Opening day of Etihad Rail's Fujairah-Abu Dhabi passenger train service on June 30, 2026. WAM

The UAE has officially entered a new era of public transport with the launch of its first nationwide passenger rail service, as Etihad Rail completed its maiden journey between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi on Tuesday (June 30). The historic launch marks the start of the introductory phase of the national passenger rail network, with strong demand reported ahead of operations. The first service departed from Al Hilal City station in Fujairah at 5:34am, carrying hundreds of passengers on board the inaugural trip to Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi. Passengers were welcomed at the station with traditional Emirati performances and Arabic coffee before boarding, while travellers scanned QR codes to access the platform. Onboard, passengers were served complimentary breakfast, tea and chocolates as the train travelled at speeds of up to 200km/h, passing key landmarks including Dubai World Central and Zayed Military City. The train arrived in Abu Dhabi at 7:19am, ahead of schedule by several minutes, completing the journey in around 1 hour and 45 minutes, significantly reducing travel time compared to road transport. The return service from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah departed at 8:19am, marking the first two-way passenger operations in the network’s history. A standout moment of the launch was the designation of Emirati person of determination Hamad Mansoor Al Balooshi as the first official passenger in seat Carriage 1, Seat 1, selected through a nationwide community initiative recognising individuals who have made meaningful contributions to society. Among the early riders was UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, alongside commuters and invited guests.

Etihad Rail tickets

Etihad Rail confirmed that introductory fares for the route start at Dh55 for Comfort Class and Dh120 for Premium Class. Tickets can be purchased at the stations or via the Etihad Rail app or etihadrail.ae. Comfort Class includes reserved seating, Wi-Fi, power outlets and luggage space, while Premium Class offers wider seats and complimentary refreshments. Etihad Rail services are operated by Etihad Rail Mobility, a joint venture with Keolis. Etihad Rail network expansion timeline The Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route is the first phase of a wider national rollout. Future expansions include: • September 30, 2026: Dubai (Jumeirah Golf Estates) and Al Dhaid stations open • December 30, 2026: Al Dhafra stations begin operations • March 30, 2027: Sharjah University City station opens Once complete, the network will connect major cities, economic hubs and tourism destinations across the UAE. Authorities also confirmed ongoing feasibility studies for further expansion into additional emirates. Tickets are available via the Etihad Rail mobile app and etihadrail.ae. ICA/Expat Media
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