Dubai Plans 55KM Airport Express Train Linking DXB and Al Maktoum International

The proposed rail connection would link Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport through a 55-kilometre route with five stations and passenger check-in facilities.

Dubai is moving ahead with plans for a major new rail connection linking its two international airports, with a proposed 55-kilometre Airport Express Line set to connect Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Al Garhoud with Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai South.

The project has advanced through the planning and tender stage, with six bids reported for the work. The proposed line would include five stations and is designed to make transfers between the two airports faster and more convenient as Dubai prepares for the long-term expansion of DWC.

What the proposed Airport Express Line would look like

According to published details of the RTA tender, the line is expected to begin at the Dubai Metro Red Line station serving DXB. From there, the route would pass through Al Jaddaf, continue along Al Khail Road to a new interchange at Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), and then extend to Al Maktoum International Airport.

Plans also include proposed branches from the JVC area toward Business Bay and the Emirates Golf Club area, creating additional links between major residential and commercial districts and the airport express network.

Five stations - with airport-style services

One of the most notable features under study is the possibility of bringing parts of the airport process directly to the railway stations. Reports on the tender say stations could offer facilities such as remote airline check-in, baggage drop-off and security screening.

If implemented, passengers could potentially complete key pre-flight procedures before reaching the terminal, reducing the number of steps required once they arrive at the airport.

Why the link matters for Dubai

Dubai is preparing for a major shift in its aviation infrastructure. The first phase of the expanded Al Maktoum International Airport is scheduled to begin operations in 2032, as the emirate gradually develops DWC into its primary long-term aviation hub.

The airport's long-term master plan includes five parallel runways, two passenger terminals and seven concourses, with an eventual capacity of up to 260 million passengers a year. The development is also being designed around integrated road and rail connections.

A direct express service between DXB and DWC could therefore become a critical part of the transition, allowing travellers, airline staff and airport users to move across Dubai without relying entirely on road transport.

Part of a much bigger rail expansion

The Airport Express proposal comes as Dubai continues to expand its rail network. The emirate has also approved the 42-kilometre Dubai Metro Gold Line, while Al Maktoum International is planned to connect with wider rail and public transport networks as development progresses.

DWC is also expected to benefit from connections to the UAE's national railway network, reinforcing Dubai's goal of creating a seamless multimodal transport system linking airports, metro services, rail, roads and major urban centres.

Six bids reported as project moves forward

The latest reports indicate that six international engineering and infrastructure groups have submitted proposals connected with the Airport Express project. The bidding activity is an important step in developing the technical design and assessing how the line can be integrated with Dubai's existing and future transport network.

However, the project remains at a planning and design stage. The RTA has not yet announced a confirmed construction schedule, project cost or official opening date. Those details are expected to become clearer once studies and procurement work progress.

What passengers could gain

• Faster airport transfers: A dedicated rail link could significantly simplify journeys between DXB and DWC.

• Less reliance on road transport: Rail connectivity could reduce pressure on major roads as passenger volumes grow.

• Remote travel formalities: Proposed station facilities could allow check-in, baggage drop and security processing away from the terminal.

• Better access to key districts: Connections through JVC and proposed branches toward Business Bay and Emirates Golf Club could widen the catchment area.

• Support for DWC's 2032 expansion: The line would help prepare Dubai's transport network for the first operational phase of the enlarged Al Maktoum International Airport.

A major step toward Dubai's future airport network

The 55-kilometre Airport Express Line is still a proposed project rather than an operating service, but its scale shows how Dubai is planning transport infrastructure around the next generation of air travel.

As Al Maktoum International expands and more aviation activity gradually shifts toward Dubai South, direct rail links will become increasingly important. If the Airport Express proceeds as proposed, it could give passengers a single rail corridor connecting Dubai's current global gateway with the airport intended to serve the emirate for decades to come.

Sources

• The National - Dubai's two airports to be connected by new train line with five stations (August 18, 2026)
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/08/18/dubais-two-airports-to-be-connected-by-new-train-line-with-five-stations/
• Khaleej Times - Proposed Dubai airport express line to connect DXB, DWC with 5 new metro stations (April 22, 2026)
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/transport/proposal-dubai-rta-airport-express-line-connect-dxb-dwc-new-metro-stations
• Dubai Media Office - Al Maktoum International Airport development project achieves significant milestones (June 15, 2026)
https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/june/15-06/hamdan-bin-mohammed-approves-al-maktoum-airport
• MEED - RTA tenders metro line connecting Dubai's two airports (April 20, 2026)
https://www.meed.com/rta-tenders-metro-link-connecting-dubais-two-airports