Etihad Rail has opened a 375-metre pedestrian bridge linking its Dubai Al Yalayis Station with Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line. The bridge opened on 15 October 2026, about two weeks after the UAE's national passenger rail service started running between Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on 30 September.
Passengers can now walk from the Metro to the train in about five to seven minutes, without a taxi or a shuttle bus. For homeowners and investors, it puts a working intercity rail link on Dubai's southern corridor, close to Jumeirah Golf Estates, Al Furjan, Dubai Investments Park, Dubai South and Expo City.
Credit: Dubai Media Office
Key Facts
| Bridge opened | 15 October 2026 (Etihad Rail) |
|---|---|
| Connects | Etihad Rail's Dubai Al Yalayis Station and Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station (Red Line) |
| Length | About 375 metres (Etihad Rail). Enclosed, with escalators and moving walkways |
| Transfer time | About 5 minutes to cross (Etihad Rail); 5 to 7 minutes door to door (Khaleej Times) |
| Access | From Exit 1 and Exit 2 of Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station |
| Station opened | Inaugurated 28 September 2026; passenger services from 30 September 2026 (Dubai Media Office) |
| Destinations | Abu Dhabi and Fujairah |
| Fares | From AED 39 in Comfort Class and AED 109 in Premium Class (Dubai Media Office) |
| Dubai to Abu Dhabi | About 1 hour 4 minutes, with five direct services each way at launch (Khaleej Times) |
| Ticketing | One QR-code ticket through Nol covers both Etihad Rail and the Dubai Metro |
What Has Changed
When Dubai Al Yalayis Station opened, passengers going between the train and the Metro had to take Etihad Rail's shuttle bus from beside the Metro station. The new bridge removes that step. Metro riders leave through Exit 1 or 2, follow the signs and walk through a covered, enclosed route to the train station. The shuttle bus is still running for anyone with heavy luggage or young children.
Etihad Rail and Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have also linked tickets. Through the Nol system, passengers can buy the whole journey in one go and use a single QR code for both the train and the Metro.
Abdul Muhsen Kalbat, CEO of the RTA's Rail Agency, called the connection "a significant step forward in advancing an integrated transport system across the UAE."
Credit: Dubai Media Office
About Dubai Al Yalayis Station
Dubai's first Etihad Rail passenger station sits in Jumeirah Golf Estates, near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). It was inaugurated on 28 September 2026 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, after the UAE President travelled to Dubai on the train. Regular services began on 30 September.
Sheikh Hamdan said the station will serve as a new gateway linking Dubai with the capital and the rest of the country, supporting the emirate's urban and economic growth.
At launch, Khaleej Times reported five direct trains each way between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, each taking 1 hour and 4 minutes, and a daily service to Fujairah taking 1 hour and 10 minutes. The station has 265 parking spaces, taxi and ride-hailing pick-up points, and an RTA bus stop served by route F38 to Dubai Production City and Dubai Sports City. Check the Etihad Rail app or website for the latest timetable and fares, as they vary by date.
Drive Times From the Station
Khaleej Times gives these approximate drive times from Al Yalayis:
- Expo City Dubai: 10 minutes
- Jumeirah Village Circle: 17 minutes
- Dubai Hills: 18 minutes
- Palm Jumeirah: 22 minutes
- Mall of the Emirates: 25 minutes
- Al Maktoum International Airport: 27 minutes
- Dubai Mall: 29 minutes
- Dubai International Airport: 40 minutes
Credit: Dubai Media Office
Why It Matters for Property Buyers and Investors
A real commuting option to Abu Dhabi. A train of just over an hour between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, plus a direct walk to the Metro, makes it easier to live in one emirate and work in the other. That widens the pool of tenants and buyers for homes near the station and along the Red Line.
The southern corridor gets another transport anchor. Jumeirah Golf Estates, Al Furjan, Dubai Investments Park, Dubai South and Expo City are all close to the station. These areas already benefit from the Red Line and Al Maktoum International Airport, and the rail link adds to that.
Look at walking distance, not just the map. The most practical benefit is for homes within easy reach of a Red Line station, because the Metro now feeds straight into the train. When comparing units, check the real walk or drive to the nearest Metro station.
Be realistic. Transport links support demand over time, but they don't guarantee price rises. Service frequency is still limited, and the effect on rents and values will depend on how the timetable grows. Compare asking prices with recent Dubai Land Department transactions before buying.
Talk to Luxwell Real Estate
Thinking about buying near the new rail link or along the Red Line? Luxwell Real Estate can shortlist ready and off-plan homes in Jumeirah Golf Estates, Al Furjan, Dubai South, Jebel Ali and other southern Dubai communities, and compare them with recent sales data.
- Call: +971 50 856 2749
- WhatsApp: +971 50 856 2749
- Email: info@luxwellrealestate.com
- Website: www.luxwellrealestate.com
Timetables, fares and services can change. Check the official Etihad Rail app or website before travelling.
Sources: Etihad Rail press release on the Dubai Al Yalayis to Jumeirah Golf Estates pedestrian bridge (via Zawya, 15 October 2026); Dubai Media Office, station inauguration (28 September 2026); Khaleej Times reports of 28 September, 30 September and 15 October 2026; Gulf News; The National.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Etihad Rail's Dubai station?
- Dubai Al Yalayis Station is in Jumeirah Golf Estates, near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). It is next to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line.
Can I walk from the Dubai Metro to Etihad Rail?
- Yes. Since 15 October 2026 a 375-metre enclosed pedestrian bridge connects Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station with Dubai Al Yalayis Station. Use Exit 1 or Exit 2 of the Metro station. The transfer takes about five to seven minutes, and the shuttle bus is still available.
How long is the train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
- At launch, each of the five direct daily services between Dubai and Abu Dhabi took 1 hour and 4 minutes, according to Khaleej Times. Check the Etihad Rail app or website for the current timetable.
How much does an Etihad Rail ticket cost?
- Dubai Media Office said fares start from AED 39 in Comfort Class and AED 109 in Premium Class. Prices vary by date and service, so check the booking platform.
Can I use one ticket for the train and the Metro?
- Yes. Through the Nol system you can buy the combined journey in one transaction and use a single QR code to travel on both Etihad Rail and the Dubai Metro.
Which Dubai communities are closest to the station?
- Jumeirah Golf Estates is where the station sits, with Al Furjan, Dubai Investments Park, Dubai South and Expo City Dubai nearby. Expo City is about a 10-minute drive away.
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