DUBAI: Etihad Rail’s passenger service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi officially began on Wednesday, September 30, opening a new rail option for travel between the UAE’s two largest cities.
The first scheduled Dubai service departed Al Yalayis Station in Dubai at 6.14am, with the train scheduled to reach Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi at 7.18am. The launch follows the opening of Etihad Rail’s Dubai station and the completion of trial operations on the route a day earlier.
The opening brings Dubai into Etihad Rail’s national passenger network, which began its initial passenger operations in June with services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. The Dubai and Al Dhaid stations are part of the next stage of the network’s expansion.
First passengers board at Al Yalayis
Al Yalayis Station, located near Jumeirah Golf Estates and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, welcomed passengers ahead of the first departure.
The station was officially inaugurated on September 28 in the presence of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the inauguration, the President also travelled by Etihad Rail from Abu Dhabi to Dubai ahead of the public launch.
On launch day, passengers arrived at Al Yalayis early in the morning to collect tickets, pass through the gates and board the first Dubai–Abu Dhabi service. Gulf News reported live from the station as the first train prepared to depart, with passengers gathering before the 6.14am departure.
The launch follows a trial operation on September 29. Etihad Rail said the trial covered the route from Abu Dhabi Station through Mohamed Bin Zayed City to Al Yalayis Station, allowing teams to test the trains, stations, passenger procedures and connections with other transport systems before public operations began.
Dubai station connects directly with Metro
One of the key features of Al Yalayis Station is its connection with Dubai’s existing public transport network.
Etihad Rail says the station is linked to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station by a dedicated pedestrian bridge. This allows passengers to transfer between the national passenger railway and Dubai Metro without relying solely on road transport.
The station also forms part of a wider integration with Dubai’s transport system. According to the Dubai Media Office, passengers can use a unified QR code for Etihad Rail and Dubai public transport services, including Metro, Tram and buses.
Dubai–Abu Dhabi fares start at Dh39
Tickets for the Dubai–Abu Dhabi route are available through the Etihad Rail website, mobile application and ticket vending machines at stations.
Introductory fares start at Dh39 for Comfort Class and Dh109 for Premium Class, according to the Dubai Media Office and Etihad Rail information released ahead of the launch.
Ticket availability can change according to demand and departure time. Ahead of Wednesday’s launch, some services had already sold out, while availability remained on other departures.
The first Dubai–Abu Dhabi train on September 30 was scheduled to take about 64 minutes from its 6.14am departure in Dubai to its 7.18am arrival in Abu Dhabi.
Part of a wider UAE passenger rail rollout
The Dubai launch is not the beginning of Etihad Rail’s passenger programme, but it represents an important expansion of the network.
The UAE’s first scheduled national passenger rail service began on June 30, when a train departed Fujairah at 5.34am for Abu Dhabi. That initial phase established passenger operations between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi before the network expanded to Dubai and Al Dhaid.
Etihad Rail’s passenger network is being introduced in stages. Following the September 30 opening of Dubai and Al Dhaid stations, additional stations in Zayed City and Liwa are scheduled to open on November 30, followed by further Al Dhafra stations on December 30. Sharjah Station is scheduled to open on March 30, 2027.
Etihad Rail says the completed passenger network is planned to connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE.
The passenger trains are designed to carry up to 400 people, while the fleet comprises 13 trains. Etihad Rail has said services are intended to provide another option for people travelling between cities for work, family, education and leisure.
For Dubai residents and commuters, the opening of Al Yalayis Station adds a rail connection to Abu Dhabi while also linking into Dubai’s existing Metro network. The route is therefore part of a broader shift towards integrated inter-emirate and urban public transport rather than a standalone railway service.
What happened to the Etihad Rail Dubai–Abu Dhabi service?
Etihad Rail officially launched regular passenger services between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on September 30, 2026, with services operating from Al Yalayis Station in Dubai.
Where is Etihad Rail’s Dubai station?
The Dubai passenger station is Al Yalayis Station, near Jumeirah Golf Estates and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
How much does the Dubai–Abu Dhabi Etihad Rail ticket cost?
Introductory fares start at Dh39 for Comfort Class and Dh109 for Premium Class.
How long does the Dubai–Abu Dhabi train take?
The inaugural scheduled service on September 30 departed Al Yalayis at 6.14am and was scheduled to arrive at Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station at 7.18am — about 64 minutes.
Can passengers connect from Etihad Rail to Dubai Metro?
Yes. Al Yalayis Station is connected to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station by a dedicated pedestrian bridge.
How can passengers book Etihad Rail tickets?
Tickets can be booked through the Etihad Rail mobile application and website, as well as through ticket vending machines at stations.
Which other UAE destinations are connected by the passenger network?
The passenger network initially connected Abu Dhabi and Fujairah and is expanding in phases to Dubai, Al Dhaid and additional destinations across the UAE.
When did UAE passenger rail services first begin?
Etihad Rail’s first scheduled national passenger service began on June 30, 2026, with the inaugural train travelling from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi.
