Etihad Rail adds six Abu Dhabi-Dubai trains after strong opening demand

Etihad Rail added six weekend trains and more than 2,000 seats within days of launching passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, offering early evidence of sustained demand for the new route.

Passenger operations between the two cities began on September 30, when Dubai Station opened alongside Al Dhaid Station. The journey takes about an hour, giving travellers an alternative to driving between the UAE’s two largest population and business centres.

After reporting exceptional early demand, Etihad Rail scheduled three additional services on Saturday, October 3 and another three on Sunday, October 4. More than 1,000 extra seats were made available on each day.

Some launch-day services sold out quickly, particularly in Premium Class, while the operator’s swift addition of capacity indicated that demand had extended beyond the initial opening.

The response follows strong use of the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route, which began operating on June 30. More than 70,000 tickets were sold during its first five weeks, with passengers making reservations an average of 12 days before travelling.

Passenger numbers on that route reached about 150,000 during its first three months, establishing an early pattern of advance bookings and regular use before the Dubai service opened.

Early passengers on the Abu Dhabi–Dubai route have described the journey as smooth, quiet and predictable. Trains travel at speeds of up to 200kph and provide complimentary Wi-Fi, charging points at every seat, designated luggage space and guaranteed seating.

Onboard catering includes Arabic coffee, karak and food featuring date-and-spice flavours, adding an Emirati element to the passenger experience.

The roughly one-hour journey is expected to support business travel, family visits, medical appointments and leisure trips by removing the uncertainty associated with road congestion and parking.

Last-mile connections are also central to the service. Dubai Station is linked to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station by a dedicated pedestrian bridge, while Nol integration allows passengers to use a single QR code across Etihad Rail, the Dubai Metro, Tram and public buses.

Stations also provide access to parking, taxis, buses and private transport operators. Etihad Rail and Etihad Airways are separately exploring air-and-rail connections that could allow passengers to combine flights and train journeys.

Four passenger stations are now operating across the network. Zayed City and Liwa stations are scheduled to open on November 30, with the remaining Al Dhafra stations following on December 30. Sharjah Station in University City is due to begin operating on March 30, 2027.

Etihad Rail expects the passenger network to carry about 10 million people annually when fully operational. The opening-week response on the Abu Dhabi - Dubai corridor provides an early indication of demand, although weekday travel, repeat bookings and longer-term passenger numbers will offer a clearer measure in the coming months.