Solo Travel to Burj Khalifa: Why I Loved the View from Level 124

Traveling alone is something very gratifying. The liberty, the slow and the silent room of wonders--all this makes something quite sufficient. During my latest solo trip to Dubai, I felt that I needed to see the city in its highest point. My experience on the famous 124 floor of burj khalifa was not just a photo session but a time of peace above the urban insanity. I had done a fair bit of research, especially around the best time to visit Burj Khalifa. The colors were proposed by many people to be in the sunset hours, but some of them wanted to go in the early hours of the morning to avoid crowds. In any case, I was aware that this was not a typical observation deck, but something more interactive. This is all I wish I knew before going to head up.What I Wish I Had Known

1. Alone Ride in the Elevator is Worth It

The fast-moving lift feels like nothing when taking you to the 124 th Level. The walls become the screens and you have a surreal lift-off as you go up. You get the feeling that you are being catapulted into a different world. It is an apt prelude to the spectacular sceneries that ensue.2. Losing Time at the Top is a Piece of Cake

I forgot everything, the schedule, the time, I even forgot my phone once I went out to the observation floor. I had nearly an hour to circle the deck, and observe the sky-line changing. Dubai is seen to be endless at this elevation. When you visit burj khalifa 124 floor, add some time. You will want it.

3. Travelling Alone is not Lonely Here

I was anticipating I would feel like an outcast as a single traveler, but it was more communal than I thought. All people were stunned, with or without company. There were people who did not know me and offered to take my picture and I was smiling at people who were equally astonished with me and we had those silent smiles. It is one of those places people get together by the view.

4. The Lighting Makes the DifferenceI got there in the late afternoon, hoping to see sunset and it did not disappoint. The glass grew gold, the city mellowed, the shadows lengthened over the sand. If you're debating the best time to visit Burj Khalifa, try to time it so you catch both daylight and nightfall. It is worth the change.5. When You Are Up There, Less Is MoreI had brought a little daypack, which I hardly used. The time had its way. I only had to have my phone and a clear mind. Viewing out to the 124 th floor, all the other things seemed small, the good kind of small. The experience was even more powerful due to the simplicity.6. You will Miss It

And before I was even back in the elevator, I was already thinking of a second visit. The view is somehow eternal, and every moment is a bit different according to the time of day and your mood. A visit to the burj khalifa 124 floor might not be sufficient once and that is fine. I know I shall come back.

Conclusion

Traveling on my own has provided me with a lot of memories, and not many of them can be compared to the silence and awe that I experienced on the burj khalifa 124 floor. The view was broader than I could have ever imagined, the sky-line was dazzling and time seemed to be moving slowly during a few minutes. If you're trying to decide the best time to visit Burj Khalifa, go when you’re ready to be amazed — and don’t overthink it. The sight is self-explanatory. And in case you need tips of someone who has been there it is better to read through some detailed English reviews beforehand on how to navigate the space and how to pace your visit.

I’m Rachel Quinn—a travel journalist from Dubai. I love to share tips, local secrets and personal stories to help you discover the Uae like a local.