The UAE launched its first intercity passenger rail service in June 2026. Etihad Rail - the national freight operator that has run freight trains across the UAE for years - began carrying passengers on June 30, 2026, with an initial route between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. The network extended to Dubai on September 30, 2026, creating the UAE’s first full intercity passenger rail corridor.
For visitors, this changes the practical calculation for multi-city UAE trips. Dubai to Abu Dhabi in approximately 57 to 64 minutes from AED 39 is genuinely competitive with taxis and private transfers, without the variability of road traffic.
The Current Network (as of October 2026)
Etihad Rail currently operates two connected routes:
Route 1: Mohamed bin Zayed City → Fujairah
- Journey time: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
- Fare: from AED 55 standard class (approx. USD 15 / GBP 12)
- Launched: June 30, 2026
Route 2: Al Yalayis (Dubai) → Mohamed bin Zayed City
- Journey time: approximately 57 to 64 minutes
- Fare: from AED 39 standard class, from AED 109 business class (approx. USD 10.60 / USD 29.70)
- Launched: June 30, 2026 (Abu Dhabi to Fujairah); Dubai extension September 30, 2026
The two routes connect, meaning you can travel from Dubai to Fujairah by train with a change at Mohamed bin Zayed City. The total journey takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes - comparable to driving, without the navigation.
Station Guide
Al Yalayis (Dubai)
Located in the Jebel Ali corridor in western Dubai, Al Yalayis connects to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro station on the Red Line by a covered footbridge of roughly 400 metres, about a 5-minute walk with travelators (from inside the Metro station, use Exit 1 or 2). Free RTA shuttle buses on routes ER1 and ER2 also run between the two stations in under 2 minutes as of October 2026. Check RTA for current shuttle status.
There is no direct train station in Downtown Dubai, near Burj Khalifa, or in Deira. Budget 25–30 minutes on the Metro to reach Al Yalayis from central Dubai before your train departure.
Mohamed bin Zayed City
Mohamed bin Zayed City station serves as the main hub and connection point between the Dubai and Fujairah routes. It connects to the Abu Dhabi public bus network for onwards travel to the Corniche, Yas Island, and the city centre. Taxis are available at the station.
From Mohamed bin Zayed City to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is approximately 15–20 minutes by taxi (roughly AED 25–35).
Fujairah Station
Fujairah station is located on the outskirts of the city centre. Taxis from the station to central Fujairah, the Corniche, and the main beach hotels take 10–20 minutes.
Booking Tickets
Tickets are booked through:
- Etihad Rail app (iOS and Android) - the main booking channel
- Station kiosks - available at all three stations
You need your passport number or UAE national ID to book. No physical ticket is issued: boarding uses a QR code displayed on your phone or printed from a kiosk. Tickets can be booked in advance or on the day if seats are available.
Service frequency (as of October 2026):
- Dubai–Abu Dhabi: trains every 2 hours during the launch period, with frequency expected to increase to 30-minute peak intervals in early 2027
- Abu Dhabi–Fujairah: scheduled timetable available in the app; check before travel as the full timetable has not been publicly released in detail
How the Train Compares to Other Options
| Route | Train | Taxi / Private Transfer | Bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai → Abu Dhabi | 57-64 min / from AED 39 | 90–120 min / AED 180–250 | 2 hrs / AED 25 |
| Abu Dhabi → Fujairah | 1h 45min / AED 55+ | 2 hrs / AED 200–280 | 2.5+ hrs / AED 30 |
| Dubai → Fujairah (via Abu Dhabi) | ~2h 45min / AED 95+ | 1h 45min direct / AED 250–350 | Not practical |
The train is clearly the best value for Dubai–Abu Dhabi if you are travelling alone or as a couple. Groups of three or more may find a shared taxi competitive once costs are split. For Dubai–Fujairah, a direct taxi is still faster - the train route adds a change at Abu Dhabi and significant extra distance.
Compare train and intercity bus prices on Omio - useful for checking combined fares across modes before committing to a route. Our Dubai to Abu Dhabi transport guide sets the train against the bus, taxi, transfer and hire car in one table.
Practical Tips for Using Etihad Rail
Download the app before you travel. Station kiosks can be slow during busy periods, and the app allows you to book from your hotel room.
Build in Metro time from central Dubai. Al Yalayis station is not central. It is reached from Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro station on the Red Line, then a roughly 5-minute footbridge walk, so add Metro time from central Dubai and plan accordingly.
Business class is worth considering on longer routes. The business class ticket (from AED 109) on the Dubai–Abu Dhabi service is around USD 30 - competitive with the cost of a shared taxi if you want a comfortable, guaranteed seat.
Luggage: Standard luggage policies apply. Large bags are permitted but overhead space is limited on some carriage configurations. For beach resort trips with oversized bags, a private transfer may be more practical.
Language: All signage, apps, and station information are in both Arabic and English.
What This Means for Visitors
Until mid-2026, the practical options for getting between Dubai and Abu Dhabi were a taxi (AED 180–250, subject to traffic), a hired car, or an intercity bus. The train fundamentally changes the economics of a multi-city UAE trip.
A visitor based in Dubai can now make a full day trip to Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre, and the Corniche - without renting a car or booking a tour. The round-trip fare (from AED 39 each way) is well under the cost of a one-way taxi.
Equally, the connection to Fujairah makes the UAE’s east coast more accessible for visitors staying on the Abu Dhabi side. Fujairah’s coral reefs and the Al Hajar mountain backdrop are genuinely different in character from the Gulf coast - quieter, greener in season, and with better diving conditions.
Planned Expansion
Etihad Rail has announced plans to extend the network further:
- Ras Al Khaimah: A future extension north from Dubai is planned, which would connect RAK’s adventure resorts and Jebel Jais to the national rail network.
- Muscat, Oman: A cross-border extension to the Omani capital is in the longer-term plans, which would create a Gulf rail corridor.
No confirmed dates for these extensions had been announced as of October 2026.
Getting Around Each City
The train gets you between cities, but you will still need ground transport at each end:
- Dubai: The Red Line reaches Al Yalayis via Jumeirah Golf Estates station and the footbridge. For areas not served by Metro, Uber and Careem are the most practical options. See our Dubai getting around guide.
- Abu Dhabi: Taxis and rideshares from Mohamed bin Zayed City station. Public bus routes cover main city areas. No Metro in Abu Dhabi. See our Abu Dhabi getting around guide.
- Fujairah: Taxis from Fujairah station to hotels and beaches. No public transit network to speak of. See our Fujairah getting around guide.
Plan Your Trip
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Two routes are covered in detail: Dubai to Fujairah by train and Abu Dhabi to Fujairah by train.