Etihad Rail will inaugurate its first dedicated passenger station in Dubai, Al Yalayis Station, on September 30, 2026. The new station will connect passengers to Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi with an estimated travel time of 57 minutes and will coincide with the commencement of passenger services extending to Al Dhaid in Sharjah.
Integration with Dubai Metro and Location Benefits
Al Yalayis Station is situated in Jumeirah Golf Estates, near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). A pedestrian bridge is under construction to connect it directly to the nearby Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on Dubai Metro’s Red Line, facilitating seamless transfers. The station serves
southern Dubai communities including Al Furjan, Dubai Investment Park, Green Community, Dubai Production City, Expo City Dubai, and Dubai South. It is also approximately 30 minutes by road from Al Maktoum International Airport.
Dubai’s Planned Etihad Rail Network Expansion
By 2032, Dubai is expected to host four Etihad Rail stations. Two stations will operate on the national passenger railway line, including Al Yalayis and a potential future station in Meydan. The other two stations will serve the planned Dubai-Abu Dhabi High-Speed Rail service, with locations at Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf. The Al Jaddaf station is planned to connect with Dubai Metro’s Green Line
and future Blue Line. Etihad Rail anticipates ten passenger stations across the UAE will be operational by March 2027, covering approximately 900 kilometers of railway.
Ticketing, Boarding Policies, and Passenger Information
Introductory fares for Etihad Rail passenger services start at Dh55 for Comfort Class and Dh120 for Premium Class. Children aged 2 to 17 receive a 50% discount, while seniors aged 60 and above get 20% off. Tickets can be purchased via the Etihad Rail mobile app or official website. Passengers are advised to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure, as boarding gates close two minutes prior to train departure. No refunds or compensation will
be provided if passengers miss trains without fault by the operator. In cases of delays exceeding 30 minutes or cancellations caused by Etihad Rail, passengers are entitled to rebooking or refunds. Missed connections due to operator delays allow rebooking on subsequent services at no extra cost, although this does not cover third-party transport connections such as Dubai Metro or taxis.
Transport Infrastructure Progress and Official Plans
The opening of Al Yalayis Station is part of the UAE’s phased rollout of its national passenger railway network aimed at improving inter-emirate connectivity. According to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Director General and Chairman Mattar Al Tayer, Dubai
will host four Etihad Rail stations by 2032, integrating passenger and high-speed rail services. The Dh34 billion Dubai Metro Gold Line, spanning 42 kilometers with 18 stations including Jumeirah Golf Estates, is scheduled for completion by 2032 and will integrate with Etihad Rail services. The planned Dubai-Abu Dhabi High-Speed Rail will operate separately with an anticipated travel time of 30 minutes, expected to be operational by 2030.
