Etihad Rail UAE: Complete Guide to the New Passenger Train Service
The UAE has officially entered the era of intercity passenger rail. Etihad Rail, the national railway operator, launched its first passenger train service on June 30, 2026, connecting Abu Dhabi and Fujairah in just 1 hour and 45 minutes. This marks a historic shift for a network that spent nearly a decade building freight infrastructure before opening its doors to everyday travelers. Here is everything confirmed and verified about the UAE's new passenger rail service, how it works, and what it means for getting around the country.
What is Etihad Rail?
Etihad Rail is the UAE's national railway operator, established in 2009 under Federal Law No. 2 to build and operate a nationwide rail network for both freight and passengers. The company began commercial freight operations in January 2016, moving goods such as granulated sulphur along its first stage of track connecting Habshan and Ruwais. Stage Two of the network, spanning 605 kilometres from Ghuweifat on the Saudi border to Fujairah on the east coast, opened in February 2023, extending the total freight network to 900 kilometres and linking all seven emirates for the first time.
Passenger rail was always part of the plan. The UAE Railway Programme was formally launched in 2021 as part of the "Projects of the 50" initiative, and less than five years later, the country welcomed its first fare-paying passengers.
Etihad Rail Passenger Service: Official Launch Details
June 30, 2026: The Introductory Phase
On June 30, 2026, Etihad Rail began the introductory operational phase of its passenger service, connecting Abu Dhabi's Mohamed bin Zayed City station with Fujairah's Al Hilal City station. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, officially opened the Mohamed bin Zayed City Passenger Train Station ahead of the launch.
The journey between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, officially listed at 105 minutes, offering a considerably faster alternative to the equivalent road trip.
The Phased National Rollout
Etihad Rail is expanding its passenger network in confirmed stages rather than opening all stations at once:
June 30, 2026: Abu Dhabi to Fujairah introductory phase begins (live now)
September 30, 2026: Dubai Station (Jumeirah Golf Estates) and Al Dhaid Station (Sharjah) open, marking the official network launch
December 30, 2026: Stations in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi open
March 30, 2027: Sharjah's University City station opens, completing the initially announced passenger route
Once complete, the network is designed to connect 11 stations across the UAE, from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east, passing through Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, Madinat Zayed, Mezaira'a, Al Faya, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Al Dhaid.
The Abu Dhabi to Fujairah Route: What You Need to Know
Stations
Abu Dhabi Station is located in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, opposite Dalma Mall, and is roughly 30 minutes from Zayed International Airport. The station operates daily from 5am to 11pm.
Fujairah Station is located in Al Hilal City, in the Sakamkam area near Fujairah Port. It is approximately 12 minutes from Fujairah International Airport by car, around 8 minutes from Fujairah city centre and the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, roughly 5 minutes from Sakamkam Fort, and about 6 minutes from Umbrella Beach. Covering nearly 52,000 square metres, it was the first fully completed passenger station in the entire network.
Train Timings
On launch day, Etihad Rail operated three direct daily services in each direction. Fujairah-bound trains departed Abu Dhabi at 8.19am, 1.53pm and 6.39pm, while Abu Dhabi-bound trains departed Fujairah at 5.34am, 10.59am and 5.28pm. Etihad Rail has stated the daily timetable includes up to six services covering morning, afternoon and evening departures, and passengers should check the live schedule on the official app or website before travelling, as service patterns may evolve during this early operational phase.
Ticket Prices and Classes
Etihad Rail passenger trains offer two classes:
Comfort Class: Standard fare from AED 55, offering spacious seating and essential onboard facilities
Premium Class: Fare from AED 120, offering wider, reclining seating and additional onboard amenities
At launch, Etihad Rail applied a 50 percent introductory discount, with Comfort Class dropping from a regular AED 109 to AED 55, and Premium Class dropping from AED 239 to AED 120.
Within each class, passengers can choose between three fare tiers:
Saver: The base fare, with no refunds or changes and automatically assigned seating
Value: An additional AED 10, offering free seat selection and unlimited free changes up to 72 hours before departure (AED 20 per change afterward)
Flex: An additional AED 20, offering seat selection, unlimited free changes up to 30 minutes after scheduled departure, and a full refund if cancelled 24 hours or more before travel (30 percent cancellation fee on the day of travel)
How to Book Etihad Rail Tickets
Tickets can be booked through the official Etihad Rail website (etihadrail.ae) or the Etihad Rail mobile app, available on Apple and Android devices. The booking process follows these steps:
- Select your departure and arrival stations (currently Abu Dhabi or Fujairah)
- Choose your travel date and preferred departure time
- Select your class (Comfort or Premium) and fare tier (Saver, Value or Flex)
- Enter passenger details, including name, email and mobile number
- Add any optional extras, such as the Abu Dhabi shuttle bus service
- Complete payment by card or mobile wallet
Tickets are issued digitally through the app or by email confirmation, and can also be printed at ticket vending machines inside the stations. Bookings can be made up to four weeks in advance.
Demand at launch was significant. More than 5,000 seats were reserved within the first two days of bookings opening on June 23, 2026, and all seats on the three inaugural services departing June 30 sold out completely. More than 10,000 tickets had been purchased in total within the first week of bookings.
Getting to Abu Dhabi Station: Shuttle Bus Service
Etihad Rail operates a shuttle bus service connecting Abu Dhabi Station to three key locations in the capital for AED 10 per trip: Reem Mall, the ADNOC headquarters on Corniche Road West, and the ADNEC exhibition centre. The shuttle must be booked in advance through the app or website and is not available for purchase at the station. Full timetables are published on the official Etihad Rail platforms.
Onboard Amenities and Luggage
Trains are designed for intercity comfort rather than short commuter hops. Confirmed onboard features include:
- Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi
- Individual charging ports and power sockets at every seat
- Retractable tray tables
- Overhead and under-seat luggage storage
- Dedicated seating for families and pregnant women
- Accessible facilities for passengers with limited mobility
- Premium Class adds wider, reclining seats and complimentary refreshments
Each passenger aged three and above may bring up to two items of luggage free of charge, including one carry-on bag (maximum 55cm x 40cm x 23cm, stored in overhead racks) and one personal item that fits under the seat. Infants under three do not receive a separate luggage allowance. All bags must be labelled with the owner's name and contact details, and passengers are responsible for lifting and storing their own luggage. Etihad Rail also permits domestic pets, including dogs and falcons, when carried in an approved carrier that fits within the standard carry-on dimensions.
Train Fleet and Speed
Etihad Rail's passenger fleet consists of 13 trains manufactured by Spain's CAF, each with a capacity of up to 400 passengers. The trains are capable of speeds up to 200 km/h, and Etihad Rail projects the network will carry up to 36.5 million passengers annually once fully operational, with an initial ridership target of around 10 million passengers in the early phase.
The Wider Etihad Rail Network
Beyond the Abu Dhabi to Fujairah route, Etihad Rail has confirmed official journey times for other legs of the future network as stations progressively open:
- Abu Dhabi to Dubai: 57 minutes
- Dubai to Fujairah: 69 minutes
- Abu Dhabi to Al Ruwais: 70 minutes
Separately, Etihad Rail has announced plans for a future high-speed rail line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, expected to reach speeds of up to 350 km/h and cut that specific journey to around 30 minutes. This high-speed project is a distinct, longer-term initiative targeted for operation by 2030, separate from the standard 200 km/h passenger network currently in service.
Following the completion of the announced 11-station route in March 2027, Etihad Rail has stated that feasibility studies will assess further expansion to additional emirates and regions, based on transport demand and national development priorities.
Customer Support
For booking questions or general enquiries, Etihad Rail's customer support team can be reached by email at support@etihadrail.ae or by phone at +971 4 518 2050, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm Gulf Standard Time.
Making the Most of Rail Travel to Fujairah
The Abu Dhabi to Fujairah route opens up the UAE's east coast in a way that was previously only practical by car. Fujairah is known for its Hajar Mountain scenery, coastline along the Gulf of Oman, and sites such as the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Sakamkam Fort and Umbrella Beach, all located within a short distance of the new rail station. For residents and visitors based in Abu Dhabi, the train offers a comfortable, fixed-schedule alternative to driving, without the need to navigate mountain roads or worry about parking.
For those planning a wider Abu Dhabi itinerary around a Fujairah rail trip, or simply looking to explore more of the capital and the wider Emirates, a range of guided experiences are available:
Desert Safaris: Explore Al Khatim Desert with a sunrise desert safari, morning desert safari, evening desert safari, sunset desert safari, or overnight desert safari
Liwa Desert: For a deeper desert experience, choose a full-day Liwa desert safari or overnight Liwa desert safari
City Tours: Discover the capital with an Abu Dhabi city tour, venture further with a Dubai city tour, or explore the garden city with an Al Ain city tour
Final Thoughts
Etihad Rail's launch of passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah marks the beginning of a new chapter in how people move around the UAE. With confirmed expansion to Dubai and Sharjah by March 2027, and a fully built freight network already linking all seven emirates, the passenger rail project represents one of the most significant infrastructure developments in the country's recent history.
For now, the Abu Dhabi to Fujairah line is open, tickets are on sale, and the journey that once took considerably longer by road can be completed in under two hours by train. As Etihad Rail continues its phased rollout through 2026 and into 2027, the network is set to reshape how residents and visitors travel between the UAE's emirates.
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