Etihad Rail’s Al Yalayis Station in Dubai is set to open on September 30, 2026, marking Dubai’s integration into the UAE’s national passenger rail network. The station is the first purpose-built Etihad Rail passenger station in Dubai and is located within Jumeirah Golf Estates near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311).
Key Routes and Travel Times
The opening will coincide with the extension of Etihad Rail passenger services to Al Dhaid in Sharjah. The route between Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station and Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi is expected to take 57 minutes, offering a faster and reliable alternative to road travel between the
two emirates.
Connectivity and Fare Integration
A pedestrian bridge will link Al Yalayis Station directly with Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on Dubai Metro’s Red Line, facilitating easy transfers between the national rail network and Dubai’s urban metro system. Etihad Rail has also reached an agreement with Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to allow passengers to use Nol cards for fare payments on the rail network.
Future Rail Stations and High-Speed Plans
Dubai currently plans to operate a total of four Etihad Rail stations. Apart from Al Yalayis, a second station is expected in the Meydan area and will integrate with the future Dubai Metro Gold Line, scheduled for
completion in 2032. Two additional stations will serve a separate high-speed rail service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, planned for Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf. This high-speed service is expected to run at speeds up to 350 km/h and reduce travel time between the emirates to about 30 minutes, with operations anticipated to begin around 2030.
Passenger Fares, Booking, and Boarding Policies
Introductory fares for Etihad Rail start at AED 55 for Comfort Class and AED 120 for Premium Class, approximately 50% below standard adult ticket prices. Children aged 2 to 17 receive a 50% discount, seniors aged 60 and above get 20% off,
and infants under two travel free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be booked via Etihad Rail’s mobile app or website, which support schedule checks, seat selection, bookings, and ticket management. Passengers are advised to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure, with boarding gates closing two minutes before the scheduled train time.
In case of train delays or cancellations caused by Etihad Rail, passengers may rebook or request refunds. However, if a passenger misses a train for reasons not attributable to the operator, no refund is provided. Delays affecting connecting train services operated by Etihad Rail allow rebooking
on the next available train at no extra cost, but this does not necessarily cover connections with external transport services.
Integration with Air Travel and Network Expansion
Etihad Rail and Etihad Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore integrated air-rail services, including studying shuttle connections between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and Etihad Rail stations such as Mohammed Bin Zayed City. This aims to streamline passenger transfers between air and rail travel within the UAE.
The UAE’s national passenger rail network is under a phased rollout, with about 10 stations expected to be operational across the country by March 2027. The rail system spans roughly
900 kilometers, connecting multiple emirates and communities. Complementary infrastructure developments include the 80-kilometer Fourth Corridor highway linking Abu Dhabi to Sharjah, connecting with Etihad Rail and serving over 3.1 million people.
