TL;DR: The train runs from Al Yalayis in Dubai to Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi in about an hour. My journey took 64 minutes, which matches the published timetable. Fares start from Dhs. 39 in Comfort and Dhs. 109 in Premium and rise as seats sell. Book ahead on the website or app, as the station machines reportedly charge more for the same seat. The nearest Metro stop is Jumeirah Golf Estates on the Red Line, but the Metro opens at 8am on Sundays, too late for the first train. The Abu Dhabi station is opposite Dalma Mall, not in the city centre, so plan your onward taxi or pre-book the Dhs. 10 shuttle. The last train back to Dubai leaves at 5:43pm. For a day trip, Premium earns its price.
I was on the very first passenger service from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, the 6:14am on 30 September 2026. I went out in Comfort and came back in Premium, specifically so I could tell you whether the upgrade is worth it. Here is everything I wish someone had told me before I booked, plus what I learned on the day.
Booking Your Ticket
You have 3 ways to buy: the Etihad Rail website (etihadrail.ae), the Etihad Rail app, or a ticket machine at the station.
Book ahead, online or in the app. A Comfort fare that starts at Dhs. 39 online has been reported at around Dhs. 60 from the station machines. Same train, same seat, same view. The only difference is a higher price for not planning ahead.
"From" means from. Fares rise with demand, much like flights, so the earlier you book, the closer you get to the headline price. On launch day, some midday Premium departures were already selling from Dhs. 129.
What the Headline Fare Includes
At checkout you will be offered extras: choosing your seat, being able to change your booking, and being able to get a refund. Each one adds to the price. If your plans are fixed, skip them. If there is any chance your day moves, paying for flexibility now is cheaper than buying a second ticket later.
Upgrade Early, Not Late
I booked Comfort both ways and upgraded the return to Premium at the last minute. It cost more than booking Premium upfront would have. Learn from my enthusiasm.
Your ticket arrives as a PDF by email and also sits in the app, ready to scan. No printing needed.
Timetable
At launch there were 5 departures a day in each direction. The published timetable allows 64 minutes, and 64 is exactly what mine took.
- First train from Dubai: 6:14am, arriving 7:18am
- First train from Abu Dhabi: 6:43am, arriving 7:47am
- Last train from Dubai: 6:14pm, arriving 7:18pm
- Last train from Abu Dhabi: 5:43pm, arriving 6:47pm
That 5:43pm departure is the number to plan your whole day around. Miss it and your fallback is a taxi, which is the most expensive way to get home. Check the live timetable on etihadrail.ae before you travel, as schedules on a brand new line tend to change.
Doing a Quick There-and-Back?
It is easier than you might think. The train I arrived on in Abu Dhabi was the same train that went back to Dubai, so I simply walked out through the gate and back in again. I had about a 15 minute window between the two, which was plenty. I will admit it felt like a risk on my first time, but there is very little distance to cover, and it worked out well.
Getting to Al Yalayis Station
The Dubai station is in Al Yalayis, next to Jumeirah Golf Estates. From the Marina or the Palm, it is a reasonable drive. From Deira, it is a commitment.
By car
There is a paid car park with around 265 spaces. Charges are collected automatically, so there is no ticket to deal with on the way out. The published rates:
- First 15 minutes free
- Dhs. 5 per hour
- Dhs. 30 for 5 hours or more
- Dhs. 40 overnight (1am to 5am)
For reference, I parked for about 3 hours on opening day and received a charge notification for Dhs. 20. At the time of writing it had not actually been taken, which looks like a teething glitch in the system. Budget up to Dhs. 30 for a full day trip.
By Dubai Metro
The nearest Metro station is Jumeirah Golf Estates on the Red Line. An indoor pedestrian bridge links it to Al Yalayis, roughly a 5 minute walk. Jumeirah Golf Estates is on the Expo 2020 branch of the Red Line, between Al Furjan and Dubai Investment Park, so board a train heading to Expo 2020, not one heading towards Jebel Ali. New to the Metro? Start with my Dubai Metro guide.
Metro operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday and Saturday: 5am to midnight
- Friday: 5am to 1am
- Sunday: 8am to midnight
The Sunday Trap
The Sunday hours are the trap. The first train to Abu Dhabi leaves at 6:14am, and on a Sunday the Metro does not open until 8am, so you will need a taxi or a lift. On other days, a 5am Metro gets you there in time from most of the Red Line, but give yourself a margin.
By taxi or bus
Taxis wait in the station car park. The F38 bus serves the area from Dubai Production City and Dubai Sports City.
At the Station and Boarding
For reference, the station is smaller than a typical Dubai Metro station, so it is quick to find your way around.
- Arrive at least 10 minutes early. The gates close 2 minutes before departure.
- Bring ID. Etihad Rail's rules say to carry your Emirates ID or passport, matching the name on the booking. I was not asked for mine, but carry it anyway.
- You scan once, at the ticket gates before the platform area, not at the train door.
- Carriages and seats are clearly numbered, so finding your place takes seconds.
On opening day, complimentary food was being handed out inside the station. Lovely gesture. Do not plan your breakfast around it, because that was launch hospitality, not the usual service.
Comfort vs Premium
Both classes have free Wi-Fi and charging points. Premium adds wider reclining seats, extra legroom, complimentary snacks and drinks, priority boarding, and lounge access where available.
What I had in Comfort: an egg paratha, coffee and water from the trolley. I did not know it would be included, and it may well have been an opening-day bonus. Premium is the class that specifically includes food, so in Comfort, expect to pay. If you have allergies, the paratha came labelled: wheat, egg, mustard, soy and milk.
What I had in Premium: the main was a choice of egg paratha or za'atar croissant, and I went for the croissant. It appears to come with a yoghurt pot (Greek yoghurt, fig jam, granola mix and figs, with gluten, nuts, milk and sulphites as allergens) and cookies, plus orange juice, water, and a glass of karak, which is exactly the right note for the ride home. The seats are noticeably wider and the cabin feels calmer.
My take: for a day out, book Premium. For a regular commute, Comfort does the job perfectly well, and the difference adds up quickly over a week.
On Board
Bring your own food if you like. I had packed snacks and carried them on without a single question. Etihad Rail allows your own food and drinks, with sensible limits: nothing with a strong smell, nothing likely to spill or stain, nothing that will disturb other passengers, and no alcohol. A cup of karak is fine. The biryani is not, for the sake of everyone in your carriage.
Tables and storage. There is overhead space for bags, and each seat has a fold-down table big enough for breakfast, a book or a laptop.
Wi-Fi. Free, in theory. In practice it was choppy, and so was my own mobile data along parts of the route. Download whatever you want to watch or read before you leave home.
Bathrooms. I did not try them, so I cannot report. Everything else on board was spotless.
The view. A good stretch of the journey is sand, more sand, and the occasional cluster of palm trees. But catch the early departure and you get the sunrise over the dunes, which for me was the best part of the whole trip.
Luggage, Children, Accessibility and Pets
- Luggage: 2 free items per passenger, in either class. One personal item that fits under your seat, and one carry-on up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm for the overhead rack.
- Children: ages 2 to 17 travel at 50% off, and under-14s must travel with an adult. Infants under 2 travel free on an adult's lap, 1 per paying adult. You may be asked for ID to confirm a child's age.
- Accessibility: stations and trains are step-free, with dedicated wheelchair spaces. Reserve the wheelchair space when you book.
- Pets: allowed in an approved carrier, which counts as your carry-on.
- Not allowed: alcohol, scooters (electric or otherwise), and smoking or vaping outside designated areas.
Arriving in Abu Dhabi
This is the part to plan before you go. Mohamed bin Zayed City station is not in central Abu Dhabi. It sits opposite Dalma Mall, next to the Mussafah bus station. By car from the station, allow roughly:
- 15 minutes to Maqta Bridge
- 20 minutes to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (read my mosque visitor guide before you go)
- 30 minutes to Saadiyat Island
So the train gets you to Abu Dhabi. It does not get you to Louvre Abu Dhabi. Your onward options:
The Etihad Rail Shuttle
Dhs. 10 per journey to 3 points: ADNOC Headquarters on the Corniche, ADNEC Centre, and Reem Mall on Al Reem Island. You can only book it as an add-on when buying your train ticket online or in the app, and you need a valid train ticket to board. It runs 3 times a day in each direction, timed to the trains, so it suits a planned day rather than a spontaneous one. I did not take it this time.
Taxis and ride-hailing. Available at dedicated zones outside the station.
Public bus. AD Mobility routes link the station to Abu Dhabi's Main Bus Station and Al Zahiyah Bus Station.
At the station itself: a Shot Coffee stand and a WHSmith (for bottled water) were open, and a Starbucks was not open yet. Step outside and Dalma Mall is right there.
Train, Bus, Taxi or Car?
The train takes about an hour station to station, which beats the drive in most traffic I have ever met on that road. But where each option drops you matters as much as how fast it gets there.
Intercity bus. Buses leave from Al Ghubaiba (if you are in the north of Dubai) or Ibn Battuta (if you are in the south) and arrive at Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, for Dhs. 25 each way. The bus drops you closer to the city centre than the train does. Whether that helps depends on where you are going: Al Wahda suits the Corniche and downtown, while the train station is actually nearer the Grand Mosque and Maqta. The trade-off is that the bus shares the motorway with everyone else's traffic.
Taxi. A public taxi can run to around Dhs. 350 each way, depending on the vehicle and where you start. That makes a return at least Dhs. 700, and any stops you make along the way or around Abu Dhabi will likely push it higher.
Train. A return fare, plus a taxi or shuttle at the Abu Dhabi end, plus parking if you drive to Al Yalayis. Even in Premium, that usually comes in well under a taxi return.
Your own car. The fastest door to door, with total freedom. Visiting? My guide to renting a car in the UAE covers the paperwork. You park outside the mosque instead of 20 minutes away from it.
My take: if you want speed and flexibility, drive. If you want a relaxed day, no driving, and a croissant with a view, take the train and plan the Abu Dhabi side before you leave. If budget comes first and you are heading downtown, the bus is hard to argue with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Etihad Rail station in Dubai?
Al Yalayis, next to Jumeirah Golf Estates. It has a paid car park, a taxi rank, and an indoor footbridge to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station.
Which Dubai Metro station is closest to Etihad Rail?
Jumeirah Golf Estates, on the Red Line's Expo 2020 branch. Take a Red Line train heading to Expo 2020 and follow the footbridge to Al Yalayis, about a 5 minute walk.
What time does the Dubai Metro open?
5am Monday to Saturday and 8am on Sunday. It closes at midnight, except on Friday when it runs until 1am. On a Sunday, the Metro opens too late for the 6:14am train to Abu Dhabi, so plan on a taxi.
Where does the train stop in Abu Dhabi?
Mohamed bin Zayed City station, opposite Dalma Mall and next to the Mussafah bus station. It is not in central Abu Dhabi, so plan your onward journey before you arrive.
How long does the Etihad Rail take from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
My journey took 64 minutes, which matches the published timetable.
What time is the first and last train?
At launch, the first train left Dubai at 6:14am and the last train left Abu Dhabi for Dubai at 5:43pm, with 5 departures a day in each direction. Check the live timetable on etihadrail.ae before you travel.
How much is the Etihad Rail ticket from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
Fares start from Dhs. 39 in Comfort and Dhs. 109 in Premium. Prices rise as seats sell, so book early for the best fare.
Is it cheaper to buy Etihad Rail tickets online?
It appears so. Book ahead on etihadrail.ae or in the Etihad Rail app. The same Comfort ticket has been reported at around Dhs. 60 from the station machines, against Dhs. 39 online.
Can I change or cancel my Etihad Rail ticket?
Only if you paid for it. The lowest fares are the most restrictive. Changes, refunds and seat selection are offered as extras when you book, so decide before you pay.
What do I need to show to board?
Your ticket, on your phone or printed. Etihad Rail's rules also ask you to carry your Emirates ID or passport, matching the name on the booking. I was not asked for mine on my trip, but bring it anyway.
How early should I arrive at the station?
At least 10 minutes before departure. The gates close 2 minutes before the train leaves.
What is the difference between Comfort and Premium?
Both have Wi-Fi and charging points. Premium adds wider reclining seats, extra legroom, complimentary snacks and drinks, priority boarding, and lounge access where available. For a day trip, I would pick Premium.
Is food included on the Etihad Rail?
In Premium, yes. In Comfort, a trolley sells food and drinks during the journey.
Is there Wi-Fi on the Etihad Rail?
Yes, free in both classes, but it was patchy on my journey and mobile data dropped in places too. Download anything you need before you board.
Are there tables and luggage racks on board?
Yes. Every seat has a fold-down table, and there is overhead space for bags.
How much luggage can I bring on the Etihad Rail?
2 free items per passenger in either class: a personal item that fits under the seat and a carry-on up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm.
Do children pay full fare on the Etihad Rail?
No. Children aged 2 to 17 travel at 50% off, and under-14s must travel with an adult. Infants under 2 travel free on an adult's lap, 1 per paying adult.
Is the Etihad Rail wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Stations and trains are accessible, with dedicated wheelchair spaces on board. Reserve the space when you book.
Can I bring my own food on the Etihad Rail?
Yes. Avoid anything with a strong smell, anything that might spill or stain, and anything that will disturb other passengers. Alcohol is not allowed.
Is there parking at the Etihad Rail station in Dubai?
Yes. The first 15 minutes are free, then Dhs. 5 per hour, capped at Dhs. 30 for 5 hours or more. Overnight parking (1am to 5am) is Dhs. 40. My 3 hours on opening day came to Dhs. 20.
How do I get from the Abu Dhabi station to the Grand Mosque or Saadiyat?
By taxi or ride-hailing, around 20 minutes to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and 30 minutes to Saadiyat Island. Etihad Rail's Dhs. 10 shuttles run to ADNOC HQ, ADNEC Centre and Reem Mall.
Do I need to book the Etihad Rail shuttle bus in advance?
Yes. The shuttle can only be booked as an add-on when you buy your train ticket online or in the app, and you need a valid train ticket to board. It runs 3 times a day in each direction, timed to the trains.
Is the train or the bus better from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
It depends where you are going. The intercity bus costs Dhs. 25 each way from Al Ghubaiba or Ibn Battuta and arrives at Al Wahda Mall, closer to central Abu Dhabi. The train is faster and more comfortable, and its station is nearer the Grand Mosque and Maqta, but you will need a taxi or shuttle into the city.
Is the train better than a taxi from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
On cost, usually yes. A public taxi can run to around Dhs. 350 each way, so at least Dhs. 700 for a return before any extra stops, while the train plus a taxi at the Abu Dhabi end usually comes in well under that. If you want door-to-door speed and total flexibility, drive.
Go Deeper
Everything on this page is the version you can do yourself, and the train makes it easier than it has ever been. The alternative is to hand the logistics over. My Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque day covers chauffeured transport from Dubai, so there is no last train to race and no taxi queue at the other end.
If you want the wider picture, the full Abu Dhabi day adds Qasr Al Watan and Louvre Abu Dhabi around it.
Planning the rest of the trip? Start with my guide to Abu Dhabi, and my guide to taxis in Dubai for getting to the station.
