Dubai Metro Red Line train on an elevated track in Dubai

Etihad Rail Dubai Station Now Open: Location, Fares and Timings

Last updated: Sep 30, 2026

Etihad Rail’s first passenger station in Dubai, Al Yalayis, opened on 30 September 2026 alongside Al Dhaid Station in Sharjah, bringing Dubai onto the national passenger rail network, according to Etihad Rail.

The first Dubai to Abu Dhabi passenger train left Al Yalayis at 6:14am on launch day, The National reports.

One-way fares from Dubai to Abu Dhabi start at Dh39 in Comfort Class. Tickets first went on sale on 22 September and were paused later that day, but bookings for Dubai journeys reopened on 28 September, The National reports.

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Where Is Al Yalayis Station, and How to Get There

Al Yalayis Station is in Jumeirah Golf Estates, near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), directly opposite the Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line.

A 400-meter elevated pedestrian walkway gives direct access to the Dubai Metro Red Line, so passengers can transfer between rail and metro without crossing a road. When the Dubai Metro Gold Line opens in 2032, it will also link with Etihad Rail at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The station serves communities across southern Dubai, including Al Furjan, Dubai Investment Park, Green Community, Dubai Production City, Expo City Dubai and Dubai South, Gulf News reports. Facilities at the station include a bookshop, cafes and a supermarket.

Fares, Schedules, and What to Expect on Board

Fares: from Dh39 one way in Comfort Class and Dh109 in Premium Class, Dubai to Abu Dhabi.
Journey time: about an hour, from Al Yalayis to Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi.
First train: leaves Dubai at 6:14am and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 7:18am.
Last trains: the last train from Dubai arrives in Abu Dhabi at 7:18pm, and the last from Abu Dhabi reaches Dubai at 6:47pm.
Trains per day: five in each direction between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Arrival time: Etihad Rail asks passengers to arrive 30 minutes before departure.

Comfort Class includes a guaranteed seat, free Wi-Fi and a power socket at every seat. Premium Class adds wider reclining seats and 40% more cabin space. The service is run by Etihad Rail Passenger Services, a joint venture between Etihad Rail and Keolis.

Paying with a Nol card is not available yet. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority says the system is ready to link with Etihad Rail, but no rollout date has been given. Each of the 13 trains in the fleet seats up to 400 passengers, and the luggage allowance is two free items per traveler.

How the Etihad Rail Network Is Expanding

Etihad Rail launched its first passenger service on 30 June 2026, with the inaugural train traveling from Fujairah Station to Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi, a journey of about one hour and 45 minutes. By early August, more than 70,000 tickets had been sold, with customers booking an average of 12 days in advance.

The network will keep expanding: Liwa and Madinat Zayed stations open on 30 November 2026, the remaining Al Dhafra stations on 30 December 2026, and Sharjah on 30 March 2027, Etihad Rail says. For other ways to get around, see Wego’s guide to public transport in the UAE.

A separate high-speed rail service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi has also been announced, running at 350kmph and cutting travel time to 30 minutes, with stations planned at Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf, according to Khaleej Times. No launch date has been set.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book Etihad Rail tickets from Dubai?

Book on etihadrail.ae or the Etihad Rail mobile app, and pay by credit card, debit card or phone wallet. Ticket vending machines are also available at stations, according to a Gulf News booking guide. Online sales for Dubai journeys were briefly paused after 22 September and reopened on 28 September.

How do I get from the Abu Dhabi station into the city or to the airport?

Etihad Rail runs shuttle buses from Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station to ADNOC Headquarters on the Corniche, ADNEC Centre and Reem Mall, with timetables on the Etihad Rail app and website. Two public bus routes also serve the station: MR1 from the Main Bus Station in Al Wahda and MR2 from Al Zahya Bus Station, each taking under 50 minutes, The National reports. There is no airport shuttle yet: Etihad Rail and Etihad Airways have agreed to study one between the station and Zayed International Airport.

Is there parking at Al Yalayis Station?

Yes. Parking costs Dh30 for a half or full day, according to the Etihad Rail website as reported by Khaleej Times. The station also has four bus stops and 20 taxi stands, according to an earlier Khaleej Times report. Check parking availability when you book your ticket.

Can I take the train from Dubai to Fujairah?

Yes. There is one direct service from Dubai to Fujairah for now, taking about one hour and 10 minutes, according to Khaleej Times.

What luggage can I bring on the train?

Adults and children aged 3 and above can bring two items free of charge: one personal item that fits under the seat and one carry-on bag up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm for the overhead rack. Requests for extra baggage must be made in advance. Infants under 3 travel free on an adult’s lap and have no separate allowance.

Sources

Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.