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Etihad Rail launch: UAE passenger network to begin operations in 2026
The network will connect 11 key cities and regions, making travel between distant emirates simple and convenient
- PUBLISHED: Thu 4 Dec 2025, 3:14 PM
- By:
- Nasreen Abdulla
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The keenly awaited inter-emirate project Etihad Rail has been making progress in leaps and bounds with the passenger trains scheduled to begin in 2026. Once fully operational, the network will link 11 major cities and regions, enabling residents to travel between distant emirates with ease.
The Etihad Rail is not just a rail network. It is expected to become the backbone of the country, with the potential to rewire the economy and reimagine the city. According to urban planning experts, the rail could encourage people to move to the suburbs and take the train into the city. It is also expected to boost the country’s sustainability efforts and play a major role in the UAE’s ambitious Net Zero 2050 plans.
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Throughout 2025, several streets across the UAE have had temporary closures and traffic diversions to make way for the construction of the network. The project is also expected to connect the UAE with other countries in the region, as part of the GCC Rail Network.
Recent Developments
Earlier this year at the Global Rail Conference, Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail said that once the GCC rail network becomes a reality, travel between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh could take less than five hours by train.
At the conference, Etihad Rail signed an agreement with global passenger transport leader Keolis to establish a joint venture that will operate the passenger rail service. Alistair Gordon, CEO of Keolis UK, Middle East and India, said that the joint venture will be called Etihad Rail Mobility, and will run the trains as well as any of the connections onwards, including buses, taxis, cars, and car parking. He also added that the company will train drivers and recruit staff, among other things.
It is estimated that travelling from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will take 100 minutes by train, as opposed to the more than 2.5 hours it will take by road. The time taken to travel from Abu Dhabi to Ruwais will be 70 minutes, while Dubai to Abu Dhabi will take 57 minutes. The locations of two stations have already been announced — one in Sakamkam in Fujairah, and a second one in Sharjah, University City.
In November, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said that the rail network could have a stop at the emirate’s new Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, potentially allowing passengers to check in from its train stations. However, it has not yet been confirmed if the station will go ahead.
The Network
The 900-kilometre network, which will extend from Ghuweifat in Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, will slash commute times and take off hundreds of cars from the roads. According to a mockup displayed the Global Rail conference, the stations along the national rail network are divided into three categories: operations and maintenance depots, freight terminals, and passenger stations.
At one end in Abu Dhabi, the network begins with the Ghuweifat freight terminal and the Sila passenger station, situated nearby. It stretches further north to the Al Dhanna passenger station, Ruwais Island, and the Ruwais Port freight terminal.
After the Al Faya Operational Maintenance Depot, the rail network passes through Dubai, where the first freight terminals are located in Dubai Industrial City and Jebel Ali Port, and the passenger station is situated near Al Maktoum Airport. Further north, the Sharjah passenger station is located, followed by Al Dhaid station. The Al Ghayl dry port and Siji freight terminals are followed by the Fujairah passenger and freight stations. The network will also connect to the Sohar freight facility in Oman and the Al Buraimi aggregate facility.
The network aims to serve 36 million passengers annually by 2030.
The Trains
Each train will carry up to 400 passengers, travelling at speeds up to 200 km/h. Prototypes displayed at various conferences show that each train will have different cabins — economy class, family space within economy, and business class. While the economy will have back-to-back seats, the business class seats will be wider and offer more leg room. There will be additional space for large items of luggage.
An automated barrier system will control the entry and exit from the train station, similar to the ones on the Dubai metro. The stations are also expected to have ticket vending machines, where passengers can select the preferred class of travel, their start and end destinations and also mention special requests.
