Etihad Rail passengers will soon be able to use free shuttle buses to reach attractions and theme parks on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Rail and Miral, the developer of Yas Island’s leisure attractions, have signed a memorandum of understanding to connect the UAE rail network with the Yas Express bus service.

Under the agreement, Mohammed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi will be linked to the free Yas Express bus network, making travel between the railway station and Yas Island’s tourist attractions easier for passengers.

Once the connection is launched, passengers arriving at Mohammed bin Zayed City station will be able to travel directly to Yas Island’s main attractions using free Yas Express buses.

These attractions include:

- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
- Yas Waterworld
- Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
- SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

Easier access to Yas Island attractions

Lisa Gassol, Senior Vice President of Sales at Miral Destinations, said the partnership aims to provide a seamless and convenient experience for travelling to and around Yas Island.

She said: “Our partnership with Etihad Rail is an important step towards creating a more seamless journey. By connecting rail services with the Yas Express network, guests will enjoy easier and more convenient access to Yas Island’s attractions.”

Adhraa Al Mansoori, Executive Director of Commercial and Support at Etihad Rail Mobility, also emphasised the company’s efforts to make passenger rail a practical and convenient option for travel across the UAE.

She said: “Through our partnership with Miral, passengers arriving at Etihad Rail’s Mohammed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi will have direct access to Yas Island and its diverse range of attractions and entertainment.”

Al Mansoori added: “Partnerships such as this help us strengthen connections between railway stations and passengers’ points of origin or final destinations, enabling seamless journeys that combine rail with other modes of transport.”

The initiative aims to make the initial and final stages of passengers’ journeys easier, an approach known in transport planning as “first- and last-mile connectivity”.

Digital integration of rail and bus networks under review

As part of the partnership, Miral and Etihad Rail will also explore the possibility of digitally integrating their transport systems.

The initiative aims to deliver a more coordinated passenger experience, with more integrated transport services from the rail journey through to arrival on Yas Island.

The memorandum forms part of a long-term strategic partnership between Miral and Etihad Rail. The two companies are also exploring new opportunities to improve access to tourist destinations, advance sustainable transport and support the growth of the tourism industry across the UAE.

Expansion of Yas Island’s tourist attractions

The partnership comes as Miral moves ahead with extensive plans to expand Yas Island’s leisure and tourism offerings.

In September 2026, the company announced plans to add three new Harry Potter-themed areas to Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2029.

The Walt Disney Company also confirmed earlier this year that plans to build its first theme park in the Middle East, called Disneyland Abu Dhabi, remain on track despite recent regional instability.

Miral has also announced that it will invest more than AED12 billion in Yas Island over the next five years.

The investment will fund new projects, expand existing leisure attractions and increase hotel capacity, further strengthening Yas Island’s position as one of the world’s leading tourism and entertainment destinations.

Under the new agreement, connecting Mohammed bin Zayed City station to the free Yas Express network will make it easier for Etihad Rail passengers to reach Yas Island’s tourist attractions. However, no launch date or bus timetable has yet been announced for the new service.