Etihad Rail will inaugurate its first dedicated passenger station in Dubai, Al Yalayis Station, on September 30, 2026, establishing a direct link between Dubai and the national passenger railway network. The opening marks Dubai’s official entry into the nationwide rail system and coincides with the extension of passenger services to Al Dhaid in Sharjah.
Location and Transit Connections
Al Yalayis Station is situated in Jumeirah Golf Estates near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). It serves southern Dubai communities such as Jumeirah Golf Estates, Al Furjan, Dubai Investment Park, Green Community, Dubai Production City, Expo City Dubai, and Dubai South. The station is approximately
a 30-minute drive from Al Maktoum International Airport.
A dedicated pedestrian bridge will connect Al Yalayis Station to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Dubai Metro Red Line, facilitating seamless transfers between the national rail network and Dubai’s urban transit system.
Travel Times and Network Expansion
The passenger rail service will link Al Yalayis Station with Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, with an estimated travel time of 57 minutes. On the same opening date, passenger services will be extended to Al Dhaid in Sharjah. Dubai currently has one Etihad Rail passenger station but plans to expand to four stations in total: two
on the national Etihad Rail network and two dedicated high-speed rail stations.
The upcoming High-Speed Rail service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is planned to cut travel time to about 30 minutes, with trains operating at speeds up to 350 km/h, compared to the 200 km/h speed of regular Etihad Rail trains.
Official Collaborations and Ticketing
Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is collaborating closely with Etihad Rail to ensure integrated travel options. An agreement signed in February 2024 enables passengers to use existing Nol cards for Etihad Rail travel. Etihad Rail and Etihad Airways signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Arabian Travel Market
to study integrated shuttle services and combined booking experiences for air-rail passengers.
Fare Structure, Boarding Policies, and Future Projects
Introductory fares for Etihad Rail start at 55 AED for Comfort Class and 120 AED for Premium Class, approximately 50% lower than standard adult tickets. Children aged 2 to 17 receive a 50% discount, seniors aged 60 and above get 20% off, and infants under two travel free with an adult. Passengers must arrive at least 20 minutes before departure, as boarding gates close two minutes prior, with no refunds for missed trains unless delays are operator-caused.
Dubai’s rail network development also includes the planned 42-kilometer Dubai Metro
Gold Line, set for completion by 2032 with 18 stations, including Jumeirah Golf Estates. Additionally, the Dubai Metro Blue Line is scheduled to open in 2029.
Infrastructure upgrades supportive of rail services include the new 80-kilometer Fourth Corridor highway connecting Abu Dhabi’s Al Faya Road to Sharjah’s Al Shanouf Road, enhancing transportation links with the Etihad Rail network.
