Ain Dubai, the world’s largest Ferris wheel
The Ain Dubai Ferris wheel is one of the must-do activities during a trip to Dubai.
Located on Bluewaters Island, not far from the Dubai Marina district and JBR Beach, this spectacular attraction lets you explore the city from a height of over 250 meters. Welcome to the world’s tallest observation wheel!
What can you expect? Prices, hours… Here’s all the practical information you need to plan your Ferris wheel ride!
The World’s Tallest Observation Wheel
Like many cities—such as the London Eye in London or the High Roller in Las Vegas—Dubai wanted its own Ferris wheel. But of course, in order to break—once again—new records, it had to be the tallest in the world! Ain Dubai is 250 meters tall.
To give you an idea of the sheer size of this observation wheel, here are a few figures:
- Ain Dubai is 82 meters taller than the High Roller in Las Vegas (168 meters tall)
- The Eiffel Tower is 300 meters tall—only 50 meters taller than the highest point of the Ferris wheel.
A look back at the history of the Ain Dubai Ferris wheel:
Originally announced in 2013, construction finally began in 2015. After six years of construction, $2 billion, and 11,000 metric tons of steel, the attraction opened its doors on October 21, 2021 with a magnificent opening night befitting this modern Ferris wheel: a pyrotechnic show and fireworks.
As the city’s newest attraction, Ain Dubai is now an iconic landmark of the Dubai skyline.
Riding Ain Dubai: All the Practical Information
What can you see from the top of Ain Dubai?
Ain Dubai means the eye of Dubai, and it’s fair to say that the attraction lives up to its name.
From the top of the Dubai Ferris wheel (250 meters high), you’ll enjoy a 360-degree view of the entire city of Dubai, the coastline, and the city’s most famous buildings, including the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab, and Palm Jumeirah.
Inside some of the gondolas, there’s an LED screen that provides information about what you’re seeing. But you’ll be so captivated by the scenery that you probably won’t pay much attention to the screen 😉
What is a ride on the Ferris wheel like?
The ride lasts about 38 minutes. Before boarding your gondola, you’ll need to go through security. You’ll also pass a “photo spot”—just like at many attractions in Dubai. The photos will be available for purchase before you exit, at the souvenir shop, in the form of photo frames, keychains, and more…
Next, you’ll wait your turn to board one of the gondolas. Don’t worry—the wheel moves slowly and never stops. You won’t feel any jolts once you’re inside.
You’ll board one of the 48 gondolas on the Ferris wheel. Each gondola can normally accommodate up to 40 people per gondola, for a total of 1,750 passengers at a time!
Hours of Operation
Ain Dubai is open daily from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays and from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
How to get to Ain Dubai?
Ain Dubai is located on the artificial island of Bluewaters Island. The easiest way to get there is on foot from JBR Beach. A pedestrian bridge, the Bluewaters Pedestrian Bridge, was built to connect to the island. There you’ll find numerous shops and restaurants, as well as the famous Madame Tussauds Dubai museum, a bowling alley, and an arcade.
If you’re using public transportation to get around, here are the stops to keep in mind:
- By metro: Red Line / DMCC stop. You’ll then need to continue on foot via the pedestrian path.
- By tram: T1 line / Jumeirah Beach Residence 2 stop
- By ferry: you can take an abra from the Dubai Marina. It will drop you off next to the Ferris wheel. The trip takes about 20 minutes. This option is the most expensive, but it can be a chance to take a cruise around the marina.
How much does a ticket to the world’s largest Ferris wheel cost?
There are several types of tickets depending on the experience you want to have and, most importantly, what time of day you plan to visit. We can’t stress this enough: book your ride in advance. This will give you peace of mind and help you avoid long wait times.
Tip: Be sure to arrive 45 minutes before your reservation time to allow enough time to go through security.
Standard Tickets
This is the “standard” ticket to experience the attraction. It’s also the least expensive—expect to pay around 35€ (145 AED). The ride lasts about 40 minutes. If you want to enjoy the view of Dubai without a VIP experience, this is the ticket for you!
Views Plus Ticket
This ticket also includes drinks and snacks during your ride on Ain Dubai. You’ll also receive a fast pass to board more quickly, as well as 2 photos to take home. Expect to pay approximately 47€ or 195 AED per person.
Premium Ticket
Get premium tickets for a special experience. You’ll enjoy 2 drinks per person, skip-the-line access, and exclusive access to a lounge to extend your experience. Tickets cost €63 or 265 AED.
VIP Ticket
This is the VIP experience offered by Ain Dubai. You’ll enjoy a luxurious private gondola. You’ll also receive a refreshing welcome drink served at the Seaview Lounge and premium check-in, whichmeaning you’ll skip the line. You’ll be able to order food to take into the cabin and will leave with 8 digital photos.
This experience costs approximately 302€, or 1,260 AED.
Ain Dubai Ticket Prices Summary Table
Our Review
Whether you’re with your partner, friends, or family, we recommend getting tickets for the Ferris wheel. This experience is definitely worth the trip and is one of our must-do activities.
The Al Ain Dubai observation wheel turns slowly, revealing a new neighborhood of the city with every meter it climbs. At first, you’ll see Dubai Marina and its large JBR Beach, then your gaze will turn toward the artificial islands: Palm Jumeirah and then Bluewater Island. In the distance, if the sky is clear, you’ll catch a glimpse of the Burj Al Arab.
What about choosing your tickets? Admiring Dubai from 250 meters up at sunset is truly incredible.
But if your schedule doesn’t allow for it, we recommend opting for a standard ticket to experience Dubai from above during the day—and then saving the Burj Khalifa sunset tour for later. As for whether to choose a VIP experience or not, that’s up to you, but it’s always nice to sip a cocktail while taking in a beautiful view 😉