Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Etihad Rail passenger service expands to Dubai, Sharjah, 11 cities
Trains are long vehicles that travel on metal tracks.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) built a new passenger railway with a company called Etihad Rail.
On June 30, Etihad Rail started carrying passengers between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah for the first time.
That trip takes one hour and 45 minutes, about as long as a movie.
The train service will grow to include many more cities.
Soon there will be stations in big cities like Dubai and Sharjah.
In total, the railway will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE.
The railway programme was announced in 2021 as part of the country's Projects of the 50 initiative.
Now people have a new, fast way to travel between UAE cities.
Etihad Rail launched its first passenger train service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on June 30.
The Abu Dhabi-Fujairah journey takes one hour and 45 minutes (105 minutes).
The passenger network will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Al Sila', Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, Madinat Zayed, Mezaira'a, Al Faya and Al Dhaid.
Additional passenger stations are planned for Dubai, Sharjah and other locations.
The passenger service launched less than five years after the UAE announced the UAE Railway Programme under the Projects of the 50 initiative in 2021.
- Who
- Etihad Rail, the UAE's national railway operator.
- What
- Launched its first passenger train service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, with plans to expand passenger rail to 11 cities and regions across the UAE.
- When
- The first passenger service began on June 30; the UAE Railway Programme was announced in 2021.
- Where
- United Arab Emirates, starting with the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route and planned stations in Dubai, Sharjah and other locations.
- Why
- To expand connectivity across the UAE as part of the UAE Railway Programme under the Projects of the 50 initiative.
- Operator
- Etihad Rail
- First passenger route
- Abu Dhabi to Fujairah
- Travel time
- 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes)
- Service start date
- June 30
- Cities and regions to be connected
- 11
- Planned stations
- Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Al Sila', Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, Madinat Zayed, Mezaira'a, Al Faya, Al Dhaid
- Programme announced
- 2021 (UAE Railway Programme under Projects of the 50)