Much attention is focused on Al Maktoum Airport, but who buys a home to live closer to an airport? Most people fly at most once every few months. What really matters is daily or weekly mobility. This is why the new high-speed train between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which opens in 2026, is a much greater game-changer.
This train will transport you from city to city within 30 minutes, featuring comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and a capacity for 100,000 passengers per day. For comparison: Emirates is only relocating to Al Maktoum Airport in 2034. That is eight years later. Nobody wants to wait that long for value appreciation near an airport.
Smart Investors Look at the Train Route, Not the Flight Path
The situation is reminiscent of Crossrail in London. There, property prices rose by 50% in areas surrounding the stations, even before the line was operational. The same development could occur here. According to plans, there will be a station at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi at Musaffah, near Hudayriyat Island.
For those who commute between the two cities, such as many businesspeople, the train is a blessing. Driving can easily take three hours round trip, especially during rush hour. The train saves you time, money, and stress. You can work on the way; it is more comfortable and significantly more productive.
Neighbourhoods expected to benefit the most from this development include Dubai South, Oasis, Grand Polo, Tilal Al Ghaf, Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Meraas’s Acres. On the Abu Dhabi side, Hudayriyat is an interesting location. For those looking to invest smartly or live comfortably, proximity to this rail link is the choice, not the noise of aeroplanes taking off.
Edward Clarke is a seasoned property expert with extensive experience in international real estate investment, with a particular focus on Dubai’s fast-growing property market. Drawing on both personal investment experience and years of client advisory work, he helps investors make informed, realistic decisions when purchasing apartments, villas or off-plan developments in Dubai. With a pragmatic mindset, a sharp focus on returns and a strong commitment to transparency, Edward is a trusted point of contact for anyone considering a property investment in Dubai.
