Etihad Rail has opened passenger ticket bookings for its new service connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Dubai station, officially called Al Yalayis Station, is gearing up to welcome passengers travelling between the two emirates.
The first Dubai-to-Abu Dhabi service is scheduled to depart at 6:15 am on launch day. The journey should take around one hour and four minutes, giving passengers a genuinely new rail option for getting between the UAE’s two largest cities.
Four passenger services are planned each day on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi route, and tickets can be bought through the official Etihad Rail website and mobile app.
Dubai to Abu Dhabi Etihad Rail Fares
Fares for travelling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi start at AED 39 per passenger in the Comfort section. Passengers after a more premium experience can go for the Luxury section instead, where fares start at AED 109.
Etihad Rail is offering different fare options to give passengers more flexibility when booking, including Saver, Value, and Flex fares, each with different conditions around changing or cancelling tickets.
The actual ticket price can shift depending on the fare type and availability, so passengers can choose between lower-cost tickets and options that offer more flexibility.
Etihad Rail Dubai to Abu Dhabi Schedule
The Dubai-to-Abu Dhabi journey is planned to take roughly 64 minutes. Four services will run each day, giving passengers several options for travelling between the two emirates.
The first departure from Dubai on launch day is set for 6:15 am. Further departure times are available through the Etihad Rail booking system, where passengers can check the latest availability before buying their tickets.
This new service should give people travelling between Dubai and Abu Dhabi for work, business, leisure, and other daily activities another genuine transport option.
Al Yalayis Station in Dubai
The new Dubai station officially goes by Al Yalayis Station, located in Jumeirah Golf Estates, close to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
It also sits around 30 minutes by road from Al Maktoum International Airport, though actual driving time can vary depending on traffic.
This station is being developed as part of Etihad Rail’s wider passenger network, and its location near major roads should make it easy to reach for passengers coming from different parts of Dubai.
Dubai Metro Connection Is Also Being Developed
One of the planned improvements around Al Yalayis Station is a direct connection with the Dubai Metro. A dedicated pedestrian bridge is currently under construction to link the rail station with Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line.
Once finished, this connection should make it a lot easier for passengers to combine Dubai Metro and Etihad Rail services, offering a more convenient public transport journey for anyone travelling to and from the new railway station.
This Metro connection also highlights the wider effort to tie Etihad Rail into the UAE’s existing public transport infrastructure.
Dubai Will Get More Etihad Rail Stations
Al Yalayis is only one part of Etihad Rail’s planned Dubai network. The emirate is expected to end up with five passenger stations in total, with four additional stations planned for a later phase.
One of the future Dubai locations mentioned is Meydan, adding another important connection to the passenger rail network.
Across the UAE, Etihad Rail is being rolled out in phases, with 10 passenger stations expected to be operational by the end of March 2027.
The wider network is designed to connect major population centres and give passengers a genuine national rail travel option.
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Etihad Rail Passenger Service Began in June
Etihad Rail launched its first passenger service on June 30, marking the start of passenger operations on the UAE’s national railway network.
The inaugural train departed from Fujairah Station at 5:34 am and arrived at Mohamed bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi at 7:19 am, covering around 250 kilometres in roughly one hour and 45 minutes.
This launch generated genuinely strong passenger interest, with Etihad Rail recording sales of more than 10,000 tickets on the first day. Six passenger services were scheduled on that inaugural day.
What the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Route Means for Passengers
This new Dubai-Abu Dhabi connection adds another option for travelling between the two emirates. With a planned journey time of 64 minutes, the service is built to offer a faster rail connection between the two major UAE cities.
Having Comfort fares starting at AED 39 alongside Luxury fares from AED 109 gives passengers different choices depending on their travel preferences and budget.
With additional stations planned across Dubai and the wider UAE, this passenger network should also keep expanding beyond the initial routes as more phases come online.
How to Book Etihad Rail Tickets
Passengers can book tickets for the Dubai-Abu Dhabi service through the Etihad Rail website and mobile app. During booking, travellers can select their preferred class and fare type.
The available fare categories include Saver, Value, and Flex options, each with different conditions for ticket changes and refunds, so it is worth checking these conditions before completing your booking.
This new Al Yalayis Station service gives Dubai residents and visitors another way to reach Abu Dhabi, while the planned Metro pedestrian bridge should improve connectivity with Dubai’s existing public transport network.