The United Arab Emirates has opened its first national passenger rail service to the public, marking the start of what will eventually become a 900-kilometre network connecting 11 cities across the country. The inaugural service departed Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman at 5:34am local time on Tuesday, arriving at Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi one hour and 45 minutes later, covering approximately 250 kilometres. More than 10,000 tickets were sold before the service launched.
The network is operated by Etihad Rail, which has described this opening as an “introductory operational phase.” Six services were scheduled to run on the first day. The trains offer air conditioning, onboard Wi-Fi, power outlets, and reserved seating, with Comfort Class fares starting at AED55 ($15) and Premium Class from AED120 ($33). The current fleet consists of 13 trains, each carrying up to 400 passengers.
“The first departure from Fujairah this morning is the moment a national vision becomes part of everyday life,” said Etihad Rail’s chief operating officer Azza Alsuwaidi. “Years from now, today’s passengers will be able to say they were there at the very beginning.”
When the Network Will Be Complete — and Where It Will Go
The expansion timeline is already confirmed. Dubai Train Station and Al Dhaid Train Station will open on September 30th, followed by stations in Al Dhafra in December. The full network is scheduled for completion at the end of March 2027 with the opening of the Sharjah station.
When all stations are operational, the network will run from the Gulf of Oman in the east, through the emirates, into Abu Dhabi’s interior, and south to Ghuweifat on the Saudi Arabian border — effectively connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman across the country.
The rail project is part of a wider government initiative to reduce the UAE’s carbon footprint and develop a more sustainable transport system. Emiratis have long been associated with car culture, which has made integration with existing transport systems a key design challenge. The government’s transport authority worked with Etihad Rail to connect the new service to buses, taxis, and other mobility options at each station to address last-mile connectivity.
The significance of the launch for international tourism is less clear. Train travel expert Mark Smith of The Man in Seat 61 was measured in his assessment. “At this stage it doesn’t link Abu Dhabi with the outside world,” he noted, adding that the question of whether travellers would want to visit the destinations currently on the route remains open. The network’s value as a domestic connector may prove more immediately meaningful than its draw for international visitors.
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