First look inside Dubai's new Etihad Rail station on track to transform public transport

Dubai Al Yalayis Station, located adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates, marked its grand opening on Wednesday as the inaugural stop on the expanding Etihad Rail network. The station, which is the culmination of a three-month journey since the launch of the UAE's inaugural passenger line between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, is poised to become a crucial commuter route connecting Dubai to Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates.

An Etihad Rail train carrying media representatives made its way from Abu Dhabi to the Dubai station just before 10am on Tuesday, providing a sneak peek into the future transport hub. From Wednesday onwards, the station will serve as the gateway for thousands of travelers, encouraging the use of public transport to reduce environmental impact and alleviate traffic congestion.

Upon entering the expansive station, passengers are greeted by a comprehensive rail map displaying both current and future stops, spanning from Fujairah in the east to Abu Dhabi in the west and extending into the Al Dhafra desert region. Ticket counters, electronic information screens, and spacious seating areas cater to the needs of the arriving passengers. Two platform waiting areas, complete with directional signage, guide travelers through the station and onto the waiting trains.

Retail outlets, including WHSmith, Starbucks, and Lulu, have been incorporated into the station's terminal, alongside plans to introduce a McDonald's outlet in the near future. The station boasts direct access to the existing Dubai Metro Red Line via a 400-meter-long elevated pedestrian walkway, with the potential to become an interchange when the Gold Metro Line opens in 2032.

The Dubai-Abu Dhabi service connects Al Yalayis Station with Mohamed Bin Zayed Station in Abu Dhabi, with tickets priced at Dh39 ($10.60) for comfort class and Dh109 ($29.50) for premium class. The journey is expected to take approximately 64 minutes. A total of four trains are scheduled to operate between the two cities, offering services in both directions.

On the opening day, September 30, two morning departures were available: 6:14am and 7:14am, with afternoon trains departing at 1:14pm and 5:14pm. The final train to Abu Dhabi departed at 6:14pm. Additionally, the station connects Dubai to Fujairah, with one train running from Fujairah's Madinat Al Hilal Station at 11:54am, arriving in Dubai at 1:04pm, and an outbound service departing Dubai at 1:57pm, arriving in Fujairah at 3:07pm.