Dubai is set to join the UAE’s national passenger railway network on September 30, when Etihad Rail opens its first dedicated passenger station in the emirate. The Al Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates will offer a rail connection between Dubai and Abu Dhabi with a journey time of around 57 minutes, giving passengers a new option for travelling between the two emirates.
The launch will also see Etihad Rail passenger services extended to Al Dhaid in Sharjah as part of the next phase of the UAE’s national rail rollout.
Where is Dubai’s Etihad Rail station?
Al Yalayis Station is located in Jumeirah Golf Estates, close to Sheikh
Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). Its location puts it within reach of several major communities in southern Dubai, including
- Al Furjan
- Dubai Investment Park
- Green Community
- Dubai Production City
- Expo City Dubai
- Dubai South
A key part of the station’s appeal for Dubai residents will be its planned connection with the Dubai Metro Red Line.
Al Yalayis is close to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, and a dedicated pedestrian bridge is being constructed to connect the two. This will allow passengers arriving by Etihad Rail to continue their journey on the Metro.
The station will therefore not only serve passengers travelling directly between Dubai and Abu Dhabi but could also make the national rail network easier to access from other parts of Dubai.
Dubai-Abu Dhabi train ticket price and booking
Introductory Etihad Rail fares will start at:
- Dh55 for Comfort Class
- Dh120 for Premium Class
Etihad Rail has said these introductory fares are about 50 per cent lower than standard adult ticket prices. Passengers aged 2 to 17 will receive a 50 per cent discount on regular fares, while senior citizens aged 60 and above will receive a 20 per cent discount. Infants under two can travel free when accompanied by an adult.
Tickets will be available through the Etihad Rail mobile app and official website, where passengers can check schedules, select seats and make or manage bookings. Passengers will need to arrive at the station at least 20 minutes before departure, with boarding gates closing two minutes before the scheduled departure time.
More Etihad Rail stations planned in Dubai
Al Yalayis will initially be Dubai’s only dedicated station on the national passenger railway, but the emirate is eventually expected to have four stations linked to Etihad Rail projects. Two are planned for the national Etihad Rail network, while two others are intended to serve the separate Dubai-Abu Dhabi High-Speed Rail service. A second station on the national passenger line has not yet been officially named, although Dubai’s 2032 rail network map indicates a future station in the Meydan area.
The wider UAE passenger rail network is being introduced in phases, with 10 stations expected to be operational by the end of March 2027. With Al Yalayis opening on September 30, Dubai residents will have direct access to the UAE’s expanding passenger rail network and a 57-minute rail link to Abu Dhabi.
