Etihad Rail passenger services are scheduled to begin in 2026, as previously announced.
The first passenger stations of Etihad Rail have been revealed by a senior official. “The first stations that will be operational are the Mohamed bin Zayed Station in Abu Dhabi, the Jumeirah Golf Estates Station in Dubai, and the Fujairah Station,” said Adhraa Almansoori, Executive Director of Commercial at Etihad Rail Mobility, during a media preview of the passenger services.
She added that Etihad Rail’s passenger services will commence in 2026, as previously announced. “The Fujairah Station is fully ready, and we are putting the finishing touches to the Dubai and Abu Dhabi stations.”
Travelling at speeds of up to 200 km/h, the passenger service is expected to cover the journey from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in around 105 minutes. Speaking about the preparations ahead of the first passenger operations, Almansoori said the focus is on full readiness. “Right now, everybody is working on making sure that operational readiness is complete. The top priority is the safety and reliability of the service,” she said.
A chance to connect.
Almansoori said the service is designed to give passengers something increasingly valuable — their time back. “If you think about a businessman or employees riding the train, they can enjoy some quietness and relaxation, while also planning their day, enjoying the journey, and arriving at their destination refreshed and ready,” she said.
For families, she added, the train offers an opportunity to connect. “They can sit together, interact with each other, and enjoy the scenery. I believe this will create a lot of bonding memories between family members, especially in a year that is the Year of the Family.”
Once fully operational, the network will span 11 stations across 11 regions of the UAE. Almansoori said it is expected to reshape how residents and visitors think about mobility, investment, real estate, healthcare, education, culture, and tourism across the country.
“We want to be part of their daily commute. We want them to choose rail as a more sustainable, safer, and reliable mode of transport,” she said. “And we look forward to the future.”
