Living in one emirate and working in the other is common in the UAE, and the area you pick decides how long your daily trip takes. The good news is that the commute has become easier. Since 30 September 2026, Etihad Rail passenger trains have linked Dubai and Abu Dhabi in about an hour.

So, what is the best place to live between Dubai and Abu Dhabi? If you work in Abu Dhabi and want to live in Dubai, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Al Furjan are the strongest picks because they sit close to the Etihad Rail station in Dubai. If you work in Dubai and want to live in Abu Dhabi, Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Yas Island, and Alghadeer are worth a look. Below, we cover nine areas in order, from the Dubai side to the Abu Dhabi side.

• How to Commute Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
• 9 Best Places to Live Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
• Comparison of Areas Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
• How to Choose Where to Live Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
• Key Takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

How to commute between Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Before choosing an area, it helps to know your transport options. Most residents drive, but the train now gives commuters a reliable option that isn’t affected by traffic.

Commuting by Etihad Rail

In Dubai, trains leave from Al Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates. A pedestrian bridge links it to the Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Route 2020 branch of the Red Line, and the station has 265 parking spaces, and parking costs AED 30 for a half or full day.

In Abu Dhabi, trains arrive at Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station, opposite Dalma Mall and next to Mussafah Bus Station. From there, Abu Dhabi Mobility routes MR1 and MR2 run to the Main Bus Station and Al Zahiyah Bus Station, and Etihad Rail runs shuttle buses to selected areas for AED 10 per trip.

Trains run several times a day in both directions, including early-morning and late-afternoon departures, and extra services have been added at weekends. With only a handful of services each way, the timetable may not suit every office schedule, so check it against your working hours before you commit to a train commute. Times can change, so confirm them on the Etihad Rail website or app before you travel.

What a train commute looks like

Here is how a typical weekday trip from Al Furjan in Dubai to an office in Abu Dhabi works:

• Take the metro from Al Furjan Metro Station one stop to Jumeirah Golf Estates
• Walk across the pedestrian bridge to Al Yalayis Station
• Ride the train to Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station, which takes about an hour
• Finish the trip by MR1 or MR2 bus, an Etihad Rail shuttle or a taxi

The hour covers the train journey only, so allow extra time for the metro, the walk between stations and the final leg to your office.

For more on buses, taxis and car hire, read our guide on how to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

9 best places to live between Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Each area below includes how you get to the other emirate, the types of homes available and the median asking price for homes for sale:

1. Discovery Gardens, Dubai

Discovery Gardens is one of the most affordable places to rent near Dubai’s western edge. It has around 300 low-rise buildings set among green, landscaped streets, and it mainly attracts singles, couples and small families who want a quieter setting without a high rent.

• Location: Between Jebel Ali and Al Furjan, close to Ibn Battuta Mall
• Getting to Abu Dhabi: Discovery Gardens Metro Station is about a 10-minute walk from most clusters. Two stops on Route 2020 take you to Jumeirah Golf Estates for the train, and Ibn Battuta Bus Station (route E101) is a short drive away
• Property types: Mostly studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments
• Median asking price: AED 838,000
• Rent: Browse properties for rent in Discovery Gardens
• Good to know: Residents like the greenery and metro access, but some buildings are older and parking isn’t always assigned

Browse more on Discovery Gardens Area

2. Al Furjan, Dubai

Al Furjan is a family-focused community with a mix of mid-rise apartments and gated villa clusters. It has its own metro station, community pavilions and plenty of schools nearby, which makes it a practical base for families with one parent working in Abu Dhabi.

• Location: Next to Discovery Gardens, between Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
• Getting to Abu Dhabi: Al Furjan Metro Station is inside the community and one stop from Jumeirah Golf Estates, where you can walk to Al Yalayis Station
• Property types: Studios to three-bedroom apartments, three- to six-bedroom villas, and townhouses
• Median asking price: AED 1.69 million
• Rent: Browse properties for rent in Al Furjan
• Good to know: There are 14 schools within 5 km, including Dubai British School Jumeirah Park and The Arbor School

Read more on Al Furjan Area

3. Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai

Jumeirah Golf Estates is the closest you can live to Dubai’s Etihad Rail station. It is a gated, green community built around two championship golf courses, Earth and Fire, and the Earth course hosts the DP World Tour Championship.

• Location: Off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311)
• Getting to Abu Dhabi: Al Yalayis Station is inside the community, so many residents can reach the train in minutes
• Property types: Villas and townhouses, plus apartments in the Al Andalus cluster
• Median asking price: AED 9.8 million
• Rent: Browse properties for rent in Jumeirah Golf Estates
• Good to know: It is popular with families, but it is one of the pricier options on this list and few shops are within walking distance

Learn more on Jumeirah Golf Estates Area

4. Dubai South, Dubai

Dubai South is a large, fast-growing district around Al Maktoum International Airport. It offers newer low-rise homes and lower prices than central Dubai, and it sits further south than most Dubai communities, so the drive to Abu Dhabi is shorter.

• Location: Southern Dubai, near Al Maktoum International Airport and Expo City Dubai
• Getting to Abu Dhabi: By car via the E311 or E11. Expo 2020 Metro Station is under 10 minutes away by car and two stops from Jumeirah Golf Estates on Route 2020
• Property types: Studios to three-bedroom apartments, two- to seven-bedroom villas and townhouses
• Median asking price: AED 1.61 million
• Rent: Browse properties for rent in Dubai South
• Good to know: Sub-communities include Emaar South, The Pulse, South Bay and the Residential District

See more on Dubai South Area

5. Alghadeer, Abu Dhabi

Alghadeer is an Aldar community in Seih Sdeirah, right on the border between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It is the most literal answer to living between the two cities, and it suits people who drive to work in either emirate.

• Location: On the Abu Dhabi–Dubai border, near Expo City Dubai
• Getting to Dubai: Mainly by car, as public transport options are limited
• Property types: Studios to three-bedroom apartments, and two- to four-bedroom townhouses and villas
• Median asking price: AED 1.13 million
• Rent: Browse properties for rent in Al Ghadeer
• Good to know: The community has parks, pools, a mosque, shops and an international school, and it is pet-friendly

Read more on Al Ghadeer Area .

6. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Yas Island is one of the first major Abu Dhabi residential hubs you reach when driving in from Dubai. It is best known for Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Yas Marina Circuit, but it also has quieter villa communities such as West Yas and Noya.

• Location: North-east of Abu Dhabi city, about 16 minutes from Zayed International Airport
• Getting to Dubai: Quick access to the highways towards Dubai. The free Yas Express shuttle runs around the island, and bus 190 links to central Abu Dhabi
• Property types: Studios to four-bedroom apartments, two- to six-bedroom villas, and townhouses
• Median asking price: AED 2.79 million
• Rent: Browse properties for rent in Yas Island
• Good to know: Yas Mall, Carrefour and IKEA are on the island, and schools include West Yas Academy and SABIS International School

Explore Yas Island Area

7. Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi

Al Raha Beach is a waterfront community with a calm, upscale feel. Its three main precincts are Al Muneera, Al Zeina and Al Bandar, and many buildings have direct beach and marina access.

• Location: Along the coast between Yas Island and Abu Dhabi city, under five minutes from Zayed International Airport
• Getting to Dubai: By car. Yas Island is under 10 minutes away, which puts you close to the highway towards Dubai
• Property types: Studios to four-bedroom apartments, penthouses, townhouses and villas
• Median asking price: AED 2.77 million
• Rent: Browse properties for rent in Al Raha Beach
• Good to know: Al Raha Mall and Al Raha International School are in the area, but residents say you need a car to live here

Learn more on Al Raha Beach Area

8. Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi

Khalifa City is a spacious, low-rise suburb popular with families. It has gated compounds, parks and walking trails, and residents often describe it as good value for the space you get.

• Location: Inland, close to Zayed International Airport and the E10 and E22
• Getting to Dubai: By car. Yas Island and Al Raha Beach are a short drive away, and bus routes K3 and K4 serve the area
• Property types: Studios to three-bedroom apartments, two- to four-bedroom townhouses and four- to seven-bedroom villas
• Median asking price: AED 2.81 million
• Rent: Browse properties for rent in Khalifa City
• Good to know: There is no metro, so a car is essential. Al Forsan Central Mall covers everyday shopping

Read more on Khalifa City Area

9. Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi

Mohamed Bin Zayed City is a large, family-friendly district on the mainland. It is now one of the best places in Abu Dhabi for train commuters, because Etihad Rail’s Abu Dhabi station sits on its edge, opposite Dalma Mall.

• Location: Mainland Abu Dhabi, near the E11, E22 and E30
• Getting to Dubai: Take Etihad Rail from Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station to Al Yalayis in about an hour, or drive in around 70 minutes, depending on where in Dubai you are heading and traffic
• Property types: Mainly spacious villas, plus a growing number of apartments and some townhouses
• Rent: Browse properties for rent in Mohamed Bin Zayed City
• Good to know: Mazyad Mall and Dalma Mall are nearby, and the MBZ City Bus Station is served by several Abu Dhabi bus lines

Browse villas for sale in Mohamed Bin Zayed City or explore Mohamed Bin Zayed City Area

Comparison of areas between Dubai and Abu Dhabi

How to choose where to live between Dubai and Abu Dhabi

• Start with your office: If you work near Abu Dhabi’s mainland or Mussafah, Mohamed Bin Zayed City and the train make sense. If your office is on Abu Dhabi island or near the airport, Yas Island and Al Raha Beach shorten the drive
• Decide between train and car: Train commuters should stay near the Route 2020 metro line in Dubai or near Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi. Drivers have more freedom and can look at Alghadeer, Dubai South or Khalifa City
• Check the timetable: Trains run at set times, so make sure the schedule fits your working hours before you sign a lease
• Think about the whole household: Schools, supermarkets and healthcare matter as much as the commute, especially for families

Still deciding which city suits you better? Read our Abu Dhabi vs Dubai comparison.

Key Takeaways

• Etihad Rail has linked Dubai and Abu Dhabi since 30 September 2026, with a journey of about an hour
• Jumeirah Golf Estates and Al Furjan are the best Dubai areas for people working in Abu Dhabi, thanks to the train station and Route 2020 metro
• Mohamed Bin Zayed City is the top Abu Dhabi pick for train commuters, while Yas Island and Al Raha Beach suit drivers
• Alghadeer sits right on the border and suits people who drive to either city
• Discovery Gardens and Dubai South are among the more affordable options

Frequently Asked Questions

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