The UAE launched its first passenger rail service, with the inaugural Etihad Rail train travelling from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi in around 105 minutes on June 30 two days after tests were launched to select officials.
The service marks the start of passenger operations on the national railway, a central element of the UAE’s push to improve connectivity between emirates and offer an alternative to road travel under the UAE Railway Programme announced in December 2021 as part of the Projects of the 50 initiative.
The first train departed Fujairah at 5.34am and reached Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi at 7.19am, with stops in Sharjah and Dubai along the route. The trains can travel at up to 200 kmph, cutting the Fujairah-Abu Dhabi journey to about one hour and 45 minutes from around two and a half hours by road.
The Fujairah station, in Hilal City, sits around 12 minutes from Fujairah International Airport and includes parking, taxi services and connections to other transport.
Passengers can choose between Comfort and Premium Class seating, with each carriage including luggage storage and overhead compartments. Stations feature real-time timetable displays, customer support desks, accessibility facilities, retail outlets and waiting areas.
The Fujairah and Abu Dhabi stations are the first passenger stations to open on the network. Dubai and Al Dhaid stations are scheduled to open on September 30, while stations in the Al Dhafra region are planned from December 30. The network is expected to reach Sharjah station on March 30, 2027.
Etihad Rail is focusing on first-and-last-mile connectivity through shuttle buses, public transport, taxis and e-hailing services. A shuttle from the Abu Dhabi station will connect passengers to destinations in the capital including Adnoc headquarters, Adnec Centre and Reem Mall.
The service launched with a 50% introductory discount, with Comfort Class tickets starting from AED55 ($15) and Premium Class from AED120, across three fare categories: Saver, Value and Flex. Each train can carry up to 400 passengers, with multiple daily services in both directions.
Why it matters for the trade
The launch opens a new intercity travel option that operators can build into UAE itineraries, linking the east coast to the capital in under two hours and connecting onward to Dubai and Sharjah as the network expands through 2027. The airport proximity of Fujairah station and the planned shuttle links to Abu Dhabi landmarks point to rail becoming a practical leg in multi-emirate and stopover packages.