From ticket prices and journey times to what’s at the stations and how to get there
The long-awaited Dubai–Abu Dhabi train is finally here.
From 30 September, Etihad Rail is connecting the UAE’s two biggest cities by passenger train, giving residents and visitors another way to make the journey without sitting on Sheikh Zayed Road.
The new service runs between Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates and Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi, with the scheduled journey taking around 64 minutes.
There are five trains in each direction each day to start with, while the wider national passenger network will continue expanding over the coming months.
Here’s everything you need to know before jumping aboard.
How long does the Dubai to Abu Dhabi train take?
The scheduled journey between Dubai and Abu Dhabi takes around 64 minutes, although Etihad Rail has also quoted a journey time of 57 minutes for the route.
The actual timetable currently shows journeys of approximately 64 minutes between the two stations.
Trains can travel at speeds of up to 200kph, and the passenger fleet consists of 13 trains, each capable of carrying up to 400 passengers.
Etihad Rail Dubai to Abu Dhabi timings
There are currently five services per day in each direction.
Dubai to Abu Dhabi
- 6.14am-7.18am
- 7.14am-8.18am
- 1.14pm-2.18pm
- 5.14pm-6.18pm
- 6.14pm-7.18pm
Abu Dhabi to Dubai
- 6.43am-7.47am
- 7.43am-8.47am
- 12.43pm-1.47pm
- 4.43pm-5.47pm
- 5.43pm-6.47pm
These are the currently published services for the launch of the Dubai route, so it’s worth checking the booking system before travelling in case timings change.
How much does Etihad Rail cost between Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
Tickets currently start at:
- Comfort Class – AED39
- Premium Class – AED109
Those are starting fares, so the amount you actually pay can vary depending on availability and the fare type selected.
There are three fare types:
- Saver is designed for passengers with fixed plans and gives you the lowest available fare. Seat selection costs extra.
- Value gives you complimentary seat selection and more flexibility with changes.
- Flex is the most flexible option, allowing changes and refunds subject to the applicable conditions.
Children receive a 50 per cent discount, while passengers aged 60 and over receive a 20 per cent discount. Children under 14 must travel with an adult, while infants aged two and under can travel free on an accompanying adult’s lap.
What’s the difference between Comfort and Premium?
Comfort Class gets you a comfortable seat, free Wi-Fi, a universal power socket and USB charging, plus luggage storage. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard.
Premium Class comes with wider seats, more legroom, reclining seats and padded headrests, as well as complimentary drinks and snacks.
So if you’re simply looking for an inexpensive way to get between the two cities, Comfort is the obvious starting point. If you want a little more room for a longer trip, Premium is the upgrade.
Where is the Etihad Rail station in Dubai?
The Dubai station is Al Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates, close to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
The big selling point here is the connection to the Dubai Metro. A dedicated pedestrian bridge links the Etihad Rail station directly with Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line, meaning you can arrive by Metro, walk across the connection and get straight onto the intercity train.
There is also an RTA bus connection, with F38 serving the Jumeirah Golf Estates 1 stop, linking the station with Dubai Production City and Dubai Sports City. Taxis, Uber, Careem and Hala are also available.
If you’re driving, the station has 265 parking spaces, including 260 regular spaces and five for electric vehicles.
Inside the station, there are waiting areas, family waiting areas, Wi-Fi, toilets, prayer facilities, food and retail outlets, ticket machines, first aid, and dedicated taxi and ride-hailing areas.
What’s near the Dubai station?
The location is particularly useful if you’re coming from Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Sports City, Dubai Production City, Jumeirah Islands and the wider southern Dubai area.
The Metro connection also makes it much easier to continue towards other parts of Dubai without needing a taxi.
From Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, the Red Line provides access towards Dubai Marina, JLT, Business Bay and Downtown Dubai, while the Route 2020 section heads towards Expo City Dubai.
In other words, the train station isn’t in central Dubai, but the Metro connection is designed to solve that problem.
Where is the Etihad Rail station in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi’s passenger station is in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, in the ME10 area.
It is located close to Delma shopping mall and next to Mussafah Bus Station, making it much more accessible than the location might suggest if you’re heading into Abu Dhabi from Dubai.
The station has parking, taxis, ride-hailing pick-up and drop-off areas and connections to Abu Dhabi’s wider bus network.
How do you get from Abu Dhabi station into the city?
This is probably the most important thing to know if you’re planning a day trip to Abu Dhabi.
The rail station isn’t in the city centre, so you’ll need another form of transport once you arrive.
Etihad Rail operates shuttle buses connecting the station with three major Abu Dhabi locations:
- Reem Mall – Al Reem Island
- ADNEC Centre – Al Rawdah
- ADNOC Headquarters – Corniche Road West
The shuttle services need to be booked in advance as an add-on when buying your train ticket. Current published information lists three services each day in each direction, timed around the train service.
There are also Abu Dhabi Mobility bus connections, including the MR1 and MR2, which link Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station with the Main Bus Station and Al Zahiyah Bus Station.
That means you don’t necessarily need a taxi at either end, although a taxi or ride-hailing service will obviously be the easiest option if you’re heading somewhere not covered by the shuttle routes.
What’s near the Abu Dhabi station?
The station is particularly handy for Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Mussafah and parts of Khalifa City, while the shuttle services make it easier to reach the central parts of Abu Dhabi.
The ADNEC shuttle is useful if you’re heading to exhibitions, conferences or events around the Capital Centre area.
The Corniche shuttle is the better option for the city-centre side of Abu Dhabi, while the Reem Island service gives passengers an easy connection towards Reem and its surrounding attractions.
For Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and other major Abu Dhabi destinations, you’ll generally need to continue by taxi, ride-hailing service or another public transport connection after reaching the station.
What’s inside the stations?
The new Etihad Rail stations are designed to be more than somewhere to wait for your train. Passengers can grab a coffee from Starbucks or Shot, pick up snacks and essentials from WH Smith. There’s also a McDonald’s coming soon to Dubai.
Both stations also have waiting areas, Wi-Fi, prayer rooms, toilets, family facilities, and spaces for taxis and ride-hailing services, so you can arrive early without having to simply sit around staring at the departure board.
Can you take luggage?
Yes. Each passenger can bring two pieces of luggage free of charge.
That includes one personal item that fits under the seat and one carry-on bag measuring up to 55cm x 40cm x 23cm for the overhead luggage racks. One folded pushchair per child is also allowed free of charge.
There is no conventional airline-style checked baggage service, so very large or bulky items aren’t suitable for the train.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available onboard, and both classes have charging points with universal sockets and USB connections.
How do you book Etihad Rail?
Tickets can be booked through the Etihad Rail website and app, as well as ticket vending machines at stations. Online and app bookings offer the widest choice of fares and seat selection.
Tickets can be purchased up to five minutes before the scheduled departure, although turning up at the last minute probably isn’t something to make a habit of.
What else is coming?
The Dubai–Abu Dhabi connection is only one part of the national passenger network.
The network is being rolled out in phases, with Al Dhafra stations joining later in 2026 and Sharjah’s University City station scheduled for March 2027. The planned network will eventually connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE.
So, for now, the Dubai–Abu Dhabi train is less about replacing every road journey and more about giving commuters, weekend travellers and visitors a genuinely useful new option, particularly if you can make the Metro or shuttle connection at the other end.
And at AED39 each way at the starting Comfort Class fare, it certainly gives UAE road travellers something new to consider.
For further information, visit etihadrail.ae
