Etihad Rail passenger train approaching Al Yalayis station in Dubai at dawn
Etihad Rail’s Dubai passenger services begin today, September 30, linking Al Yalayis with Abu Dhabi in about 57 minutes.

Dubai’s trains are finally running

Etihad Rail’s passenger services have expanded to Dubai from today, September 30, marking the biggest change to how people move between the emirates in years. The new service links Al Yalayis Station, at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, with Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi.

The journey takes about 57 minutes, and five services are scheduled in each direction — a genuine new option for commuters, day-trippers and visitors who would previously have had little choice but the E11 by car or bus.

A second new station also opens as part of the launch: Al Dhaid in Sharjah, joining the network alongside the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route that began carrying passengers in June.

Fares: from Dh39 to Abu Dhabi

According to reporting on the launch, fares start at Dh39 for Comfort Class and Dh109 for Premium Class. At that price, the train seriously competes with intercity taxis and ride-hailing for the Dubai–Abu Dhabi run.

Modern Etihad Rail train interior with comfortable passenger seating
Fares start at Dh39 in Comfort Class and Dh109 in Premium Class, per launch reporting.

A direct link into the Dubai Metro

The Dubai station has been designed to plug straight into the emirate’s public transport network. A pedestrian bridge of roughly 400 metres connects Al Yalayis Station with Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, from where travellers can pick up the Red Line to reach destinations across Dubai.

Etihad Rail has also integrated the service with Dubai’s Nol system, so passengers can combine rail and public transport journeys — trains, Metro, tram and buses — through a single QR code.

Why this matters for visitors

Dubai to Abu Dhabi has long been one of the trickiest legs of a UAE trip to do without a car. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and the upcoming Saadiyat cultural sites are all in Abu Dhabi, and a comfortable sub-one-hour train from Dh39 changes the maths on day trips considerably.

For more rail background, see our coverage of the Dubai station opening and our guide to Etihad Rail fares and booking. If you are planning to get around by public transport generally, our UAE public transport guide for visitors covers the Metro, buses and Nol cards, and this explainer rounds up the launch details.

Footbridge connecting Etihad Rail's Al Yalayis station to the Dubai Metro at Jumeirah Golf Estates
A pedestrian bridge links Al Yalayis Station with Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line.

The network in context

The passenger services are one part of Etihad Rail’s national railway, which spans about 900 kilometres connecting major communities, economic centres and ports across the UAE. Passenger operations are run by Etihad Rail Mobility, a joint venture between Etihad Rail and international transport operator Keolis.

FAQs

When do Etihad Rail passenger trains start in Dubai?

Services between Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station and Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station begin on September 30, 2026.

How long does the Dubai to Abu Dhabi train take?

The journey takes about 57 minutes.

How much are Etihad Rail tickets from Dubai?

Fares reportedly start at Dh39 for Comfort Class and Dh109 for Premium Class.

How many trains run between Dubai and Abu Dhabi each day?

Five services are scheduled in each direction.

Can I connect from Etihad Rail to the Dubai Metro?

Yes. A pedestrian bridge links Al Yalayis Station with Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line, and a single QR code integrates rail, Metro, tram and bus journeys via the Nol system.

Sources: Times of Maldives, Shore Africa.