Etihad Rail station opening dates now run through four main phases. Passenger operations began between Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on June 30, 2026, while Dubai and Al Dhaid are scheduled to join the network on September 30, 2026. Two Al Dhafra stations will follow in November, three more in December, and Sharjah University City is due to open in March 2027.
Key Takeaways:
- Dubai and Al Dhaid are the next stations scheduled to open.
- Madinat Zayed and Liwa were brought forward to November 30, 2026.
- Al Sila, Al Dhannah, and Al Mirfa remain scheduled for December 30, 2026.
- Sharjah University City is currently the final dated opening in the first rollout.
These dates show a phased national expansion, not a simultaneous opening of every passenger station.
When Are the Remaining Etihad Rail Stations Opening?
The remaining Etihad Rail stations are scheduled to open between September 2026 and March 2027. The sequence prioritizes Dubai and Al Dhaid before extending services farther west through Al Dhafra and adding a second major passenger location in Sharjah.
Remaining Opening Sequence:
- September 30, 2026: Dubai and Al Dhaid
- November 30, 2026: Madinat Zayed and Liwa
- December 30, 2026: Al Sila, Al Dhannah and Al Mirfa
- March 30, 2027: Sharjah University City
The November phase is a later revision to the original timetable. Earlier material grouped all five named Al Dhafra stations under December 30, but Madinat Zayed and Liwa were subsequently moved forward by one month to support travel during the region’s events and festival season.
The dates refer to station openings within the standard national passenger network. They should not be confused with the separate high-speed railway planned between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Which Etihad Rail Stations Are Already Open to Passengers?
The introductory passenger service currently connects Mohamed bin Zayed City Passenger Train Station in Abu Dhabi with Fujairah. Operations began on June 30, 2026, with a scheduled journey time of approximately one hour and 45 minutes.
More than 10,000 tickets were reportedly sold before the route began operating, while weekend services have attracted particularly strong demand. The initial service gives passengers a direct journey through urban areas, desert landscapes, and the Hajar Mountains before reaching the east coast.
The fleet comprises 13 trains, each designed to carry up to 400 passengers. Trains can operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h and include guaranteed seating, Wi-Fi, and power connections for passengers.
An official description of the rollout explains: “This phased approach allows services to be introduced carefully, tested properly, and scaled responsibly.” That distinction matters because only the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route is operational; all later stations remain scheduled future openings.
Which Etihad Rail Stations Will Open on September 30, 2026?
The September expansion is the next major milestone because it brings the standard passenger network into Dubai and adds Al Dhaid in inland Sharjah.
Dubai Station Near Jumeirah Golf Estates
Dubai’s passenger station is located in the Jumeirah Golf Estates area. It is expected to become an important access point for passengers traveling between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Fujairah.
The station has been planned as part of an integrated transport system involving buses, taxis, and other local connections. Reports have also described future Metro and Nol card integration, although passengers should verify the exact arrangements available when the station opens rather than assuming every connection will begin on the first day.
Indicative journey information published before launch has placed Abu Dhabi–Dubai travel at about 57 minutes and Dubai–Fujairah at about 69 minutes. Final journey times may depend on stopping patterns and the timetable released for September services.
When Will Al Dhaid Station Begin Operating?
Al Dhaid station is also scheduled to open on September 30, 2026. It will serve inland Sharjah and strengthen rail access between the central UAE and the east coast.
Al Dhaid should not be confused with Sharjah University City station. They are separate passenger locations, and University City is scheduled to open six months later, on March 30, 2027.
The Importance of the September Expansion
The official passenger rollout schedule confirms that Dubai and Al Dhaid form the next phase after the introductory Abu Dhabi–Fujairah service.
Their opening will turn the initial two-city operation into a broader inter-emirate network. It will also provide residents, commuters, business travelers and visitors with another option for journeys that are currently made mainly by road.
When Will the Etihad Rail Stations in Al Dhafra Open?
Etihad Rail’s Al Dhafra expansion is now divided between November 30 and December 30, 2026. Madinat Zayed and Liwa will open first, followed one month later by Al Sila, Al Dhannah and Al Mirfa.
Madinat Zayed is the principal administrative and population center in Al Dhafra. The Liwa passenger location is also referred to in some network information as Mezaira’a, which explains why different station lists may use different names for the same wider service area.
Al Sila lies toward the UAE’s western border, while Al Dhannah serves the industrial and coastal area also widely associated with Ruwais. Al Mirfa provides another connection for western Abu Dhabi’s coastal communities.
Together, the five locations extend passenger rail beyond the UAE’s largest urban centers. The revised November opening for Madinat Zayed and Liwa is intended to improve access during Al Dhafra’s annual events and festival period, while the remaining three stations retain their December date.
Why Do Etihad Rail Station Opening Dates Differ Between Reports?
Different dates appear because the Al Dhafra timetable changed after the original nationwide schedule was announced. Articles and commercial guides published before the revision may therefore remain accurate to the earlier announcement but no longer show the newest sequence.
The Original Al Dhafra Opening Schedule
The original June 2026 rollout placed the Al Dhafra stations together on December 30, 2026. That schedule followed Dubai and Al Dhaid in September and preceded the Sharjah opening in March 2027.
Some guides still list Madinat Zayed, Liwa, Mezaira’a, Al Sila, Al Dhannah, and Al Mirfa under the same December date. This is why readers may see a December opening even when searching specifically for Madinat Zayed or Liwa.
Were Madinat Zayed and Liwa Brought Forward?
Yes. The official Al Dhafra update states that Madinat Zayed and Liwa were brought forward to November 30, 2026.
The other three Al Dhafra stations were not included in that accelerated opening. Al Sila, Al Dhannah and Al Mirfa therefore remain scheduled for December 30 unless a later announcement changes the plan.
For accurate travel planning, the newest dated government or operator announcement should take priority over older guides, summaries and search snippets.
Where Will the New Etihad Rail Passenger Stations Be Located?
The passenger network is designed to connect major cities, inland communities, coastal areas and western population centers. The wider national railway spans approximately 900 kilometers, while passenger planning has been described as connecting 11 cities and regions across all seven emirates.
The dated rollout covers Dubai near Jumeirah Golf Estates; Al Dhaid and University City in Sharjah; and Madinat Zayed, Liwa, Al Sila, Al Dhannah, and Al Mirfa in Al Dhafra. Mohamed bin Zayed City and Fujairah are already served by the introductory route.
Some broader network lists also include Al Faya. This explains why the number of named station locations in media reports may appear higher than the headline figure of 11 cities and regions: a city, region, and individual station are not always counted in the same way.
Passengers should also distinguish the rail station from their final destination. Most stations are not inside airports or major tourism sites, so a taxi, feeder bus, private car, or local public transport journey may still be required.
What Will the Etihad Rail Rollout Mean for Travelers in the UAE?
The expanding network gives UAE residents and visitors another option for inter-emirate travel, particularly on routes where road congestion makes journey times less predictable. It may be useful for commuters, families, students, business travelers, and tourists visiting more than one emirate.
Checks Before Planning A Journey:
- Confirm that both required stations are operational.
- Check the live departure time and stopping pattern.
- Review the fare rules before choosing Saver, Value, or Flex.
- Carry the identification used for the booking.
- Check current baggage and accessibility conditions.
- Allow time for transport to and from each station.
Tourists can use the passenger service, but they should keep their passport or other accepted booking identification available. Residents should similarly ensure that the name and identification details on the reservation are correct.
The route to Fujairah also offers a distinctive view of the UAE, moving from Abu Dhabi’s urban landscape through desert terrain and the Hajar Mountains toward the Gulf of Oman.
The scenery adds leisure value, but passengers should still choose a service based on practical departure, arrival and onward-transport arrangements.
What Should Passengers Know About Tickets, Fares and Connections?
Ticket prices currently published for the introductory route should not be treated as confirmed prices for Dubai, Sharjah or Al Dhafra. Each future route may have its own fare levels, promotions and conditions.
Introductory Passenger Fares
The Abu Dhabi–Fujairah launch offer provides Comfort and Premium options. Published reports describe the introductory prices as approximately 50% below regular adult fares.
Current Published Starting Fares:
| Travel Class | Introductory Fare | Reported Regular Fare |
| Comfort Class | AED55 | AED109 |
| Premium Class | AED120 | AED239 |
Children aged two to 17 have been offered a 50% reduction on regular fares, senior citizens aged 60 or above a 20% reduction, and infants under two free travel when accompanied by an adult. Eligibility and booking conditions should be confirmed for the chosen journey.
Have Fares for the New Stations Been Announced?
Fares for future destinations had not been announced at the time of the latest station updates. Passengers should check the official passenger booking portal when sales open for Dubai, Al Dhaid, and later routes.
Within each class, reported ticket types include Saver, Value, and Flex. Saver is intended for fixed plans; Value includes seat selection and limited changes, while Flex provides greater change and refund flexibility.
Local Transport and Onward Connections
Mohamed bin Zayed City station has shuttle links to destinations including the ADNOC headquarters on Corniche Road, ADNEC Centre and Reem Mall. New MR1 and MR2 bus services also connect the rail station with Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station and Al Zahiyah Bus Station in both directions.
Future Dubai arrangements are expected to include local buses, taxis and wider public transport integration. Exact routes, payment acceptance and operating hours should be confirmed closer to the September opening.
What Happens After the 2026 Etihad Rail Station Openings?
Sharjah University City is scheduled to open on March 30, 2027, completing the currently announced first passenger rollout. Its location is expected to support educational, residential and commercial districts in Sharjah.
Developments To Watch:
- Ticket releases for Dubai and Al Dhaid
- Timetables for the November and December phases
- Confirmed fares for new destinations
- First- and last-mile transport services
- Additional passenger locations after March 2027
- Progress on the separate high-speed railway
The standard passenger trains can operate at up to 200 km/h. The separate, fully electrified Abu Dhabi–Dubai high-speed project is designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h and an approximately 30-minute journey, but no firm public opening date should be assumed.
The conventional and high-speed networks are complementary projects. A reported launch year for one should never be applied to the other without a specific official confirmation.
Conclusion
The latest Etihad Rail station opening dates show a carefully phased expansion across the UAE. Following the June 2026 launch between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, Dubai and Al Dhaid are due on September 30, Madinat Zayed and Liwa on November 30, and three further Al Dhafra stations on December 30.
Sharjah University City is scheduled to complete the currently announced first rollout on March 30, 2027. The most important recent change is the accelerated opening of Madinat Zayed and Liwa, which explains why some older station guides still show a different date.
Passengers should confirm live timetables, fares, ticket conditions and local transport connections before making arrangements around any future station opening.
FAQs About Etihad Rail Station Opening Dates
Can Tourists Travel on Etihad Rail?
Tourists can use the passenger service subject to the current booking and identification requirements. They should carry the passport or other identification used to purchase the ticket.
Does Etihad Rail Go Directly to Dubai International Airport?
The Dubai passenger station is in the Jumeirah Golf Estates area, not at Dubai International Airport. Travelers will need to check available Metro, bus, taxi or private-transfer connections.
Is Etihad Rail the Same as the High-Speed Train?
No, the standard national passenger service and the Abu Dhabi–Dubai high-speed railway are separate projects. The standard network operates at up to 200 km/h, while the dedicated high-speed system is designed for up to 350 km/h.
How Long Is the Abu Dhabi to Fujairah Train Journey?
The operating journey between Mohamed bin Zayed City and Fujairah takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Passengers should check the selected service because departure times and stopping arrangements can change.
What Facilities Are Available on the Passenger Trains?
The trains include guaranteed seating, Wi-Fi, power connections and space intended for luggage and accessible travel. Facilities may differ by class, train configuration or ticket conditions.
How Much Luggage Can Each Passenger Carry?
Baggage allowances depend on the current passenger rules and journey type. Travelers should review the booking conditions before arriving with large suitcases, strollers or special equipment.
Where Can Passengers Check Schedule Changes?
Passengers should use the official booking platform and verified public announcements for current dates, fares and timetables. Older articles may still display the original December schedule for Madinat Zayed and Liwa.
Note:
Etihad Rail station opening dates, fares, service frequencies and connecting transport arrangements may be revised. Travelers should verify current details through official channels before booking accommodation, business appointments or onward travel.
