Dubai to Abu Dhabi in Under an Hour: Etihad Rail Commuter Service Set to Launch

Commuters can now secure their seats as Etihad Rail officially kicks off ticket sales for its highly anticipated passenger train service. Connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the new rail link is scheduled to begin operations on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

This new transport link is expected to be a game-changer for the large expatriate communities—including Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Filipino nationals—who frequently travel between the two emirates for work and family commitments.

A Faster Alternative to Road Travel

The service will bridge the gap between the Dubai Al Yalayis Station, situated near Jumeirah Golf Estates, and the Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi. While traditional travel via bus or taxi typically takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours due to traffic on the E11 and E311 highways, the Etihad Rail journey will take approximately 57 minutes.

On the launch day, passengers can choose from five scheduled round-trip services.