Etihad Rail Stations in Dubai Locations, Fares and Routes
The short answer: As of October 2026, Dubai has one operational Etihad Rail passenger station, Al Yalayis Station, located near Jumeirah Golf Estates. It opened for passenger services on 30 September 2026 and connects Dubai with Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. A dedicated pedestrian bridge links the station to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line, making intercity rail accessible without a car.
Where is the Etihad Rail station in Dubai?
Al Yalayis Station is Dubai’s main passenger gateway to the UAE national railway network. It is located in the Jumeirah Golf Estates area, away from the busy commercial districts of Downtown Dubai and Deira.
The station was inaugurated on 28 September 2026, with scheduled passenger services beginning two days later. Its location offers a practical connection between long-distance rail travel and Dubai’s existing public transport system.
For passengers searching for Etihad Rail stations in Dubai, the important distinction is that Al Yalayis is a national railway station, not another Dubai Metro stop. The two systems connect, but they serve different purposes.
| Station detail | Confirmed information | Applicable date |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai passenger stations | 1 operational station | October 2026 |
| Station name | Al Yalayis | October 2026 |
| Location | Jumeirah Golf Estates area | October 2026 |
| Passenger opening | 30 September 2026 | September 2026 |
| Metro connection | Jumeirah Golf Estates, Red Line | October 2026 |
| National network | 4 operational passenger stations | October 2026 |
The four operational national stations serve Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Al Dhaid in Sharjah. Other planned stations form part of the network’s phased expansion, rather than additional passenger stops within Dubai.
How do you reach Al Yalayis Station?
The most useful feature of Dubai’s Etihad Rail station is its direct connection to the Metro. Travellers can reach Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line and use the dedicated pedestrian bridge to access the national railway station.
This is particularly convenient for residents travelling from areas already served by the Red Line. It also reduces the need to arrange a taxi for the entire journey across Dubai.
- Travel to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station using the Dubai Metro Red Line.
- Follow the connection towards the Etihad Rail passenger station.
- Cross the dedicated pedestrian bridge linking the two stations.
- Proceed to the Etihad Rail ticketing and boarding areas.
Passengers coming from the Green Line can transfer to the Red Line through the Metro interchange network. For route planning, our Dubai Metro map guide provides useful background on the network and its interchange stations.
Important distinction: The Metro takes you to the railway interchange, not directly to Abu Dhabi or Fujairah. The intercity portion of the journey uses a separate Etihad Rail train.
Taxi and private vehicle access provide alternatives for passengers carrying substantial luggage or travelling from neighbourhoods without convenient Metro connections.
Which routes and train timings are available?
Etihad Rail’s Dubai passenger services began on 30 September 2026. The network provides intercity connections without requiring passengers to drive between emirates.
As of October 2026, the published Dubai to Abu Dhabi timetable includes five departures in each direction daily. The scheduled journey takes approximately 64 minutes, making it a useful alternative to road travel.
| Journey from Dubai | Scheduled rail duration | Timetable reference |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | 64 minutes | October 2026 |
| Fujairah | 70 minutes | October 2026 |
| Al Dhaid | 43 minutes | October 2026 |
These figures describe train travel between railway stations. They do not include the journey from your home to Al Yalayis or onward transport after arrival.
For the timetable covering 12 to 19 October 2026, Dubai to Abu Dhabi weekday departures are 6:14 AM, 7:14 AM, 1:14 PM, 5:14 PM and 6:14 PM. Weekend departures are 7:14 AM, 8:14 AM, 1:14 PM, 5:14 PM and 6:14 PM.
Dubai to Fujairah has a listed direct departure at 1:57 PM during the same October timetable period.
One practical consideration is that the Abu Dhabi passenger station is in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, rather than central Abu Dhabi. Travellers continuing into the city need to account for onward transport. The same applies to Fujairah and other destinations.
How much do Etihad Rail tickets cost?
Etihad Rail offers Comfort Class and Premium Class tickets. As of October 2026, Dubai to Abu Dhabi fares start at AED 39 in Comfort Class and AED 109 in Premium Class.
Ticket pricing uses a demand-based system. Popular departures can cost more than the starting fare, especially during busy travel periods. For example, Premium Class fares of AED 149 appeared on selected Dubai to Abu Dhabi departures in October 2026.
| Ticket option | One-way fare | Return fare calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort Class starting fare | AED 39 | AED 78 |
| Premium Class starting fare | AED 109 | AED 218 |
| Premium Class higher-priced example | AED 149 | AED 298 |
These are October 2026 Dubai to Abu Dhabi fare figures. Return amounts are calculations for two one-way tickets at the same stated price, not separately advertised return packages.
What is included in this budget? The figures cover the intercity train tickets only. They do not include an additional taxi journey, meals purchased during the trip or separate sightseeing expenses.
For a practical Metro connection, an optional Nol one-day pass was listed at AED 22 for Regular Class and AED 42 for Gold Class in October 2026. Combining the AED 78 Comfort return calculation with an AED 22 Regular pass produces a transport budget of AED 100 for one passenger.
That AED 100 example includes the return intercity train calculation and the selected Metro pass, but excludes any additional transport after reaching Abu Dhabi.
Passengers can purchase tickets through Etihad Rail’s booking platform, mobile application or station ticket machines. Integrated QR-code functionality also supports combined rail and Dubai public transport arrangements.
Is travelling by Etihad Rail worth it?
Etihad Rail is particularly attractive for passengers who value predictable intercity travel times and prefer not to drive. Its usefulness depends heavily on where the journey begins and ends.
- Daily commuters: The 64-minute Dubai to Abu Dhabi train journey offers a predictable station-to-station alternative to road congestion.
- Tourists: The rail network makes visiting another emirate possible without renting a vehicle, although local transfers remain part of the journey.
- Families: Train travel removes the responsibility of driving, while luggage and onward transport still require planning.
- Budget travellers: Comfort Class offers a lower entry fare than Premium Class, particularly when affordable public transport connections are available.
The biggest planning mistake is comparing a train’s station-to-station duration with a car’s door-to-door journey. A passenger living far from Jumeirah Golf Estates must add the Metro or taxi journey, station access time and transport from the destination station.
Travellers who prefer public transport should also consider the operating window of their connecting Metro services. Our Dubai Metro timings article covers the network’s operating hours and useful connection planning details.
There is also an important distinction between the existing national passenger railway and the separate proposed high-speed Abu Dhabi to Dubai connection. The existing service operates on the conventional passenger network, while the planned high-speed project targets substantially shorter journeys.
For October 2026, Al Yalayis is the practical choice for Dubai residents wanting to use Etihad Rail. Its strongest advantage is the combination of intercity rail and direct Metro access. For travellers whose destinations are far from either railway station, the total journey cost and transfer time matter just as much as the train fare.
Frequently asked questions
How many Etihad Rail stations are open in Dubai?
As of October 2026, one Etihad Rail passenger station is operational in Dubai, Al Yalayis Station near Jumeirah Golf Estates. It connects with the Dubai Metro Red Line through a dedicated pedestrian bridge.
Can you travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by Etihad Rail?
Yes, passenger services between Dubai and Abu Dhabi began on 30 September 2026. The October 2026 timetable lists a journey duration of 64 minutes, with Comfort Class tickets starting at AED 39.
Is Etihad Rail connected directly to Dubai Metro?
Yes, Al Yalayis Station connects to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station through a dedicated pedestrian bridge. This allows passengers to transfer between Dubai’s urban Metro network and Etihad Rail’s intercity passenger services without using a car.
