Etihad Rail Dubai–Abu Dhabi service begins: Excitement builds at Al Yalayis Station
New rail link promises quicker inter-emirate travel as first train departs
‘Worth taking time off’: Dubai residents await Etihad Rail
For Toby Joseph, an Indian expat who has lived in Dubai for three years, the launch of Etihad Rail is an occasion worth taking time off work for.
Joseph arrived at Al Yalayis Station with 11 colleagues from his real estate company, all eager to experience the inaugural Dubai–Abu Dhabi passenger service.
“We decided to take the morning off work to try the train. This is a big deal for the UAE and is about to change travel,” he said.
The group is among the early passengers gathering at the station ahead of the first departure at 6.14am.
Less than 45 minutes to Etihad Rail’s first train
Less than 45 minutes to go! The countdown is officially on at Etihad Rail’s Al Yalayis Station in Dubai, as excitement builds ahead of the first passenger train to Abu Dhabi at 6.14am.
Dropping off at Etihad Rail? Here’s the parking cost
Planning to drop off a passenger or wait for someone at Etihad Rail’s Al Yalayis Station? Paid parking is available, with charges starting from Dh5 per hour.
Here’s a breakdown of the parking fees:
Hourly parking: Dh5 per hour.
Five hours or more: Dh30.
Overnight parking (1am to 5am): Dh40.
Whether you are picking up a family member, waiting for an arriving passenger or planning to leave your car at the station, make sure to factor in the parking charges before your journey.
Etihad Rail Dubai–Abu Dhabi tickets selling out fast: Book now to secure your seat
Planning to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi on Etihad Rail today? You may want to book your tickets quickly, as several services are already selling out.
According to the Etihad Rail booking platform, both Comfort and Premium tickets for the 1.14pm departure are sold out, while Premium tickets for the first train at 6.14am are also unavailable.
Passengers hoping to travel on the 7.14am service have limited Premium availability, with just four seats remaining at the time of checking.
However, tickets are still available on other departures, with Comfort fares starting from Dh39 for the 5.14pm and 6.14pm services.
Availability and fares may change as bookings continue.
Etihad Rail Dubai Station comes alive ahead of first departure
It’s almost 5.30am, and crowds are beginning to trickle into Etihad Rail’s Al Yalayis Station in Dubai, ahead of the inaugural passenger service to Abu Dhabi.
Inside the station, the spacious concourse features a striking illuminated map of the UAE rail network, taking centre stage beneath the building’s sweeping, wave-like ceiling.
The first train is scheduled to depart at 6.14am, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 7.18am.
With less than an hour to go, excitement is building as Dubai prepares to mark a new chapter in inter-emirate travel.
