Etihad Rail is set to inaugurate its Al Yalayis Station in Dubai on September 30, 2026, marking Dubai’s first dedicated passenger station on the national railway network. Positioned in Jumeirah Golf Estates near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), Al Yalayis will provide direct rail connectivity between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The initial passenger route will link Al Yalayis Station with Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, with an expected journey time of approximately 57 minutes. This extends the phased rollout of the UAE’s national passenger rail, which is projected to operate 10 stations across the country by March
2027.
Metro integration and pedestrian link
A dedicated pedestrian bridge will connect Al Yalayis Station to Dubai Metro’s Jumeirah Golf Estates station on the Red Line. This infrastructure will enable passengers to transfer seamlessly between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s urban Metro network, improving access without reliance on cars.
Additionally, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai signed an agreement allowing commuters to pay for Etihad Rail travel using their Nol Cards, commonly used for Dubai Metro and bus services.
Future high-speed rail and network expansion
Dubai will host four Etihad Rail stations in total, including two catered to a planned high-speed rail linking Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The high-speed rail
stations will be located at Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf, with the latter also connecting to Dubai Metro’s Green and future Blue Lines.
The high-speed service is expected to reach speeds of up to 350 km/h, cutting travel time between the two emirates to approximately 30 minutes, compared to 57 minutes on the regular Etihad Rail line operating at about 200 km/h.
Ticketing, fares, and passenger guidance
Introductory fares for Etihad Rail start at Dh55 for Comfort Class and Dh120 for Premium Class. Discounts are available with children aged 2 to 17 receiving 50% off, senior citizens aged 60 and above eligible for
20% off, and infants under 2 traveling free when accompanied by an adult.
Passengers can book tickets via the Etihad Rail mobile app or website and are advised to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure. Boarding gates close two minutes prior to scheduled departure to ensure on-time operations.
Supporting transport infrastructure and connectivity
Al Yalayis Station’s location provides convenient access to multiple Dubai communities including Al Furjan, Dubai Investment Park, Green Community, Dubai Production City, Expo City Dubai, and Dubai South. It is approximately a 30-minute drive from Al Maktoum International Airport.
Etihad Rail has signed a memorandum of understanding with Etihad Airways to
develop integrated air-rail travel solutions and explore shuttle services between rail stations and airports.
The new 80-kilometre Fourth Corridor highway approved by federal authorities will connect parts of Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, linking to the Etihad Rail network and serving over 3.1 million people.
Planned network growth and Metro integration
Further expansions include the Dubai Metro Gold Line, a 42-kilometre route scheduled for completion by 2032. This line will integrate with Etihad Rail stations including Jumeirah Golf Estates, enhancing multimodal connectivity across the emirate.
By the end of March 2027, the Etihad Rail national passenger network aims to connect 10 operational stations spanning approximately 900 kilometres,
supporting greater intercity and regional travel in the United Arab Emirates.
