Tickets start at Dh39 for Comfort Class, and the new Dubai Al Yalayis to Abu Dhabi route takes about 57 minutes.
Etihad Rail has opened ticket bookings for its upcoming Dubai-Abu Dhabi passenger service, ahead of the September 30 launch of Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station.
Fares start at Dh39 for Comfort Class, while Premium Class tickets begin at Dh109. The Dubai-Abu Dhabi journey is expected to take around an hour, with Gulf News reporting a journey time of approximately 57 minutes.
The booking option was briefly available through the Etihad Rail website and app on September 22, but was subsequently removed. Etihad Rail is expected to reopen bookings soon.
First Dubai train to leave at 6:15 am
The first scheduled service from Al Yalayis Station to Abu Dhabi is set to depart at 6:15 am, with four additional Dubai-Abu Dhabi services listed throughout the day in the initial schedule.
Passengers travelling from Dubai will arrive at Mohamed bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi, which is already operating as part of Etihad Rail’s passenger network.
A service from Dubai towards Fujairah is also planned, with the initial timetable showing one daily option and a journey of around 70 minutes.
Comfort and Premium classes
Passengers will be able to choose between Comfort and Premium Class.
Comfort Class includes complimentary Wi-Fi, charging points at every seat and access to onboard food and beverage services. Premium Class provides wider reclining seats, additional legroom, complimentary refreshments and snacks, along with a quieter cabin environment.
Three fare types are available: Saver, Value and Flex.
Saver tickets come with an automatically assigned seat and cannot be changed or refunded. The other fare categories provide greater flexibility, subject to their respective conditions.
Al Yalayis Station to open on September 30
Dubai’s new passenger rail station has officially been named Al Yalayis Station and is located in Jumeirah Golf Estates, close to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311).
The location provides access to communities including Al Furjan, Dubai Investment Park and Dubai South.
Etihad Rail has confirmed that Al Yalayis Station and Al Dhaid Station in Sharjah are scheduled to open on September 30 as passenger services expand beyond the initial Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route.
The Dubai station is also being integrated with the existing public transport network.
Pedestrian link to Dubai Metro
A dedicated pedestrian connection is being built between Al Yalayis Station and Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Dubai Metro Red Line.
The link is designed to allow passengers to move between Etihad Rail and Dubai Metro without needing a separate taxi or road transfer. The pedestrian bridge is nearing completion ahead of the September 30 opening.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has also previously confirmed plans to integrate the Nol card with Etihad Rail, allowing passengers to use the payment system across Dubai’s public transport network and rail services.
A second Dubai station is planned for Meydan, which is expected to connect with the future Dubai Metro Gold Line.
Etihad Rail’s passenger network expands.
The UAE’s passenger rail service began its introductory operational phase on June 30, 2026, with trains operating between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.
The inaugural service covered the roughly 250-kilometre journey in about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Six services were initially scheduled each day on the route.
Demand has been strong since passenger services began. Etihad Rail said in August that it had sold more than 70,000 tickets during the introductory phase.
The September 30 expansion will add Dubai and Al Dhaid to the passenger network. Services will then expand further, with Zayed City and Liwa scheduled for November 30, additional Al Dhafra stations for December 30, and Sharjah Station scheduled for March 30, 2027.
For Dubai residents, the opening of Al Yalayis Station marks a significant change in inter-emirate travel. Once bookings reopen, passengers will have a new rail option connecting Dubai directly with Abu Dhabi, alongside links to the wider UAE passenger network.
Etihad rail. Photo: KT file
