Etihad Rail’s Dubai Station: The Complete Al Yalayis Guide
Dubai joined the UAE’s national railway on 30 September 2026, when Al Yalayis Station opened for passenger service — and the best part for metro riders: it connects directly to the Red Line by footbridge. Here’s everything you need to use it.
Where It Is & How to Reach It by Metro
Al Yalayis Station sits beside Jumeirah Golf Estates metro station (R73) on the Red Line’s Route 2020 branch, linked by a dedicated pedestrian bridge — tap out of the metro, cross, and you’re at intercity rail. From Downtown allow ~45–50 minutes on the metro (board an Expo 2020-marked train or change at Jabal Ali); fare AED 5–7.50 (calculator). Taxis and parking serve the station for non-metro arrivals.
Where the Trains Go
| Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai ↔ Abu Dhabi (Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station) | ~1 h 4 min | ~10 daily trains (5 each way); extra weekend services at peak demand; first departure just after 6 am |
| Dubai ↔ Fujairah | ~1 h 10 min | Direct services on the national network |
| Al Dhaid (Sharjah) | en route | Also served by the passenger network |
Fares, Classes & Tickets
- Comfort Class from AED 39 and First (Premium) Class from AED 109 to Abu Dhabi, one way.
- Book on the Etihad Rail app or website, or at station ticket machines — weekend trains have been selling out, so book ahead.
- Your ticket’s QR code works across Dubai’s metro, tram and bus for the connecting legs — one ticket covers the whole journey.
Arriving at the Other End
In Abu Dhabi, Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station connects onward by taxi, shuttle services and public buses. Heading back to Dubai, time your return against the last metro trains (midnight; 1 am Fridays) for the final leg home.
Why It’s a Big Deal
The train beats the intercity bus by an hour, costs a fraction of a taxi, and never sees Sheikh Zayed Road traffic — full comparison in our Dubai–Abu Dhabi route guide. And it’s only the start: more stations are planned, and a separate high-speed Abu Dhabi–Dubai line (350 km/h, ~30 min) has been announced. We track every development on the updates page.
Planning more journeys? Start from the latest Dubai Metro map — every line, station and fare zone on one page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Etihad Rail station in Dubai?
At Al Yalayis, beside Jumeirah Golf Estates metro station (R73) on the Red Line’s Route 2020 branch — a dedicated pedestrian bridge connects the two directly.
How long is the train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
About 1 hour 4 minutes from Al Yalayis Station to Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station, with around 10 daily services plus extra weekend trains.
How much does the Etihad Rail train cost from Dubai?
From AED 39 in Comfort Class and AED 109 in First (Premium) Class one way, booked via the Etihad Rail app, website or station ticket machines.