The Dubai Metro Red Line is the main option. In the previous years RTA has run the metro for extended hours on 31st December, almost through the night, so going and coming back is possible even after midnight. But the Burj Khalifa Dubai Mall station itself usually gets closed early in the evening when the crowd becomes too much. So the smarter way is to get down at Financial Centre or Business Bay and walk 15 to 25 minutes from there.

Before going, top up your Nol card with enough balance for both sides. On that night the queues at the ticket machines are very long and nobody wants to stand there for 40 minutes at 1 am. If you are going with family then every person should have their own card.

RTA also runs extra buses and in some years there were free shuttle buses from certain parking points to the Downtown area, so check the RTA website or their social media pages in the last week of December for the exact list. The Dubai Tram is useful only if you are coming from the Marina or JBR side and connecting to the metro.

Taxis and Careem are available but after the fireworks it is very difficult to get one near Downtown. If you really want a taxi then walk towards Al Wasl Road or further from Business Bay and book from there.

For people who already booked Burj Khalifa new year tickets for At the Top or Burj Park, the timing becomes more important because you have to reach before the entry closes. Plan to be at the metro station at least three to four hours before your slot, the trains are very packed and sometimes you have to leave one or two trains before you get inside.

At the end of the day, the fireworks last only few minutes but the journey back can take two hours, so keep patience and charge your phone fully. Whether you have Burj Khalifa new year tickets or you are going to the free areas, the metro plus some walking is still the best plan.