Dubai’s mega Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) will connect directly to Etihad Rail, linking travellers to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah by train as part of the UAE’s $35 billion airport expansion plan.
Dubai’s ambitions for Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) have taken a major step forward, with confirmed plans to integrate the $35 billion mega-airport development directly with the Etihad Rail national passenger network — a move that will fundamentally reshape how residents and travellers move across the UAE.
Etihad Rail Station at Al Maktoum Airport: What We Know
A dedicated Etihad Rail station box will be built alongside the new terminal at DWC, giving the airport direct connectivity to the national rail network from day one of operations. Etihad Rail’s passenger services, set to launch in 2026, will connect 11 UAE cities and regions in phases, with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah among the first confirmed stops.
Each train will accommodate up to 400 passengers and feature Wi-Fi, individual power outlets and modern seating. For the first time, travellers from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will be able to reach Dubai’s mega-airport without a car.
A Multi-Modal Transport Vision for Dubai South
The rail connection is just one layer of a comprehensive transport strategy for DWC. The Dubai Metro Gold Line, a AED34 billion project spanning 42km and serving over 1.5 million residents across 15 communities, is also set to reach Dubai South by September 2032, aligned with the airport’s first expansion phase.
Air taxi vertiport infrastructure is planned too, which would make Al Maktoum Airport the first major international hub in the world linked to a dedicated air taxi landing facility.
Cargo and Connectivity: The Bigger Economic Picture
Beyond passenger travel, rail access is expected to support cargo operations given the airport’s proximity to Jebel Ali Port and the Dubai South logistics zone. With a target cargo capacity of 12 million tonnes annually and a 260 million passenger ceiling at full build-out, DWC is being designed with its transport ecosystem — not just its terminal footprint — at the centre of the plan.
The integration of Etihad Rail, metro access and air taxis positions Al Maktoum International as one of the most comprehensively connected airports ever planned.
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