Etihad Rail Passenger Trains: UAE Network Expansion Timeline Revealed

As of July 30, 2026, the UAE’s national passenger railway is moving from testing into commercial operations in phases under Etihad Rail.

When will passenger trains start?

The first passenger services began on June 30, 2026, with the initial route connecting Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. Etihad Rail says the network will then expand in stages. 

Which cities and areas will be connected?

Once the network is fully rolled out, passenger rail is planned to connect 11 cities and key regions, stretching from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east. 

The announced passenger stations/areas include:

•    Abu Dhabi – Mohamed Bin Zayed City 
•    Dubai – Jumeirah Golf Estates 
•    Sharjah 
•    Fujairah – Al Hilal City 
•    Al Sila 
•    Al Dhannah 
•    Al Mirfa 
•    Madinat Zayed 
•    Mezaira’a 
•    Al Faya 
•    Al Dhaid 

Etihad Rail says these stations will collectively connect 11 cities and key hubs across the UAE. 

How fast will the trains be?

Passenger trains will operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h. Etihad Rail has previously indicated indicative journey times of approximately:

•    Abu Dhabi → Dubai: 57 minutes 
•    Abu Dhabi → Ruwais: 70 minutes 
•    Abu Dhabi → Fujairah: 105 minutes 

The Abu Dhabi–Fujairah journey has already been demonstrated during introductory services, with the trip taking around 105 minutes. 

What will the trains offer?

Each passenger train can accommodate up to 400 passengers and will offer features including:

•    Reserved seating 
•    Comfort and First Class 
•    Wi-Fi 
•    Power/charging facilities 
•    Luggage storage 
•    Accessible facilities for People of Determination 
•    Multiple daily services planned as the network expands 

Etihad Rail is targeting around 36.5 million passenger journeys annually by 2030, according to earlier official projections. 

What this means for UAE residents

The project is much bigger than a Dubai–Abu Dhabi rail link. It is designed as a national passenger network, eventually making it possible to travel between communities across the UAE by rail.

For Dubai residents, the particularly important milestone is September 30, 2026, when the Dubai station is scheduled to join the passenger network. Sharjah follows in March 2027. 

In short: UAE passenger rail is already entering service, Abu Dhabi–Fujairah is the starting connection, Dubai and Al Dhaid are next in September 2026, and the network will progressively expand toward a national system linking 11 cities and regions.