You cannot walk into the Burj Al Arab: entry is for hotel guests and visitors with a reservation, such as afternoon tea (from about AED 500 a head), a restaurant table or a guided tour when one is running. Everyone else sees it from outside. Umm Suqeim Beach, Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Kite Beach are free, and from the sea a jet ski ride to the Burj Al Arab starts at $79 per jet ski. This guide ranks the options by cost.
By SB Excursions · Published 28 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026
Tour on this route: Jet Ski to Burj Al Arab in Dubai — From $79 per jet ski, 30 minutes or 1 hour.
Can you go inside the Burj Al Arab without staying there?
Only with a reservation: a table at one of its restaurants or bars, afternoon tea (from about AED 500 a head) or a guided tour when one is offered. There is no walk-up entry, and a security gate stops anyone without a booking. Confirm details with Jumeirah, the hotel's operator.
This guide also answers:
- How much is afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab?
- How tall is the Burj Al Arab?
- Can you get close to the Burj Al Arab by boat?
Six ways to see the Burj Al Arab, from free to by reservation
#1
Umm Suqeim Beach (Sunset Beach)
A public beach where the Burj Al Arab and the Madinat Jumeirah wind towers sit on the horizon behind the surf. It costs nothing, it is the place most visitors choose for the standard photograph, and late afternoon is the favourite hour. The tower is some distance offshore, so bring a phone with a zoom.
#2
Souk Madinat Jumeirah waterfront
The waterfront terrace and wooden footbridges over the canals frame the Burj Al Arab behind the wind-tower buildings, and the souk is open for a stroll without a ticket. Walking is free; sitting down at a restaurant sets the price. Go in the late afternoon, when the heat eases and the light turns golden.
#3
Kite Beach
A long public beach where kitesurfers fill the sky and the Burj Al Arab stands on the horizon. It is the choice for atmosphere and a wide frame rather than a close-up. Come in the late afternoon for the busiest sky, and bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
#4
By jet ski from Umm Suqeim harbour
The closest most visitors get: 30 minutes from $79 per jet ski, with an instructor riding in front, a photo stop in front of the tower and photos and videos sent to you free afterwards. Two people share one jet ski at no extra cost, and the 60-minute ride at $140 carries on to Atlantis.
#5
By speedboat from Dubai Marina
A shared speedboat for up to 22 guests, with live commentary in English and photo stops at JBR, Ain Dubai, Atlantis The Palm and the Burj Al Arab. It costs from $45 per person, and the 5 PM departure at $60 has the sun setting during the ride from October to mid-March.
#6
Inside, by reservation
Afternoon tea in the lobby lounge is the usual way in for visitors, from about AED 500 a head, with the Skyview Bar and the restaurants costing more. You pay for the interior as much as the food: the atrium, the fountains and the gold. Book ahead through Jumeirah, dress smartly and expect a gate check.
Can you go inside the Burj Al Arab? The short answer
No, you cannot just walk in. The Burj Al Arab is a hotel on its own island, reached by a causeway with a security gate, and entry is for guests and for visitors with a reservation: a table at one of its restaurants or bars, afternoon tea (from about AED 500 a head) or a guided tour when one is running. Without a booking you are turned back at the gate.
Everyone else gets the tower from outside, and that costs nothing: Umm Suqeim Beach, Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Kite Beach all frame it for free. For something closer, see it from the sea. Our 30-minute jet ski ride to the Burj Al Arab is from $79 per jet ski, shared by up to two riders at no extra charge, and a 90-minute shared speedboat tour is from $45 per person.
The tower is 321 m high and stands about 280 m offshore. The seven-star label is a nickname from the press, not an official rating.
| Way in | Rough cost | What you get | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay a night | Thousands of dirhams a night | The whole hotel, from the atrium to the suite | Every room is a suite, and the price shows |
| Afternoon tea at Sahn Eddar | From about AED 500 a head | A table in the lobby lounge below the atrium | Reserve ahead; expect a gate check |
| Sky Tea or drinks at the Skyview Bar | Dearer than lobby tea | A table on the high floor above the Gulf | Reserve ahead; ask about any minimum spend |
| Dinner at Al Mahara or Al Muntaha | Among the highest bills in the city | The aquarium restaurant or the high-floor dining room | Reserve ahead; dress smartly |
| Guided tour of the public areas | Set by Jumeirah, when offered | A walk through the lobby and atrium with a guide | Not always running; ask Jumeirah first |
Rough guides only. Confirm prices and availability directly with Jumeirah, the hotel's operator, before you plan around any of them.
Afternoon tea, a drink or dinner: what the reservation buys
The reservation is the ticket. Afternoon tea at Sahn Eddar is the usual choice for visitors on a budget: expect about AED 500 a head, more with champagne, and book early because it is popular. Sky Tea and drinks at the Skyview Bar cost more and add the view from the high floor. Dinner is a different league.
What you pay for is the building as much as the food: the lobby atrium, about 180 m tall, with its gold, colour and fountains. If gold and fountains are not your idea of a good afternoon, put the money into the sea and the beach instead.
Dress smartly for any booking: no beachwear, vests or flip-flops, and have your ID and booking confirmation ready at the gate. Dress codes and child policies differ between venues, so check yours when you book.
On value, afternoon tea costs about two and a half times a Burj Khalifa ticket, which starts from $55 (about AED 200), and it buys the inside of a building rather than the view of one. For most visitors the free photo spots and a ride on the water answer the question people actually ask, which is how to see the Burj Al Arab up close.
The best free photo spots outside
Four places put the tower in the frame without a ticket. Our Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab area guide has the walking detail, and best photo spots in Dubai covers the rest of the city.
- Umm Suqeim Beach, known as Sunset Beach: public and free, with the Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in one frame. Late afternoon to sunset is the favourite hour, and the tower is lit up after dark.
- Souk Madinat Jumeirah: the waterfront terrace and the footbridges over the canals put the tower behind wind-tower buildings. Walking in costs nothing; sit down and the restaurants set the price.
- Kite Beach: a wider shot, with the kites in the foreground and the Burj Al Arab on the horizon. It is the choice for atmosphere rather than a close-up.
- Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour: boats in the foreground, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel at your shoulder, and the start of our jet ski rides.
The island is a good distance from the public beaches, so the tower looks smaller than in pictures taken from the sea. Bring a phone with a zoom, and leave the drone at home: flying one needs permission, and our drone rules guide explains why.
From the sea: the Burj Al Arab up close
The water is where the tower looks its best, and it is where our tours go. The boats stop in the water in front of it for photos; none lands on the island.
| Option | From | Time | The Burj Al Arab moment | Starts at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jet ski, 30 minutes | $79 per jet ski | About 1 hour in all | Photo stop in front of the tower; the instructor takes photos and videos | Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour |
| Jet ski, 60 minutes | $140 per jet ski | About 1.5 hours in all | The same stop, then on to Atlantis on the Palm | Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour |
| Shared speedboat tour | $45 per person | 90 minutes | One photo stop among several: JBR, Ain Dubai, Atlantis | Dubai Marina pier |
| Yacht party, 21+ | $99 per person | 4 hours, 9 PM-1 AM | A photo stop at the lit tower at night | Dubai Marina pier, boarding 8:30 PM |
Every guest needs an original passport or Emirates ID. Our 1-hour shared yacht tour stays in the Marina and does not go to the Burj Al Arab.
The jet ski is the one to choose if you want the tower to yourself. No licence or experience is needed, an instructor rides in front, and two people share one jet ski at no extra cost. Drivers must be 16 or older and passengers at least 5; it is not allowed during pregnancy. Meet at Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour on Jumeirah Road, next to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and not at JBR, 20 minutes before your slot. Full prepayment confirms it, and there are lockers, changing rooms and showers at the base. See jet ski in Dubai for the full detail.
The speedboat suits people who want the whole coast in one loop. Check-in is 30 minutes before departure; children under 5 and guests aged 65 and over are not permitted, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users. The 5 PM departure is the one with the sunset from October to mid-March. The yacht party is a 4-hour night cruise with a DJ and a BBQ, strictly 21+, and the tower is one stop in it, so it is for the party, not for the photo.
Getting there, heat and timing
No Metro station is close to the Burj Al Arab. The cheapest practical route is the Red Line to Mall of the Emirates and a short taxi, and taxis from the Marina or Downtown take about 15-30 minutes depending on traffic; see the Dubai Metro guide and how to get around Dubai.
From November to March the late afternoon is pleasant and the beaches are busy. From May to September the midday heat is intense, so do your outdoor photos before 9 AM or after 5 PM and keep the water, the cafes and the air-conditioning for the middle of the day. The tower stands next to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Wild Wadi water park, so a family can pair the view with the Wild Wadi guide.
A half-day plan on the Jumeirah coast
This order works in most months, and each step is optional.
- Morning: the 30-minute jet ski ride, allowing about an hour in all with check-in and the briefing, then a shower and a change at the base.
- Lunch: Souk Madinat Jumeirah, or a beach cafe near the harbour.
- Afternoon: tea at Sahn Eddar if you have booked, or a walk round the souk if you have not.
- Sunset: Umm Suqeim Beach for the standard photograph, with the tower lit up as the light goes.
- Summer variant: ride at the earliest slot, spend the middle of the day indoors and come back to the beach after 5 PM.
For a couples' version of the same coast, see best things to do in Dubai for couples.
FAQ
Can you go inside the Burj Al Arab without staying there?
Only with a reservation: a table at one of its restaurants or bars, afternoon tea (from about AED 500 a head) or a guided tour when one is offered. There is no walk-up entry, and a security gate stops anyone without a booking. Confirm details with Jumeirah, the hotel's operator.
How much is afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab?
From about AED 500 a person at Sahn Eddar in the lobby, and more with champagne or at the Skyview Bar. Prices change, so check Jumeirah's own site before you book.
How tall is the Burj Al Arab?
It is 321 m tall and stands on an artificial island about 280 m offshore. The seven-star description is a nickname, not an official rating.
Where is the best place to photograph the Burj Al Arab?
Umm Suqeim Beach (Sunset Beach) for the standard shot at sunset, Souk Madinat Jumeirah for the tower behind the wind towers and canals, and Kite Beach for a wide frame with the kites. All three are free. From the water, a jet ski or speedboat gets you much closer.
Can you get close to the Burj Al Arab by boat?
Yes. Our jet ski ride is from $79 per jet ski for 30 minutes, and our speedboat tour is from $45 per person for 90 minutes. Both stop in front of the tower for photos. Boats do not land on the island.
Is there a tour inside the Burj Al Arab?
Jumeirah has offered guided tours of the public areas at times, but availability and price change. Ask Jumeirah directly, because a booking, whether a tour, tea or a table, is the only way in.
How do I get to the Burj Al Arab by public transport?
There is no Metro station nearby. Take the Red Line to Mall of the Emirates and then a short taxi. A taxi from the Marina or Downtown takes about 15-30 minutes depending on traffic.
When is the best time to see the Burj Al Arab?
Late afternoon to sunset, when the light is soft and the tower is lit as it gets dark. From May to September avoid midday: take your photos before 9 AM or after 5 PM.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Jet Ski to Burj Al Arab in Dubai
It is the Burj Al Arab from sea level, without a licence or previous experience: the instructor rides in front, stops at the landmark for photos and sends you the files after the ride, and two people share one jet ski at no extra cost. The 60-minute ride continues to Atlantis on the Palm, and a 2-hour ride is arranged on request for groups of 4 jet skis or more.
- Duration
- 30 minutes or 1 hour
- Area
- Jumeirah, Dubai
- Format
- Guided jet ski
- Best for
- couples, friends and first-time riders who want the Burj Al Arab from the water
From $79 per jet ski Full prepayment
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Dubai Marina Speedboat Tour
It is Dubai's postcard landmarks seen from the sea in one loop: an open speedboat shared with up to 22 guests, a 360-degree view from every seat, stops for photos and live commentary in English from the guide on board. There are up to nine departures a day between 9 AM and 5 PM, and from October to mid-March the sun sets during the 5 PM ride.
- Duration
- 90 minutes
- Area
- Dubai Marina
- Format
- Shared speedboat
- Best for
- couples, friends and families with children aged 5+ who want Dubai's big landmarks from the sea in one loop
From $45 per person Full prepayment
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Dubai Marina Yacht Party
It is a floating nightclub rather than a boat trip: an international crowd of 25-45 guests, a live DJ playing house, R&B and chart hits, a live BBQ from the grill and the city lights of the Palm and Burj Al Arab in the background. No assigned seats — you move between the decks — and the whole night is included in one ticket.
- Duration
- 4 hours (9 PM-1 AM)
- Area
- Dubai Marina
- Format
- Shared 21+ party cruise
- Best for
- solo travellers, couples and groups aged 21+ who want a night out on the water
$99 per person Full prepayment
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Photos: Kite Beach — MaryJaneB, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).