Etihad Rail Launches in UAE Connecting Dubai to 10 Cities

The wait is finally over. Etihad Rail has officially started passenger operations in the UAE, and Dubai residents now have a brand new way to travel across the country. If you have been following the news about this national railway project, you already know it has been years in the making. Now it is real, and trains are running.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Etihad Rail, from station locations and fares to timings and how it fits into Dubai's wider transport network.

What Is Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail is the UAE's first national passenger train network. It connects emirates that were previously linked only by road. The project spans 900km of track and will eventually link 10 cities and towns across the country once fully rolled out.

The Abu Dhabi to Fujairah route became the first to carry passengers, launching as an introductory phase before the full network expands later this year. Dubai will join the network with its own station opening in the official launch phase.

This is not a small project. Etihad Rail aims to transport 36 million passengers a year by 2030, with trains running at speeds up to 200km/h on the standard passenger service.

Etihad Rail Launch Timeline

The rollout is happening in stages rather than all at once. Here is how the phases break down.

• Phase one Abu Dhabi to Fujairah passenger service begins, connecting Mohamed Bin Zayed City station with Al Hilal station
• Phase two Dubai Train Station and Al Dhaid Train Station open as part of the official launch
• Phase three Stations in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi open
• Phase four University City station in Sharjah opens, completing the initial network

So if you are in Dubai waiting to use the service, your local station opens during the second phase, alongside Sharjah's Al Dhaid station.

Etihad Rail Stations Across the UAE

Ten stations have been confirmed for the first stage of the network. Most sit in the Abu Dhabi emirate, with one each in Sharjah and Fujairah, plus the upcoming Dubai station.

Dubai Station

The Dubai stop will be located at Jumeirah Golf Estates, along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road in the south of the city. This is a strategic pick. Future plans for Dubai's rail network show the Red Line and the upcoming Gold Line both connecting with this station, making it a genuine multimodal hub rather than a standalone stop.

Abu Dhabi Stations

Abu Dhabi has the largest share of stations on the network.

• Mohamed Bin Zayed City the most central Abu Dhabi station, offering direct access to the capital's city centre and one of the first two stations to open
• Al Dhannah roughly 240km from Abu Dhabi city
• Al Sila the westernmost station on the network, expected to play a key role in the future GCC Railway Project
• Al Mirfa a coastal town around 130km west of Abu Dhabi, known for calm beaches and fishing culture
• Madinat Zayed around 180km southwest of Abu Dhabi, one of the largest towns in the Al Dhafra region
• Liwa serving the Liwa Oasis area, opening up easier access to the desert landscapes nearby

Sharjah Stations

• Al Dhaid a major city in Sharjah, important for commuters travelling between Sharjah and Dubai
• University City near Sharjah International Airport, useful for students and travellers catching flights without battling Sharjah traffic

Fujairah Station

• Al Hilal the easternmost station, providing access to Fujairah city and nearby Qidfa. This was the first station to become fully operational and includes food and drink outlets, a car park, ticketing machines, car rental counters and a taxi rank.

Etihad Rail Fares and Ticket Classes

Tickets are sold in two travel classes.

• Comfort Class the standard option
• Premium Class offering extra space and amenities

On top of the class, there are three fare tiers.

• Saver the cheapest option, best for travellers with fixed plans and no changes needed
• Value adds free seat selection and ticket changes for a small extra cost
• Flex the most flexible tier, allowing seat selection, changes and refunds

For the Abu Dhabi to Fujairah route, standard fares are priced at Dhs109 for Comfort Class and Dhs239 for Premium Class once the introductory period ends. A launch discount of 50 percent currently brings Comfort Class down to around Dhs55 and Premium Class to roughly Dhs120, similar to typical Dubai Metro and Nol card pricing logic where early adoption is rewarded with lower costs.

Dubai fares have not been announced yet. Etihad Rail has said pricing for the Dubai route will be revealed separately closer to the September launch.

Tickets can be booked up to four weeks in advance through the Etihad Rail website or mobile app. Physical ticket machines are also available at stations for travellers who prefer not to book online.

Journey Times Across the Network

One of the biggest selling points of Etihad Rail is speed. Road trips that currently eat up your afternoon will shrink dramatically.

• Dubai to Abu Dhabi around 50 minutes
• Dubai to Fujairah around 50 minutes
• Abu Dhabi to Fujairah around 1 hour 45 minutes during the introductory phase
• Abu Dhabi to Al Ruwais around 1 hour 10 minutes

A separate high speed rail project is also in development, which would eventually cut the Abu Dhabi to Dubai journey down to just 30 minutes at speeds up to 350km/h. That is a different project from the standard passenger network, so do not expect those numbers from day one.

How Etihad Rail Connects With Dubai Metro and RTA Transport

Dubai's RTA is the official ticketing and payment partner for Etihad Rail. This means your Nol card or a similar unified payment system could eventually work across both networks, smoothing the transition between metro, bus and intercity rail.

The RTA is also working on feeder bus routes and taxi access around the Jumeirah Golf Estates station to handle last mile connections. Given the Red Line and Gold Line are both expected to link into this station eventually, Etihad Rail is shaping up to be a genuine extension of Dubai's existing public transport zones rather than a separate system you need to plan around.

Practical Tips for First Time Etihad Rail Travellers

• Book early through the app or website since the introductory phase has seen strong demand and limited seat availability
• Choose Saver fare if your plans are fixed, Flex if you need flexibility
• Arrive at the station with time to spare since stations include security checks similar to airport processes
• Each passenger aged 3 and above can carry two pieces of luggage free of charge
• Shuttle bus transfers between stations and key destinations are available for a small added fee
• Keep an eye on official channels for Dubai specific fares once the September launch happens

FAQs

When did Etihad Rail launch in the UAE?

The first passenger route between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah launched on June 30 2026, as part of an introductory phase ahead of the wider network opening in September.

When will the Dubai Etihad Rail station open?

The Dubai station at Jumeirah Golf Estates is scheduled to open on September 30 2026, alongside the Al Dhaid station in Sharjah.

How much do Etihad Rail tickets cost?

On the Abu Dhabi to Fujairah route, standard fares are Dhs109 for Comfort Class and Dhs239 for Premium Class, with a 50 percent launch discount currently bringing these down to roughly Dhs55 and Dhs120. Dubai fares have not been confirmed yet.

How fast is the Etihad Rail train?

The standard passenger service runs up to 200km/h. A separate high speed rail project planned for the future will reach speeds of up to 350km/h.

Can I use my Nol card on Etihad Rail?

Dubai's RTA is the official ticketing partner for Etihad Rail, so integration with Nol card style payment is expected, though full details have not been finalised yet.

Will Etihad Rail connect with Dubai Metro?

Yes. The Jumeirah Golf Estates station is expected to connect with the Red Line and the upcoming Gold Line, linking Etihad Rail directly into Dubai's metro network.

Final Word

Etihad Rail marks one of the biggest shifts in UAE transport in years. It links emirates that used to mean long highway drives and turns them into short, comfortable train rides. Dubai's station is still a few months away, but once it opens, getting to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Fujairah will look very different.

Want more updates on how Etihad Rail connects with Dubai's metro system and transport zones? Explore our other guides on dubaimetrorails.com, or get in touch with us if you have questions about planning your journey.