Etihad Rail passenger guide 2026: stations, map, tickets and timings

Etihad Rail's passenger trains now link Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah's Al Dhaid and Fujairah. The first route opened on 30 June 2026 between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, and Dubai and Al Dhaid joined the network on 30 September 2026. A trip between Abu Dhabi and Dubai takes about 64 minutes, with Comfort fares from AED 39. This guide covers every station, the route map, ticket prices, timings and how to book, with an engineer's view of how the railway works. Last checked: 14 October 2026.

Etihad Rail passenger trains: key facts at a glance

Etihad Rail route map: where the trains go

Etihad Rail is the UAE's national railway, built first for freight and now about 900 km long. Passenger trains use the same main line. From west to east, the passenger route runs:

• Abu Dhabi (Mohamed Bin Zayed City), on the mainland side of the capital;
• Dubai (Al Yalayis), on the southern edge of the city near Jumeirah Golf Estates;
• Al Dhaid, in Sharjah's central region;
• Fujairah, on the east coast, after crossing the Hajar mountains.

Not every train stops everywhere. At launch, most services ran Abu Dhabi–Dubai, with separate trains to Fujairah, some calling at Al Dhaid. Always check your exact train in the Etihad Rail app before travelling.

Etihad Rail stations

Abu Dhabi station (Mohamed Bin Zayed City)

Abu Dhabi's passenger station is in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, on the mainland rather than on Abu Dhabi island. Plan a taxi or a drive to reach it from downtown, the Corniche or Yas Island. It is the western terminus of all current passenger services.

Dubai station (Al Yalayis, Jumeirah Golf Estates)

Dubai's Etihad Rail station, Al Yalayis, opened on 30 September 2026 next to Jumeirah Golf Estates, near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). A 400-metre covered footbridge, about a five-minute walk, links it to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro station on the Red Line. The station has 265 parking spaces (the first 15 minutes are free, then AED 5 per hour), taxi and ride-hailing areas, the F38 bus, a car rental desk and prayer and first-aid rooms. Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is about 30 minutes away by road.

Fujairah station

Fujairah station is the eastern terminus, in Al Hilal City. It was the first Etihad Rail passenger station to open, with the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route on 30 June 2026. From Fujairah, the beaches of the east coast and the town of Dibba are a short drive away.

Al Dhaid (Sharjah) and upcoming stations

Sharjah's first Etihad Rail station is Al Dhaid, in Muragabat, in the emirate's central region. It opened on 30 September 2026 and is served at first by two trains each way to Fujairah (25 minutes, from AED 19) and two each way to Abu Dhabi (about 1 hour 24 minutes, from AED 59). It has 26 parking spaces, free for now, taxis and three local bus routes (ER1, ER2 and ER3). A second Sharjah station, Sharjah University City, is due on 30 March 2027, much closer to Sharjah city.

Stations in the Al Dhafra region of western Abu Dhabi, such as Madinat Zayed, Liwa, Al Mirfa, Al Dhannah and Al Sila, are scheduled to open by the end of 2026. With them, the network will reach about ten passenger stations by March 2027.

Etihad Rail ticket prices

These are starting prices: fares rise with demand, like airline tickets. There are three fare types: Saver (fixed seat, no changes, non-refundable), Value (free seat choice, changes allowed, non-refundable) and Flex (free seat choice and changes, refundable under conditions). Children aged 2 to 17 pay 50% of the adult fare, passengers aged 60 and over get 20% off, and infants under two travel free on an adult's lap.

Etihad Rail timings and journey times

At launch, trains left Dubai for Abu Dhabi at 6:14, 7:14, 13:14, 17:14 and 18:14, and Abu Dhabi for Dubai at 6:43, 7:43, 12:43, 16:43 and 17:43. The timetable is built for commuters, with peaks in the early morning and late afternoon. Timetables change: confirm the day's departures in the app. Arrive at least 20 minutes early, as gates close 2 minutes before departure.

How to book Etihad Rail tickets: app, website, machines and Nol

• Etihad Rail app and website: check timetables, choose your seat, pay and manage your booking. Tickets arrive by app and email.
• Ticket machines in stations, which also print paper tickets. Sales close five minutes before departure, subject to availability.
• Dubai connections: you can add an RTA Nol one-day pass when you book. A single QR code then covers the train and Dubai's metro, tram and buses.

Book early for weekends: the average booking is made about ten days ahead. If Etihad Rail delays your train by 30 minutes or more, you can rebook or get a refund, but missing a train for your own reasons is treated as a no-show.

On board: CAF and CRRC trains, classes and services

The fleet has nine seven-car trains built by CAF in Spain and four five-car trains built by CRRC in China. All are diesel push-pull trains with a top speed of 200 km/h. There are two classes, Comfort and Premium, with reserved seats, Wi-Fi, a charging point at every seat and luggage areas. An on-board menu called "A Journey through the Emirates" uses local ingredients such as dates, saffron and cardamom.

What's next: Al Dhafra, Sharjah University City and high-speed rail in 2030

• End of 2026: stations in the Al Dhafra region (Madinat Zayed, Liwa and others).
• 30 March 2027: Sharjah University City station.
• 2030: a separate, fully electric high-speed line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai at up to 350 km/h, cutting the trip to about 30 minutes, with stops planned at Al Jaddaf, Al Maktoum airport (DWC), Zayed International Airport, Yas, Saadiyat and Reem islands.
• 2032: an interchange with Dubai Metro's new Gold Line at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

For the full picture of the country's rail plans, including Hafeet Rail to Oman, read our UAE railway projects guide.

An engineer's view: one line for freight and passengers

Etihad Rail was designed first as a freight railway: heavy trains of sulphur, aggregates and containers run on it at up to 120 km/h. Passenger trains at up to 200 km/h now share the same tracks. This mixed traffic is the main constraint of the service. Every passenger path must fit between slower freight trains, which explains the modest timetable of around ten Abu Dhabi–Dubai trains a day rather than a train every half hour.

The line uses ERTMS/ETCS Level 2, the European train control system. There are no lineside signals: the train receives its movement authority by radio and the driver reads the permitted speed in the cab, while the system automatically brakes the train if needed. This is what allows trains of very different speeds and braking performance to share a long line safely. The next step, the electric high-speed line of 2030, will be a separate railway, which will free capacity on the conventional line for more freight and regional trains.

FAQ

When did Etihad Rail open for passengers?

The first passenger route, Abu Dhabi–Fujairah, opened on 30 June 2026. Dubai and Al Dhaid were added on 30 September 2026, and the service was officially inaugurated on 6 October 2026.

How much is the Etihad Rail ticket from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?

From AED 39 in Comfort class and from AED 109 in Premium class. Prices rise with demand, so book early.

Where is the Etihad Rail station in Dubai?

Al Yalayis station is next to Jumeirah Golf Estates, near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. A 400-metre footbridge links it to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro station on the Red Line.

How long is the train from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?

About 64 minutes between Mohamed Bin Zayed City and Al Yalayis. The future high-speed line should cut this to about 30 minutes from 2030.

How fast is Etihad Rail?

The passenger trains can reach 200 km/h. Freight trains run at up to 120 km/h. The planned high-speed line will run at up to 350 km/h.

How do I book Etihad Rail tickets?

Through the Etihad Rail app, the official website or the ticket machines in stations. You can add a Dubai Nol one-day pass to use the metro, tram and buses with the same QR code.

Read also: our Haramain High Speed Railway guide, the Saudi Arabia railway projects guide and more train travel guides. Rail news from the region: Middle East.

Sources: International Railway Journal, Etihad Rail extends passenger service to Dubai; The National, tickets go on sale (22 September 2026) and Dubai station guide (30 September 2026); Gulf News, fares and timings (29 September 2026) and Al Dhaid station (29 September 2026); Emirates 24|7, on board and discounts (30 September 2026). Fares and timetables: etihadrail.ae.