Etihad Rail holds light and laser shows at UAE stations to celebrate the launch of passenger services

Etihad Rail is celebrating the launch of its passenger transport with impressive light and laser displays at stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah, illuminating the UAE sky as the country enters a new era of rail travel.

These shows take place daily from 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM, and residents have one last chance to see these displays on Friday, October 2nd.

The celebration coincides with the official start of the Etihad Rail passenger network, which connects cities and emirates across the UAE, offering residents a new way to travel between emirates.

The passenger rail network was officially launched on September 30, 2026, following the opening of a new passenger train station in Mohammed bin Zayed City. The ceremony was inaugurated by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

The network deployment is happening in phases. Initially, services connect Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, with a journey time of about one hour and forty-five minutes on this route. Stations in Dubai and Ad-Daid have also opened on September 30th, and the commencement of operations for stations in the Al Hadra region is scheduled for December 30, 2026. The Sharjah station is expected to join the network on March 30, 2027.

Ultimately, the new passenger service will connect 11 cities and regions across seven emirates, providing an alternative to car travel and strengthening transport links across the country.

The first Etihad Rail station in Dubai opened on September 30th, providing residents with a new way to travel between emirates. Located in Jumeirah Golf Estates, this station connects to Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, and importantly, to the Dubai Metro.

For those planning to continue traveling around Dubai, the station offers direct access to the Red Line. A specially constructed pedestrian bridge located right at the station entrance connects it to the Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station. According to signage, the walk takes approximately five minutes. The bridge itself is about 400 meters long, allowing passengers to transfer from Etihad Rail to the Dubai Metro without needing a taxi or crossing roads. After reaching the Red Line, travelers can reach various places in Dubai.

Ad-Daid joined the national passenger railway of the UAE on September 30th, providing Sharjah with its first Etihad Rail station and connecting the emirate with Fujairah and Abu Dhabi.

Passengers traveling between Ad-Daid and Fujairah can complete the journey in just 25 minutes. The new station in Muragabat serves as a railway hub for central Sharjah and nearby settlements, including Shuwka.

On June 30th, Etihad Rail made a historic event when the first passenger train from Fujairah reached Abu Dhabi. Tickets on the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route start from 55 dirhams in Comfort Class and from 120 dirhams in Premium Class. The fleet consists of 13 trains, each with a capacity of up to 400 passengers. Customers can purchase tickets through the Etihad Rail app and website starting from June 23, 2026.

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www.khaleejtimes.comSeptember 28, 11:23

Ticket sales open for Etihad Rail train in Dubai: schedule, fares, and parking

The operator's website has reopened ticket sales for passenger transport on Etihad Rail in Dubai. Trains will begin running on September 30th. A check of the booking platform showed direct routes between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as to Fujairah, with starting fares from 39 dirhams for a trip to Abu Dhabi and from 29 dirhams to Fujairah.

Passengers from Dubai will depart from Al Yaylais station in Jumeirah Golf Estates, which has convenient access to the Dubai Metro Red Line, bus routes, taxis, and ride-hailing services. This station provides 265 parking spaces.

Cost of travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

On September 30th, comfortable fares for the route from Dubai to Abu Dhabi start from 39 dirhams, while premium fares start from 109 dirhams. The booking platform displays five direct trips, each lasting 1 hour and 4 minutes:

6:14 AM – 7:18 AM: Comfort from 39 dirhams; Premium from 109 dirhams
7:14 AM – 8:18 AM: Comfort from 39 dirhams; Premium from 109 dirhams
1:14 AM – 2:18 PM: Comfort from 39 dirhams; Premium from 129 dirhams
5:14 PM – 6:18 PM: Comfort from 39 dirhams; Premium from 109 dirhams
6:14 PM – 7:18 PM: Comfort from 39 dirhams; Premium from 109 dirhams

Additionally, the website lists a starting fare of 39 dirhams for Dubai-Abu Dhabi trips on subsequent dates until October 5th.

Route from Abu Dhabi to Dubai

There are also five direct trips available from Abu Dhabi to Dubai on September 30th, all lasting 1 hour and 4 minutes. Departure and arrival times: 6:43 AM – 7:47 AM; 7:43 AM – 8:47 AM; 12:43 PM – 1:47 PM; 4:43 PM – 5:47 PM; 5:43 PM – 6:47 PM. For these trips, comfortable fares start from 39 dirhams, and premium fares start from 109 dirhams.

Cost of travel from Dubai to Fujairah

The booking platform shows one direct trip from Dubai to Fujairah on September 30th, departing at 13:57 and arriving at 15:07. The journey duration is 1 hour and 10 minutes, with starting fares as follows: Comfort — 29 dirhams; Premium — 89 dirhams. However, the cost varies depending on the travel date. Currently, the platform shows starting prices of 29 dirhams for September 30th and October 1st, 49 dirhams for October 2nd, 39 dirhams for October 3rd, and again 29 dirhams for October 4th and 5th. Therefore, passengers are advised to check the fares for their chosen date on the booking website.

Route from Fujairah to Dubai

The trip from Fujairah to Dubai on September 30th departs at 11:54 and arrives at 13:04. This is also a direct service lasting 1 hour and 10 minutes. Fares for this trip start from 29 dirhams in Comfort class and from 89 dirhams in Premium class.

Station location in Dubai

Passengers should use the Dubai Al Yaylais station, located in Jumeirah Golf Estates. Etihad Rail refers to it as its entrance to Dubai, serving passengers traveling between the emirate, Abu Dhabi, and other destinations in the UAE. The station operates from Monday to Sunday from 5 AM to 11 PM.

Dubai Metro accessibility

Yes, Etihad Rail indicates the Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro station on the Red Line as a transport link for Al Yaylais. The metro station is 1000 meters away, and Etihad Rail states that passengers can use it to continue their journey into Dubai's public transport network. Station amenities also include a dedicated walkway to the metro. The metro operating hours listed on the Etihad Rail website are from 00:05 to 23:00.

Bus connections

The Jumeirah Golf Estate 1 - JGE bus stop is located 1.1 km from the Al Yaylais station. Route RTA F38 serves this area, heading towards the Dubai Industrial City and Dubai Sports City. Passengers are advised to check current routes and schedules before traveling.

Taxi and ride-sharing availability

Yes, Etihad Rail provides designated pick-up and drop-off zones at the station. Booking options through Uber, Careem, and Hala Taxi are currently available on the website. Passengers who prefer to drive themselves after the train journey can also use Thrifty car rental services via the station page.

Parking availability

The Dubai Al Yaylais station has 265 parking spaces: 260 for regular cars and 5 for electric vehicles. The Etihad Rail website currently lists parking rates for half-day and full-day use at 30 dirhams. Passengers are recommended to check for parking availability when purchasing a train ticket.

Station amenities

Etihad Rail lists amenities such as Wi-Fi, parking, metro access, ticket vending machines, information and support, waiting areas, family waiting areas, first aid room, retail and food outlets, toilets, prayer room, pick-up and drop-off zones, bus stops, taxi and ride-hailing zones, and a pedestrian bridge to the metro. Among the food outlets displayed on the station page are WHSmith, SHOT, and Starbucks.

How to book tickets

Passengers can use the Etihad Rail website to select their departure station, destination, and travel date. The booking platform then displays available services, indicating departure and arrival times, journey duration, and starting fares for Comfort and Premium classes, allowing travelers to compare options before placing an order.

www.khaleejtimes.comSeptember 22, 10:56

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.

www.khaleejtimes.comSeptember 21, 05:00

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.