Dubai is set to gain four stations tied to the Etihad Rail network, with two of them reserved exclusively for the new high-speed line to Abu Dhabi, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed.
Dubai’s Rail Map Just Got Bigger And Faster
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA, shared the update at a press briefing announcing the inaugural RailX Dubai Conference and Exhibition. He confirmed that Dubai’s connection to the national Etihad Rail network will include two stations in total, meaning one more is coming beyond Al Yalayis Station, the emirate’s primary Etihad Rail passenger stop set to open on September 30. Al Tayer did not disclose the location of this second station just yet.
The 30-Minute Bullet Train Gets Its Dubai Stops
Separately, Etihad Rail’s much-anticipated high-speed rail project is expected to cut the Abu Dhabi–Dubai journey to roughly 30 minutes. The project will also bring its own pair of stations to the city. One will sit at Al Maktoum International Airport, and the other in Al Jaddaf, according to Al Tayer. The RTA’s Dubai Rail Network Map for 2032 shows this high-speed corridor running largely parallel to the Red Line along Al Khail Road, operating on a completely separate, fully electrified track from the existing Metro system.
How It All Links Up
For commuters, the real win is integration. Al Tayer said the new national rail lines are being woven directly into Dubai’s Red, Green and Blue Metro lines. Future lines, including the proposed Gold Line, are also expected to connect through the new stations.
The goal, according to the RTA’s master plan, is to create a seamless network across the UAE. Etihad Rail would act as the connective backbone between cities. Dubai’s own transport grid would then link into this wider network.
Also Read: Etihad Rail Unveils Emirati-Inspired Menu From Abu Dhabi To Fujairah & Here’s What’s Inside
What This Means For Residents
For daily commuters and frequent Abu Dhabi–Dubai travellers, this could make crossing emirates feel as routine as switching Metro lines. There would be no need for a car or traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road. Travel times could also be cut significantly.
With Al Yalayis Station just weeks from opening, the broader vision Al Tayer laid out is starting to take physical shape across the city.
Cover Image Courtesy: Etihad Rail/Website
FAQs
How long will the high-speed train between Abu Dhabi and Dubai take?
The high-speed rail service is expected to cut travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to approximately 30 minutes.
How many Etihad Rail stations will Dubai have?
Dubai will have four Etihad Rail-linked stations in total, two for the national passenger network (including Al Yalayis, opening September 30) and two dedicated to the new high-speed Abu Dhabi–Dubai line.
