# UAE national rail and transport integration

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uae-national-rail-and-transport-integration
> Updated: 2026-09-14T14:38:42.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

The United Arab Emirates has initiated the development of a national passenger rail network, featuring an express system designed to connect 11 cities across the desert region.

Efforts to integrate these networks have progressed through partnerships between Etihad Rail, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, and Etihad Airways. A Memorandum of Understanding between the airline and the rail provider aims to create a seamless air-rail experience, including potential shuttle services between Zayed International Airport and the Mohammed Bin Zayed City Passenger Station.

In Dubai, infrastructure expansion includes the addition of stations to serve the national Etihad Rail network, such as the Al Yalayis station. Future plans also involve a high-speed electrified rail link between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with stations planned at Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf, intended to reduce travel time between the hubs to approximately 30 minutes.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-14: UAE transport networks to integrate via Etihad Rail and Dubai Metro expansion

The UAE is integrating its transport networks through a partnership between Etihad Airways and Etihad Rail, alongside new Dubai rail plans featuring four stations and a 30-minute high-speed link to Abu Dhabi.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etihad-rail-to-add-second-dubai-station-in-meydan

### 2026-08-22: Global travel trends highlight UAE rail and sleeper trains

A travel roundup covers the launch of the UAE's national passenger rail network, Namibia's

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/global-travel-trends-highlight-uae-rail-and-sleeper-trains

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Cite as: UAE national rail and transport integration. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uae-national-rail-and-transport-integration