Etihad Rail from Dubai runs two routes at launch. Five trains a day go to Abu Dhabi in 1 hour 4 minutes, from Dh39 in Comfort. One train a day goes to Fujairah in 1 hour 10 minutes, from Dh29. Every train leaves Al Yalayis station in Jumeirah Golf Estates, which a bridge links to the Red Line.
Passenger services started on 30 September 2026. This page brings all our Etihad Rail routes and guides together. Read the short version of each topic here, then follow the link for the full guide.
Etihad Rail routes from Dubai at a glance
Route | Trains a day | Journey time | Comfort from | Premium from |
Dubai to Abu Dhabi (MBZ City) | 5 each way | 1h 4m | Dh39 | Dh109 |
Dubai to Fujairah (Al Hilal) | 1 each way | 1h 10m | Dh29 | Dh89 |
Fares are dynamic. The price moves with the date, the departure and how full the train is, so treat each Etihad Rail ticket price here as a starting price.
Every departure from Dubai
Departs Al Yalayis | Destination | Arrives |
06:14 | Abu Dhabi (MBZ City) | 07:18 |
07:14 | Abu Dhabi (MBZ City) | 08:18 |
13:14 | Abu Dhabi (MBZ City) | 14:18 |
13:57 | Fujairah | 15:07 |
17:14 | Abu Dhabi (MBZ City) | 18:18 |
18:14 | Abu Dhabi (MBZ City) | 19:18 |
The Etihad Rail timetable is built around commuters. Four of the six trains from Dubai leave before 08:00 or after 17:00. Check the live schedule in the app on the day, as services may be added.
Dubai to Abu Dhabi: five trains a day
This is the busiest of the Etihad Rail routes. Trains run from Al Yalayis to Mohamed Bin Zayed City station in 1 hour 4 minutes, from Dh39 in Comfort and Dh109 in Premium.
Coming back, trains leave Abu Dhabi at 06:43, 07:43, 12:43, 16:43 and 17:43. That means no evening return. Plan around the midday gap too: nothing leaves Dubai between 07:14 and 13:14.
Our Etihad Rail Dubai to Abu Dhabi guide has the full Etihad Rail timetable in both directions, every fare and the mistakes that cost people the train.
Al Yalayis: the Etihad Rail station in Dubai
Every Etihad Rail train from Dubai leaves from Al Yalayis, officially Dubai Al Yalayis Station, in Jumeirah Golf Estates off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. It opens from 05:00 to 23:00 daily.
- Metro: take the Red Line towards Expo 2020 to Jumeirah Golf Estates, then cross the transfer bridge.
- Bus: RTA feeder route F38 serves the area for Dh3, though the stop is a walk from the station.
- Car: paid parking, capped at Dh30 for a full day at launch.
Sunday catches people out. The Metro does not open until 08:00 on Sundays, according to the RTA timetable, so you cannot reach the 06:14 or 07:14 train by Metro that day.
Our Etihad Rail Dubai station guide covers taxis, facilities and the communities closest to the station. Thinking of moving nearby? We also look at the best areas to buy near the Etihad Rail station.
Dubai to Fujairah: one train a day
The eastern route has a single daily train. It leaves Dubai at 13:57 and reaches Fujairah’s station in the Al Hilal area at 15:07. Comfort starts at Dh29 and Premium at Dh89.
A same-day return is impossible on the launch timetable, because the only train back leaves Fujairah at 11:54. Our view: the train is excellent for an overnight stay, and the wrong choice for a day trip.
The full Dubai to Fujairah train guide covers both directions, day-trip limits and the bus alternative.
How do you book Etihad Rail tickets?
You can book Etihad Rail trains from Dubai on the app, the Etihad Rail website, the ticket machines at stations or the Contact Centre. You can book as a guest and pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Seats sell until five minutes before departure.
Each class comes in three fare types:
- Saver: the cheapest, with no seat selection, changes or refunds.
- Value: includes seat selection and allows changes under conditions, but no refund.
- Flex: the most flexible, with seat selection, changes and refunds allowed under conditions.
Two rules trip up first-time buyers. Your nol card cannot pay for the train, and the name on the ticket must match your Emirates ID or passport. Our step-by-step guide shows how to book Etihad Rail tickets on the app and website, and Etihad Rail’s help pages set out the official rules.
Comfort or Premium: which class should you book?
Etihad Rail has two classes. Premium gives you a wider reclining seat, more legroom and USB-C charging. The Etihad Rail ticket price for Comfort is far lower: Dh39 against Dh109 to Abu Dhabi. Luggage allowance, fare types and journey times are the same in both.
Our view: book Comfort for most trips. On a one-hour ride the Dh70 difference is hard to justify unless you need room to work. Our Etihad Rail Comfort vs Premium comparison goes route by route.
Which Etihad Rail stations are open?
Four passenger stations are open. Abu Dhabi (Mohamed Bin Zayed City) and Fujairah opened on 30 June 2026, and Dubai (Al Yalayis) and Sharjah’s Al Dhaid followed on 30 September. More stations in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region and at Sharjah’s University City are due from late 2026 into 2027.
Etihad Rail trains from Dubai currently run direct to Abu Dhabi and Fujairah only. The full list of Etihad Rail stations shows every station, its opening date and how to reach it.
Sharjah’s Al Dhaid station
Al Dhaid Station is in Muragabat, in central Sharjah. It runs trains to Fujairah in 25 minutes from Dh19 and to Abu Dhabi in 1 hour 24 minutes from Dh59, and parking is free at launch.
For Sharjah residents it is often closer than driving to Al Yalayis. Our Etihad Rail Sharjah station guide covers its location, routes and bus links.
Arriving at Abu Dhabi station
Trains from Dubai stop at Mohamed Bin Zayed City, opposite Dalma Mall and next to Mussafah Bus Station. It is not in the city centre. Etihad Rail runs Dh10 shuttle buses from about 07:00 to 21:00 to ADNEC Centre, ADNOC Headquarters on the Corniche and Reem Mall, and you can add the shuttle when you book.
For Yas Island or Saadiyat, a taxi is usually quicker. Our Etihad Rail Abu Dhabi station guide compares each onward option.
Train, bus or car: which is better from Dubai?
Trip | Train | Bus | Our pick |
Dubai to Abu Dhabi | From Dh39, 1h 4m on board, 5 a day | E100 from Al Ghubaiba or E101 from Ibn Battuta | Train if you live near the Red Line |
Dubai to Fujairah | From Dh29, 1h 10m on board, once a day | E700 from Union | Train for an overnight stay, bus or car for a day trip |
The Etihad Rail train from Dubai wins on comfort, but door to door it depends on where you start. From Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates or Dubai South, the station is a few minutes away. From Deira or Sharjah, the Metro ride out to Jumeirah Golf Estates eats a large part of the time you save.
Our comparison of ways to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi has all four options side by side, and bus details are in the Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus and Dubai to Fujairah bus guides.
What catches first-time riders out
Missing the train. A ticket is valid only for the service you booked. On a Saver fare, that means buying again.
Big bags. Each passenger gets two free items, and a cabin bag can be up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm. Bicycles and e-scooters are not allowed on board.
Cutting it fine. The walk across the bridge from the Metro takes several minutes. Give yourself 20 spare minutes on your first trip.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Etihad Rail leave from in Dubai?
Every Etihad Rail train in Dubai leaves from Dubai Al Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates, off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. A transfer bridge connects it to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line. It opens 05:00 to 23:00 daily.
How much is the train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
Comfort Class starts at Dh39 one way and Premium Class at Dh109, based on launch fares. Prices are dynamic, so the fare depends on the date and how busy the train is. Saver tickets are the cheapest but cannot be changed or refunded. Compare dates in the app before you pay.
Can I use my nol card for Etihad Rail?
No. Etihad Rail is the national railway and sells its own tickets through its app, website, station machines and Contact Centre. You can still use your nol card for the Metro or bus ride to Al Yalayis station, so keep enough balance on it for that leg of the trip.
Can you do a day trip to Fujairah by train from Dubai?
Not on the launch timetable. The only train from Dubai reaches Fujairah at 15:07, and the only train back leaves at 11:54 the next day. Plan to stay at least one night, or drive or take the E700 bus if you want to be back in Dubai the same evening.
Is there parking at the Etihad Rail station in Dubai?
Yes. Al Yalayis station has a paid car park, with a full day capped at Dh30 at launch, plus a drop-off area and a taxi rank. Rates may change as the service settles in, so check the parking price in the app when you book your train ticket.
Planning your first trip on Etihad Rail from Dubai
Pick the departure first, then the fare. With five trains to Abu Dhabi, one to Fujairah and long gaps in between, the timetable shapes your day more than the price does. Book Saver Comfort for a fixed plan, arrive by Metro if you live near the Red Line, and check the live schedule before you leave home.
For everything else that moves in Dubai, see our Dubai public transport guide. You can also browse our UAE travel guides or head back to the Live In Gulf homepage.
About the author: Aqsa is the editor of Live In Gulf, which covers travel and property in the UAE. This hub is updated whenever Etihad Rail changes fares, timetables or routes.
Fares and timings in this guide are Etihad Rail’s launch figures and may change. Confirm in the Etihad Rail app before you travel.
