E-Paper
Sign In
New dawn in UAE's public transport
- Published: Tue Jun 30, 2026, 4:00 AM
UAE's Etihad Rail makes history with first passenger train from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi
By:Ruqayya Al QaydiNasreen AbdullaBahni Bandyopadhyay- Share:
Key Events
12:45 PM,Jun 30, 2026
Over 10,000 tickets sold!
10:00 AM,Jun 30, 2026
Some UAE residents head straight to work
8:35 AM,Jun 30, 2026
First train departs Abu Dhabi
8:30 AM,Jun 30, 2026
Passengers board from Abu Dhabi station
8:20 AM,Jun 30, 2026
Meet Carriage 1, Seat 1 passenger
7:46 AM,Jun 30, 2026
First case of baggage lost and found
7:29 AM,Jun 30, 2026
Happy faces amrk first arrival in Abu Dhabi
7:12 AM,Jun 30, 2026
Train reaches Abu Dhabi ahead of schedule
7:03 AM,Jun 30, 2026
Complimentary breakfast on board
6:53 AM,Jun 30, 2026
Qahwa, bakhoor to welcome first passengers in Abu Dhabi
5:52 AM,Jun 30, 2026
On board the first Etihad Rail; what it's like
5:35 AM,Jun 30, 2026
...and the journey begins!
5:04 AM,Jun 30, 2026
Passengers arrive 30 minutes before departure
3:59 AM,Jun 30, 2026
History is about to be made
Summary
- The introductory operations of Etihad Rail's passenger service begins today
- Passengers arrive half an hour early, welcomed with Emirati traditional dance, Arabic coffee at Fujairah station
- First train starts at 5.34am from Fujairah for Abu Dhabi; journey set to be completed in 105 mins
- Free breakfast served on board
- Train arrives at Abu Dhabi station 7 minutes early
- Jubilant mood at Abu Dhabi station as passengers deboard after historic ride
1:14 PM, Jun 30, 2026 12:45 PM, Jun 30, 2026 Over 10,000 tickets sold!
10:30 AM, Jun 30, 2026 A recap of the journey from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi
10:00 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Some UAE residents head straight to work
8:35 AM, Jun 30, 2026 First train departs Abu Dhabi
8:30 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Passengers board from Abu Dhabi station
8:20 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Meet Carriage 1, Seat 1 passenger
What made the moment even more special was finding out that I had been nominated by my family to represent the community of the United Arab Emirates Hamad Mansoor al Balooshi
8:14 AM, Jun 30, 2026 View from the driver's seat
8:09 AM, Jun 30, 2026 A moment captured in time
8:04 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Passengers line up for train from Abu Dhabi
7:49 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Shuttle buses to arrive soon
7:47 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Mood of jubilation at the station
7:46 AM, Jun 30, 2026 First case of baggage lost and found
7:35 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Tiny traveller in uniform
7:29 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Happy faces amrk first arrival in Abu Dhabi
7:22 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Historic entry
7:12 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Train reaches Abu Dhabi ahead of schedule
7:08 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Instructions on board
7:06 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Watch: Sunlight beams through windows, scenic views
7:03 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Complimentary breakfast on board
6:59 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Ride past DWC
6:53 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Qahwa, bakhoor to welcome first passengers in Abu Dhabi
6:43 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Abu Dhabi station ready to welcome train
6:35 AM, Jun 30, 2026 A taste of Emirati warmth on board
6:32 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Live schedule for today's services
6:16 AM, Jun 30, 2026 How much does a trip on Etihad Rail cost?
5:52 AM, Jun 30, 2026 On board the first Etihad Rail; what it's like
5:46 AM, Jun 30, 2026 A sweet welcome on board
5:35 AM, Jun 30, 2026 ...and the journey begins!
5:28 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Moments before historic journey
5:25 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Piece of childhood
5:20 AM, Jun 30, 2026 The ticket is also a keepsake
5:14 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Capturing memories
5:08 AM, Jun 30, 2026 First passengers get warm welcome
5:04 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Passengers arrive 30 minutes before departure
4:53 AM, Jun 30, 2026 How long will the journey take?
4:40 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Which stations are set to open next on the network?
4:34 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Things you need to know before boarding
4:24 AM, Jun 30, 2026 5-year build-up to this day
4:12 AM, Jun 30, 2026 Journey at the crack of dawn
3:59 AM, Jun 30, 2026 History is about to be made