# Etihad Rail in 2026: Stations, Opening Dates, Fares and Commuting

Canonical: https://jobxdubai.com/knowledge-hub/transport/etihad-rail-passenger-stations-guide
Category: Transport
Updated: 2026-10-02
Source: JobXDubai Knowledge Hub

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If you live in one emirate and work in another, you have probably wondered whether Etihad Rail can replace the daily drive. Passenger trains now run between Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah's Al Dhaid and Fujairah, with more stations due over the next six months. Here is what is open, what is coming, what it costs and whether it works as a commute.

## Which Etihad Rail stations are open now?

Passenger services began on 30 June 2026 with an introductory Abu Dhabi to Fujairah service. The Dubai and Al Dhaid stations followed on 30 September 2026. As of October 2026, 4 stations are open:

- **Mohamed bin Zayed City Station, Abu Dhabi.** The capital's terminal, on the mainland rather than on Abu Dhabi island. Shuttle buses link it to key locations in the city.
- **Al Yalayis Station, Dubai.** Near Jumeirah Golf Estates. A pedestrian bridge connects it to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line.
- **Al Dhaid Station, Sharjah.** In the inland town of Al Dhaid, not Sharjah city.
- **Fujairah Station.** In Madinat Al Hilal, Fujairah.

## Opening dates for the next stations

Treat these published dates as targets. Madinat Zayed and Liwa were originally due on 30 December 2026 and were brought forward a month for Al Dhafra's festival season, so dates can move.

| Target date | Station | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 30 November 2026 | Madinat Zayed | Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi |
| 30 November 2026 | Liwa | Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi |
| 30 December 2026 | Al Mirfa | Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi |
| 30 December 2026 | Al Dhannah | Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi |
| 30 December 2026 | Al Sila | Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi |
| 30 March 2027 | University City | Sharjah |

Once these open, the announced phases give a network of 10 stations. The long-term plan connects 11 cities and regions, from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east.

## Routes, journey times and fares

Reported journey times and launch fares:

- **Dubai to Abu Dhabi:** about an hour (published figures range from 57 to 64 minutes). Comfort from AED 39, Premium from AED 109.
- **Abu Dhabi to Fujairah:** about 1 hour 45 minutes. Comfort from AED 55, Premium from AED 120. Khaleej Times reports these are 50% introductory fares, with regular fares of AED 109 and AED 239.
- **Dubai to Fujairah:** about 70 minutes. Comfort from AED 29, Premium from AED 109.
- **Al Dhaid to Fujairah:** about 25 minutes on the express. Comfort from AED 19.
- **Al Dhaid to Abu Dhabi:** Comfort from AED 59, Premium from AED 149.

These are starting prices. Each class has 3 fare types: **Saver** (non-refundable, no seat choice), **Value** (non-refundable, seat selection) and **Flex** (refundable, seat selection). At launch there are 10 daily trains between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, 5 each way, and 6 daily services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. Introductory fares and timetables can change, so check the live price first.

## How to book a ticket

Book through the Etihad Rail app, the website at etihadrail.ae, or ticket vending machines at stations. Gulf News reports that online sales stay open until 5 minutes before departure.

At Al Yalayis, one QR code covers the Etihad Rail journey and onward RTA Metro, tram and bus trips, and Nol integration has been confirmed. If you are new to Dubai's system, our [guide to the Dubai Metro and Nol cards](/knowledge-hub/transport/dubai-metro-nol-public-transport) explains fares and zones. In the capital, buses run on Hafilat, covered in our [Abu Dhabi Hafilat card guide](/knowledge-hub/transport/abu-dhabi-hafilat-card-guide). Al Yalayis also has a car park of about 265 spaces at a reported AED 30 a day, and you are advised to check availability when booking.

## Can you commute between emirates by train?

Yes, but only on certain routes, and the timetable is the real constraint.

**Abu Dhabi and Dubai.** This is the strongest case. With 5 trains each way, the first Dubai departure at 6:14am and the last at 6:14pm at launch, a standard office day can work if your schedule matches the trains. The catch is the first and last mile: Al Yalayis is on the far end of the Red Line, and Mohamed bin Zayed City is off the island. Add Metro, bus or shuttle time at both ends before comparing it with driving.

A rough monthly cost: 22 working days, 2 trips a day at the AED 39 starting fare is about AED 1,716, and more if Saver fares sell out at peak times. Compare it with fuel, Salik and parking using our [Salik and parking guide](/knowledge-hub/transport/salik-parking-dubai-guide).

**Sharjah and Dubai.** Not yet a commuting option. Al Dhaid is an inland town well outside Sharjah city, so the train does not help people living in Al Nahda, Al Taawun or Muwaileh. University City station, targeted for March 2027, is the one to watch. Until then, see [Dubai vs Sharjah: living costs and the commute](/knowledge-hub/housing/dubai-vs-sharjah-living-commute).

**Fujairah.** Good for weekends, but a handful of daily services is not an office timetable.

If the train changes where you could live, it can also change where you could work. Browse live [UAE jobs](/jobs) across both emirates with the commute in mind.

## Key takeaway

Etihad Rail now links Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Dhaid and Fujairah, with Al Dhafra stations targeted for November and December 2026 and Sharjah's University City for March 2027. Abu Dhabi to Dubai takes about an hour from AED 39, which makes a cross-emirate commute realistic if your hours fit the timetable. Sharjah city commuters will have to wait until University City opens.

## FAQ

### How long is the Etihad Rail train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?

About an hour. Published figures range from 57 to 64 minutes between Al Yalayis in Dubai and Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Allow extra time to reach each station from your home or office.

### How much is an Etihad Rail ticket?

Launch fares start at AED 39 in Comfort and AED 109 in Premium between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi to Fujairah starts at AED 55 and AED 120. Prices depend on the fare type you choose and can change after the introductory period.

### Where is the Etihad Rail station in Dubai?

Al Yalayis Station is near Jumeirah Golf Estates. A pedestrian bridge links it to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line, and the station has its own paid car park.

### When will Etihad Rail open in Sharjah city?

University City Station in Sharjah is targeted for 30 March 2027. The Sharjah station open now is in Al Dhaid, an inland town well outside the city.

## Further reading

- [Dubai Metro, buses and Nol cards explained](/knowledge-hub/transport/dubai-metro-nol-public-transport)
- [Abu Dhabi Hafilat card guide](/knowledge-hub/transport/abu-dhabi-hafilat-card-guide)
- [Dubai vs Sharjah: living costs and the commute](/knowledge-hub/housing/dubai-vs-sharjah-living-commute)
- [Finding a job in the UAE in 2026](/knowledge-hub/jobs-careers/finding-a-job-in-uae-2026-guide)

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