For many, the new service is more than a means of transport, offering easier connections, reduced travel fatigue, and a new way to experience the country.
As anticipation builds ahead of the Etihad Rail passenger service launch on June 30, residents across the UAE are already planning to be among the first to experience the long-awaited national rail journey, a project expected to transform inter-emirate travel.
For many, the new service is more than a mode of transport, offering easier connections, reduced travel fatigue, and a new way to experience the country.
Among those preparing for the first journeys is Aisha Salem, who views the rail service as a practical and personal link across her daily life in different emirates.
“I will depart from Fujairah Station as it is the closest to me since I live in the central region of the UAE, and I will travel to Abu Dhabi,” she said. “Most of my siblings and family work in Abu Dhabi, so it will make it easier for me to visit them. And since I have my son with me, it will be more comfortable than driving the entire distance.”
She added that the project could significantly ease movement across the country. “I believe the project will greatly contribute to facilitating the movement of people across the UAE, especially those from the northern regions who work in the cities. It will also help reduce traffic congestion and other road-related issues,” she said.
For others, the launch also offers a chance to turn a routine commute into an experience. Abu Dhabi resident Mira Hassan said she and a friend decided to make the first train ride a day out after learning about the upcoming launch.
“We are travelling from Fujairah because it is closer to Ajman, where we live,” she said. The trip comes shortly after the couple completed a nine-day Trans-Siberian railway journey, making the UAE’s first passenger rail service a fitting next chapter.
“We have just returned from a nine-day Trans-Siberian train journey, so the Etihad Rail ride would be the icing on the cake,” she said. “This train journey is not just transport; it is an experience of a lifetime. We are looking forward to being overwhelmed by the experience.”
With bookings now open and discounted fares announced, excitement continues to build as the UAE prepares to welcome its first passengers on a service widely expected to redefine travel across the country.
