Etihad Rail is set to expand its UAE national passenger rail network on September 30, 2026, with the opening of new stations in Dubai and Al Dhaid. Here are the key updates about the upcoming railway expansion:
- New stations in Dubai and Al Dhaid will open on September 30, 2026.
- Al Yalayis Station in Dubai is located on the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road corridor near Jumeirah Golf Estates.
- A pedestrian bridge is currently under construction to link this station with the existing Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station.
- The expansion aims to serve residential and employment hubs including Dubai Investment Park, Al Furjan, Dubai Production City, Green Community, Expo City Dubai, and Dubai South.
The Dubai facility, designated as the Al Yalayis Station, is situated on the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road corridor near Jumeirah Golf Estates. A pedestrian bridge is currently under construction to link this station with the existing Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, allowing commuters to integrate Metro travel with inter-emirate rail journeys. Following the launch of the initial Abu Dhabi-Fujairah passenger service on June 30, 2026, this expansion aims to serve residential and employment hubs, including Dubai Investment Park, Al Furjan, Dubai Production City, Green Community, Expo City Dubai, and Dubai South.
The Al Dhaid station will provide inland residents in Sharjah access to the national network, preceding the launch of the main Sharjah city station, which is scheduled for March 30, 2027. Further phases of the network rollout include the opening of Zayed City and Liwa stations on November 30, 2026, and the remaining Al Dhafra stations on December 30, 2026.
The existing Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route currently features a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with base fares of Dh55 for Comfort Class and Dh120 for Premium Class. These trains offer amenities including Wi-Fi, power access, legroom, luggage storage, and a capacity for 400 passengers. Etihad Rail has clarified that passengers should not assume current route fares apply to the new stations and should verify final timetables and route-specific pricing through official ticketing channels before booking. The expansion is expected to provide a significant alternative to road travel for the UAE's expatriate population, particularly those commuting between Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi.
