Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 50 minutes as Etihad Rail unveils first passenger routes
Nationwide train map reveals 11 connected cities across all seven emirates
DUBAI – The UAE’s long-awaited passenger rail era is moving closer, with Etihad Rail unveiling the first operational routes of its national network and revealing how train travel will soon connect cities across all seven emirates.
The opening phase will link Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah, forming the backbone of a system designed to transform inter-emirate travel, reduce journey times and strengthen national connectivity. Passenger services are set to begin this year, with further routes and stations scheduled to come online through 2026 and beyond.
The newly revealed passenger rail map shows a 900km network connecting 11 cities and regions, stretching from Al Sila on the western border to Fujairah on the east coast. Once complete, the network will carry a strong Emirati identity and represent a long-term national investment in transport infrastructure, aimed at improving quality of life and supporting economic growth across the country.
First routes
Etihad Rail has confirmed that the inaugural passenger services will operate between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with onward connectivity to Fujairah. Travellers will be able to reach Dubai from Abu Dhabi in about an hour, while the journey to Fujairah is expected to take around 90 minutes to one hour and 45 minutes, depending on final timetables.
Discover the full scale of the UAE’s passenger rail network, connecting 11 cities and regions from Sila to Fujairah.
— Etihad Rail (@Etihad_Rail) January 20, 2026
Launching this year, the passenger rail network carries a strong Emirati identity and represents a long-term national investment in transport and infrastructure.… pic.twitter.com/Jnpr4PdcR6
Azza Al Suwaidi, deputy chief executive of Etihad Rail Mobility, said the initial routes reflect the country’s busiest travel corridors. “I am able to now reveal the initial routes which will launch in 2026,” she told The National. “Initially, trains will operate between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, our twin centres of commerce, as well as connect with Fujairah in the east. From that spine, and over the course of 2026 and beyond, further routes, connections and stations will come online. We are anticipating big demand.”
The Abu Dhabi to Dubai corridor is expected to run frequent services, responding to strong commuter and business travel between the two emirates. The extension to Fujairah is designed to support tourism and improve access to the east coast, offering an alternative to increasingly congested road routes.
Stations network
Three stations will serve the first passenger route: Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, and the Sakamkam area of Fujairah near the Al Hilal City development. The Abu Dhabi station is located opposite Dalma Mall in Mussaffah, an area undergoing rapid growth.
Etihad Rail has also confirmed the locations of 11 stations across the wider network, which Al Suwaidi described as the “foundations of the network”. In addition to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah, stations are planned in areas including Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, Madinat Zayed, Mezairaa, Al Faya, Al Dhaid in Sharjah, and Al Sila.
Construction on the first three stations has advanced rapidly over the past year. Platforms, passenger canopies, information screens and turnstiles are close to completion, signalling readiness for the expected influx of passengers once services begin. The stations feature distinctive facades and have been designed to feel open and intuitive, with spacious concourses, clear signage and comfortable waiting areas.
“I can’t wait for passengers to be on board and to experience the entire rail network,” Al Suwaidi added.
Onboard experience
Passenger trains will operate at speeds of up to 200 kmph and will each be capable of carrying around 400 passengers. Seating will be available across first class, business class and economy class, reflecting the needs of both daily commuters and longer-distance travellers.
Onboard facilities will include spacious seating, charging points, Wi-Fi connectivity and infotainment systems, allowing passengers to work or relax while travelling. Prayer rooms will also be available, ensuring travellers can observe prayers on time during their journeys.
The route between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah is expected to be one of the most scenic in the country, passing through a diverse landscape of desert plains, valleys, mountains and coastline, offering passengers a sweeping view of the UAE’s varied terrain.
National vision
The full passenger rail network is designed to connect 11 cities across the seven emirates, with the aim of carrying millions of passengers annually. Etihad Rail expects around 10 million passengers a year to use the service in its early phases, operating on the existing national freight line. By 2030, the passenger network is expected to transport up to 36 million people annually.
Population growth and increasing pressure on the UAE’s road network were key factors in determining the first routes and station locations. According to Etihad Rail, stations have been selected based on population density, travel demand and long-term development plans.
“The UAE’s rail network has been explicitly designed to anticipate the needs of a growing nation,” Al Suwaidi said. “Station locations have been chosen to complement existing population centres, as well as areas which have been intentionally allocated for future development. Our aspiration is that the network itself will act as a stimulus for further growth.”
Beyond platforms
Alongside the rail infrastructure, Etihad Rail is focusing heavily on first and last-mile connectivity to ensure stations are easily accessible. Plans include integration with metro and bus services, taxi and ride-hailing access, parking facilities, and infrastructure for bicycles and other personal transport modes.
Al Suwaidi added that the company is exploring integration with existing public transport networks and partnerships with ride-hailing providers, including a collaboration with Yango Group.
Etihad Rail
Etihad Rail was established in 2009, with freight operations beginning in Abu Dhabi several years later and the nationwide freight network becoming operational in 2023. Building a passenger network from scratch has required years of planning and coordination. According to the company, delivering the system involved more than 7,000 experts and workers and over 24 million working hours.
Plans are also in place for a separate electrified high-speed passenger line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which aims to cut journey times between the two emirates to just 30 minutes. A launch date for the high-speed service has yet to be announced, but it is expected to further strengthen the UAE’s evolving rail ecosystem.