Etihad Rail: 5 major changes as Dubai station prepares to open

The opening of Etihad Rail’s Dubai passenger station later this month is set to bring major changes to inter-emirate travel, with new connections to the Dubai Metro, additional stations under consideration and plans for a future high-speed service to Abu Dhabi.

Located in Al Yalayis, the station is scheduled to open on September 30, alongside Al Dhaid Station in Sharjah. The Abu Dhabi-Dubai journey is expected to take around 57 minutes, cutting travel times by up to 40 per cent.

Here are five developments passengers should know about.

1. Dubai could get a second Etihad Rail station

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed that the emirate could eventually have a second Etihad Rail station, in addition to the Al Yalayis station.

The location has not been officially announced. However, the Dubai Rail Network Map for 2032, released in April, indicates a potential station in Meydan.

The proposed station would be integrated with the planned Dubai Metro Gold Line, which is scheduled for completion in 2032.

2. High-speed Dubai-Abu Dhabi rail plans take shape

More details have also emerged about a proposed high-speed rail service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

According to the RTA, the planned service would have two Dubai stations one at Al Maktoum International Airport and another in Al Jaddaf.

No launch date has been confirmed yet. The service is expected to reduce the journey between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to around 30 minutes.

While regular Etihad Rail passenger trains can operate at speeds of up to 200kmph, the proposed high-speed service is planned to reach 350kmph.

3. Etihad Rail to connect directly with Dubai Metro

Passengers will also be able to transfer more easily between Etihad Rail and the Dubai Metro.

A dedicated footbridge is being constructed to connect the Etihad Rail station directly with Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line.

The connection is intended to provide a more convenient transfer between the inter-emirate rail network and Dubai’s urban public transport system.

4. New Fourth Corridor to connect with Etihad Rail

Dubai has also approved a new 80-kilometre Fourth Corridor, linking Al Faya Road in Abu Dhabi with Al Shanouf Road in Sharjah.

The new highway will connect with Etihad Rail and is expected to reduce journey times by up to 60 per cent while serving more than 3.1 million people.

The corridor is part of wider transport infrastructure plans aimed at improving connectivity between Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

5. Airport shuttle connection with Abu Dhabi

Etihad Rail and Etihad Airways have also agreed to explore ways of integrating their services.

Under the agreement, the two companies will study the feasibility of dedicated shuttle services between Zayed International Airport and the Mohammed Bin Zayed City passenger station.

The partnership also covers the possibility of integrated air-and-rail booking services, which could allow passengers to combine their flight and rail journeys more seamlessly.

Dubai station set to open September 30

The Al Yalayis station is scheduled to begin passenger operations on September 30, marking a significant expansion of Etihad Rail’s passenger network.

Passengers will also be able to use their existing Nol cards for train travel across the network, following an agreement between the RTA and Etihad Rail.

With the Dubai station, Metro integration, planned high-speed services and additional road and airport connections, the national rail network is expected to become increasingly integrated with the UAE’s wider transport system.