No more seats available for the next few days. The launch of the first railway line within the United Arab Emirates This 30th June has sparked massive enthusiasm among the local population. It is true that the event is significant, as the train represents a major step in the development of the country's transport infrastructure, also linked to decarbonisation objectives.
Operated by Etihad Rail, the new service begins with a first route connecting the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, which are approximately 250 kilometres apart. Currently, there are three trains per day in each direction with a capacity of 400 passengers per train, a top speed of 200 km/h, and a fare set at 14 euros for economy class and 29 euros for business class. The journey between the two capitals lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Next step: Abu Dhabi-Dubai in September
But in fact, eyes are already fixed on the next phase, the opening of the Abu Dhabi-Dubai link scheduled for 30 September. The journey will then take 57 minutes. The stations in the Al Dhafra region will be integrated by the end of December 2026, while Sharjah will join the network in March 2027.
Although the final schedules have not yet been published, Etihad Rail indicates that around twenty trains will eventually run between 11 cities and regions across the country's seven emirates. The railway operator's fleet will then comprise 13 trains, with a total capacity of over 5,000 passengers.
This network will revolutionise travel habits and at the same time represent a real asset for business travellers. The latter will indeed be able to easily get from one appointment to another, particularly between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It will also allow visitors to more easily combine several destinations on the same trip. The post-oil era seems to have well and truly begun today in the Gulf.
