Dubai is set to take another big step forward in its public transport expansion as Etihad Rail gets ready to launch passenger services in the emirate. This national railway will start connecting Dubai with Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, and Sharjah from the end of September.
The first phase includes one dedicated passenger station in Dubai. That said, the city’s rail network is expected to keep growing, with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) revealing plans for a total of four Etihad Rail stations in Dubai over the coming years.
When Will Etihad Rail Start Passenger Services in Dubai?
Etihad Rail’s passenger service is scheduled to start running from Dubai on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. This launch marks an important milestone for the UAE’s national railway project, giving passengers a completely new way to travel between major emirates.
The first phase of this national passenger railway includes 10 stations across the UAE, with the wider network expected to be fully open by the end of March next year. From Dubai, passengers will be able to travel by rail to destinations including Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, and Sharjah.
1. Al Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates
The first Etihad Rail passenger station in Dubai will be Al Yalayis Station, located in the Jumeirah Golf Estates area, set to open when passenger services begin in the emirate on September 30.
This station will also have an important link to Dubai’s existing public transport system, connecting to the Dubai Metro Red Line network and helping passengers tie the national railway together with the city’s wider metro system.
That connection could make the station especially useful for residents travelling between Dubai and other parts of the UAE. It also supports Dubai’s long-term goal of building a more genuinely integrated public transport network.
2. A Future Station Likely to Be in Meydan
Dubai is also expected to get another station on the national passenger railway down the line. The RTA has not officially confirmed the exact location of this station yet.
That said, Dubai’s planned 2032 rail network map gives a good hint of where it could end up. The map suggests this additional station is likely to land in the Meydan neighbourhood, though the final location and opening timeline have yet to be announced.
Meydan has become an increasingly important part of Dubai’s expanding urban landscape, which makes a future rail connection there genuinely significant for residents and commuters. More details should come as the wider Etihad Rail network develops.
3. Al Maktoum International Airport High-Speed Rail Station
The other two planned Etihad Rail stations in Dubai will be tied to the upcoming High Speed Rail service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. One of these stations is planned at Al Maktoum International Airport.
This airport is being developed as a major future aviation hub, planned to become the world’s largest-capacity airport. A high-speed rail connection here would create an important link between the airport, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
This station is part of the wider high-speed railway plans rather than the first passenger-service phase launching this month. The High Speed Rail service is expected to become operational by 2030.
4. Al Jaddaf High-Speed Rail Station
The fourth planned Etihad Rail station in Dubai will sit in Al Jaddaf. It will form part of the High Speed Rail connection between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and will also play an important role connecting the railway with Dubai’s existing and future metro network.
Per the planned 2032 Dubai rail network, the Al Jaddaf station will connect with the existing Dubai Metro Green Line, and is also expected to link up with the upcoming Blue Line.
That could turn Al Jaddaf into an important interchange point once the wider network is finished. The Dubai Metro Blue Line is currently scheduled to open in 2029, adding yet another layer to the city’s growing rail system.
How Dubai’s Four Etihad Rail Stations Fit Into the Network
These four planned stations will each serve different purposes within Dubai’s future transport network. Al Yalayis will be part of the initial national passenger service, while the future Meydan station is expected to widen access to the national railway.
The Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf stations, on the other hand, will connect to the upcoming High Speed Rail service. Together, these projects should strengthen connections between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other parts of the UAE.
These plans also show how Etihad Rail is being developed alongside Dubai Metro rather than as some separate, standalone transport system. Connections with the Red Line, Green Line, and future Blue Line could make it a lot easier for passengers to combine national rail and metro journeys.
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Dubai’s Rail Network Is Set for Major Expansion
These planned Etihad Rail stations are part of a much bigger transformation happening across Dubai’s transport network. The emirate keeps investing in rail infrastructure as it prepares for future population growth, tourism demand, and increased movement between major urban areas.
The upcoming RailX Dubai Conference and Exhibition also reflects this growing focus on rail and future mobility in the emirate. The event is scheduled to take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from May 31 to June 2, 2027, bringing together industry leaders and transport specialists.
With the Blue Line targeted for 2029 and High Speed Rail expected by 2030, Dubai’s rail system is set to look genuinely different over the next few years. These four planned Etihad Rail stations will form an important part of that transformation.