President Sheikh Mohamed Inaugurates Etihad Rail Dubai Station Ahead of September 30 Launch of Abu Dhabi-Dubai Passenger Service

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan traveled aboard an Etihad Rail train from Abu Dhabi to Dubai on September 29, 2026, inaugurating the Dubai Al Yalayis Station ahead of the official launch of passenger rail services on September 30, according to Gulf News, The National, and Gulf Today. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, among other senior officials. During the journey, Sheikh Mohamed reviewed Etihad Rail's operating system and met with Emirati professionals working on the project. The station is connected to the Dubai Metro Red Line via a 400-meter elevated pedestrian bridge to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, enabling direct transfers between the national rail network and Dubai's metro system.

From September 30, Etihad Rail will operate five daily trains in each direction connecting Abu Dhabi's Mohamed bin Zayed City station with Dubai's Al Yalayis Station and Fujairah, with the Abu Dhabi-Dubai journey taking approximately 57-64 minutes. Fares start at Dh39 for Comfort Class and Dh109 for Premium Class, with tickets available through the Etihad Rail app, website, and ticket machines at stations. The Dubai station will also open alongside Al Dhaid station in Sharjah as part of the network's second phase, with further stations in Al Dhafra scheduled to open December 30, 2026, and Sharjah's University City on March 30, 2027. The expansion represents a transformational shift in UAE inter-emirate transport, offering an alternative to road travel between the emirates.

Sources

Gulf News, Etihad Rail officially inaugurates Dubai station ahead of September 30 services, September 28, 2026, gulfnews.com; The National, First look inside Dubai's new Etihad Rail station ahead of Wednesday launch, September 29, 2026, thenationalnews.com; Gulf Today, Etihad Rail's passenger train reaches Dubai's Al Yalayis station ahead of Sept.30 launch, September 29, 2026, gulftoday.ae; Gulf News, Dubai to Abu Dhabi by train for Dh39, September 29, 2026, gulfnews.com