Etihad Rail launches Abu Dhabi-Dubai-Fujairah passenger services

Logo of Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail launched passenger services connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah today, Sept. 30, marking the official rollout of the UAE’s national passenger rail network.

Tickets are available for booking starting at AED 39 for standard class and AED 109 for premium class.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, and Minister of Defence, and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Martyrs' Families Affairs and Chairman of Etihad Rail, inaugurated on Sept. 28 the Etihad Rail station in Dubai, announcing the official launch of the national railway passenger network.

Dubai’s Etihad Rail station is a central link between the national railway and the emirate’s public transport network, connecting with the Dubai Metro’s Jumeirah Golf Estates station via a dedicated pedestrian bridge, allowing direct transfers between Etihad Rail and the Dubai Metro.

The system also integrates with the Nol fare system, enabling passengers to book Etihad Rail and other Dubai public transport services—such as metro, tram, and bus—using a unified QR code for streamlined journeys.

According to previous data, the Etihad Rail passenger network will span 11 cities and regions across the country, featuring stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah, as well as Al Sila, Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, Madinat Zayed, Mezairaa, Al Fayah, and Al Dhaid, with phased station openings planned.

Train journeys take around 57 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, 70 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Ruwais, and 105 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.

The maximum speed of passenger trains reaches 200 km/h. The fleet will consist of 13 trains, each with a capacity of up to 400 passengers, enabling the network to transport around 10 million passengers annually.

Etihad Rail began trial passenger operations between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on June 30, 2026, with the Dubai and Al Dhaid stations set to open on September 30. Al Dhafra Region stations are scheduled for December 30, 2026, and the Sharjah station is expected to open on March 30, 2027.

The passenger train operations are managed by Etihad Rail Passenger Services Company, a joint venture between Etihad Rail and Spain’s RENFE, which specializes in passenger rail transport services.