The Etihad Rail passenger service carried its first paying travellers on 30 June 2026, connecting Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on the country’s inaugural intercity train route. The launch marks the start of a national rail network that the UAE has been building for years, giving residents and visitors a new way to cross the emirates without driving.
Demand has been strong from day one. Etihad Rail confirmed that more than 5,000 tickets were booked within the first two days after reservations opened, and three launch-day trips sold out. Reports later in the week put total bookings above 10,000 as word spread among commuters and weekend travellers.
The route and journey time
The introductory service runs between Abu Dhabi (Mohamed bin Zayed City) and Fujairah (Al Hilal City), covering the distance in about 1 hour and 45 minutes. That is competitive with driving the same corridor, and it removes the stress of traffic and parking on a journey that crosses the width of the country.
Up to six services run daily in each direction, spread across morning, afternoon and evening departures. From Abu Dhabi, trains have been scheduled to leave at around 8.19am, 1.53pm and 6.39pm, with matching return trips from Fujairah. The trains are designed to run at high speeds of up to 200 km/h, and the fleet can carry up to 400 passengers per train.
Ticket prices and how to book
To mark the launch, Etihad Rail is offering introductory fares that are roughly half the standard price. Current adult prices on the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route are:
- Comfort Class: from Dh55 for adults (regular fare Dh109), Dh28 for children up to 17, and Dh44 for seniors aged 60 and over.
- Premium Class: Dh120 for adults (regular fare Dh239), with reduced child and senior rates.
Within Comfort Class, travellers can choose a Standard ticket with an assigned seat, a Value ticket that adds seat selection and order changes, or a Flex ticket that also allows refunds. Tickets are sold through the Etihad Rail website and the Etihad Rail mobile app, where passengers can pick their class, date and departure time.
What comes next
The Abu Dhabi–Fujairah link is only the first stage of a wider rollout. Etihad Rail plans to open a Dubai station at Jumeirah Golf Estates and an Al Dhaid station in Sharjah by 30 September 2026, bringing the country’s two largest population centres onto the network. Further stations in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi are expected around the end of 2026, with additional Sharjah stops following in 2027.
Once the Dubai station opens, the train is expected to become a practical option for the daily Abu Dhabi–Dubai commute, one of the busiest travel corridors in the region.
What it means for residents and visitors
For residents, the new line offers an alternative to long highway drives and rising fuel and toll costs. Anyone weighing up transport budgets can factor it into the broader picture set out in our UAE cost of living 2026 breakdown, especially households comparing car ownership with public transport.
For visitors and weekend travellers, the service opens up Fujairah’s beaches and mountains as an easy day trip from the capital. Those already familiar with getting around by rail in the city can treat it as an intercity extension of the network covered in our Dubai Metro and Nol card guide. With more stations due later this year and long weekends on the calendar, it is worth checking the UAE public holidays 2026 calendar when planning a trip.
Etihad Rail has described the current phase as introductory, meaning schedules, fares and station openings may be refined as the network grows. Travellers are advised to confirm timings and prices on the official Etihad Rail app or website before booking.
