After years of anticipation, the UAE has officially entered a new era of travel. Etihad Rail has announced the first phase of its passenger train services. The Etihad Rail launch date is June 30, 2026, between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah stations, with the passenger rail network formally launching on September 30, 2026.
The Network at a Glance
The Etihad Rail network is around 900 km long, linking major cities, ports and industrial hubs from Ghuwaifat to Fujairah on the eastern coast.
The fully operational rail network will link 11 cities and regions across the seven emirates, forming a national passenger rail system. The rollout will be in phases, beginning with the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah corridor and progressively expanding to full statewide coverage by early 2027. Etihad Rail said the UAE Railway Programme will unlock AED 200 billion in opportunities, and passenger rail will bring AED 91 billion in economic and social benefits over the next 50 years from faster, safer and more efficient transportation.
The launch of Etihad Rail's passenger services is not purely a transport story — it is an economic and social one. "The biggest value a train can give you is to give you back your time," said Etihad Rail Mobility's executive director.
Station Locations and Opening Dates
After the Etihad Rail was launched on the date June 30, 2026, the majority of the stations will be located in the Abu Dhabi emirate, with a further station in Sharjah and Fujairah. The first operational stations will be in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on the same date as the Etihad Rail launch date, that is, June 30, 2026.
Here is the confirmed phased opening schedule and the Etihad Rail stations list:
Phase 1 June 30, 2026
Etihad rail launched with an introductory phase on June 30, 2026.
| Station | Emirate | Location |
| Mohamed bin Zayed City | Abu Dhabi | ME10, near Mussafah & Shakhbout City |
| Al Hilal City | Fujairah | Sakamkam neighbourhood, near Fujairah city |
Phase 2 September 30, 2026
This is the official launch.
| Station | Emirate | Location |
| Jumeirah Golf Estates | Dubai | Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road corridor |
| Al Dhaid | Sharjah | One of Sharjah's largest cities |
Phase 3 — December 30, 2026
More locations will be added in this phase.
| Station | Emirate | Location |
| Al Sila | Abu Dhabi (Al Dhafra) | Western Abu Dhabi |
| Al Dhannah (Al Ruwais area) | Abu Dhabi (Al Dhafra) | 240km from Abu Dhabi city |
| Al Mirfa | Abu Dhabi (Al Dhafra) | Coastal town,130km west of Abu Dhabi |
| Madinat Zayed | Abu Dhabi (Al Dhafra) | Largest town in Al Dhafra centre |
| Liwa (Mezairaa) | Abu Dhabi (Al Dhafra) | Heart of the Liwa Oasis |
Phase 4 — March 30, 2027
The passenger service will complete its route at Sharjah station on March 30, 2027.
| Station | Emirate | Location |
| University City | Sharjah | Academic corridor |
Travel Times Between Key Cities
The travel time is expected to be about an hour from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and 1 hour 45 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah. The published journey times across the network are:
| Route | Journey Time |
| Abu Dhabi → Dubai | 57 minutes |
| Abu Dhabi → Fujairah | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Dubai → Fujairah | 69 minutes |
| Abu Dhabi → Al Ruwais | Approximately 70 minutes |
The passenger train service will run at a maximum speed of 200 km/h and the network should transport 36.5 million passengers per year by 2030.
Ticket Prices and Fare Classes
Etihad Rail Ticket prices on the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route start from AED 55 in Comfort Class and AED 120 in Premium Class. These are introductory fares offered at a 50 percent launch discount.
A booking search on the Etihad Rail website showed that the Etihad Rail Comfort Class fares reduced from AED 109 to AED 55, and the Etihad Rail premium class price reduced from AED 239 to AED 120.
Abu Dhabi to Fujairah: Fare Overview
You can access the Etihad Rail ticket booking online through the official Etihad Rail website or through the Etihad Rail mobile app booking. During the introductory period, bookings will only be permitted for travel between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. Tickets are available for booking up to four weeks in advance.
You can add a shuttle bus transfer to/from Mohamed bin Zayed City station for an additional AED 10. At present, the shuttle service is linking the station with ADNOC Headquarters on Corniche Road and the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
| Class | Discounted launch price | Standard Fare |
| Comfort | AED 55 | AED 109 |
| Premium | AED 120 | AED 239 |
The Onboard Experience
When fully operational, each train will be able to carry up to 400 passengers at a top speed of 200 km/h. Etihad Rail expects 10 million passengers a year when services begin.
Passengers on board can choose between two classes of travel:
- Comfort: Comfort seating provides comfortable grey seats.
- Premium:The premium cabin has wider reclining seats to make your journey even more relaxed. Special seating is also available for families and pregnant women
- Both classes are equipped with: a range of convenient onboard amenities to enhance your journey, including free Wi-Fi, power sockets and USB charging ports located below each seat, extendable tray tables for added comfort, overhead and under-seat luggage storage, and wall hooks for bags and other personal items.
