For residents and visitors planning a trip on the UAE’s new passenger train: which stations are open, how long the journeys take, what tickets cost, how the three fare types work, and the rules on luggage, children and boarding that catch first-time passengers out.
Etihad Rail passenger trains now link four stations: Abu Dhabi (Mohamed Bin Zayed City), Dubai (Jumeirah Golf Estates), Al Dhaid in Sharjah, and Fujairah. Abu Dhabi to Dubai takes about 64 minutes, and Abu Dhabi to Fujairah 1 hour 45 minutes. Etihad Rail advertises fares from AED 39 for Abu Dhabi to Dubai and from AED 55 for Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in Comfort Class. Book in the Etihad Rail app, on etihadrail.ae, at station machines or by phone. You cannot board without a reservation.
Service started on 30 June 2026 between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, and Dubai and Al Dhaid joined on 30 September 2026. More stations open in stages through March 2027. This guide is based on Etihad Rail’s Passenger Charter, its help center, its station pages and timetable, and its press releases, all checked on 5 October 2026.
Which Stations Are Open?
| Station | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Station | Mohamed Bin Zayed City (ME10), Abu Dhabi | Open since 30 June 2026 |
| Fujairah Station | Fujairah | Open since 30 June 2026 |
| Dubai Station | Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, with a transfer bridge to the metro | Open since 30 September 2026 |
| Al Dhaid Station | Al Dhaid, Sharjah | Open since 30 September 2026 |
| Madinat Zayed and Liwa | Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi | Scheduled for 30 November 2026 |
| Remaining Al Dhafra stations | Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi | Scheduled for 30 December 2026 |
| Sharjah | Sharjah | Scheduled for 30 March 2027 |
Station locations come from Etihad Rail’s network and stations page. The opening schedule comes from its 3 August 2026 release. Madinat Zayed and Liwa were brought forward to 30 November 2026 on the instruction of the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra (Etihad Rail, 22 July 2026). Future dates can move, so check before you plan around them.
The Abu Dhabi and Dubai stations are open 05:00 to 23:00, seven days a week. Both have parking, wifi, ticket machines, food outlets, prayer rooms, family waiting areas and taxi ranks. The Dubai station also has a transfer bridge to the metro (Etihad Rail, Dubai Station).
Journey Times and Timetable
- Abu Dhabi to Dubai: about 64 minutes. On the timetable shown on 5 October 2026, the 06:43 from Abu Dhabi reached Dubai at 07:47, and the 07:43 arrived at 08:47 (Etihad Rail, Abu Dhabi Station).
- Abu Dhabi to Fujairah: 1 hour 45 minutes (Etihad Rail, 23 June 2026). The first service on 30 June left Fujairah at 5:34am and reached Abu Dhabi at 7:19am.
Etihad Rail does not publish one fixed timetable. Frequency varies by route, day and time, and schedules can change during Ramadan, at weekends and on public holidays. Check times in the app or on the website for your travel date (Etihad Rail help center).
How Much Does Etihad Rail Cost?
Fares depend on route, class, fare type and how full the train is, and the price at checkout includes all taxes and fees (Etihad Rail help center). At launch, Etihad Rail announced Abu Dhabi to Fujairah fares from AED 55 in Comfort Class and AED 120 in Premium Class (Etihad Rail, 23 June 2026).
The lowest one-way fares advertised on etihadrail.ae on 5 October 2026:
| Route | Lowest advertised fare |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi to Dubai | From AED 39 on the station pages; from AED 49 in the homepage’s popular trips |
| Abu Dhabi to Fujairah | From AED 55 on the station pages; from AED 79 in the homepage’s popular trips |
| Abu Dhabi to Al Dhaid | From AED 69 |
| Dubai to Fujairah | From AED 29 (from AED 39 in the other direction) |
| Fujairah to Al Dhaid | From AED 19 |
The two figures shown for the same route on the same day show how dynamic the pricing is. The lowest fare is for the cheapest fare type in Comfort Class on the emptiest trains. Expect to pay more at busy times and in Premium Class.
Discounts for Children and Seniors
The Passenger Charter sets these discounts (Etihad Rail Passenger Charter):
| Passenger | Age | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | 0 to 2 | Free on an adult’s lap, one infant per adult. A separate seat, or a second infant, needs a child ticket. |
| Child | Up to 17 | 50% off all fares |
| Adult | 18 to 59 | Standard fare |
| Senior (UAE nationals and expats) | 60 and over | 20% off all fares |
Carry proof of age. Children under 14 must travel with an adult, while those aged 14 and over can travel alone. There are no season tickets, family passes or loyalty scheme yet (Etihad Rail help center).
Saver, Value or Flex: Which Fare Type to Buy
Both classes come in three fare types, and the type matters more than the price if your plans might change (Passenger Charter, sections 6 and 12):
| Saver | Value | Flex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changes | Not allowed | Free up to 72 hours before departure, then AED 20 per change plus any fare difference | Free and unlimited, up to 30 minutes after departure |
| Refunds | None | None | Full refund if cancelled more than 24 hours before departure; 30% fee within 24 hours |
| Seat choice | For a fee, otherwise assigned 24 hours before departure | Free | Free |
| Transfer to another person | No | No | Yes, through the Contact Centre before boarding |
Three rules apply to every fare type:
- You cannot change the route. A change of origin or destination station is not allowed on any fare, so you need a new ticket.
- A cheaper new fare is not refunded. If you change to a cheaper train, you pay any higher fare, but you do not get the difference back if the new fare is lower.
- A missed train is a no-show. The ticket becomes invalid and nothing is refunded, even on Flex.
If Etihad Rail cancels your train, it offers rebooking, alternative transport or a refund. If its delay makes you miss a rail-to-rail connection, it rebooks you on the next train free. That guarantee does not cover connections to the metro, buses, taxis or shuttles (Etihad Rail help center).
Comfort Class vs Premium Class
| Comfort Class | Premium Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat pitch | 37 to 38 inches | 39 to 40 inches, wider, reclining |
| Power and wifi | Universal socket, USB, free wifi | Universal socket, USB, free wifi |
| Food and drink | Trolley service to buy from | Complimentary drinks and snacks, more to buy |
| Extras | None | Priority boarding, Premium Lounge where available |
Source: Passenger Charter, section 5, and the help center. Alcohol is not allowed on board, and there is no ladies-only carriage.
How to Book and Board
- Book. Use the Etihad Rail app or etihadrail.ae, where fares and seat choice are widest, a station ticket machine, or the 24/7 Contact Centre on 800 7245 (800 RAIL). You can book as a guest. Payment is by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. The station machines also take AED cash. A nol card or TAMM cannot buy rail tickets (Passenger Charter, section 10; help center).
- Book ahead. Sales close 5 minutes before departure. Passengers were booking an average of 12 days ahead in the first weeks, so popular times sell out (Etihad Rail, 3 August 2026).
- Carry ID that matches the ticket name. Every ticket is issued in the passenger’s name, and staff may check ID with the ticket. Tourists can travel too.
- Arrive at least 10 minutes early. The ticket gates close 2 minutes before departure. Scan the QR code on your e-ticket at the gate. Printing is optional.
- Do not leave the secure area. Once you are through the gates, you cannot re-enter on the same ticket.
Luggage, Strollers, Pets and Bikes
- Two free items per passenger aged 3 and over, on every fare type: a personal item that fits under your seat, and a carry-on bag up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm in the overhead rack. Infants share the adult’s allowance. Request extra baggage in advance through the app, website, Contact Centre or at a station. Label your bags, and be able to lift them yourself.
- Strollers: one per child, free, folded before boarding.
- Pets: allowed in an approved carrier, one per passenger, and the carrier replaces your carry-on allowance. Certified assistance dogs must be booked in advance through the Contact Centre.
- Scooters and e-scooters are banned.
- Wheelchairs: reserve a wheelchair space when you book. Only electric wheelchairs with manufacturer-installed batteries are allowed. A companion who travels with you needs a ticket at the normal fare.
Source: Passenger Charter, sections 15 and 20, and the help center.
Getting To and From the Stations
Dubai: the station has a transfer bridge to the metro, plus a bus stop, taxi and e-hailing area, pick-up and drop-off, and a car park.
Abu Dhabi: Mohamed Bin Zayed City is far from the Corniche and the islands. Etihad Rail runs shuttles from the station to Reem Mall on Al Reem Island, ADNEC in Al Rawdah, and ADNOC Headquarters on the Corniche. The ADNEC stop operates 07:00 to 21:00 (Etihad Rail, ADNEC shuttle stop). Shuttle transfers are listed as a trip add-on on etihadrail.ae, so add one when you book. Etihad Rail also works with Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre to connect the station to the city’s buses and taxis (Etihad Rail, 30 June 2026).
Parking: all stations have parking. Fees vary by station and length of stay, and can be booked in the app or on the website where available (help center).
Is the Train Worth It Over Driving?
For Dubai to Abu Dhabi, the train is about an hour station to station. It avoids Salik tolls, fuel and parking in the city center, and it is predictable at rush hour. The catch is the first and last mile. Neither station is in a city center, so add the metro, shuttle or taxi time and cost at each end. If you live near the Red Line in south Dubai and work near one of the Abu Dhabi shuttle stops, the train is a strong commute option. If both ends are far from a station, driving may still be quicker. Our guides to whether you need a car in Dubai, the cost of running a car in the UAE and Salik tolls help you compare. If you are weighing a move between emirates around the new line, see moving emirates within the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Etihad Rail passenger train running now?
Yes. Passenger service began on 30 June 2026 between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, and Dubai and Al Dhaid stations opened on 30 September 2026. Madinat Zayed and Liwa are scheduled for 30 November 2026 and Sharjah for 30 March 2027.
How long is the train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
About 64 minutes between Dubai Station at Jumeirah Golf Estates and Abu Dhabi Station at Mohamed Bin Zayed City, based on Etihad Rail’s published timetable.
How much is the Etihad Rail ticket from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
Etihad Rail advertises Comfort Class fares from AED 39. Fares are dynamic and depend on the fare type, class and demand, so the price you see in the app may be higher.
Where is the Etihad Rail station in Dubai?
At Jumeirah Golf Estates, with a transfer bridge to the Dubai Metro. It has parking, a bus stop and a taxi area, and is open 05:00 to 23:00.
Can I get a refund on an Etihad Rail ticket?
Only on a Flex fare: a full refund if you cancel more than 24 hours before departure, and a 30% fee within 24 hours. Saver and Value fares are non-refundable, and missed trains are not refunded on any fare.
Do children pay full fare on Etihad Rail?
No. Children up to 17 get 50% off, and infants up to 2 travel free on an adult’s lap. Children under 14 must travel with an adult.
Is there a senior discount on Etihad Rail?
Yes. Passengers aged 60 and over, UAE nationals and expats alike, get 20% off all fares. Carry proof of age.
How much luggage can I take on Etihad Rail?
Two items free: a personal item under the seat and a carry-on bag up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm. Extra baggage must be requested in advance.
Can I pay for Etihad Rail with my nol card?
No. Tickets are sold only through Etihad Rail’s app, website, station ticket machines and Contact Centre.
What happens if I miss my train?
Your ticket becomes invalid and you need to buy a new one. Only a Flex ticket can be changed up to 30 minutes after the scheduled departure.
Do I need ID to travel on Etihad Rail?
Yes. Carry a valid proof of identity matching the name on your ticket, as it may be checked at the station or on board.
Official Sources
- Etihad Rail: Passenger Charter (travel classes, fare types, discounts, ticket purchase, cancellations, accessibility, baggage)
- Etihad Rail: Help center FAQs
- Etihad Rail: Network maps, stations and shuttles
- Etihad Rail: MBZ City station inauguration and launch fares (23 June 2026)
- Etihad Rail: First passenger service begins (30 June 2026)
- Etihad Rail: Madinat Zayed and Liwa stations brought forward (22 July 2026)
- Etihad Rail: 70,000 tickets sold and station opening schedule (3 August 2026)
Information current as of 5 October 2026. Fares are dynamic and the timetable changes, so the figures here are examples from Etihad Rail’s own pages on that date, not guaranteed prices. Etihad Rail did not publish a press release for the 30 September station openings; their status is confirmed by the stations being bookable on etihadrail.ae. The shuttle fare is not published on Etihad Rail’s site and is not quoted here.
This guide is for informational purposes only. UAE regulations and fees are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant official authority before proceeding with any application or transaction.
