Etihad Rail opens Dubai-Abu Dhabi bookings with fares starting at Dh39
First service from Al Yalayis Station will depart at 6:15am
DUBAI – Etihad Rail has opened bookings for passenger journeys between Dubai and Abu Dhabi ahead of the September 30 launch of its new service.
Travellers can now purchase tickets through the official Etihad Rail website or mobile app, giving commuters a new rail option between the two emirates. The service will operate from the new Al Yalayis Station in Dubai, located in Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The Dubai station is scheduled to begin operations on September 30, 2026, expanding the UAE’s passenger rail network and creating a direct connection with Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi. The journey is expected to take around 57 minutes, according to the information released for the new route.
Fares and classes
Tickets from Dubai to Abu Dhabi start at Dh39 one way for Comfort Class, while Premium Class fares begin at Dh109.
Passengers travelling in Comfort Class will have access to complimentary Wi-Fi, power sockets at every seat and a food and beverage trolley service. Premium Class offers wider reclining seats, additional legroom, complimentary refreshments and snacks, along with a quieter cabin environment.
Travellers can choose between Saver, Value and Flex ticket options. The Saver fare assigns seats automatically, does not permit changes and is non-refundable.
The first Dubai-Abu Dhabi service is scheduled to depart at 6:15am, with four additional trips available for booking during the day. The scheduled journey time is around one hour and four minutes for these services.
Dubai connection
Al Yalayis Station is situated close to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on Dubai Metro’s Red Line. A dedicated pedestrian bridge is under construction to provide a direct connection between the two stations, allowing passengers to transfer between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s urban transport network.
The station is also positioned near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), providing access to communities including Al Furjan, Dubai Investment Park and Dubai South.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has previously confirmed that the Nol card system is ready for integration with Etihad Rail. Once enabled, the system will allow passengers to use Nol cards across Dubai Metro, buses, taxis and rail services.
A second Etihad Rail station is planned for Meydan and is expected to connect with the upcoming Dubai Metro Gold Line, which is scheduled for completion in 2032.
Etihad Rail network
Etihad Rail launched its first passenger service on June 30, 2026, with the inaugural train travelling from Fujairah Station to Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi. The approximately 250-kilometre journey took around one hour and 45 minutes.
The railway operator had reported more than 10,000 tickets sold before the inaugural day, when six passenger services were scheduled. During the early phase of passenger operations, more than 70,000 tickets were sold, with travellers booking an average of 12 days in advance.
The Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route remains available, with fares starting from Dh55 for Comfort Class. Travellers heading towards Fujairah from Dubai currently have one service available, with the journey taking around one hour and 10 minutes.