Etihad Rail Passenger Trains Launch 30 June 2026: Route, Fares and How to Book
Etihad Rail’s first passenger trains start running on 30 June 2026 — and tickets are already selling fast. The introductory service links Abu Dhabi and Fujairah in 1 hour 45 minutes, with launch fares from Dh55 after a 50% discount, booked through the Etihad Rail app. Here’s the route, the full fare breakdown, when Dubai and Sharjah join, and how to book.
When do Etihad Rail passenger trains launch?
The first passenger service begins Tuesday, 30 June 2026, as an “introductory operational phase.” It runs between Abu Dhabi (Mohamed bin Zayed City station) and Fujairah (Al Hilal City station), a journey of 1 hour 45 minutes, on trains capable of up to 200 km/h. There are three direct trains each way per day to start, with stations open daily from 5am to 11pm. The service is operated by Etihad Rail in partnership with global rail operator Keolis.
Booking opened on 23 June 2026, and demand was immediate: around 5,000 seats were reserved within two days and the first launch-day trains sold out.
Where does it go? Route and stations
At launch you can only travel Abu Dhabi ↔ Fujairah. The rest of the network phases in:
- 30 September 2026 — Dubai (Jumeirah Golf Estates) and Al Dhaid (Sharjah) stations open, marking the official network launch.
- 30 December 2026 — Al Dhafra stations open.
- 30 March 2027 — Sharjah (University City) opens, completing the initial route.
The full passenger network will eventually span roughly 900 km across around 10–11 stations and cities. Fares and journey times for the new routes — including Abu Dhabi to Dubai — will be announced closer to each opening (see the caveat below).
How much are Etihad Rail tickets? (fares)
There are two travel classes on the launch route, both with a 50% introductory discount:
| Class | Launch fare | Full fare | Seniors (60+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Dh55 | Dh109 | Dh44 |
| Premium | Dh120 | Dh239 | Dh96 |
On top of the class, you choose a flexibility tier — Saver (base, no changes), Value (+Dh10, adds seat choice and changes) or Flex (+Dh20, adds refunds). Families get a break too: a combined adult-plus-child ticket starts at Dh83 in Comfort, and infants under 2 travel free on an adult’s lap. A shuttle-bus transfer can be added for Dh10. There’s no separate return fare yet, so a round trip is simply two singles. The 50% discount is described as an introductory offer with no end date announced.
How do you book Etihad Rail tickets?
Booking is through the Etihad Rail app and website (etihadrail.ae), and you can book up to four weeks before you travel. With trains selling out within a day of going on sale, it’s worth booking early. During this introductory phase you can only book the Abu Dhabi ↔ Fujairah route; the app will add Dubai and the other stations as they open.
What about Abu Dhabi to Dubai?
This is the question most people are asking — and the honest answer is not yet. Dubai (Jumeirah Golf Estates) only joins the network on 30 September 2026, and Etihad Rail says fares and times for each new route will be announced closer to its opening. So any Abu Dhabi–Dubai price or journey time circulating right now is unconfirmed.
Separately, the UAE has announced a future high-speed line aiming to connect Abu Dhabi and Dubai in about 30 minutes, targeted for 2030 — but that’s a different, later project, not part of this June 2026 launch.
Why it matters
For the first time, UAE residents can travel between the emirates by national rail. Officials frame it as the start of an integrated national network — projected to carry tens of millions of passengers a year by 2030 — easing inter-emirate travel and supporting tourism and growth.
If you’re planning a UAE trip around the new line, it’s also worth checking the recently widened entry rules: see our guide to the UAE visa on arrival expansion.