how to get to Abu Dhabi train station
MBZ City Station Β· Transport Guide

How to Get to Abu Dhabi Train Station (MBZ City)

Your options for reaching Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station, and for heading into town once your train pulls in.

The capital’s passenger rail terminal sits on the mainland, well away from downtown, so the ride to and from the platform deserves a bit of planning. Below we compare every way in and out: two direct city bus lines, a free link to Yas Mall, taxis with typical fares, driving and car hire, plus the paid Etihad Rail shuttle.

  • Bus MR1 / MR2
  • Yas Express ER1
  • Taxi fares
  • Parking
  • Rail shuttle

See Today’s Train Times

Where Is Abu Dhabi Train Station?

Trains serving the capital use Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station, which locals often call MBZ City. You’ll find it across the road from Dalma Mall, with Mussafah Bus Station right beside it. The neighbourhoods closest by are Mussafah, Shakhbout City and Bani Yas.

Downtown lies roughly 30 km away, so walking to the Corniche or Al Reem Island is not realistic. Fortunately, travellers now have a decent choice of connections, ranging from free or cheap buses to metered taxis and pre-booked transfers.

At a Glance: Picking the Right Connection

Mode Ideal when heading to Price Advance reservation
MR1 / MR2 bus Al Wahda, Al Rawdah, Al Zahiyah or onward city routes Regular Abu Dhabi bus fare None required
Yas Express ER1 Yas Mall and the wider Yas Island area Free of charge Confirm conditions first
Rail shuttle ADNOC HQ on the Corniche, ADNEC, Reem Mall AED 10 each way Yes, added when buying your rail ticket
Taxi or app ride Any address, including the airport, Saadiyat and the Grand Mosque Roughly AED 25–75 by distance Hail at the rank or order via app
Private car Daily commuters and anyone with heavy bags Quarter of an hour free, charges after that None required

City Buses MR1 and MR2

To link rail passengers with the urban network, Abu Dhabi Mobility introduced a pair of dedicated lines. They run seven days a week, in each direction, and offer the lowest-cost ride into town. You won’t need anything from Etihad Rail to use them: just tap in and pay the usual fare.

Line MR1 to the Main Bus Station

Terminates in Al Wahda Β· roughly 50 min

  • Al Jazeera Club
  • Al Mushrif Mall
  • Al Rawdah interchange
  • Main Bus Station, Al Wahda

Line MR2 to Al Zahiyah

Ends near the Tourist Club district Β· roughly 47 min

  • Al Rawdah interchange
  • Mazyad interchange
  • Al Zahiyah terminal

Both end points are major hubs where you can switch to other routes across the island. Next door to the railway building, the Mussafah terminal adds a handful of local lines. Hafilat travel cards are on sale from the ticket machines inside the rail concourse.

Timetables: Departure lists for MR1 and MR2 appear on the Abu Dhabi Mobility website and in the Darb app. Evening services may finish before the final train arrives, so look up the last departure if you’re due in late.

Heading to Yas Island? Take the Free ER1

Free

Yas Express ER1 Β· MBZ City ⇄ Yas Mall north entrance

Route ER1 runs between the rail terminal and the north entrance of Yas Mall. Outbound trips last around half an hour, while the return leg is closer to 45 minutes. It came about through a tie-up between Miral, the company behind Yas Island’s attractions, and Etihad Rail.

Worth knowing

  • Departures are limited, so line it up with your train
  • From the mall, the island’s own free buses reach hotels and theme parks
  • Missed it? A cab to Yas takes 30–40 minutes
  • Double-check today’s times and rules before you go

Rail Shuttle to the Corniche, ADNEC and Reem Mall

AED 10 a ride Β· reserved at the same time as your train seat

Etihad Rail operates its own coach service to three drop-off points: ADNOC Headquarters on the Corniche, ADNEC Centre in Al Rawdah and Reem Mall on Al Reem Island. There’s no ticket desk for it on site, and boarding requires a valid rail booking. If your train runs late, the operator’s connection guarantee won’t cover a missed coach.

Pick-up points, the booking process and delay rules are covered in depth in our Etihad Rail shuttle transfer guide.

Buses and taxis at Abu Dhabi's Mohamed Bin Zayed City train station

Taxis and Ride-Hailing: Typical Fares

When your destination isn’t on a bus or coach route, a cab is the quickest choice. A marked taxi rank and a separate app pick-up area sit outside the terminal, and both Uber and Careem work in the emirate. Treat the prices below as ballpark one-way figures; traffic, time of day and car category all shift the final amount.

Destination Driving time Typical fare Cheaper option
Al Qana 10–15 min AED 25–35 β€”
ADNEC Centre, Al Rawdah 15–20 min AED 30–45 Rail shuttle, or MR1/MR2 to Al Rawdah
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque 15–20 min AED 30–40 β€”
Zayed International Airport 20–30 min AED 45–60 No direct coach
Reem Mall, Al Reem Island 25–30 min AED 50–65 Rail shuttle
Corniche 25–35 min AED 55–70 Rail shuttle to ADNOC HQ
Yas Island 30–40 min AED 50–70 Free ER1 to Yas Mall
Saadiyat Island, Louvre Abu Dhabi 30–40 min AED 60–75 β€”

Figures are indicative and not set by the rail operator. Your app quote or the meter shows the actual price.

Driving: Car Park, Drop-Off and Hire Cars

On-site car park

About 258 bays are available, eight of them with EV chargers, along with accessible spaces close to the entrance. Stays under 15 minutes cost nothing; beyond that you pay by duration.

Check the tariff board at the barrier if you plan to leave the car all day.

Kerbside drop-off

Getting a lift? Ask your driver to use the set-down lane at the front. Collecting someone usually fits inside the free quarter of an hour.

Cabs and app cars have separate bays.

Car hire

A rental vehicle can be added during the online rail booking and picked up on arrival. Launch offers began at roughly AED 80 per day.

Prices and terms appear at checkout and may differ today.

Dalma Mall and the Mussafah Bus Terminal

Got time to kill? Dalma Mall, among the largest shopping centres in the capital, is just across the road. It’s a handy spot for a meal, some shopping or simply waiting in air-conditioned comfort before a later departure. Meanwhile, the Mussafah bus terminal beside the rail building gives access to extra local routes.

Budget enough minutes to walk back from the mall and clear the concourse. Ticket machines close sales five minutes ahead of each departure, and the platform gates shut two minutes before the doors close.

Best Choice by Destination

Your destination Lowest cost Quickest
Corniche, Emirates Palace, Qasr Al Watan Rail shuttle to ADNOC HQ, AED 10 Cab
Al Reem Island Rail shuttle to Reem Mall, AED 10 Cab
ADNEC area, Al Rawdah MR1/MR2 or the rail shuttle Cab
Al Wahda, Al Mushrif Line MR1 Cab
Al Zahiyah, downtown core Line MR2 Cab
Yas Island Free ER1 to Yas Mall Cab
Saadiyat, Grand Mosque, Al Qana Cab or ride-hailing app (no dedicated coach)
Zayed International Airport Cab or ride-hailing app (no direct link)

Practical Tips

  • Sort out your first and last mile while booking, not on travel day.
  • Road-based links depend on traffic, so build in spare time.
  • The operator’s guarantee protects train-to-train changes only; buses and coaches aren’t included.
  • Arriving in the evening? Late at night a cab may be the only way out.
  • Keep your rail booking on your phone if you’ve added the shuttle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Abu Dhabi train station?

It’s Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station, facing Dalma Mall and beside Mussafah bus terminal, around 30 km from downtown.

Can I take a bus from downtown to MBZ City Station?

Yes. Line MR1 connects it with the Main Bus Station in Al Wahda, while MR2 goes to Al Zahiyah. Both operate every day in each direction.

What’s the journey time on MR1 and MR2?

Allow about 50 minutes on MR1 and about 47 minutes on MR2.

What does a cab to the Corniche cost?

Expect roughly AED 55–70 and 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic and which end of the waterfront you need.

What’s the easiest way to reach Yas Island by public transport?

Hop on the free ER1 to Yas Mall. Otherwise a cab takes 30–40 minutes and costs about AED 50–70.

Is there a direct link to Zayed International Airport?

Not at the moment. A taxi or app ride takes around 20–30 minutes and costs approximately AED 45–60.

Can I park my car at MBZ City Station?

Yes, there are roughly 258 bays including EV and accessible spaces. The first 15 minutes are free, then paid tariffs apply.

Is car hire available on arrival?

Yes. Add a rental during your online rail booking and collect it when you get there.

How is the rail shuttle different from MR1 and MR2?

The shuttle costs AED 10, goes to ADNOC HQ, ADNEC and Reem Mall, and is reserved with your train ticket. MR1 and MR2 are regular Abu Dhabi Mobility buses that anyone can ride. Full details are in our shuttle transfer guide.

Does a metro serve the station?

No. The capital has no metro system, so arrive by bus, coach, cab or car.

Plan the Whole Trip

Choose your train first, then match it with the connection that suits your address and arrival time. For facilities, maps and departure boards, read our Abu Dhabi Station guide.

Last checked November 2026. Routes, fares, parking charges and timetables can change. UAETRAIN is an independent passenger guide, not an official Etihad Rail or Abu Dhabi Mobility website.