Cab to or from Burj Khalifa
More than a giant skyscraper, Burj Khalifa is perhaps the most eloquent illustration of the Emirati government’s ambition. This record-breaking building is Dubai’s signature attraction with its observation decks, high-rise restaurants, supersonic elevators and breathtaking panoramic views. In this handy guide, AS VIP takes you on a tour of this architectural meteorite, provides information on how to get there and lists the best things to do there. Let’s go
OUR LUXURY VEHICLES WITH DRIVER
What is Burj Khalifa?
Dubai is the city of excess and all records… and Burj Khalifa, literally Khalifa Tower in Arabic, is undoubtedly the epitome. Reaching 828 meters, this extraordinary building is twice as high as the Eiffel Tower. It is also the largest building ever built by man, with a construction site that required more than 12,000 workers. This attraction, which many refer to as a “vertical city,” attracts nearly two million tourists each year.
This Emirati skyscraper was inaugurated on January 4, 2010, as part of the Downtown Dubai Development project, which illustrates the government’s desire to diversify the national economy, which at the time was mainly based on oil rents. The building was originally called Burj Dubai (Tower Dubai), before being renamed in honor of Abu Dhabi’s ruler and president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan… This tribute also comes after the Abu Dhabi Emirate donated money to Dubai, which was drowning in debt at the time.
Burj Khalifa was designed by architect Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill who has already designed the Willis Tower and the World Trade Center… no less! The design is inspired by Islamic architecture. The “Y” shaped floor was thought to optimize the space for residential and hotel purposes. Here are some figures to realize the excessiveness of the tower of all records:
- The tower consists of 200 floors, but the last 40 floors are not used;
- This vertical city is home to 12,000 people, between residents and workers;
- Under favorable weather conditions, the top of the tower can be seen from a distance of 95 km ;
- The terrace of 124e floor is the highest observation point open to the public in the world;
- The elevator of Burj Khalifa reaches 504 meters in height, an absolute record;
- The fountain of Dubai is the highest on the planet;
- The building is surrounded by a 19 hectare garden.
Price of a cab from Dubai Airport to Burj Khalifa
Located at 1 Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa is approximately 15 km southwest of Dubai International Airport (DBX). The trip can be made via three routes:
- Dubai Airport to Burj Khalifa via E11: 14.7 km in 13 minutes;
- Dubai International Airport to Burj Khalifa via Sheikh Rashid Road and E11: 15.1 km in 14 minutes;
- DBX airport to Burj Khalifa via Al Asayel road then D72: 14.5 km in 15 minutes.
Although public transport has been widely developed in Dubai and the UAE since the beginning of the 2010s, it is still largely undersized in view of the city’s and the country’s place in the global tourism and economic arena. As you can see, individual means of transportation are still widely used by locals, expatriates, tourists and businessmen. Naturally, given the scorching temperatures that regularly prevail in Dubai and other emirates, walking, biking and motorcycle riding are not really realistic options. Cabs, private cars and private drivers are the most common means of transportation.
So here are your options:
- Dubai International Airport to Burj Khalifa by taxi. Expect to pay between 160 and 200 Emirati dirhams (AED), or between €43 and €54 for the 15km trip in about 15 minutes. Of course, Emirati cab fares vary depending on the time and method of pick-up, with the latter being more expensive when departing from the airport or booking online. The price also varies slightly depending on the density of road traffic or even the possible waiting time.
- DBX Airport to Burj Khalifa by bus, via routes 77 and then 27. This is, by far, the cheapest option, as it costs only AED 8 (€2.2). On the other hand, you should not be in a hurry… because the journey can easily exceed one hour!
- Dubai Airport to Burj Khalifa with a luxury private driver. If you want to add prestige to your stay in Dubai and drive around the city in royal comfort, you can seek the services of an AS VIP private driver. He will take you on board a Mercedes V-Class Black over-equipped and fitted out to satisfy you. We charge ultra-competitive rates without any compromise on the quality of the service: count for example 160 AED (about 43 €) for two hours in Dubai.
Price of a cab from Sharjah Airport to Burj Khalifa
Sharjah is an important industrial hub and cultural center in the United Arab Emirates. The city generates 7.4 % of the UAE’s GDP, or approximately $31.2 billion. Although it is overshadowed by the two futuristic metropolises of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Sharjah still welcomes two million tourists every year… that’s better than more famous cities like Boston, Hamburg, Manila or Casablanca.
Sharjah is about 30 kilometers away from Burj Khalifa. There again, several means of transportation are available to make the trip:
- From Sharjah Airport to Burj Khalifa by taxi: via E11, your cab will take you from the airport to Burj Khalifa in about 20 minutes. Count between 210 and 260 AED (56 to 70 €) for this journey of about 25 km;
- From Sharjah International Airport to Burj Khalifa by bus: expect to pay an average of AED 10 (€2.7) for the one-and-a-half-hour trip;
- From Sharjah International Airport to Burj Khalifa by bus then metro (E303 then MRed line): about ten UAE dirhams (€2.7). Duration of the trip: 1h10;
- From Sharjah Airport to Burj Khalifa with a private driver AS VIP. Allow about 20 minutes in a luxury vehicle.
What to do in Burj Khalifa?
Overlooking Dubai, Burj Khalifa is undoubtedly THE must-see destination in the emirate, if not the country. Just the sight of this mega skyscraper up close is worth the trip. To help you plan your visit, AS VIP offers you a small selection of the best points of interest of this unique attraction:
- It would be a shame not to head to the observation deck on 124thfloor to get some height. After all, you are indeed in the tallest building ever built by man. Warning: the elevators are on steroids…they move at 10 meters per second.
- Enjoy a chef’s dish at AT.MOSPHERE restaurant, which is quite simply the highest dining establishment on the planet. The breathtaking view of the Persian Gulf is breathtaking;
- If you are with your family, we warmly recommend you to opt for the “At the top for little ones” activity. This is a fun and educational program to learn more about the architectural feat that is Burj Khalifa;
- Your children will LOVE Candylicious, a giant and colorful candy box;
- Treat yourself to a fitness session at the Burj Club! You will enjoy a fitness and relaxation session with a breathtaking view of the city and the Persian Gulf;
- Sip a drink at the Lounge at Burj Khalifa which is 585 meters high. You will enjoy the “Tea in the clouds”, the “Bubbly sundowners” or the “Cocktail under the stars”!
The advantages of AS VIP Design to move around Burj Khalifa
AS VIP provides you with its fleet of Mercedes V Class Black vehicles with private driver for all your travels in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and elsewhere in the United Arab Emirates. Courteous, discreet, professional and trained to satisfy you, your AS VIP driver will pick you up at Dubai airport and ensure all your trips, whether to your hotel, to the attractions of your choice and to other cities.
We have thought of everything to guarantee you a comfortable stay at a smart price:
- Vehicles with exceptional habitability. You can travel with your family in royal comfort;
- A Wifi connection for entertainment or work during the journey;
- Electrical outlets to recharge your electronic devices (laptop, tablet, smartphone…);
- Sleeping berths, folding seats and a massage function to help you relax and arrive at your business meeting or tourist destination;
- Centralized air conditioning for cool travel, even in hot weather;
- 24/7 service;
- Complimentary cold drinks and treats on board.
