This article has been reviewed by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated October 2024

Key takeaways

At present, there is no direct train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

Travelers can take the Red Line metro from Burjuman to Ibn Battuta in Dubai.

From Ibn Battuta, buses E101 or E102 operate to Abu Dhabi.

Table of Contents

Is there a train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?

No. Currently, there is no direct train connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, Etihad Rail’s recent announcement on its development promises a stress-free travel to its passengers as the usual two hour journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai will now be lessened to 57 minutes.

The first two passenger stations have been announced to the public: Sakamkam in Fujairah and Sharjah, University City.

This project will transform public transport and commuting as it will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, spanning from Al Sila to Fujairah, including Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.

Although announcements of the start of operations are yet to be announced, the passenger trains are projected to accommodate around 36.5 million passengers annually.

In the meantime, commuters can take the metro route extending from Burjuman in Dubai to a point roughly midway between the two cities. Travelers can then take a public bus from this midpoint to Abu Dhabi. Alternatively, you can plan your journey via metro from Dubai on the RTA website.

Book cheap flights to Dubai

Dubai to Abu Dhabi metro

Use the Red Line metro route from Burjuman in Dubai to the Ibn Battuta metro station, which is conveniently located next to the Ibn Battuta Mall.

From there, you can access the Ibn Battuta bus station just outside the metro station.

The RTA operates two bus routes, E101 and E102, from the Ibn Battuta bus station to Abu Dhabi:

Bus E101: This route operates from the Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Dubai to the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
Bus E102: This route operates from the Ibn Battuta Bus Station to the Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station in Abu Dhabi

Please refer to our dedicated article on UAE’s Public Transport Smart Card to learn more about Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus routes.

Timings

The following is the schedule from Red Line metro from Burjuman in Dubai to Ibn Battuta metro station:

Monday to Thursday: 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Friday: 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Saturday: 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Sunday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM

The duration of the journey is approximately around 45 to 50 minutes. Please note that the timings and schedule are subject to change. For accurate information, refer to the RTA website.

You can find out the full schedule of metro routes from Dubai here.

Ticket price

The metro train fare from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is affordable, starting at approximately AED 4 (USD 1.09 or EUR 0.99).

Please note that you will require the NOL Card—a contactless payment card specifically designed for public transportation in Dubai.

The NOL Card fare is as follows:

Type	Silver Card	Gold Card	Personal Card	Red Ticket
Within 1 Zone	3 AED	6 AED	3 AED	4 AED
2 Adjacent Zones	5 AED	10 AED	5 AED	6 AED
More than 2 Zones	7.5 AED	15 AED	7.5 AED	8.5 AED
Student, Social Affairs & Senior Citizen and Residents	N/A	N/A	50%	N/A
People of determination	N/A	N/A	Free	N/A
Children (5 years old and below)	Free	Free	Free	Free