The UAE Guides

Etihad Rail Launches UAE's First Passenger Train: Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in Under 2 Hours

· 2 min read News
Fujairah harbour and Al Hajar mountains

Contents

  1. The Route and Fares
  2. What’s Coming: Dubai Connection
  3. Why This Matters for Visitors

The UAE has launched its first intercity passenger rail service. Etihad Rail began operating passenger trains on June 30, 2026, with a route connecting Abu Dhabi and Fujairah in approximately one hour and 45 minutes — a journey that takes around two hours by car in normal traffic.

The Route and Fares

The initial service runs between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, passing through areas of the UAE interior that are rarely seen from the main road network. Fares start at AED 55 (approximately USD 15 / GBP 12) for a standard class ticket, making it significantly cheaper than hiring a taxi for the same journey.

Trains operate on a scheduled timetable; the full schedule is available through the Etihad Rail website and ticketing apps. Seating classes have not been detailed in early announcements, but the operator has indicated that both standard and premium options will be available.

What’s Coming: Dubai Connection

A Dubai connection is scheduled to launch on 30 September 2026, extending the network and creating what will effectively be the UAE’s first full intercity passenger rail corridor. Once operational, passengers will be able to travel between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Fujairah by train — a shift that would make a day trip from Dubai to Fujairah’s beaches and mountains straightforward without needing to rent a car.

Why This Matters for Visitors

Fujairah has historically been one of the more difficult Emirates to reach without your own vehicle. Its position on the Gulf of Oman coast (the UAE’s only coast on the Arabian Sea rather than the Arabian Gulf) makes it genuinely different in character — quieter, with a stronger Omani architectural influence, coral reefs worth diving, and the Al Hajar mountains as a backdrop.

The train makes Fujairah accessible to visitors based in Abu Dhabi or Dubai who previously ruled out a day trip or guided tour due to the logistics. Combined with the planned Dubai connection in September, it opens up a circuit that was impractical on public transport.

For what to do once you arrive, see our Fujairah guide. For Abu Dhabi planning, visit our Abu Dhabi guide.