Commuters weighing how to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi now have a clearer picture of what each option actually costs, after Etihad Rail's passenger service opened between Al Yalayis station in Dubai and Mohamed Bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi on September 30. The train ride itself takes just one hour and four minutes, with Comfort class fares starting at Dh39. But the rail journey rarely stands alone: travellers still need to reach Al Yalayis station and complete the trip once they arrive in Abu Dhabi. Factoring in the Dubai Metro Red Line (Dh7.50) and an Abu Dhabi shuttle (Dh10), the full door-to-door trip by public transport comes to roughly Dh59-Dh61 and takes three-and-a-half to four hours. An intercity bus turns out to be both cheaper and quicker for many travellers, priced at Dh37-Dh38 for a journey of about three to three-and-a-quarter hours. Driving a private car costs more once fuel and Salik tolls are added — between Dh72 and Dh85, including four toll gates priced at roughly Dh16.80 to Dh25.20 — though it remains the fastest option at just 90 minutes to two hours. A taxi for the same route costs Dh389-Dh398, by far the most expensive choice. The comparison lands just as UAE petrol prices climbed to Dh4.28 a litre in October, up from Dh3.69 in September, pushing more residents to reconsider public transport for the roughly 150km journey between the two emirates. For many, the numbers suggest the new rail-metro-bus combination, while slower than driving, undercuts both taxis and solo car trips on cost.