Etihad Rail Launches Dubai Passenger Trains to Abu Dhabi and Fujairah

Etihad Rail began passenger services from Dubai on September 30, 2026, giving residents and international visitors a new way to travel between emirates. Trains connect the city’s Al Yalayis station with Abu Dhabi in 64 minutes and Fujairah in 70 minutes, adding an intercity rail option to trips previously organized around road transport.

The first departure left at 6:14 a.m. for Mohammed bin Zayed City station in the capital, with a scheduled arrival at 7:18 a.m. Launch-day reporting documented commuters, families and tourists aboard, including visitors using the service for a day trip.

The opening advances Etihad Rail’s phased passenger network rollout. For travelers planning a vacation across several emirates, the practical change is a scheduled rail connection that can be combined with local transport, although station transfers still need to be included in the itinerary.

Starting Fares and the Initial Timetable

One-way fares between Dubai and Abu Dhabi start at AED 39 in Comfort and AED 109 in Premium. For Fujairah, starting fares are AED 29 and AED 89, respectively. Prices vary with availability, journey and class, so these are entry-level fares rather than guaranteed prices for every departure.

The initial capital route has five departures in each direction daily. Trains leave Al Yalayis at 6:14 a.m., 7:14 a.m., 1:14 p.m., 5:14 p.m. and 6:14 p.m. Return departures leave the capital at 6:43 a.m., 7:43 a.m., 12:43 p.m., 4:43 p.m. and 5:43 p.m. All times are local.

The initial east-coast connection is more limited, with one direct departure each way. The outbound train leaves Al Yalayis at 1:57 p.m. and arrives at 3:07 p.m.; the return-direction service departs Fujairah at 11:54 a.m. and reaches Dubai at 1:04 p.m. That timetable does not support a same-day rail return after taking the afternoon outbound service.

Tickets are available through the operator’s website, mobile app and station vending machines. The passenger fleet comprises 13 trains capable of speeds up to 200 kilometers per hour, with capacity for up to 400 passengers per train.

Metro Connections and Onboard Comfort

Al Yalayis connects to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro station through a dedicated pedestrian bridge, linking the intercity service with the Red Line. Launch-day reporting described the walk as approximately five minutes, making the connection useful for passengers continuing beyond the rail terminal.

Travelers can add a Nol One-Day Pass during booking, starting at AED 22 for Regular or AED 42 for Gold. This optional extra combines the rail booking with unlimited eligible Metro, Tram and bus journeys through a single QR code; city transport is not automatically included in the train fare.

Both Comfort and Premium provide complimentary Wi-Fi, power sockets and USB charging. Comfort passengers can purchase food and drinks, while Premium adds wider reclining seats, extra legroom and complimentary snacks and beverages.

Building on the previously announced Etihad Rail passenger network, the launch makes multi-city travel more accessible. Its usefulness will depend on departure times and onward connections as much as the journey between stations.

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