Etihad Rail has revealed the travel times for its upcoming passenger train service, offering a faster alternative for travel between major cities in the UAE. The journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, typically taking around two hours by car, will be reduced to just 57 minutes, with trains travelling at speeds of up to 200 km/h.
In addition to the Abu Dhabi-Dubai route, Etihad Rail announced other key travel times. The trip from Abu Dhabi to Al Ruwais, a distance of 240 km, will take 70 minutes. A journey from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will take 105 minutes. More destinations and timings are expected to be announced soon.
The passenger rail service will eventually connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, including Al Sila, Fujairah, Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Sharjah, Al Dhaid and Dubai. Authorities have already disclosed the locations of two passenger stations, one in Fujairah’s Sakamkam and another in Sharjah’s University City.
Although a specific launch date has not been confirmed, the service is expected to handle around 36.5 million passengers annually. UAE residents had their first look at the passenger trains during a rail journey between Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah in January 2024. Photos and videos recently surfaced, showcasing the train moving through the desert. Further announcements are expected in the coming months as Etihad Rail prepares for the launch.