Etihad Rail Expansion: Key Station Opening Dates Revealed

Etihad Rail has confirmed the next phase of its passenger rail expansion, with Dubai and Al Dhaid stations set to open on September 30, 2026. The Dubai station, located near Jumeirah Golf Estates, will connect directly with the Metro, buses and taxis, while passengers will also be able to use their existing Nol cards for seamless travel across Dubai's public transport network. The expansion follows the successful launch of the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah passenger route and will improve connections between some of the UAE's busiest population centres.

The following phase will see stations in the Al Dhafra region, including Madinat Zayed and Liwa, open on November 30, after the launch date was brought forward to coincide with the region's events and festival season. Once complete, the 900km passenger network will connect 11 cities and regions across all seven emirates, stretching from Al Sila near the Saudi border to Fujairah on the east coast.

Passengers can expect integrated transport links at every station, including shuttle buses, taxis and local public transport. Introductory fares remain available from Dh55 in Comfort Class and Dh120 in Premium Class, while the trains offer onboard Wi-Fi, power outlets and journey speeds of up to 200km/h, providing a fast and sustainable alternative to travelling by road.