New Al Yalayis Station to Link Dubai with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Fujairah.
Dubai is gearing up to become part of the UAE’s national passenger rail network, with Etihad Rail’s Al Yalayis Station set to begin operations on September 30, 2026.
The station’s opening will represent another key milestone in the expansion of passenger rail services across the UAE, following the launch of the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route on June 30.
The new Dubai station is expected to cut rail travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to around 57 minutes, while providing passengers with convenient connections to Dubai’s wider public transport network.
Here’s a complete guide to Dubai’s new Etihad Rail station, including routes, ticket fares, Metro connectivity and what travellers can expect from the service.
Etihad Rail’s Al Yalayis Station is scheduled to open on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, becoming Dubai’s first dedicated passenger rail station and linking the emirate to the UAE’s wider national railway network.
The September expansion will also bring passenger services to Al Dhaid in Sharjah, further extending Etihad Rail’s connectivity across the country.
From Al Yalayis, passengers will be able to travel directly to Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, with the journey expected to take approximately 57 minutes.
The UAE’s national passenger rail network is being introduced in stages, with 10 stations expected to be up and running across the country by the end of March 2027.
Etihad Rail’s Al Yalayis Station is located in Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf Estates area, with convenient access to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311).
The station’s location provides convenient access to several key residential and commercial areas across southern Dubai, including Jumeirah Golf Estates, Al Furjan, Dubai Investment Park, Green Community, Dubai Production City, Expo City Dubai and Dubai South.
Al Yalayis Station is also approximately a 30-minute drive from Al Maktoum International Airport, although travel times may vary depending on traffic conditions.
The initial passenger service will link Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station directly with Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, providing a new rail connection between the two emirates.
The rail journey between Al Yalayis Station and Mohammed Bin Zayed City is expected to take around 57 minutes, giving passengers an alternative to road travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Will Etihad Rail connect to Dubai Metro?
Yes. One of the key features of Al Yalayis Station is its planned integration with Dubai Metro’s Red Line.
The Etihad Rail station is situated near Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, with a dedicated pedestrian bridge being built to link the two stations. Once completed, the connection will allow Etihad Rail passengers to transfer conveniently to the Dubai Metro and continue their journeys across the city.
The Metro link is also expected to improve access to Al Yalayis Station, allowing passengers from across Dubai to reach the rail terminal more easily without relying on a private vehicle.
Al Yalayis Station’s location could establish it as a key transport hub for southern Dubai, particularly as surrounding residential, commercial and business districts continue to expand.
- E311 connectivity: Located along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Al Yalayis Station will be easily accessible by road from various parts of Dubai.
- Dubai Metro integration: The station’s proximity to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, combined with the planned pedestrian bridge, will allow passengers to transfer between Etihad Rail and the Dubai Metro as part of a more integrated public transport journey.
- Access to surrounding communities: The station is positioned to serve a broad section of southern Dubai, including Al Furjan, Dubai Investment Park, Green Community, Dubai Production City, Expo City Dubai and Dubai South, in addition to Jumeirah Golf Estates.
- Growth of southern Dubai: The station comes as southern Dubai experiences continued residential, commercial, aviation and infrastructure development, particularly around Dubai South.
- Access to Al Maktoum International Airport: Al Yalayis Station is roughly a 30-minute drive from Al Maktoum International Airport. As the airport and Dubai South continue to expand, the station could provide another transport option connecting the area with other emirates.
- Future Gold Line connection: Dubai has approved the Dh34 billion Metro Gold Line, a proposed 42-kilometre route featuring 18 stations. The line is expected to integrate with Etihad Rail and serve areas including Jumeirah Golf Estates, with completion scheduled for 2032.
How many Etihad Rail stations will Dubai have?
Dubai will initially have one dedicated station serving Etihad Rail’s national passenger network, but plans indicate that the emirate could eventually have four stations associated with Etihad Rail services.
RTA Director General and Chairman Mattar Al Tayer recently outlined the broader expansion plans. Two stations are expected to serve the national Etihad Rail passenger network, while another two are planned for the proposed Dubai–Abu Dhabi High-Speed Rail service.
Where will Dubai’s other Etihad Rail stations be?
The location and official name of Dubai’s second station on the national Etihad Rail passenger network have yet to be announced.
- E311 connectivity: Located along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Al Yalayis Station will be easily accessible by road from various parts of Dubai.
- Dubai Metro integration: The station’s proximity to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, combined with the planned pedestrian bridge, will allow passengers to transfer between Etihad Rail and the Dubai Metro as part of a more integrated public transport journey.
- Access to surrounding communities: The station is positioned to serve a broad section of southern Dubai, including Al Furjan, Dubai Investment Park, Green Community, Dubai Production City, Expo City Dubai and Dubai South, in addition to Jumeirah Golf Estates.
- Growth of southern Dubai: The station comes as southern Dubai experiences continued residential, commercial, aviation and infrastructure development, particularly around Dubai South.
- Access to Al Maktoum International Airport: Al Yalayis Station is roughly a 30-minute drive from Al Maktoum International Airport. As the airport and Dubai South continue to expand, the station could provide another transport option connecting the area with other emirates.
- Future Gold Line connection: Dubai has approved the Dh34 billion Metro Gold Line, a proposed 42-kilometre route featuring 18 stations. The line is expected to integrate with Etihad Rail and serve areas including Jumeirah Golf Estates, with completion scheduled for 2032.
How many Etihad Rail stations will Dubai have?
Dubai will initially have one dedicated station serving Etihad Rail’s national passenger network, but plans indicate that the emirate could eventually have four stations associated with Etihad Rail services.
RTA Director General and Chairman Mattar Al Tayer recently outlined the broader expansion plans. Two stations are expected to serve the national Etihad Rail passenger network, while another two are planned for the proposed Dubai–Abu Dhabi High-Speed Rail service.
Where will Dubai’s other Etihad Rail stations be?
The location and official name of Dubai’s second station on the national Etihad Rail passenger network have yet to be announced.
However, Dubai’s 2032 rail network map points to a potential future station in the Meydan area.
Two additional stations are planned as part of the separate Dubai–Abu Dhabi High-Speed Rail project. These are expected to be located at:
- Al Maktoum International Airport
- Al Jaddaf
The proposed Al Jaddaf station is expected to offer connections to Dubai Metro’s Green Line as well as the future Blue Line, further integrating the high-speed rail service with the city’s public transport network.
The opening of Dubai’s Al Yalayis and Al Dhaid stations forms part of Etihad Rail’s broader phased expansion of passenger services across the UAE.
The announced rollout schedule includes:
September 30, 2026
- Dubai Al Yalayis
- Al Dhaid
November 30, 2026
The opening of Dubai’s Al Yalayis and Al Dhaid stations forms part of Etihad Rail’s wider phased expansion of passenger services across the UAE.
The announced rollout schedule includes:
September 30, 2026
- Dubai Al Yalayis
- Al Dhaid
November 30, 2026
- Madinat Zayed
- Liwa
December 30, 2026
- Al Sila
- Al Dhannah
- Al Mirfa
March 30, 2027
- Sharjah University City
Once all the announced stations are operational, Etihad Rail’s passenger network will link communities across the UAE through a national railway system spanning approximately 900 kilometres.
What is the Dubai–Abu Dhabi High-Speed Rail?
The planned Dubai–Abu Dhabi High-Speed Rail is a separate project from the national passenger service that will operate through Al Yalayis Station.
According to Etihad Rail, the fully electric high-speed service is designed to cut travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to approximately 30 minutes, creating another major transport link between the UAE’s two biggest economic centres.
The high-speed network is expected to begin operations by 2030. Meanwhile, Dubai Metro’s Blue Line is scheduled to open in 2029.
How much do Etihad Rail tickets cost?
Etihad Rail is offering introductory fares alongside discounted rates for children and senior citizens.
Introductory fares start at:
- Dh55 for Comfort Class
- Dh120 for Premium Class
According to Etihad Rail, these introductory prices are around 50 per cent below standard adult fares.
Additional discounts include:
- Children aged 2 to 17: 50 per cent off regular fares
- Senior citizens aged 60 and above: 20 per cent discount
- Infants under two: Free when travelling with an adult
Passengers can view the exact fare for their chosen route during the booking process.
How can I book an Etihad Rail ticket?
Passengers can purchase tickets through Etihad Rail’s official website or mobile application.
The booking platform allows travellers to:
- View train schedules
- Choose seats
- Purchase tickets
- Manage existing bookings
Those travelling on weekends, public holidays or other busy periods may want to reserve their seats in advance.
What happens if you miss your train?
Passengers who miss their train for reasons unrelated to Etihad Rail are generally not entitled to a refund or compensation.
Travellers are advised to arrive at the station at least 20 minutes before their scheduled departure. Boarding gates close two minutes before the train is due to leave, meaning late-arriving passengers may be unable to board.
Passengers who do not travel and fail to cancel their booking before departure will be considered no-shows, and their tickets will become invalid.
What if Etihad Rail delays or cancels my train?
Different arrangements apply when a delay or cancellation is caused by Etihad Rail.
For delays of 30 minutes or more, passengers who decide not to travel can choose between rebooking on another service or requesting a refund.
If a train is cancelled, travellers can opt to rebook or use an alternative mode of transport.
For passengers already on board when a disruption occurs, Etihad Rail says it will aim to ensure they reach their final destination without additional charges.
What happens if I miss a connecting train?
Passengers who miss a connecting Etihad Rail service because of a delay caused by the operator can be transferred to the next available train at no extra cost.
However, this protection does not automatically extend to connections involving third-party services such as Dubai Metro, taxis, parking facilities or other transport providers.
Travellers should therefore allow sufficient time when planning connections between different modes of transport.
Etihad Rail travel etiquette: What passengers should know
For many UAE residents, the launch of passenger services in Dubai will offer their first opportunity to travel on the national rail network. Following a few basic travel practices can help make the experience more comfortable for everyone.
Before boarding
Have your ticket ready and check your carriage and seat number before the train arrives. Passengers should avoid blocking platform doors or waiting directly in boarding areas where they could obstruct others.
Boarding and finding your seat
- Move fully inside the carriage after boarding rather than stopping near the doors.
- Store large suitcases in designated luggage areas and smaller bags under seats or in overhead storage where provided.
- Keep aisles, doorways and emergency exits unobstructed.
- Check your assigned carriage and seat after boarding. If another passenger is occupying your seat, politely ask them to check their ticket.
Keep noise to a minimum
- Be mindful that other passengers may be working, reading, resting or sleeping.
- Use headphones when listening to music, watching videos or consuming other audio content.
- Keep phone conversations brief and speak quietly without using speakerphone.
- For longer calls, move to an appropriate area where possible to avoid disturbing fellow passengers.
Why the Dubai station matters
Al Yalayis Station represents more than simply another stop on the UAE’s national passenger railway. Its position near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai South and Al Maktoum International Airport places it within one of Dubai’s rapidly developing areas.
The planned pedestrian connection with Dubai Metro will further improve connectivity by linking the national railway with the emirate’s established urban public transport system.
With additional rail stations planned in areas including Meydan, Al Jaddaf and Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai’s transport network is expected to become increasingly integrated with the wider UAE railway system.
For passengers, the next major milestone is September 30, when Dubai is scheduled to officially join Etihad Rail’s national passenger network.
