Etihad Rail launches Abu Dhabi‑Fujairah passenger service on June 30, 2026

Etihad Rail will begin trial passenger operations between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on 30 June 2026, reducing travel time to about 1 hour 45 minutes. The service is part of the UAE’s first national passenger rail network, with a full commercial launch scheduled for 30 September 2026. At that time new stations in Dubai and Al Dhaid (Sharjah) will open, followed by Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi on 30 December 2026 and Sharjah station on 30 March 2027.

The inaugural phase will run a fleet of 13 trains, each able to carry up to 400 passengers. Fares start at AED 55 for Comfort class and AED 120 for Premium class, with ticket sales opening on 23 June 2026 via the Etihad Rail app and website. The launch was announced by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, during the inauguration of the Mohamed bin Zayed City passenger station.

The rail line is intended to strengthen inter‑emirate connectivity, support tourism and business travel, and reduce reliance on road transport, aligning with the UAE’s broader Projects of the 50 infrastructure strategy. Regional officials also referenced longer‑term plans for a Gulf‑wide railway linking the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, though no timetable has been set.