Etihad Rail Confirms 2026 Launch of UAE’s First National Passenger Train

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-awaited nationwide passenger community will open to the general public in late 2026, linking all seven emirates with high-speed trains able to 200 km/h. The replace was revealed 29 January 2026 and is the clearest timetable but for the Gulf’s most bold rail venture.

Part 1 freight strains have been shifting sulphur and containers since 2016, however Part 2 lays 1,200 km of monitor from Fujairah Port on the Indian Ocean to Ghuwaifat on the Saudi border. Passenger providers will slash journey occasions—Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 50 minutes and Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in 100 minutes—providing a greener various to the nation’s car-dependent highways.

For global-mobility managers, the rail possibility will diversify authorised journey modes for home responsibility journeys and weekend commuting by expatriate workers. Relocation specialists say inexpensive rail season tickets may make northern emirates extra engaging housing bases for assignees who work in Abu Dhabi or Dubai however want decrease rents farther afield.

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Etihad Rail estimates the venture will take away 8,000 truck journeys a day from roads and reduce CO₂ emissions by 70-80 % in contrast with equal automotive journey. Company sustainability groups are anticipated to issue the prepare into ESG reporting as soon as providers start.

The operator is finalising station designs that includes airline-style lounges and seamless connections to metro, tram and bus strains. Ticket pricing has not been introduced, however officers trace at dynamic fares akin to inter-emirate bus providers.