One day before the launch of the first passenger train running between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Khaleej Times team visited Mohammed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi. The purpose of the visit was to participate in an exclusive media preview to see what the journey on the train between the two emirates will be like.
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Etihad Rail in Dubai adds option to purchase Nol day pass for metro, tram, and buses
Passengers booking trips on Etihad Rail in Dubai can now add a Nol day pass, starting from 22 dirhams, to their ticket. This allows travelers to combine inter-emirate rail journeys with unlimited travel on the Dubai metro, tram, and bus network using a single QR code.
This addition comes ahead of the launch of passenger services on Etihad Rail from Dubai on September 30th. These routes will connect Al-Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates with Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. This step provides passengers with an additional way to continue their movement around Dubai after using Etihad Rail services.
As previously reported by Khaleej Times, the Dubai Al-Yalayis station is connected to the Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line, ensuring connectivity with Dubai's public transport.
When adding the Nol day pass to an Etihad Rail booking, passengers can use both their rail ticket and the public transport pass via the same QR code. This code will be available in the Etihad Rail app and in the booking confirmation email, and it can be presented if necessary during the journey.
A review of the Etihad Rail booking platform conducted by Khaleej Times showed two options for the Nol day pass: the Standard Nol Day Pass at 22 dirhams per passenger and the Gold Nol Day Pass at 42 dirhams per passenger.
Gold Pass holders can use first-class carriages on the Dubai metro and tram. It is important to note that passengers can purchase the Gold Nol Pass regardless of the class they booked on Etihad Rail; for example, a traveler with a Comfort class ticket can still choose the Gold Nol Day Pass.
This pass is valid for travel on the Dubai Metro's Red and Green Lines, as well as on RTA public buses in the respective zones. This may allow an Etihad Rail passenger arriving in Dubai to transfer to the Jumeirah Golf Estates metro and continue their journey to other parts of the city before, if necessary, switching to the tram or bus network.
During the booking of an Etihad Rail trip, passengers can navigate to the 'Through Travel Options' section before checkout and select the Nol day pass. They can then choose between the standard and gold options and complete the combined booking. The process can also be initiated through RTA's smart channels, including Nol Pay and S’hail, by selecting the Etihad Rail option, which will redirect to Etihad Rail channels to finalize the booking.
The Nol day pass is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase until activation. Once activated, it is only valid for that day. Etihad Rail states that passengers do not need to use the pass on the same day as their train journey; even if the Etihad Rail trip has already concluded, the pass can be activated at any time within the 90-day period.
If a passenger misses an Etihad Rail train, the Nol day pass is non-refundable, but it can still be used within 90 days from the date of purchase. The Nol pass is issued by the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai and is governed by RTA's tariff policies and applicable terms. It is a personal product for one passenger and cannot be shared, duplicated, or transferred to another person.
Etihad Rail tickets from Dubai to Abu Dhabi available from September 30
Ticket booking has started for passengers planning to travel on Etihad Rail from the station in Dubai. Users can purchase tickets through the official Etihad Rail website or mobile application.
The fare from Dubai to Abu Dhabi starts from 39 dirhams per person. The first train running between Dubai and Abu Dhabi departs at 6:15 AM.
It was previously announced that the station in Dubai, officially named Al Jalais Station, is scheduled to open on September 30, 2026. Simultaneously, the Al Dhaid station in Sharjah will also open.
The new station is located in the Jumeirah Golf Estates area, near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). This provides convenient access for areas such as Al Furjan, Dubai Investment Park, and Dubai South.
Etihad Rail Network Updates: Dubai Station Opening, Metro and Abu Dhabi Airport Connectivity
With the upcoming opening of the Etihad Rail station in Dubai in a few weeks, numerous updates have emerged regarding the country's national railway network. The long-awaited station, located in Al Yaylais, will connect the emirate with stations in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, which began operating earlier this year.
Five key changes concerning the development of rail transport have been revealed. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai confirmed the possibility of a second Etihad Rail station in the emirate, adding to the already confirmed 11 stations. Although the location of this potential station has not yet been announced, the Dubai railway network map for 2032, published in April, indicates its placement in Meydan. This station will be integrated with the future Dubai Gold Line Metro, which is planned for completion in 2032.
Additional details were presented this week about the planned high-speed train between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. According to RTA data, this high-speed service will have two stations in Dubai: one at Al Maktoum International Airport and another at Al Jaddafah. While exact launch dates are not available, it will reduce travel time from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to 30 minutes. Whereas regular Etihad Rail trains operate at a speed of 200 km/h, the high-speed service will run at 350 km/h.
Dubai is working to ensure seamless connectivity between Etihad Rail and metro stations. At a press briefing, Mattar Al Tayyar, Director-General and Chairman of the RTA Executive Council, explained how the agency is collaborating with Etihad Rail to simplify passenger movement. A special pedestrian bridge is being constructed that will directly connect the Etihad Rail station to the Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro station on the Red Line, ensuring smooth transfers.
On Wednesday, Dubai approved a new 80-kilometer Fourth Corridor, which will run from Al Faya Road in Abu Dhabi to Al Shanouf Road in Sharjah. This highway will be connected to Etihad Rail and is expected to reduce travel time by up to 60%, serving over 3.1 million people.
The railway network has entered into an agreement with Etihad Airways to integrate services. Both entities will study the feasibility of dedicated shuttle services between Mohammed Bin Zayed Passenger Station and Zayed International Airport. This will facilitate convenient transfers for passengers between the airport and Etihad Rail. The Memorandum of Understanding signed during the Arabian Travel Market also covers integrated booking options for air and rail tickets.
The Dubai station is scheduled to open on September 30, alongside the Al Daid station in Sharjah. The journey between Abu Dhabi and Dubai will take approximately 57 minutes, reducing travel time by 40%. Passengers will be able to use their existing Nol cards to pay for travel across the entire rail network following the agreement signed between RTA and Etihad Rail in February 2024.