If you have spent any time sitting in traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road wondering whether there is a better way, there is good news. Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national railway, is no longer something coming soon. Passenger services launched on 30 June 2026, and that Abu Dhabi to Dubai train journey you have been hearing about for years is finally becoming a reality. Property Finder has pulled together everything you need to know.
- What is the Etihad Rail project?
- What are the benefits of the Etihad Rail network?
- When did the Etihad Rail passenger service launch?
- What is the Etihad Rail route, and when do the stations open?
- What cities will the Etihad Rail network connect?
- What are the confirmed Etihad Rail stations?
- How will Etihad Rail change travel between UAE cities?
- How much do Etihad Rail tickets cost, and how can you book?
- What are the features of the Etihad Rail passenger fleet?
- Key takeaways
What is the Etihad Rail project?
Etihad Rail is the UAE’s first national railway network, stretching 1,200 km across all seven emirates. The idea was first floated back in 2009, and it has been a long time coming, but the wait is over.
The project is developed by Etihad Rail PJSC, which is 70% owned by the Abu Dhabi government and 30% by the federal UAE government. It was built in two stages: a freight network that has been quietly running for years, moving cargo across the country, and now a passenger service that opened its first route on 30 June 2026.
When the passenger network is fully up and running, Etihad Rail will connect 11 cities and regions across the country and eventually link into the GCC railway grid, making cross-border train travel a real possibility.
What are the benefits of the Etihad Rail network?
This is not just about getting from A to B faster. The network was designed with a bigger picture in mind:
- Businesses that move cargo across the region get a faster, cheaper alternative to road freight
- The logistics sector in the UAE gets a serious upgrade in efficiency, safety, and reliability
- Jobs are being created all along the route, from construction through to operations
- Road pressure eases up, fewer trucks and fewer cars on UAE highways
The project ties into the UAE’s broader economic and sustainability goals, including the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the UAE Net Zero 2050 target.
When did the Etihad Rail passenger service launch?
The Abu Dhabi train to Fujairah was the first passenger route to open, launching on 30 June 2026. Tickets went on sale shortly before launch and sold out fast for the opening days, which says something about how long people have been waiting for this.
The full network is rolling out in stages. By early 2027, you will be able to board a train in Dubai and travel all the way through to Abu Dhabi and beyond into Al Dhafra.
What is the Etihad Rail route, and when do the stations open?
The phased rollout looks like this:
- 30 June 2026 Abu Dhabi (Mohamed bin Zayed City) to Fujairah (Al Hilal): open and running
- 30 September 2026, Dubai (Jumeirah Golf Estates) and Sharjah (Al Dhaid) come online, completing the main inter-emirate corridor and making the train Dubai Abu Dhabi connection a reality for daily commuters
- 30 December 2026 The western region opens up with Al Mirfa, Al Dhannah, and Madinat Zayed stations
- 30 March 2027 Sharjah (University City) completes the primary Etihad Rail route, with Al Sila, Mezairaa, and Al Faya also part of the wider network
What cities will the Etihad Rail network connect?
The passenger network will cover 11 cities and regions across the UAE:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Fujairah
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Al Ruwais
- Al Mirfa
- Al Dhaid
More stations are expected to be confirmed as the network grows toward the GCC.
What are the confirmed Etihad Rail stations?
These are the 11 confirmed passenger railway stations, opening in phases across 2026 and 2027:
- Jumeirah Golf Estates (Dubai): Dubai’s first confirmed station, sitting along Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road with planned links to the Dubai Metro and feeder transport
- Mohamed bin Zayed City (Abu Dhabi): The main Abu Dhabi train station and the starting point for the June 30 launch, centrally located in the capital
- Madinat Zayed (Abu Dhabi): A major Al Dhafra town around 180 km southwest of Abu Dhabi city
- Al Mirfa (Abu Dhabi): A coastal community about 130 km west of the capital, opening up the western region
- Al Dhannah (Abu Dhabi): Around 240 km from Abu Dhabi city, serving a busy residential and industrial area
- Al Sila (Abu Dhabi): The westernmost point on the network, positioned for future GCC rail connections
- Mezairaa (Abu Dhabi): Set in Liwa Oasis, giving desert communities and tourism spots better access to the country
- Al Faya (Abu Dhabi): Between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, near Al Faya Dry Port operated by AD Ports Group
- Al Dhaid (Sharjah): One of Sharjah’s busiest cities and a key stop for commuters moving between Sharjah and Dubai
- University City (Sharjah): Close to Sharjah International Airport, handy for students and travellers alike
- Al Hilal (Fujairah): The easternmost railway station on the network, connecting Fujairah city and the surrounding coastal areas
How will Etihad Rail change travel between UAE cities?
For anyone who has done the Abu Dhabi to Dubai drive on a bad day, you know it can eat up two hours without much warning. The Abu Dhabi to Dubai train cuts that down to around 57 minutes, and it runs on a schedule that does not change based on what is happening on the E11.
Confirmed travel times so far:
- Abu Dhabi to Dubai: approximately 57 minutes
- Abu Dhabi to Fujairah: approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes
Times for other routes, including Dubai to Fujairah and Al Dhafra connections, will be confirmed as each phase opens.
How much do Etihad Rail tickets cost, and how can you book?
Bookings for the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route are open now. An introductory 50% launch discount is currently running, bringing fares to:
- Comfort Class: from Dh55
- Premium Class: from Dh120
You can book through the Etihad Rail mobile app or at etihadrail.ae. At launch, three direct services run daily in each direction.
Onboard, there are dining options available, and the stations themselves are designed as proper lifestyle destinations, not just platforms. Think cafés, restaurants, and retail, so arriving early is not exactly a hardship.
What are the features of the Etihad Rail passenger fleet?
The passenger fleet consists of 13 trains, each capable of carrying up to 400 passengers and travelling at a top speed of 200 km/h.
On the freight side, each train stretches 1 km with 70 wagons and carries up to 7,000 tonnes per journey. The plan is to eventually have more than 1,000 trains using the full network.
What is the future Etihad Rail route outside the UAE?
The long-term plan extends well beyond UAE borders. Etihad Rail is designed to plug into the GCC railway network, eventually linking the UAE with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. That opens up a future where cross-border trade and travel by train is not just possible but practical.
What are the Etihad Rail freight services?
The freight side of the business is already fully operational. Services available include:
- Loading and unloading operations
- Container storage
- Container maintenance
For freight enquiries: +971 (0)2 499 9999
If your business is near the network, it is worth checking out warehouses for rent in the UAE or warehouses for sale in the UAE on Property Finder to find locations with good rail access.
Key takeaways
- Etihad Rail is the UAE’s first national railway, spanning 1,200 km and connecting 11 cities and regions
- Passenger services launched on 30 June 2026 with the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route; the full network will be completed by March 2027
- The Abu Dhabi to Dubai train takes approximately 57 minutes; Abu Dhabi to Fujairah takes 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Trains travel at 200 km/h, with 13 trains each carrying up to 400 passengers
- Tickets start from Dh55 (Comfort) and Dh120 (Premium) — a 50% launch discount is currently live
FAQs
The first route, Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, opened on 30 June 2026. Dubai and Sharjah join the network on 30 September 2026, which is when the service officially becomes a full public launch.
Through the Etihad Rail app or at etihadrail.ae, bookings opened on 23 June 2026. If you are in Dubai, the NOL card is also expected to become a payment option down the line, since RTA is the ticketing partner.
30 June 2026: Abu Dhabi and Fujairah (open now)
30 September 2026: Dubai and Al Dhaid, Sharjah
30 December 2026: Al Dhafra stations (Al Mirfa, Al Dhannah, Madinat Zayed)
30 March 2027: Sharjah University City (completes the route
Right now, there is a 50% launch discount running. That brings Comfort Class down to Dh55 and Premium Class to Dh120 on the Abu Dhabi Fujairah route.
