If you are landing at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and want to reach Burj Khalifa you have several easy travel option.Best choice depend on your budget luggage and how quickly you want to reach Downtown Dubai.
Distance between Dubai Airport and Burj Khalifa is roughly 14 to16 km by road and also depending on airport terminal and exact route.Most popular option are Dubai Metro, taxi, private car and bus. For most visitor Dubai Metro Red Line is best balance of price and convenience.
Dubai Metro directly connect airport area with Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station. Airport Terminals 1 and 3 have Red Line metro station make journey particularly easy if you arrive at either of these terminal.Official RTA station map list Airport Terminal 1 , Airport Terminal 3 and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall on Red Line.
For budget traveler metro is should be first option to consider. You need valid nol card or ticket and fare depend on number of zone crossed. A regular Red ticket currently cost AED 4 for one zone, AED 6 for two adjacent zone and AED 8.50 for more than two zone.
A taxi is much easier if you have several bag, children or are arriving late. Airport taxis have starting fare of AED 20 for normal taxi and AED 25 for van with distance and other applicable charge added to final meter fare.So before leaving airport decide whether you prefer low cost, comfort or speed.
Dubai Airport to Burj Khalifa by metro: Route, Time, Distance and Fare
For most tourist Dubai Metro is easy and affordable way to travel from Dubai Airport to Burj Khalifa.Route is simple because both airport and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall are connected by Red Line of Dubai Metro.
If you arrive at Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 follow sign for Dubai Metro. You do not need to take taxi to reach metro station. At airport station purchase or use your nol card, enter through gate and take Red Line train in direction of Expo 2020/Life Pharmacy depending on current service pattern.Important thing is to remain on Red Line and get off at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station .
Actual metro ride is generally around 20 to 25 minute although your total travel time can be longer because of walking inside airport waiting for train and walking from metro station toward Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa.
One thing that surprise first time visitor is walking distance after leaving metro. Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station is connected to Dubai Mall by a long air condition walkway so reaching mall and then Burj Khalifa take additional time.For fare exact amount depend on zones crossed. RTA currently list regular Red Ticket fare as AED 4 within one zone, AED 6 for two adjacent zones and AED 8.50 for more than two zone. A Silver nol card has lower journey fare but require purchasing card.
Metro is great option if you are traveling alone as couple or with light luggage. It is also useful if you want to avoid Dubai road traffic.If your flight land at Terminal 2 situation is different because Terminal 2 does not have a Red Line metro station directly at terminal. In that case taxi or connecting public transport may be more convenient.
Dubai Airport to Burj Khalifa by taxi, car and bus
If you have heavy luggage or simply want door to door journey then taking Dubai taxi from airport to Burj Khalifa is easy option. You can find taxis at airport after collecting your baggage and leaving arrival area.
Dubai RTA currently list airport taxi starting fare at AED 20 for normal taxi and AED 25 for a van. Final price is not fixed airport to Burj Khalifa fare. It is calculated using starting fare, distance, waiting time and other applicable charge. Salik toll charge may also apply.
Road distance is aboutly 14 to 16 km but exact distance depend on which terminal you start from and road used. In normal traffic taxi may take roughly 20 to 30 minutes. During rush hour journey can take considerably longer.
For family taxi can be better choice than metro because you do not have to carry suitcase through station or walk from metro station to Dubai Mall. A taxi also drop you much closer to your hotel or Burj Khalifa entrance.
Another option is private car or rental car. This can be useful if Burj Khalifa is only first stop on longer Dubai trip. However if you are staying around Downtown Dubai, parking and traffic can make a private car less convenient than metro.
You can also use public bus but for a visitor traveling directly from airport to Burj Khalifa then metro is usually simpler. Bus route and connection can change so it is better to check RTA journey planner before starting trip. RTA provide an official journey planner for checking available route and transport option.In simple term choose metro for cheaper travel taxi for comfort and private car for flexibility.
Dubai Airport to Burj Khalifa: Which option is best for you?
Choosing right transport depend on what matter most to you. If you are first time visitor to Dubai do not worry your journey is quite straightforward.
Dubai Metro is best choice if you want to save money. It is clean, comfortable and avoid road traffic. Red Line connect Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 with Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station. You will need a valid nol card or ticket before entering metro. RTA say passenger must tap their card at the entry and exit gate and a minimum balance is require when using nol card.
Taxi is better choice when you have large suitcase children, elderly passenger or simply do not want to walk through station. Airport taxi fare start at AED 20 for normal taxi but final fare depend on distance and applicable charge.Bus can be useful if your final destination is not directly beside metro station but it may require more planning. For first trip to Dubai metro or taxi will usually be easy.
Journey can also be affected by time of day. Dubai traffic can become busy during peak period so taxi journey that normally take around 20 to 30 minutes can take longer. RTA currently identify rush hour period including Monday to Thursday morning and afternoons/evening with additional peak period on Friday and weekend.
If you are arriving at Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, I would personally recommend metro if you have manageable luggage. If you have two or three large bag taxi is worth extra money.Also remember that Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station is not entrance to Burj Khalifa itself. You will still have to walk through connected Dubai Mall area to reach your final destination.
| Travel Mode | Approx. Distance | Approx. Travel Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Metro | ~14–16 km route area | ~20–25 min train ride* | About AED 4–8.50 depending on zones/ticket |
| Taxi | ~14–16 km by road | ~20–30 min* | Airport start AED 20 + distance/other charges |
| Private Car | ~14–16 km by road | ~20–30 min* | Depends on rental/fuel/parking |
| Bus | Depends on route | Usually longer | Depends on zones/route |
Dubai Metro Red Line is most straightforward public transport option. RTA confirm that Red Line run between Centrepoint and Expo 2020/Life Pharmacy with Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station on the route.If you are using metro do not forget that nol fare is based on zone, not simply on number of station. RTA current regular Red Ticket price are AED 4, AED 6 and AED 8.50 depending on zone travel.For a taxi airport starting fare is AED 20 for a normal taxi and meter then calculate trip base on distance and applicable charge.
Conclusion
Traveling from Dubai Airport to Burj Khalifa is easy with several option available. For most budget conscious traveler Dubai Metro is best choice. From Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 take Red Line and get off at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station.Metro journey is roughly 20 to 25 minutes, while total time will be longer because of walking and waiting.If you have heavy luggage or want door to door trip choose taxi. Airport taxi fare currently start at AED 20 for a normal taxi with final cost depending on distance and other charge.
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