Etihad Rail officially launched passenger train services between Dubai and Abu Dhabi this week, opening Al Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates as the capital's gateway into the UAE's national rail network. From now, travellers can choose from up to ten daily departures connecting the two emirates.
The operator says the journey between Dubai and Abu Dhabi takes roughly one hour and four minutes, a notable improvement over typical road travel times during peak hours. Alongside the Dubai-Abu Dhabi route, Etihad Rail has also introduced six daily services linking Abu Dhabi with Fujairah, extending the network to residents on the UAE's east coast.
Ameera Alkhlaifi, an Etihad Rail official, said the new timetable was "designed around the reality of how people travel," adding that offering services throughout the day makes rail "a practical option for everyday journeys" rather than just long-distance trips.
The launch marks a major milestone in the UAE's national rail programme, which is intended to eventually link all seven emirates by train. For the large number of commuters who travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi for work or business, the new service offers a faster and potentially more reliable alternative to driving or taking a bus, particularly given recurring congestion on the route.
Tickets are now available through the Etihad Rail app, its website, and ticket machines installed at stations. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has also indicated plans to expand the city's rail footprint further, adding conventional stations alongside those built for the high-speed network, a move expected to widen access to the service across different parts of the city in the coming years.