The Etihad Rail Dubai to Abu Dhabi service started on 30 September 2026. There are five trains a day in each direction, the trip takes 1 hour 4 minutes on the timetable, and Comfort Class starts at Dh39. Premium starts at Dh109. You book on the Etihad Rail app or website, or at a ticket machine at the station.
That is the short version. Below are the full departure times, what each fare actually gets you, and the mistakes that leave people standing on the platform. This is one of two routes in our Etihad Rail from Dubai guide, which also covers Fujairah, the stations and booking.
Dubai to Abu Dhabi train timetable
These are the launch-week departures for the train between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, published by Etihad Rail and reported by Gulf News and Khaleej Times. The first two in each direction also appear on Etihad Rail’s own Dubai station page.
| Dubai (Al Yalayis) departs | Abu Dhabi (MBZ City) arrives | Abu Dhabi departs | Dubai arrives |
| 06:14 | 07:18 | 06:43 | 07:47 |
| 07:14 | 08:18 | 07:43 | 08:47 |
| 13:14 | 14:18 | 12:43 | 13:47 |
| 17:14 | 18:18 | 16:43 | 17:47 |
| 18:14 | 19:18 | 17:43 | 18:47 |
The gap in the middle of the day is the thing to plan around. Miss the 07:14 and the next train is six hours later.
The Etihad Rail timetable is likely to change once the service settles in. Check the live schedule in the app on the day you travel.
How much does the train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi cost?
Fares on the Dubai to Abu Dhabi train are dynamic, so the price moves with the date, the departure and how full the train is.
- Comfort Class: from Dh39 one way (shown as “From 39 AED” on Etihad Rail’s station page).
- Premium Class: from Dh109 one way. Khaleej Times saw Dh129 for the 13:14 departure during launch week.
- Return trip: from Dh78 in Comfort if both legs sell at the lowest fare.
- Taxes and fees: included in the price shown at checkout, according to Etihad Rail’s FAQ.
Etihad Rail has also sold tickets in three fare types, reported as Saver, Value and Flex. Saver is the cheapest and does not allow changes. Flex costs more but lets you change or cancel. Check the conditions on the booking screen, because they are the part people skip and regret.
Comfort or Premium: which should you book?
Book Comfort for most trips. At Dh39 against Dh109, you pay Dh70 more each way for Premium, and the Dubai to Abu Dhabi train ride is only an hour.
Premium has wider seats that recline, more legroom and USB-C charging, according to Gulf News reporters who rode both classes. One of them wrote that she did not feel a dramatic difference between the two on the Abu Dhabi run. Premium makes more sense if you are travelling for work and want more room to open a laptop. Our Comfort vs Premium comparison sets the two side by side.
How do you book Etihad Rail tickets?
You can book in four ways, according to Etihad Rail’s official FAQ:
- The Etihad Rail app (the quickest route, with the widest choice of fares).
- The website, etihadrail.ae.
- Ticket vending machines at the station, which also take cash in AED notes.
- The Etihad Rail Contact Centre.
You can book as a guest, up to five minutes before departure if seats remain. Your nol card and TAMM cannot be used to buy train tickets. There is a screen-by-screen walkthrough in our Etihad Rail booking guide.
Getting to the stations at each end
In Dubai, the train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi leaves from Al Yalayis station in Jumeirah Golf Estates, off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). A transfer bridge links it to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line, so you can arrive by Metro. Parking costs Dh30 for a half day or a full day, based on the booking platform as reported by Gulf News and Khaleej Times. Our Dubai station guide covers taxis, buses and facilities.
In Abu Dhabi, you arrive at Mohamed Bin Zayed City, not the city centre. Etihad Rail runs Dh10 shuttle buses to ADNEC Centre in Al Rawdah, ADNOC Headquarters on the Corniche and Reem Mall. Book the shuttle in the app when you buy the train ticket.
Both stations open from 05:00 to 23:00 every day.
Train, bus or car: what the trip really costs
The fare is only part of the trip. If you live near the Red Line, the train between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is hard to beat. If you live in Deira or Sharjah, the Metro ride out to Jumeirah Golf Estates is long, and it happens before you even board.
| Option | One-way cost | Door-to-door time |
| Etihad Rail Comfort | from Dh39, plus Metro or parking | about 1h 4m on the train, plus transfers at both ends |
| Etihad Rail Premium | from Dh109, plus transfers | as above |
| Driving | fuel plus Salik, and parking in Abu Dhabi | depends heavily on traffic |
Our view: for trips to Yas Island or Mussafah, the train works well. For a meeting in central Abu Dhabi, add the shuttle time before you decide.
Mistakes that cost people the train
A missed train means a lost ticket. Etihad Rail’s FAQ says a ticket is valid only for the service you booked, and you will need to buy a new one if you miss it.
The name on the ticket must match your ID. If you book for a friend, type their name exactly as it appears on their Emirates ID or passport.
Allow for the walk. The transfer from the Metro to the platform takes time, and ticket sales close shortly before departure.
Big bags are limited. Each passenger gets two free items, and a cabin bag can be no larger than 55 x 40 x 23 cm, as reported by Gulf News. Bicycles and e-scooters are not allowed.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
The published timetable shows 1 hour 4 minutes between Al Yalayis station in Dubai and Mohamed Bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi. Add time for the Metro or a drive to the Dubai station, and for the shuttle or a taxi from MBZ City to where you are actually going.
Can I pay for Etihad Rail with my nol card?
No. Etihad Rail’s FAQ says tickets can only be bought through its own channels: the app, the website, ticket machines at stations and the Contact Centre. You can pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, and ticket machines also take cash in AED banknotes.
Is there a train from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in the evening?
Yes. At launch the last Abu Dhabi to Dubai train leaves MBZ City at 17:43 and reaches Dubai at 18:47. The last departure from Dubai is 18:14. Timetables can change after the launch period, so check the live schedule in the app before you plan an evening return.
Where does the train arrive in Abu Dhabi?
Trains arrive at Mohamed Bin Zayed City station, on the edge of the capital near Dalma Mall. From there, Etihad Rail’s Dh10 shuttle runs to three city stops: ADNEC, the Corniche and Reem Mall. For Yas Island or Saadiyat, a taxi is quicker, at roughly 30 to 40 minutes.
Planning your first Etihad Rail trip to Abu Dhabi
Pick your departure first, then book. With five trains each way and a long midday gap, the Etihad Rail timetable decides your day more than the fare does, whichever direction you travel. Heading east instead? The Dubai to Fujairah train leaves once a day. Our list of Etihad Rail stations shows what opens next, and the UAE travel section on the Live In Gulf homepage has the rest.
