Ain Dubai, The Tallest Ferris Wheel In The World, Is Back In Action. Is It Safe Now?
Every city or country has its unique characteristics. In the case of Dubai, the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, one of the keywords is “bombastic”: everything there is more prominent, luxurious, and prestigious. Dubai’s famous Ferris wheel, Ain Dubai, takes it a few steps further. The tallest observation wheel in the world was opened with loud fanfare a few years ago, got closed for safety reasons that seem almost apocalyptic – For example, the fear of subsidence that could collapse the facility – but it recently reopened after fixing the defects.
After we have already reviewed Ferris wheels that are considered very central to the landscape of various cities around the world, such as the historic Ferris wheel in Vienna or the London Eye, the more modern wheel in London, it is time to review the Ferris wheel that proves that in facilities of this type, size does matter. These are reasons for ingenuity, advanced engineering, coping with natural conditions, and the desire to prevent a real catastrophe.
What Is Ain Dubai?
Ain Dubai (for Arabic: “Eye of Dubai”) is a giant Ferris wheel located on the artificial island of BlueWaters Island, near the Dubai Marina. The first announcement of the construction of the Dubai Ferris wheel was back in February 2013, then still under the name “Dubai Eye” (this time in English), and later simply “Dubai.”
The original plan was to start construction a few months later and finish it in 2015, but there was a significant delay for various reasons. Construction only began in May 2015, and the main support structure was completed in 2016.
The official opening was scheduled for October 2020, a few months after installing the first capsule (passenger cabin). The goal was to open the facility in honor of the World Expo, but COVID-19 came into play and caused another delay because festive events of this type weren’t an option in those months. In the end, the facility only opened in October 2021.
How Tall Is Ain Dubai? (Spoiler: Super Tall!)
The Dubai Ferris Wheel is one of the most ambitious facilities ever built. The project’s estimated cost is about $270 million, which is also high because it is a real “monster.” The Dubai Eye rises to a height of 250 meters (about 80 floors), which gives it the title of the tallest Ferris wheel in the world – and by a considerable margin.
To put it into perspective, the world’s second tall Ferris wheel – the High Roller in Las Vegas, United States – is “only” 167.5 meters tall, meaning it is 82 meters shorter than the Dubai Eye. The London Eye, about 135 meters tall, is almost half the height of the giant Ferris wheel in Dubai.
And by the way, in Dubai itself, you will find taller buildings. At the top of them (literally) stands the Burj Khalifa, the skyscraper and tallest building in the world, reaching 828.8 meters. Another example is the Burj Al Arab, a luxury hotel that rises to about 321 meters.
The Characteristics Of Ain Dubai Cabins
The Ferris wheel in Dubai has 48 cabins. All cabins are air-conditioned because we are still talking about Dubai here, which has unbearable temperatures in the summer months. The cabins also have Wi-Fi, so you can post the outstanding panoramic photos you will probably take to Social Media immediately.
Ain Dubai can carry a total of 1,750 passengers at a time. Each cabin accommodates between 40 and 60 visitors.
How Long Does It Take To Complete One Full Rotation On The Ain Dubai?
One rotation of Ain Dubai takes about 38 minutes. The relatively slow speed of about 0.22 kilometers per hour allows visitors to enjoy a calm and relaxing experience of viewing the views, which include the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, the panoramic Jumeirah coastline, the famous Dubai Marina, and more.
The slow pace of the wheel makes the ascent and descent relatively calm – at least as long as you are not aware of what has been happening below the surface for years. Of course, if you fear Ferris wheels, this attraction may be challenging, mainly because you should reach an unimaginable height. As mentioned, the ride itself is slow and relatively stable.
A Metalic Monster: What Is Ain Dubai Made Of?
To understand the complexity of the Dubai Eye and its safety hazards, it’s essential to pause for a moment and look at its technical data – and no, it’s not just size that matters. According to reports, building the facility required about 11,000 tons of steel for construction, which means there is more metal here than in the Eiffel Tower, for example, with a gap of about 33%, according to some calculations. Each wheel’s legs are about 126 meters long, and the spokes contain hundreds of wires that are 9 mm thick each. If we were to connect them all, we would reach a length of about 2,400 kilometers.
The roller bearings here are made of composite material (and not steel as in most cases) to be easy to check and replace, durable, economical, maintenance-free, and, of course, 100% safe. The hub and axle of the wheel weigh about 1,800 tons together, and if you add the passenger compartments and rims, it reaches about 7,500 tons. To maintain stability even with such weights, they installed 35-meter piles. The goal was to build a giant wheel to withstand thousands of visitors and extreme conditions, such as earthquakes and powerful winds.
Why Was Ain Dubai Closed?
It turns out it’s not so pleasant to see a giant wheel closed, and it happened suddenly in Dubai. At first, in March 2022, Ain Dubai was closed for “periodic improvements.” A year later, the operators announced the continued closure of the facility for an indefinite period but did not explain why. The facts were clear, with scaffolding surrounding the Ferris wheel and even the cancellation of the safety certificate given to the structure. It remained awe-inspiring in the Dubai landscape – especially at night, when it continued to be breathtakingly illuminated.
So, what happened there? The matter was unclear for years because we got no official announcement. One accepted theory was that the Ferris wheel was too heavy for the ground on which it rested. Other reports were of possible ground subsidence, affecting the facility’s stability and could be a clear danger to the public. If you listen to some of the experts or examine the characteristics of the project, you can argue that this is not science fiction. The Ferris wheel is located on an artificial island and is significantly heavier than it.
Some claimed that the sand had caused the joints to wear out, that part of the wheel’s primary mechanism had broken, that there were acoustic problems in the capsules, and other scenarios, ranging from “minor” defects to a real fear that the Ferris wheel would one day collapse. It is likely that the obfuscation regarding the facility aimed to reduce the economic damage resulting from the facility not operating for years, with concerns about the future, but you can’t argue with facts, and they are a massive blow for Dubai.
The good news is that a few months ago, in December 2024, we were happy to learn that the Dubai Ferris Wheel would be back in operation. Tickets are available today.
How Can You Book Tickets To Ain Dubai?
You have several options to visit Ain Dubai, but you should remember in advance that this experience (like many of the attractions in Dubai) will not be cheap for you.
As of the current time, the primary Ain Dubai tickets available are:
🎡 Standard ticket (Ain Dubai Views) – the most standard and popular ticket. It allows a 38-minute ride, a 360-degree view of the magnificent views of Dubai, in a shared cabin. The price includes an interactive display before boarding the facility
🎡 Upgraded ticket (Ain Dubai Views Plus) – provides, in addition to the experiences from the previous section, a quick queue and a snack of drinks and snacks during the ride
🎡 VIP ticket – also provides a private cabin (up to six people), VIP entrance, access to a lounge with an additional observation deck, and eight digital photos per person
🎡 Upgraded VIP ticket (Ain Dubai VIP Plus) – intended for larger groups (up to 10 people) and suitable for celebrations and marking various events. You will also receive drinks and credit for food, mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails), and other treats in the lounge
🎡 Ain Dubai Premium – This ticket will buy you priority entry, lounge access, a luxurious cabin, mocktails, and more.
🎡 Ain Dubai Family Pass, designed for two adults and two children, at a discounted price
You can also buy combined tickets, including the Ferris wheel and another attraction from Dubai’s vast catalog: one of the theme parks or even the Real Madrid Park in Dubai.
Ain Dubai Opening Times
Ain Dubai is open from morning until night every day of the week. As of 2025, the opening hours are:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 PM-12:00 AM
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 PM-11:00 AM
Check the opening hours before your visit and try to get your tickets in advance. Booking tickets in advance will help you ensure availability.
Please note: it is essential to arrive at the place at least 30-60 minutes before the scheduled time of the reservation to complete the entry process and check the tickets, purchase snacks, or use the restroom (apparently, there are no restrooms inside the cabins).
What Is The Best Time To Visit Ain Dubai?
Unsurprisingly, the demand for the Ain Dubai Ferris Wheel is high, mainly because it was closed for a long time and only recently opened.
If you prefer to avoid crowds, weekdays (i.e., Monday to Friday) are best for you. The months between November and April are considered the peak months for tourism in Dubai due to the pleasant weather (or at least not as hot as hell as it is in the summer), so demand for the Ferris wheel can be high.
Many recommend going on the Ferris wheel in the evening or at sunset since the Dubai skyline is imposing at these times.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. That means if you purchase through them, we might earn a small commission. But don’t worry... it won’t cost you extra, and it probably won’t summon anything...
So if you’re thinking of buying something… don’t be afraid to click! 🔪👁️
