Burj Khalifa Lake Abra Ride & Fountain Show Tickets Dubai
- Duration30 minutes
- Open onDaily
- Meeting pointThe Lake Ride ticket kiosk on the fountain promenade outside the Dubai Mall, by Din Tai Fung restaurant
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
This 30-minute ride puts you on a traditional wooden abra water taxi on Burj Lake in Downtown Dubai, gliding beneath the Burj Khalifa and beside the Dubai Mall and the famous fountain. Time your ticket for a fountain show and you see the jets and lights from a water-level seat, one of the most memorable views in the city. It is a simple ticket with an English-speaking driver, no hotel pickup, and it suits couples, families and first-time visitors of Dubai.
Highlights
- 30 minutes on a traditional wooden abra on Burj Lake
- Close views of the Burj Khalifa from the water
- See the Dubai Fountain show from a boat, when your time slot matches a show
- English-speaking driver, with children from age three counted as passengers
- Short, easy activity that fits between shopping and dinner
- In the heart of Downtown Dubai, beside the Dubai Mall
Full Description
Burj Lake and the traditional abra ride
An abra is the wooden water taxi that has carried people across Dubai Creek for generations, and here it takes you across Burj Lake in Downtown Dubai. The ride lasts about 30 minutes and moves gently, so you can look up at the towers, the promenade and the lit-up Dubai Mall waterfront. If you have searched for a Burj Khalifa lake ride, this is the most atmospheric way to do it.
The boat is open-sided, which means fresh air and clear photo views, and an English-speaking driver steers throughout. The seats are simple and the atmosphere is relaxed, which is very different from a large cruise boat. Do not expect a formal commentary; you come for the setting and the skyline.
The Burj Khalifa from the water
Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world at more than 800 metres, and from the lake you see it rise straight out of the waterfront district. The angle is different from the viewing decks: instead of looking down on the city, you look up the full length of the tower, with the fountains and the palm-lined boardwalk in the foreground.
This is a popular option for people who want a Burj Khalifa view without going up the tower, or as a complement to a visit to the observation deck. Bring your phone or camera; the light at sunset makes the glass facade glow and gives some of the best views of Downtown Dubai.
The Dubai Fountain show and the best time to go
The Dubai Fountain is the world's largest choreographed fountain system, shooting water high into the air in time to music and light. Shows repeat at regular intervals through the afternoon and evening. Choosing a start time close to a show lets you enjoy the jets from the lake, a very different view from the busy promenade.
If you are asking about the best time to see the Dubai Fountain from a boat, evening is the most spectacular, when the towers are lit. Show timings can vary, and you should select your preferred time in the booking panel. Note that the ride time does not guarantee a full show if the schedule changes.
Meeting point and combining it with Downtown Dubai
The ride starts from the abra dock on Burj Lake, close to the Dubai Mall, and exact directions are on your booking confirmation. Most visitors walk from the mall or the Burj Khalifa metro station, and taxis can drop you near the promenade. There is no hotel pickup with this ticket.
The lake sits beside the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa observation deck and Souk Al Bahar, so you can combine the ride with shopping, dinner and a walk. Arrive a little early so you have time to find the dock, because the area is large and crowded in the evenings.
Itinerary
- Arrival at the dockMeet at the abra boarding point on Burj Lake in Downtown Dubai a little before your time.
- Boarding the abraStep onto the wooden boat with your driver.
- 30-minute lake rideGlide beneath the Burj Khalifa and along the Dubai Mall waterfront.
- Fountain show viewsIf your slot matches a show, watch the Dubai Fountain from the water.
What's included
- 30-minute boat ride on a traditional water taxi (abra)
- Views of the Burj Khalifa Fountain show from the lake
- English-speaking driver
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 3–11
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- A short visit — about 1 hour
Not suitable for
- Guests who cannot board a small boat
- People who need hotel pickup, which is not included
Meeting point
Meet at the abra boarding point on Burj Lake in Downtown Dubai, close to the Dubai Mall, a few minutes before your time. The exact directions are on your booking confirmation. Hotel pickup is not included.
Important information
- Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your chosen time
- Bring your booking confirmation, on your phone or printed
- Wear light clothes and sunglasses; the boat is open-sided
- Food and drinks are not included
- Fountain show times vary by day and season
- Children must stay seated during the ride
- The ride is weather-dependent and can be changed for safety reasons
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Burj Lake abra ride ticket cost?
The price depends on the option you choose and on the date. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and for children, so you can compare before you book.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. The ticket covers the abra ride only. Meet at the boarding point on Burj Lake in Downtown Dubai, close to the Dubai Mall, using a taxi, the Dubai Metro or your own transport.
How long is the abra ride?
The ride lasts about 30 minutes. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to find the boarding point.
Is the abra ride suitable for children?
Yes. Children from the age of three are counted as passengers on the ticket, and the boat suits families. Children should stay seated throughout the ride.
What should I wear or bring?
Light clothing, sunglasses and a camera or phone. In summer, bring water; in the evening, a thin layer can help near the water.
Can I book the abra ride for today or tomorrow?
Yes, as long as places are available. Pick your date in the booking panel; if a day or time slot shows as unavailable, it is already full and you can choose another one.
Will I see the Dubai Fountain show from the boat?
Yes, if you choose a start time that matches a show. Show times vary, so select your preferred time in the booking panel.
Is the Burj Khalifa lake ride worth it?
If you enjoy views and short activities, yes. It is a relaxed way to see the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the fountains from the water.
How do I get to Burj Lake?
Take the Dubai Metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station and walk to the promenade, or take a taxi to the Dubai Mall waterfront. The exact boarding point is in your confirmation.
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