Getting off an Etihad Rail train in Dubai no longer has to mean hunting for a taxi. From today, Thursday, October 15, a pedestrian bridge links Al Yalayis railway station directly to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, and the transfer can be done entirely on foot.
A Direct Walk To The Red Line
The news was shared on Etihad Rail’s official Instagram account ahead of the opening. The walkway is about 400 metres long and connects the station to the Dubai Metro Red Line, so arriving passengers can step straight onto a network that reaches business districts, residential areas and tourist spots across the city.
How The Journey Works Both Ways
It works in reverse as well. If you are in Dubai and heading to Abu Dhabi, ride the Red Line to Jumeirah Golf Estates, cross the bridge and board your train, with no separate road transfer in between. For anyone without a car, that is a genuinely welcome change.
The link arrives barely two weeks after passenger services began on September 30, joining Al Yalayis with Mohammed Bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi. The journey between the two emirates takes roughly an hour, and Comfort Class tickets start from AED39.
Tickets, Buses And The Nol Pass
Since launch, one way to travel onward has been the RTA’s F38 feeder bus, which runs between Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station and neighbouring communities such as Dubai Production City and Dubai Sports City. The bridge now sits alongside that option.
If you expect to use both networks, you can add a nol day pass when booking your Etihad Rail ticket, starting from AED22. It gives unlimited travel on eligible RTA Metro, Tram and bus services for as long as the pass is valid.
Also Read: Taking Etihad Rail? Your Ticket Stops Working 2 Minutes Before Departure
Allow Time Before Departure
One practical note: Etihad Rail’s passenger rules close ticket gates two minutes before departure, so factor in the 400-metre walk from the Metro station rather than arriving at the last minute.
What Comes Next
Elsewhere on the network, Sharjah has unveiled new bus routes to Al Dhaid station, another sign that stations are being stitched into local transport. Dubai’s future plans include a Meydan-area stop, which appears on the emirate’s 2032 rail network map.
The network also reaches Fujairah, so for some travellers the Metro will simply be the first leg of a longer trip. For a rail service that is only a few weeks old, a station is only as useful as the way you get to it, and Dubai’s first Etihad Rail stop now has a proper answer.
Cover Image Courtesy: Etihad Rail/X
FAQs
How long is the bridge?
About 400 metres, linking the station to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro on the Red Line.
How long is Dubai to Abu Dhabi by Etihad Rail?
Roughly an hour, with Comfort Class from AED39.
