What is it like to live in Burj Khalifa?

Updated 9 October 2026

The short answer

Living in Burj Khalifa means access cards for the lobby, lifts and shared facilities, valet parking, a 24 hour concierge and a walkway to The Dubai Mall, according to Gulf News. Under a Dubai religious ruling, residents above floor 80 break their Ramadan fast 2 to 3 minutes later. New Year's Eve brings closures and access rules.

Key facts

Access: Cards for the lobby, lifts and shared facilities (Gulf News)
Parking: Parking for each apartment, with valet (Gulf News)
Concierge: 24 hours, on three levels (Gulf News)
Ramadan: Iftar 2 minutes later on floors 80 to 150, 3 minutes later on 151 to 160 (Dubai Islamic Affairs, via Gulf News)
New Year's Eve: Road closures and pre-registered access in some years (Gulf News, 2020 and 2022)

How do residents get in and out?

Gulf News describes access cards for the revolving doors in the main lobby, for the lifts to each home and for shared facilities, with entry controlled at main security. Agents quoted by Gulf News said viewings take planning because of security. These reports date from about 2010 to 2012.

Do Ramadan times change on high floors?

Yes. The Dubai Islamic Affairs Department ruled that residents above floor 80 see the sun set later, so iftar is 2 minutes later on floors 80 to 150 and 3 minutes later on floors 151 to 160. Dawn prayer and the start of the fast move earlier by the same amounts (Gulf News, carrying WAM). Sources differ on the exact minutes: a Gulf News article from April 2021 refers to a 2016 ruling of 2 minutes, quotes astronomer Ibrahim Al Jarwan estimating about 1 extra minute at 300 m and 2 at 600 m, and prints a table with 4 minutes from floor 121 up. We use the ruling's figures and found no newer one.

What happens on New Year's Eve?

The tower is the center of Dubai's New Year show. Rules change year to year. For New Year 2021 Emaar asked Downtown residents to pre-register through the U by Emaar app for QR access (Gulf News, 24 December 2020). Roads around the tower close in the evening. We found no current rule written for tower residents, so ask the building before the night.

What do residents complain about?

The only published dispute we found is about cost. In 2014 a service charge dispute led Emaar to warn non-paying owners that their access cards for the gym, pool and parking would be switched off (Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, 27 February 2014).

Common questions

Do Burj Khalifa residents fast longer in Ramadan?

Yes. A Dubai Islamic Affairs Department ruling sets iftar 2 minutes later for floors 80 to 150 and 3 minutes later for floors 151 to 160.

Can residents watch the New Year fireworks from Burj Khalifa?

One resident told Gulf News of watching from a 71st floor apartment, about 2012. Access rules for the night change each year, so ask the building management before New Year's Eve.

Sources

Ask

Ask what living there is like

One message is enough. We reply by WhatsApp, phone or email, and there is no pressure to book anything.

Prefer WhatsApp?Message us on WhatsApp