Etihad Rail Begins a New Chapter in UAE Travel With First Passenger Service

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The United Arab Emirates has taken a major step towards transforming domestic travel with the launch of its first national passenger railway service.

Etihad Rail’s inaugural passenger train departed from Fujairah at 5:34 a.m. on June 30 and arrived at Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi at 7:19 a.m. The approximately 250-kilometre journey took one hour and 45 minutes, offering travellers a new alternative to driving between the country’s east coast and the capital.

The opening day included six scheduled services, marking the beginning of what the operator describes as an introductory phase. Interest was strong even before the first train left the platform, with more than 10,000 tickets purchased ahead of the launch.

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What passengers can expect

The trains have been designed for both leisure travellers and regular commuters. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, air conditioning, charging points and assigned seating.

Passengers can currently choose between two travel categories. Comfort Class tickets begin at AED55, while Premium Class fares start from AED120 and include additional space and upgraded services. Etihad Rail’s passenger fleet currently consists of 13 trains, with each one able to carry around 400 people.

The railway is also being connected with existing transport services. Bus routes, taxis and other mobility options are expected to help passengers travel between stations and their final destinations, addressing one of the main challenges of introducing intercity rail in a country where private cars remain the dominant form of transport.

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More stations are coming

The Abu Dhabi–Fujairah connection is only the first stage of a much larger rollout.

Dubai and Al Dhaid stations are scheduled to join the network on September 30, 2026. Stations serving the Al Dhafra region are expected to open on December 30, while Sharjah is due to be added on March 30, 2027.

Once completed, the national passenger network will extend for approximately 900 kilometres. It is designed to connect 11 cities and regions, linking the Gulf of Oman with destinations across the Emirates and continuing west towards Ghuweifat near the Saudi Arabian border.

The railway could significantly change how residents and visitors move around the UAE. In addition to shortening travel times, the project is expected to support tourism, reduce pressure on major roads and encourage more sustainable forms of transportation.

For the UAE, the first passenger journey represents more than the opening of a new route. It signals the beginning of a national transport system that could bring the Emirates closer together and reshape everyday travel across the country.

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