Al Reem Island: The Expat’s Guide to Short-Term Rentals
- September 22, 2026
- Hotel Apartments
A deep-dive guide for expats navigating the 2026 short-term rental market on Al Reem Island, covering the ADGM expansion, tower comparisons, and... Read More
The Etihad Rail passenger train now runs between Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Dhaid in Sharjah and Fujairah, with Comfort Class fares from AED 39 between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and from AED 55 between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. Etihad Rail has scheduled Madinat Zayed and Liwa stations to open on 30 November 2026, the remaining Al Dhafra stations on 30 December 2026 and Sharjah Station on 30 March 2027. Abu Dhabi's station is in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, on the mainland, so if you are staying on the Corniche or Yas Island, book the shuttle bus with your ticket.
Fares and timetables below were read on Etihad Rail's booking site on 29 October 2026 for travel on Tuesday 3 November; the rules come from its Passenger Charter.
Four stations are open: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Dhaid and Fujairah. Passenger services began between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on 30 June 2026, and Dubai and Al Dhaid stations followed on 30 September. Etihad Rail says the finished network will connect 11 cities and regions, from Al Sila' in the far west of Abu Dhabi to Fujairah on the east coast.
| Station | Where it is | Status on 2 November 2026 | Handy if you are staying in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Station | Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi | Open | Abu Dhabi city, Al Reem Island or Yas Island (shuttle bus) |
| Dubai Station | Jumeirah Golf Estates, with a bridge to the metro station | Open | Anywhere on the Dubai Metro |
| Al Dhaid Station | Al Dhaid, in the Emirate of Sharjah's central region | Open | Al Dhaid and the Sharjah interior |
| Fujairah Station | Al Hilal City, Fujairah | Open | Fujairah city and the east coast |
| Madinat Zayed (Zayed City) and Liwa | Al Dhafra region, Abu Dhabi | Scheduled for 30 November 2026 | Al Dhafra |
| Remaining Al Dhafra stations | Al Dhafra region, Abu Dhabi | Scheduled for 30 December 2026 | Al Dhafra |
| Sharjah Station | Sharjah | Scheduled for 30 March 2027 | Sharjah |
Opening dates are Etihad Rail's published schedule, checked on 29 October 2026. Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain are not among the 11 cities and regions its Passenger Charter lists, so a stay there still means travelling by road.
For Tuesday 3 November, the cheapest one-way adult fares on the booking site were AED 39 from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, AED 55 from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah and AED 29 between Dubai and Fujairah, in Comfort Class. Premium Class started at AED 89 to AED 120 on those routes. Prices include taxes and fees and change with the date and train.
| Route (one way) | Trains on Tue 3 Nov | Journey time | Comfort from | Premium from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi to Dubai | 5 (first 06:43, last 17:43) | 1 h 4 min, direct | AED 39 | AED 109 |
| Abu Dhabi to Fujairah | 3 (08:15, 12:43, 18:25) | 1 h 51 min via Al Dhaid; 2 h 24 min via Dubai | AED 55 | AED 120 |
| Dubai to Fujairah | 1 (13:57) | 1 h 10 min, direct | AED 29 | AED 89 |
| Fujairah to Dubai | 1 (11:54) | 1 h 10 min, direct | AED 29 | AED 89 |
| Abu Dhabi to Al Dhaid | 2 (08:15, 18:25) | 1 h 24 min, direct | AED 59 | AED 149 |
Source: etihadrail.ae booking search for one adult, read on 29 October 2026. "From" is the Saver fare; on the 08:15 train to Fujairah, Value cost AED 10 more and Flex AED 20 more in Comfort Class. The Dubai Media Office gave the same starting fares, AED 39 and AED 109, at the September launch. On 29 October the site listed trains only up to Friday 6 November, so look again closer to the day if your date comes up empty.
Buy Saver if your plans are fixed, Value if you might change the day or time, and Flex if you might cancel. No fare lets you change the route, and a missed Saver or Value ticket is simply lost. All three fares are sold in Comfort and Premium Class, and each leg of a return follows its own rules.
| Saver | Value | Flex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change the date or time | Not allowed | Free up to 72 hours before departure, then AED 20 a change, plus any fare difference | Free until 30 minutes after the scheduled departure, plus any fare difference |
| Refund if you cancel | No | No | Full refund more than 24 hours before departure; 30% fee within 24 hours |
| Seat selection | Paid (otherwise assigned 24 hours before) | Free | Free |
| Give the ticket to someone else | No | No | Yes, through the Contact Centre before boarding |
Source: Etihad Rail Passenger Charter. On 29 October, a seat on a Saver ticket cost AED 10 in the booking flow. Saver is not sold at station ticket machines, and Flex is the only fare sold on board. Change or cancel under My Bookings in the app or on the website.
Abu Dhabi Station is in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, on the mainland, not on Abu Dhabi island. Etihad Rail runs shuttle buses timed to the trains from four stops: ADNOC Headquarters on Corniche Road West, ADNEC Centre on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Reem Mall on Al Reem Island and Yas Mall's north entrance. Book the shuttle with your train ticket.
Each passenger aged 3 and over can bring two items of luggage free, whatever the ticket: a personal item that fits under the seat and a carry-on of up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm for the overhead rack. Infants share the adult's allowance. Ask for extra baggage in advance through the app, website, Contact Centre or a station.
Moving in with big suitcases? The charter gives sizes only for a personal item and a carry-on, and it bars oversized or bulky luggage. If you are arriving for a month with large cases, ask Etihad Rail before you book, or take a taxi on moving-in day and use the train once you have settled in.
Most listings on ServicedApartments.ae have a 30-night minimum stay, so the train is for weekends and day trips once you have settled in.
Planning a month in Abu Dhabi or Fujairah with trips by train? Send your dates through a listing's Request to Book, or WhatsApp our team, and check the minimum stay and the deposit listed on each apartment.
From AED 39 one way in Comfort Class and AED 109 in Premium Class, at the September launch and on the booking site for 3 November 2026. Fares vary by date, train and fare type.
1 hour 51 minutes on the two daily trains that stop at Al Dhaid, and 2 hours 24 minutes on the one via Dubai, on the booking site for 3 November 2026. Comfort Class started at AED 55.
In Mohamed Bin Zayed City, on the mainland. Shuttle buses link it with stops at ADNOC Headquarters on the Corniche, ADNEC Centre, Reem Mall and Yas Mall; book them in advance with your ticket.
Only Flex is refundable: in full more than 24 hours before departure, with a 30% fee within 24 hours. Saver and Value are non-refundable, though Value allows free date and time changes up to 72 hours before departure.
Etihad Rail has scheduled Madinat Zayed and Liwa for 30 November 2026, the remaining Al Dhafra stations for 30 December 2026 and Sharjah Station for 30 March 2027. Al Dhaid, in the Emirate of Sharjah, is already open.
Infants up to 2 travel free on an adult's lap. Children up to 17 get 50% off, and children under 14 must travel with an adult. Passengers aged 60 and over get 20% off.
Fares, timetables and opening dates checked on 29 October 2026.