New Etihad Rail Service Offers Faster, Seamless Travel Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Etihad Rail officially launched regular passenger train services between Abu Dhabi and Dubai on Wednesday, marking a major milestone in the UAE’s expanding public transport network and giving commuters a new way to travel between the two emirates.
The operator is running 10 passenger services daily between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, alongside six daily services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. The trains can travel at speeds of up to 200km/h and accommodate as many as 400 passengers.
Ahead of the official launch, Etihad Rail hosted a media journey on Tuesday, allowing journalists to experience the passenger service and explore the facilities and amenities available onboard.
The journey also showcased the readiness of the stations and their connections with other modes of transport, highlighting efforts to integrate the rail network with the UAE’s wider public transport system.
The Abu Dhabi-Dubai route connects Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi with Al Yalayis Station in Dubai.
The new service complements the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah passenger route, which began operations on June 30, further expanding the UAE’s national passenger rail network and strengthening connectivity between major cities.
The latest launch provides residents and visitors with an additional option for inter-emirate travel while supporting the UAE’s broader push towards a more connected and integrated transport system.
Project completed ahead of schedule
Mohammed Al Shehhi, Chief Projects Officer at Etihad Rail, said the launch of passenger services on the UAE’s national railway network represents a major milestone for the country’s transport sector.
He said the project was completed ahead of schedule, reflecting the UAE leadership’s focus on developing advanced infrastructure and providing safe, comfortable and convenient transport options for citizens, residents and visitors.
“The project comprises 11 stations across the UAE, which have been connected to an integrated network of transport options, enabling passengers to continue their journeys easily after arriving at the stations and reach their final destinations,” Al Shehhi said.
Dubai Station is an example of this integrated approach, with connections to the Dubai Metro network designed to make onward travel to different parts of the emirate easier for passengers.
Other Etihad Rail stations are also linked to multiple transport options, including buses and taxis. Car-rental services are available at stations as well, giving passengers greater flexibility in completing the final leg of their journeys.
The connections are designed to make the passenger railway part of the UAE’s wider transport network rather than a standalone service, allowing travellers to move more seamlessly between trains and other modes of transport.
Al Shehhi said Etihad Rail’s passenger trains can reach speeds of up to 200km/h and accommodate as many as 400 passengers.
The trains are equipped with a range of onboard amenities designed to make inter-emirate journeys more comfortable and productive. Passengers can use their travel time to work, relax or simply enjoy the journey between cities.
Ticket fares start at Dh29
Etihad Rail offers passengers two travel options: Comfort Class and First Class.
Fares start at Dh29 for Comfort Class and Dh89 for First Class, providing travellers with different options depending on their preferences and budget.
Tickets can be booked through the Etihad Rail mobile app and website, while passengers can also purchase them from ticket vending machines available at stations.
The combination of competitive fares, onboard facilities and multiple booking options is aimed at making rail travel a convenient alternative for journeys between the UAE’s major cities.
Passengers onboard Etihad Rail have guaranteed seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, charging points and dedicated luggage spaces, allowing them to work, read, stay connected or simply relax during their journey.
The service also offers an alternative to driving between emirates, giving passengers the opportunity to make better use of their travel time without having to focus on the road.
Seamless connectivity with Dubai Metro
Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station plays a key role in connecting Etihad Rail with the emirate’s wider public transport network.
The station is linked to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line through a dedicated pedestrian bridge, allowing passengers to transfer between Etihad Rail and the Dubai Metro and continue their journeys to destinations across the city.
Passengers can also complete their onward journeys by taxi or bus, while designated pick-up and drop-off areas are available for those using private vehicles.
The integration extends to ticketing. Passengers booking through the Etihad Rail app can add a one-day Nol ticket to their journey, with a unified QR code designed to simplify transfers between Etihad Rail and the Dubai Metro.
The arrangement is intended to create a smoother door-to-door journey by connecting inter-emirate rail travel with Dubai’s existing public transport system.
More than 150,000 passengers used Abu Dhabi-Fujairah service
The launch of the Abu Dhabi-Dubai route follows the rollout of passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, which began on June 30.
More than 150,000 passengers have used the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah service, providing an early indication of demand for inter-emirate rail travel in the UAE.
The addition of the Dubai route further expands the passenger network, giving more residents and visitors the option of travelling between major UAE cities by rail.
Passengers have been booking their journeys an average of around 10 days in advance, while Etihad Rail has also recorded growing levels of repeat travel.
The operator said passenger feedback from existing services has been used to further improve the travel experience as the national passenger network continues to expand.
More UAE stations coming soon
The opening of Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station marks the next phase of Etihad Rail’s passenger network rollout, with more stations and destinations scheduled to come online progressively.
Zayed City and Liwa are scheduled to join the network on November 30, followed by additional stations in the Al Dhafra Region on December 30. Sharjah Station is scheduled to open on March 30, 2027.
The launch of the Abu Dhabi-Dubai passenger service further strengthens the UAE’s push towards an integrated inter-city transport network, connecting rail services with the Dubai Metro, buses, taxis and private transport options.
As the network expands, Etihad Rail is expected to provide residents and visitors with another option for daily and inter-city travel, while improving connections between major population centres and destinations across the UAE.
Key points
- Fares start at Dh29, supporting Etihad Rail’s aim of making passenger rail travel accessible to a broad range of travellers.
- Passengers are encouraged to book in advance through the Etihad Rail mobile app or website to get a wider choice of departure times and access the best available fares.
- Additional stations and destinations will be introduced progressively as the UAE’s national passenger rail network expands.
Etihad Rail also aims to help passengers make better use of their time onboard, whether they choose to work, stay connected, relax or simply enjoy the rail journey.
A milestone for the UAE’s transport sector
The launch of Etihad Rail’s national passenger network marks a significant milestone for the UAE’s transport sector, expanding inter-emirate connectivity and providing residents and visitors with another option for travelling across the country.
The integration of passenger rail services with the Dubai Metro and other forms of public transport is designed to make journeys more seamless, allowing passengers to continue from Etihad Rail stations to destinations across Dubai and beyond.
As additional destinations and stations join the network, passenger rail services will become available to a growing number of communities across the UAE.
Train schedules have also been planned around passenger travel patterns, with services operating throughout the day. This is intended to make rail a practical option for both daily commuting and longer inter-city journeys.
Beyond providing an alternative to driving, the expanding network is designed to improve connectivity between the emirates and support the UAE’s wider integrated transport system.
