Etihad Rail began public services from Dubai's Al Yalayis station to Abu Dhabi on September 30, with the journey taking one hour and four minutes.

Etihad Rail began passenger services from Dubai's Al Yalayis station on Wednesday, giving passengers another option to travel between the emirates. The train journey takes an hour and four minutes, but the complete trip depends on where you start and finish.

For this comparison, we use Union Metro station in Deira as the starting point and the World Trade Center end of Hamdan Street in Abu Dhabi as the destination.

Calculations are for one adult travelling one way. The rail option uses a Silver Nol card, a Comfort-class ticket and bus connections in Abu Dhabi. Driving costs use October's petrol price, effective from October 1. Complete journey times are estimates that include connections, rather than results from a timed travel test.

Estimated cost: Dh59 to Dh61. Total time: Around 3 and a half to 4 hours, depending on connections.

From Union, passengers can take the Red Line towards Expo 2020 and get off at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The Silver Nol fare is Dh7.50, with the Metro journey estimated at roughly 53 minutes.

Passengers then use the pedestrian connection to Al Yalayis station. Allow time for the walk and boarding before the booked train departs.

(Source: Khaleej Times)