Not a fan of the long drive time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi? Moving between the two emirates will now be easier than ever before thanks to a new passenger service train by Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national railway service. The high-speed train project will shorten travel times between 11 cities and regions, reduce pressure on highways and spam 900kms across UAE. For months, there have been route announcements, station reveals and construction milestones. Now, residents finally have something they’ve been waiting for: a launch date. Passenger services on Etihad Rail are beginning on June 30, 2026, and here’s everything we know.
Everything you need to know about UAE’s Etihad Rail
The first route will connect Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, giving residents an alternative to long drives and increasingly busy highways. The introductory phase tickets are out with three trains running between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.
The first train departs from Abu Dhabi Station to Fujairah Station on June 30, 2026 at 8:19AM. Two other trains for the same day are for 1:53PM and 6:39PM. From Fujairah Station to Abu Dhabi Station, the first train departs at 5:34AM. The next two are at 10:59AM and 5:28PM on the same day. The Abu Dhabi Station is at Mohamed Bin Zayed City, ME10 and the Fujairah Station is at Al Hilal City.
Travel times are one of the biggest selling points. The journey between Abu Dhabi and Dubai will take 57 minutes, and from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, 105 minutes.
And the best part? Ticket bookings have already opened, with early-bird discounted fares to celebrate the launch. Prices start from AED 55 in Comfort Class and AED 120 in Premium Class. This is 50% lower than the general fare: Comfort Class at AED 109 and Premium Class at AED 239.
The high speed train connects 11 UAE regions
The trains will travel at speeds of up to 200km/h and will feature Wi-Fi, charging points, luggage storage and modern facilities. The Etihad Rail fleet consists of 13 high-tech trains and each can accommodate up to 400 passengers at once.
At the stations, one can find a ticket vending machine, car park, prayer room, information and support, waiting area, first aid room, family waiting area, pick-up and drop-off area, toilets, retail outlet, food and beverage outlets, taxi/e-hailing area and bus stop.
The network will link 11 distinct cities and regions across the UAE. The station list includes: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Al Dhaid, Al Dhannah, Al Faya, Madinat Zayed, Mezaira’a, Al Mirfa, and Al Sila.
The official date launch for public is September 30, 2026 and will include the opening of Dubai Train Station and Al Dhaid Train Station. The Al Dhafra stations will start December 30 that year. The network is on schedule to be completed by March 30, 2027, alongside the opening of the Sharjah Train Station. The confirmed stations have been announced earlier this year.
How do you purchase tickets for the newly launched Etihad Rail passenger train?
Customers will be able to purchase tickets through the Etihad Rail mobile application and official website, from June 23, 2026.
After more than a decade of development, the UAE’s national railway is finally moving from concept to reality. And with tickets now on sale, residents can begin planning journeys that mean less traffic jams and faster speeds.
