Dubai is about to get a very different way to leave the city.
On September 30, 2026, Etihad Rail will open its Dubai passenger station, giving travellers a new rail connection between Dubai and the wider UAE.
The station, officially known as Dubai Al Yalayis Station, is near Jumeirah Golf Estates and will connect into Dubai’s existing transport network. The Abu Dhabi to Dubai journey is expected to take around 57 minutes.
But there is an important detail many people are missing.
Dubai is opening before the dedicated University City station in Sharjah.
So if you are wondering whether you can simply hop on a train from central Sharjah to Dubai on September 30, the answer is not quite yet.
Here is what you need to know before booking your first Etihad Rail journey.
Etihad Rail Dubai: What Opens on September 30, 2026?
September 30 is the next major stage in the UAE’s passenger rail rollout.
Two stations are scheduled to open:
Station | Location | Opening date |
Dubai Al Yalayis Station | Dubai, near Jumeirah Golf Estates | September 30, 2026 |
Al Dhaid Station | Sharjah emirate | September 30, 2026 |
The first passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah began on June 30, 2026.
After the September expansion, the network will continue westward before reaching the dedicated Sharjah station in 2027.
That means September 30 is not the finish line.
It is the moment Etihad Rail starts becoming much more useful for people living and working in Dubai.
Where Is Dubai Al Yalayis Station?
The new Dubai Al Yalayis Station is located near Jumeirah Golf Estates, along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, also known as E311.
That location matters.
It puts the station in southern Dubai, close to several residential, business and development areas including:
- Jumeirah Golf Estates
- Al Furjan
- Dubai Investment Park
- Green Community
- Dubai Production City
- Expo City Dubai
- Dubai South
The station is therefore not simply designed for people living inside Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Its location gives commuters from a much wider part of southern Dubai access to the national passenger rail network.
And there is another reason the location is particularly interesting.
Dubai Al Yalayis Station is close to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station.
That brings us to one of the biggest practical questions.
Will Etihad Rail Connect to Dubai Metro?
Yes, the Dubai station is being connected with the Dubai Metro network.
A pedestrian bridge is being developed between Dubai Al Yalayis Station and Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line, allowing passengers to transfer between the national rail network and Dubai Metro.
That could change how useful Etihad Rail is.
A train station in the middle of nowhere is only useful if you have a car waiting outside.
A station connected to the Metro is different.
Someone arriving in Dubai from Abu Dhabi could potentially continue their journey through Dubai’s existing public transport network instead of arranging a separate long road journey.
Planning to use the Metro after arriving by train? See our Dubai Metro Red Line guide for stations, fares and routes.
Can You Travel From Abu Dhabi to Dubai by Etihad Rail?
Yes.
The Dubai expansion is scheduled to introduce passenger rail service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai from September 30, 2026.
The current published journey time is approximately 57 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Already planning a trip from the capital? Our Abu Dhabi Station Guide 2026 covers the station, current routes, tickets, fares and what to expect.
That is a significant change for people who regularly travel between the two emirates.
Instead of sitting in traffic on the road, passengers will have a dedicated rail option.
There is one important distinction, though.
This is not the UAE’s separate high speed rail project.
Etihad Rail’s conventional passenger service is the network opening progressively through 2026 and 2027. A separate high speed rail project is planned to eventually connect Abu Dhabi and Dubai in around 30 minutes, but that is a different project and should not be confused with the September 2026 passenger service.
For now, think 57 minutes, not 30.
Can You Travel From Sharjah to Dubai by Etihad Rail?
This is where things get slightly confusing.
Al Dhaid Station in the Sharjah emirate is scheduled to open on September 30, 2026.
But the dedicated University City Station in Sharjah is not scheduled to open until March 30, 2027.
So September 30 does not mean that central Sharjah suddenly has a direct passenger rail station.
The rollout looks like this:
June 30, 2026: Abu Dhabi and Fujairah passenger service begins
September 30, 2026: Dubai Al Yalayis and Al Dhaid open
November 30, 2026: Zayed City and Liwa open
December 30, 2026: remaining Al Dhafra stations open
March 30, 2027: University City Sharjah Station opens
For anyone planning a Sharjah commute, that distinction matters.
Etihad Rail Routes and Station Opening Timeline
The UAE’s passenger rail network is being rolled out in stages rather than opening everywhere at once.
The current announced timeline is:
Phase | Station or route | Date |
1 | Abu Dhabi to Fujairah | June 30, 2026 |
2 | Dubai Al Yalayis + Al Dhaid | September 30, 2026 |
3 | Zayed City + Liwa | November 30, 2026 |
4 | Remaining Al Dhafra stations | December 30, 2026 |
5 | University City Sharjah | March 30, 2027 |
Etihad Rail says the passenger network is designed to connect cities and support daily travel between the emirates rather than operate as a standalone transport system.
That is an important part of the bigger picture.
The UAE is gradually moving from road only inter emirate travel towards a connected transport system combining rail, Metro, buses, taxis and other forms of public transport.
How Much Do Etihad Rail Tickets Cost?
This is one area where travellers should be careful.
The currently published fares are for the Abu Dhabi to Fujairah service.
Fares currently start from:
AED 55 in Comfort Class
AED 120 in Premium Class
However, these should not automatically be treated as the confirmed Dubai route fares.
Etihad Rail says additional fares will be released as new routes open.
So if you see a website claiming that AED 55 is definitely the Dubai to Abu Dhabi fare, check the official booking system before relying on it.
That distinction could save you from planning a journey around an outdated price.
How Do You Book Etihad Rail Tickets?
Etihad Rail requires passengers to have a valid reservation before boarding.
Tickets can be purchased through the official Etihad Rail website or mobile app. The operator also provides a customer service channel for bookings.
Tickets can currently be booked up to four weeks in advance.
There are also different fare options, including Saver, Value and Flex, depending on the booking channel and conditions.
And some passengers can receive discounts.
Children aged 0 to 17 receive a 50% discount, while UAE nationals and expatriate seniors aged 60 and above receive a 20% discount. Infants aged 0 to 2 can travel free when seated on an accompanying adult’s lap.
All passengers need a valid ticket before boarding.
What Is the Train Journey Like?
The passenger service has been designed around more than simply getting from one station to another.
The current trains offer:
- Guaranteed seating
- Wi-Fi
- Charging ports
- Luggage space
- Comfort Class
- Premium Class
- Accessible facilities and wheelchair spaces
Premium Class offers wider seating, additional legroom and complimentary refreshments.
Each passenger train can carry up to 400 passengers, while the fleet consists of 13 trains.
That gives you a pretty different proposition from driving between emirates.
No steering wheel.
No changing lanes.
And, ideally, no staring at brake lights for half your journey.
Etihad Rail vs Dubai Metro: Which One Should You Use?
They are not really competing for the same job.
Use Etihad Rail when you are travelling between emirates.
For example:
Abu Dhabi → Dubai
Dubai → Fujairah
Abu Dhabi → Fujairah
Use Dubai Metro when you are travelling within Dubai.
For example:
Jumeirah Golf Estates → Downtown Dubai
The interesting part is that you may eventually use both during the same journey.
You could travel between emirates by Etihad Rail, then transfer onto Dubai Metro to reach another part of the city.
That is why the Dubai Al Yalayis location and its connection to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station matter so much.
What Is Still Not Confirmed for Etihad Rail Dubai?
This is probably the section worth bookmarking before September 30.
Some details about the Dubai service are still subject to official release or confirmation.
These include:
- The final Dubai route fare structure
- Exact service frequency for the Dubai route
- The full Dubai timetable
- Some last mile transport arrangements
- Route specific booking details
The safest approach is to check the official Etihad Rail booking and timetable systems as the September launch approaches.
The currently published 57 minute Abu Dhabi to Dubai journey time is confirmed, but journey times can vary and passengers are advised to check the latest schedule.
Why Etihad Rail Dubai Could Matter More Than You Think
The obvious story is simple:
Dubai is getting a train to Abu Dhabi.
The more interesting story is what happens around that train.
Dubai Al Yalayis sits in a rapidly developing part of the city. It has road access through E311, proximity to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station and connections to communities across southern Dubai.
Meanwhile, Etihad Rail is gradually adding Al Dhaid, the Al Dhafra region and Sharjah to the passenger network.
And the operator has already reported strong demand. More than 70,000 tickets had been sold since passenger services began, with customers booking an average of 12 days in advance.
So this is no longer just an infrastructure project sitting on the horizon.
People are already using it.
And from September 30, Dubai gets its turn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and is based in Abu Dhabi. The airline operates flights connecting Abu Dhabi with destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia and other regions.
Etihad Airways is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and its main hub is Zayed International Airport.
Etihad Airways operates from Terminal A at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. Terminal arrangements can change, so passengers should check their booking and the latest airport information before travelling.
Passengers should allow enough time for check in, baggage drop, security and immigration. For international flights, arriving around three hours before departure is generally recommended.
Baggage allowance depends on the fare type, cabin class and route. Passengers should check the baggage allowance shown on their booking before travelling.
Yes. Etihad offers online check in for eligible flights, allowing passengers to complete check in before reaching the airport. The available check in window depends on the flight.
WiFi availability depends on the aircraft and route. Passengers should check the connectivity options for their specific flight before travelling.
Etihad offers different travel classes depending on the aircraft and route, including Economy and Business Class, with selected aircraft and routes also offering First Class.
Passengers can check the latest flight status through Etihad’s official website or app using their flight details. Checking before leaving for the airport can help passengers stay updated about delays or schedule changes.
Etihad Airways operates from Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi’s main international airport. The airport’s Terminal A is the airline’s primary operating terminal.
