Planning an Etihad Rail trip? Here’s your complete guide to fares, booking, timetables and ticket rules
Know everything passengers should check before boarding the UAE's national railway
DUBAI – The UAE's first national passenger railway has officially begun operations, bringing faster intercity travel and a new transport option for residents and visitors.
The launch has generated enormous public interest, with more than 10,000 tickets sold even before the first passenger service departed. Alongside the excitement, many travellers are searching for one key piece of information: how much tickets cost and what they include.
Etihad Rail has now detailed its fare structure, booking process, ticket flexibility, cancellation rules and passenger discounts, while also outlining the services currently available between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah and the stations set to join the network over the coming months.
Ticket prices
During the launch period, adult fares are available at a 50 per cent introductory discount. Comfort Class tickets currently start from Dh55, compared with the regular fare of Dh109, while Premium Class starts from Dh120, down from the standard Dh239.
Passengers booking a Comfort Class journey can choose between three fare types.
The Saver fare costs Dh55, includes an automatically assigned seat and does not allow changes or refunds.
The Value fare costs Dh65, allowing complimentary seat selection and date or time changes before travel, although refunds are not available.
The Flex fare starts from Dh75, offering seat selection, flexible booking changes and refunds subject to the applicable cancellation policy.
Premium Class follows the same structure. Standard launch fares begin at Dh120, with Value tickets costing Dh130 and Flex tickets Dh160.
Children aged 2 to 17 receive a 50 per cent discount on the standard ticket price. During the launch offer, Comfort Class child tickets start from Dh28, while Premium Class starts from Dh60.
Infants under the age of two travel free when seated on an accompanying adult's lap. Parents wishing to reserve a separate seat for an infant must purchase a child ticket.
Passengers aged 60 and above receive a 20 per cent discount on standard fares. During the launch period, senior tickets begin from Dh44 in Comfort Class and Dh96 in Premium Class. Officials may request proof of age when travelling.
Passengers using wheelchairs pay the same fares as adult or child passengers, with designated wheelchair spaces and priority seating available, subject to availability.
Children younger than 14 must travel with an accompanying adult.
Booking process
Tickets can be purchased through the official Etihad Rail website and mobile application. Travellers simply select their departure station, travel date and preferred departure time before choosing between Comfort and Premium Class.
Passengers can also manage bookings through the website or app after purchase.
Those needing assistance can use ticket vending machines available at stations or contact the Etihad Rail customer service centre.
The launch timetable currently features three daily departures in each direction between Mohamed bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi and Al Hilal City Station in Fujairah.
From Abu Dhabi, trains depart at 8.19am, 1.53pm and 6.39pm, arriving in Fujairah after approximately one hour and 45 minutes.
Services from Fujairah leave at 5.34am, 10.59am and 5.28pm, reaching Abu Dhabi in around the same travel time.
Changing tickets
Passengers can modify bookings through the Etihad Rail app, website, station ticket machines or customer contact centre.
However, route changes are not permitted under any ticket category, meaning travellers cannot change their origin or destination station after booking.
The flexibility available depends entirely on the fare purchased.
Saver tickets cannot be changed.
Value tickets allow unlimited free date and time changes up to 72 hours before departure, although any fare difference must still be paid. Additional changes after that period incur a Dh20 fee, plus any fare difference.
Flex tickets offer the greatest flexibility, allowing unlimited date and time changes before departure and up to 30 minutes after the scheduled departure time, again subject to any fare difference.
Once a booking is successfully amended, a new ticket is issued and the previous ticket automatically becomes invalid.
Refund policy
Passengers wishing to cancel a journey can do so through the website, mobile application, ticket vending machines or by contacting the customer service centre.
Refund eligibility varies according to the fare selected.
Saver tickets are non-refundable.
Value tickets are also non-refundable.
Passengers holding Flex tickets receive a full refund if they cancel more than 24 hours before departure.
If cancellation takes place within 24 hours of departure, a 30 per cent cancellation fee applies.
Passengers who fail to travel without cancelling beforehand are not entitled to a refund.
Onboard experience
Passengers travelling in Comfort Class have access to complimentary Wi-Fi, universal power sockets and USB charging points throughout the journey. A trolley service travels through the train offering food and beverages for purchase.
Premium Class provides wider reclining seats with additional legroom and padded headrests, alongside complimentary drinks and snacks. Premium passengers also have access to free Wi-Fi, charging facilities and an expanded food and beverage selection available for purchase.
Domestic pets are permitted onboard provided they remain inside an approved carrier that meets the railway's size requirements.
The passenger fleet currently consists of 13 trains, each capable of carrying up to 400 passengers.
In Abu Dhabi, official shuttle buses connect Mohamed bin Zayed City Station with ADNOC Headquarters, ADNEC Centre and Reem Mall, making it easier for passengers to reach the railway station.
Network expansion
The passenger service currently operates between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, but the national network will continue expanding over the coming months.
Dubai's Jumeirah Golf Estates Station and Sharjah's Al Dhaid Station are scheduled to open on September 30.
Five stations across Al Dhafra — Al Sila, Al Dhannah, Mirfa, Madinat Zayed and Liwa — are expected to begin operations on December 30.
The final confirmed station in this phase, Sharjah University City, is scheduled to open on March 30, 2027, completing the first stage of the passenger network.
When services to Dubai begin, the journey between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is expected to take approximately 57 minutes, significantly reducing travel times between two of the UAE's busiest cities while extending the reach of the country's growing national railway.