Dubai is set to have four Etihad Rail passenger stations as the UAE expands its national and high-speed rail networks. The first, Dubai Al Yalayis Station, is scheduled to open on September 30, 2026. RTA Director General Mattar Al Tayer confirmed that three more Dubai locations are planned, including a second national passenger station and two high-speed stations at Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf.
- Location: Dubai, UAE
- Organisations: Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
- Status: Al Yalayis Station scheduled to open September 30, 2026
- Who is affected: Residents, commuters, visitors and future intercity rail passengers
- Business impact: Better connections between Dubai and other UAE cities, with future links to major transport hubs
- What’s next: Three additional Dubai stations are planned, including two for the high-speed rail project
Dubai is set to have four Etihad Rail stations, with Dubai Al Yalayis Station scheduled to open on September 30, 2026. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, confirmed the latest plans as Dubai prepares for wider integration with the UAE’s national passenger rail network and future high-speed service.
The expansion will give passengers more options to travel between Dubai and other parts of the UAE while linking national rail services with Dubai’s existing public transport system.
Al Yalayis will be Dubai’s first Etihad Rail passenger station
Dubai Al Yalayis Station will be the first Etihad Rail passenger station to begin operations in the emirate.
Etihad Rail has scheduled the opening for September 30, 2026, alongside Al Dhaid Station in Sharjah. The opening forms part of the phased rollout of the UAE’s national passenger railway.
The national passenger service began its initial operations on June 30, connecting Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi with Fujairah. Further stations are being brought into service in stages rather than opening across the country at the same time.
Al Yalayis is located near Jumeirah Golf Estates and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. The station is also being integrated with Dubai’s wider transport network, with a pedestrian connection planned towards Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station.
This connection could make the national rail service more convenient for passengers travelling between Dubai and other emirates.
Dubai will get another station on the national network
The Al Yalayis station will not be Dubai’s only stop on Etihad Rail’s national passenger network.
RTA chief Mattar Al Tayer confirmed that a second Dubai station is planned, although authorities have not yet announced its location or opening date.
The two stations will serve the national passenger railway, which is designed to connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE over a 900-kilometre network.
Etihad Rail is introducing the service through several phases. After the September 30 openings, Zayed City and Liwa stations are scheduled for November 30, 2026, followed by additional Al Dhafra stations on December 30.
Sharjah Station is scheduled to enter service on March 30, 2027.
Etihad Rail says its passenger fleet consists of 13 trains, with each train able to carry up to 400 passengers.
Two more Dubai stations are planned for high-speed trains
Dubai’s rail expansion does not stop with the national passenger network.
A separate high-speed railway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is planned to have two stations in Dubai. According to RTA, the locations will be Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf.
The high-speed railway is being developed as a dedicated, fully electrified line. Etihad Rail says trains will be capable of operating at speeds of up to 350km/h.
The planned journey between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is expected to take around 30 minutes.
The service is designed to handle up to 21 million passengers annually, although Etihad Rail has not yet announced a commercial launch date for the high-speed passenger service.
The Al Maktoum International Airport station is particularly significant as Dubai continues developing the airport into a major global aviation hub. A rail connection could eventually make it easier for passengers to combine air and rail travel.
The Al Jaddaf station, meanwhile, would bring the high-speed service closer to established parts of Dubai.
Etihad Rail will connect with Dubai Metro and other transport
The planned stations are being considered as part of Dubai’s wider public transport network rather than as standalone rail facilities.
RTA has been working on integrating national and future high-speed rail services with Dubai Metro, buses and taxis. Mattar Al Tayer has indicated that the Etihad Rail network will connect with the emirate’s Red, Green and Blue Metro lines, as well as future rail corridors.
This integration could be particularly useful for passengers who live away from the national rail stations. Instead of relying on private cars for the entire journey, travellers could use rail for the intercity section and Dubai Metro or other public transport for the final part of their trip.
Dubai is already seeing heavy demand across its public transport system. RTA reported 348.1 million riders across public transport, shared mobility and taxis during the first half of 2026, highlighting the scale of the emirate’s existing mobility network.
How will it benefit dubai?
The expansion of Etihad Rail gives Dubai residents another option for travelling across the UAE, particularly as more national stations begin operations.
For commuters, the biggest benefit will be stronger connections between Dubai and other emirates. Visitors could also benefit as the railway gradually connects residential areas, business centres and major transport hubs.
The high-speed line could have a bigger long-term impact. A planned 30-minute Abu Dhabi-Dubai journey would provide an alternative to road travel between the two major economic centres, while the proposed Al Maktoum International Airport station could strengthen links between aviation and rail.
For businesses, better intercity connectivity can make it easier for employees, customers and visitors to move between major UAE hubs.
The next major steps will be the opening of Al Yalayis and the announcement of Dubai’s second national-network station. Details about the launch date and ticketing arrangements for the two future high-speed stations are still to be confirmed.
FAQs
When will Dubai Al Yalayis Etihad Rail Station open?
Dubai Al Yalayis Station is scheduled to open for passenger services on September 30, 2026.
How many Etihad Rail stations are planned in Dubai?
Dubai is planned to have four stations: two serving the national passenger network and two planned for the future high-speed Abu Dhabi-Dubai railway.
Where will the high-speed Etihad Rail stations be located in Dubai?
The two planned high-speed stations are Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf.
How fast will Etihad Rail’s high-speed trains travel?
The planned high-speed trains will be capable of operating at speeds of up to 350km/h, according to Etihad Rail.
How long will the high-speed train take between Abu Dhabi and Dubai?
The planned journey time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is approximately 30 minutes. The commercial launch date has not yet been announced.
Dubai’s rail network is set for a major expansion, starting with Al Yalayis Station on September 30. With another national-network station planned and two future high-speed stops at Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf, Etihad Rail is set to become a larger part of Dubai’s intercity transport system.
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