Etihad Rail has confirmed the first routes on its long-awaited passenger network, outlining an opening phase that will connect Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah.
The company said the initial network will create a spine linking the country’s main commercial centres with the east coast. Passenger services are expected to begin in 2026, with further routes and stations to follow.
Journey times are expected to be about an hour between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and around 90 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, with final timetables still being developed. Trains will travel at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour and carry as many as 400 passengers.
The Abu Dhabi to Dubai route will run frequent services, reflecting rising commuter traffic and business travel between the two emirates. The link to Fujairah is designed to support tourism and improve access to the east coast, offering an alternative to increasingly congested roads.
Etihad Rail said population growth across the UAE and heavier use of the highway network were key factors behind the choice of the first routes. Station locations were selected based on population density, travel demand and inter-emirate connectivity.
The first three stations will be located in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai and Fujairah’s Sakamkam neighborhood near the Al Hilal City development.