is on the highest floors of Burj Khalifa?

According to Driven Properties (UAE property guide), the levels above 163 house mechanical equipment, elevator engine rooms, and the antenna/spire structure. The observation deck on 148 is the highest publicly accessible floor.

Are any floors permanently unoccupied?

The mechanical floors between trafficked zones are not occupied by people — they’re service levels. But the “empty top floors” often cited in viral posts are simply non-occupiable architecture.

The catch: The building’s final structural height (829.8 m) is mostly spire — a decorative and functional mast, not wasted space. Calling them “empty” misrepresents what a skyscraper’s anatomy is.

Is there a dress code for the Burj Khalifa?

No official Burj Khalifa dress code exists for the observation decks. Multiple sources, including Burj Khalifa Dubai Tickets (ticket reseller) and AttractionTickets (travel booking site), state the same: no enforced rules, but modest attire recommended because the entrance is inside Dubai Mall, which has its own decorum norms.

What to wear to Burj Khalifa observation deck

• Comfortable walking shoes — you’ll queue and walk between floors
• Shoulders and knees covered recommended (Rayna Tours Blog (Dubai tourism blog))
• No swimwear, sheer clothing, or beach outfits (Rayna Tours Blog (Dubai tourism blog))

Are shorts allowed in Burj Khalifa?

Yes, generally. AttractionTickets (travel booking site) says modest clothing is advisable but shorts aren’t banned. The exception: Viator (trip booking platform) notes that on-site restaurants, such as At.mosphere, may require smart-casual or formal dress — trousers for men, no flip-flops.

The implication: For basic observation deck visits, wear what you’d wear to a shopping mall. For dining at altitude, pack a collared shirt and closed shoes or risk being turned away.

Specifications

These official figures give the full picture — 57 double-deck elevators carry visitors across the world’s tallest building.

Upsides and downsides of visiting

How to plan your visit (steps)

These steps should cover the ground for a first-time visitor looking to avoid surprises.

1. Book tickets online at least 48 hours ahead — peak slots sell out.
2. Choose between Standard (124+125, ~AED 149–250) or Sky (148, ~AED 343–401).
3. Pick early morning (around 8:30 AM) for lowest prices and best light.
4. Wear comfortable shoes and modest clothing — no swimwear.
5. Arrive at Dubai Mall entrance 15 min before your slot for security screening.
6. Plan 60–90 minutes for the visit (queue + viewing time).

“The Burj Khalifa is not just a tower — it’s a vertical city. Designing it required rethinking everything from wind loading to elevator sequencing.”

— Adrian Smith, architect, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (global architecture firm)

“Our goal was to create an iconic destination that reflects Dubai’s vision — observation decks that offer 360-degree views across the desert and the Gulf.”

— Emaar Properties spokesperson, via Driven Properties (UAE property guide)

For a tourist deciding between floors 124 and 148, the choice comes down to patience and wallet. Standard tickets give you the same skyline — just 24 floors lower. For the visitor who wants the highest possible view without rumors or guesswork, the Sky ticket delivers, but the price jump is real. The unanswered ownership questions (floor 100, 22 flats, celebrity buyers) remain speculative — no public registry exists, and claims without official names should be treated as unverified.

Related reading: Internal Doors Ireland: Prices, Styles, and Buying Guide · Vanity Bathroom: Guide to Trends and Installation

Frequently asked questions

For a traveler booking a Burj Khalifa visit, the decision is straightforward: book early, go standard or Sky based on budget, wear modest clothes for Dubai Mall, and ignore ownership rumors that lack named sources. The building itself is verifiable — the gossip is not.