Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station Integrates Etihad Rail With Metro Network

UAE, September 2026 — Dubai has opened its first Etihad Rail passenger station as the UAE expands its national railway network and integrates intercity services with existing urban transport infrastructure. Al Yalayis Station, located near Jumeirah Golf Estates, is positioned to serve as a connection between Dubai and other emirates.

The station begins passenger operations on September 30, providing services to Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. The Dubai–Abu Dhabi journey takes approximately 64 minutes, with fares starting at Dh39 for Comfort Class and Dh109 for Premium Class. Five trains will operate in each direction on the Dubai–Abu Dhabi route.

A key feature is the station’s direct connection to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station through a 400-metre elevated pedestrian walkway. Passengers can also use Dubai’s Nol system to combine Etihad Rail, Metro, tram and bus journeys through a unified QR code, creating an integrated interchange between national and urban transport services.

The station is expected to strengthen rail connectivity between major population and economic centres while providing an alternative to road-based intercity travel. Etihad Rail said the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah passenger service had already carried about 150,000 passengers during its first three months, indicating demand for rail-based travel between the emirates.

Al Yalayis Station therefore represents more than the addition of another railway stop, with its design centred on interchange between different transport modes. Its integration with Dubai Metro and the wider national rail network reflects the UAE’s broader approach to developing a connected passenger railway system across the emirates.

Source: The National