
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 high-speed train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national railway service.
High-speed train to link Dubai-Abu Dhabi in 30 minutes
Announced earlier today, this superfast electric train will ferry commuters between the capital and Dubai in just 30 minutes. It will hurtle across at 350km/h, stopping only at six stations. In Abu Dhabi, the train will halt at Reem Island, Saadiyat, Yas Island and Zayed International Airport. The Dubai stops include Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf.
This high-speed train from Dubai, however, will take some time to materialise as the project contracts are still underway. So, we don’t have a date for its exact launch.
Besides connecting strategic destinations and tourist attractions in both emirates, this high-speed train aims to pump AED 145 billion into the UAE’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the next 50 years.
Etihad Rail passenger train fleet revealed
The UAE’s eagerly-awaited passenger train fleet was also unveiled today. While there is no date for when the passenger trains will start operating, we do know the fleet is fully functional will travel at speeds of 200km/h and can accommodate 400 passengers.
We now also know what the four main stations of the Etihad Rail’s passenger trains are – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah. These stations will connect to each city’s metro and bus lines and provide a seamless and well-connected transport network.
Authorities also dropped details on what the Etihad Rail stations will look like. They will be kitted out with state-of-the-art facilities like business-class lounges, retail stores, and family-friendly facilities. Design-wise, these stations will take inspiration from Emirate heritage and feature sustainable elements.