Burj Khalifa dress code, explained

Is there a dress code for the Burj Khalifa?

Yes, but it is relaxed: the official guidance is smart casual, which means neat, comfortable clothes. Most visitors wear what they would wear to a smart shopping mall, with shoulders and knees covered as a courtesy.

At the Top, the attraction that runs the observation decks, asks visitors for a smart casual style that combines comfort with a little elegance. There is no list of banned garments, and the staff at the entrance check tickets and bags, not outfits. Jeans, chinos, light trousers, midi skirts, summer dresses, T-shirts and shirts are all normal. What stands out, in the mall and at the top, is beachwear, very short shorts, see-through fabrics and tops that show a lot of skin.

Your visit begins and ends in The Dubai Mall, and shopping malls in Dubai expect modest clothing. Shoulders and knees covered is the common standard. It is appreciated rather than checked at every door, and dressing this way means you never have to think about it again during the day. The same clothes also work for the Souk Al Bahar, the restaurants around Burj Lake and the heritage areas of old Dubai, if you continue your day there.

What should you wear to the Burj Khalifa?

Light, breathable clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, a thin layer for the air-conditioning, and flat shoes. The same approach works for men, women and teenagers.

• Women: a dress, skirt or trousers that reach the knee or below, and a top with sleeves or a light cover-up for the shoulders. Linen and cotton are cooler than synthetic fabrics in the heat outside.
• Men: long trousers or knee-length shorts, with a T-shirt, polo shirt or shirt. Sleeveless vests are better kept for the beach.
• Children: comfortable everyday clothes. Older children and teenagers follow the same courtesy as adults.
• A light layer: the mall, the lifts and the indoor decks are strongly air-conditioned, which can feel cold after the heat outside, especially in summer.
• Colours for photos: dark or muted tops reflect less in the windows than white or bright ones when you photograph through the glass.
• Sunglasses and a hat: useful on the terrace on level 124 and for the walk to the fountain afterwards.

For a special evening, such as a visit to The Lounge on levels 152 to 154 or dinner by the fountain afterwards, many visitors dress a little smarter. It is a choice, not a rule: you will be welcome in smart casual clothes on every ticket.

What shoes should you wear to the Burj Khalifa?

Flat, comfortable shoes that you can stand and walk in for two to three hours. Skate shoes and shoes with wheels are on the list of items that are not allowed.

The operator says an average visit takes about 1.5 hours at the top. Add the walk through the mall, the queue and the security check, and you are on your feet for most of two to three hours. The mall floors are polished stone and the distances are long: the Metro Link Bridge from the station alone is about 820 m. Trainers, loafers, flat sandals with a back strap and soft flat shoes all work well.

High heels are allowed at At the Top, but most people are glad to take them off by the end of the visit. If your ticket includes Sky Views, the observatory in the Address Sky View tower nearby, its terms advise against high heels and flip-flops, because of its glass floor and glass slide. Shoes with wheels and skate shoes are not allowed at the Burj Khalifa.

The SKY and Sky Views combo pairs level 148 of the Burj Khalifa with the Sky Views Observatory in the Address Sky View tower, a separate building close by. You get the one Downtown viewpoint with the Burj Khalifa itself in the view, and a glass floor on level 52. Wear flat shoes with a good grip for that part; the glass slide there is paid separately on site.

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What can you bring into the Burj Khalifa, and what is not allowed?

Bring your phone, your ticket, photo ID and a small handbag or purse. Backpacks, strollers and large bags go into the luggage room, and laptops, tablets, e-cigarettes, glass bottles, aerosols and sharp objects are not allowed.

Everyone passes a security check with a bag scanner before the lifts. Personal handbags and purses stay with you. Backpacks, sports bags, shopping bags, strollers and large bags are left in the luggage room near the entrance, and you collect them on the way out. If you have been shopping in the mall first, expect to leave your shopping bags there too.

Outside food and drink are not allowed, and that includes bottled water, so drink before you queue. There is a café at ground level and another on level 124, and the Gold (SKY) and Platinum tickets include refreshments in their lounges. Carry any medication you need, and if you are unsure about an item, ask the staff at the entrance before you join the queue.

Can you take photos and videos at the top?

Yes. Personal photos and videos are welcome everywhere on the decks. Professional photography is not allowed, tripods are best left behind, and drones are not permitted.

Phones and ordinary cameras are fine, and there is Wi-Fi throughout the attraction if you want to share photos straight away. The operator does not allow professional photography. Tripods are not on the published list of banned items, but security may treat them as professional equipment, so leave yours at the hotel. For sharp photos through the glass, hold your lens close to the window and wear a dark top to cut reflections.

On the way in you pass souvenir photo stations, including green-screen booths, where staff take your picture and offer prints and digital copies for sale. They are optional: you can smile and walk past. Please ask before you photograph other visitors, and never fly a drone anywhere in Downtown, because flying one needs permits from the Dubai authorities. If a calm deck for photos matters to you, the level 148 guide explains what the higher ticket changes.

Is the Burj Khalifa accessible for wheelchairs, children and pregnant visitors?

Yes. The whole At the Top experience is wheelchair accessible, children under 3 do not need a ticket, and the operator says the visit is suitable during pregnancy. Working service animals are not allowed.

Wheelchairs and limited mobility: the operator states that the entire experience is wheelchair accessible, and staff are used to helping. One reviewer who arrived with a broken ankle was given a wheelchair and taken through a faster lane. The rules do not allow working service animals on the visit, so plan ahead if you rely on one.

Children: children under 3 do not need a ticket (some resellers say under 4, so check your booking page). Child tickets cover ages 3 to 8, a child ticket must be booked together with an adult ticket, and under 16s must be with an adult. Strollers go to the luggage room, so be ready to carry toddlers at the top. If you lose sight of a child, go straight to the nearest guest ambassador, as the operator advises.

Pregnancy: the operator's FAQ says the experience is safe for expectant mothers. The optional VR add-on is not suitable during pregnancy, and some Sky Views activities have their own restrictions, so check them if your ticket includes Sky Views.

How should you dress and behave during Ramadan?

Dress a little more modestly than usual, and avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public view during daylight hours, out of respect. Visiting in Ramadan is easy with a few small adjustments.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Visitors are not expected to fast, and restaurants and cafés serve non-Muslim guests as normal. Out of respect, it is appreciated if you do not eat, drink or smoke openly in public places while the sun is up, and if you keep music and voices low. Clothes that cover your shoulders and knees are especially appreciated during this month.

On the SKY (Gold) ticket, the listing notes that food is not served in the lounge during Ramadan until iftar, the meal that breaks the fast at sunset. Opening times and the Dubai Fountain schedule also change during Ramadan, with later evening shows, so check the booking calendar and the fountain times for your date. The evenings after iftar are lively and festive around Downtown, and many visitors find them the most memorable time to be there.

What happens at the entrance and the security check?

You enter from the lower ground floor of The Dubai Mall, show your ticket, pass a bag scanner and walk through displays on the tower's history to the lifts. Arrive early, because your ticket is for a set time.

Follow the signs for At the Top inside the mall and go down to the lower ground floor, on the side of the mall that faces the Dubai Fountain. The entrance is easy to miss, and reviewers mention taking longer than expected to find it, so allow extra time. Your ticket is valid only for the date and time shown on it: treat the time as firm and aim to arrive well before it.

After the ticket check comes security, much like at an airport: bags go through the scanner, and anything on the prohibited list is held at the counter. A corridor with displays on how the tower was built leads to the lifts, which reach level 124 in about a minute. At busy times, especially around sunset, the lift queue is the longest part of a visit on a Silver ticket; the ticket comparison explains which tiers have priority lanes.

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