ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Etihad Rail marked a major milestone on June 30 with the launch of its first passenger journey, introducing an initial service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah as part of the UAE’s long-awaited national rail network.
The company said more than 10,000 tickets were sold ahead of the public rollout, signaling strong early demand. Ticket bookings opened for July through the official website and the Etihad Rail mobile application, with authorities expecting ridership to grow as additional routes and stations come online.
Fares and Ticket Classes
Etihad Rail has released fare details for the inaugural Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route, along with an introductory discount and category-based concessions.
Standard fares are Dh55 for Comfort Class and Dh120 for Premium Class. Both figures already reflect a 50 per cent launch discount off the regular fares of Dh109 for Comfort and Dh239 for Premium.
Within each class, passengers can choose from three fare tiers depending on the flexibility they need. The Saver tier is the lowest fare, with no extra cost, and suits passengers with fixed travel plans. The Value tier adds free seat selection and ticket changes for an extra Dh10. The Flex tier adds seat selection, ticket changes and refunds for an extra Dh20, offering the most flexibility for those without a fixed schedule.
Tickets can be booked up to four weeks before the date of travel.
Discounts for Seniors, Children and Infants
Etihad Rail has confirmed concessions for several passenger categories on the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route.
Senior citizens aged 60 and above receive a reduced Comfort Class fare of Dh44, down from the standard Dh88, and a reduced Premium Class fare of Dh96, down from the standard Dh192. Dedicated spaces for wheelchair users are also provided onboard.
Children under 17 cannot book tickets independently and must travel with an adult. When a child’s ticket is purchased alongside an adult ticket, the combined fare for both passengers is Dh83 for a single trip.
Infants under 2 who sit on an accompanying adult’s lap travel free of charge and do not require a separate seat. Each adult may bring one infant at no cost. If an adult is traveling with more than one infant, a child ticket must be purchased for each additional infant.
No separate discount has been announced for students.
Onboard Classes and Amenities
Etihad Rail offers two main travel classes. Premium Class includes wider, reclining seats with extra legroom, complimentary Wi-Fi, power sockets and USB charging ports, and complimentary snacks and beverages, with additional items available for purchase. Comfort Class offers standard seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, power sockets and USB charging ports, and food and drinks available through an onboard trolley service.
Seating Capacity and Fleet
Etihad Rail’s passenger fleet comprises 13 trains, each able to carry up to 400 passengers, addressing an operational detail that remained undisclosed at the time of launch.
Schedule on the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah Route
Three daily trips run in each direction. From Fujairah, the train departs at 5.34am and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 7.19am. From Abu Dhabi, departures are at 8.19am, 1.53pm and 6.39pm, with each trip taking roughly one hour and 45 minutes. Trains operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h.
Booking Process
Tickets can be booked through the Etihad Rail website, etihadrail.ae, or through the Etihad Rail app, available on Apple and Android devices. Passengers select their route and travel date, choose a class and fare tier, enter passenger details, and pay by credit card, debit card or phone wallet. A digital ticket is issued upon confirmation.
Tickets can also be amended or canceled through the website, app, station ticket machines or the customer contact centre. The origin and destination stations cannot be changed after booking. If a revised journey costs more, the fare difference must be paid; if it costs less, no refund is issued. Passengers who fail to travel and do not cancel before departure are marked as a no-show and are not eligible for a refund.
A shuttle bus service connects the Abu Dhabi station to destinations including ADNOC Headquarters, Reem Mall and ADNEC Centre, priced at Dh10 per trip and bookable in advance through the app or website.
Route and Stations
The current route connects the Mohamed Bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi to the Al Hilal City station in Fujairah. Once complete, the national network will link 11 cities and regions across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Al Sila, Al Dhaid, Al Ruwais and Al Mirfa.
Phased Expansion
The passenger launch is part of a broader phased expansion of the UAE’s national rail network. The next stage is scheduled for September 30, 2026, with the opening of Dubai Train Station and Al Dhaid Train Station, extending connectivity into more densely populated areas. Additional expansion is planned for December 30, 2026, with new stations in Al Dhafra, followed by the expected completion of the network on March 30, 2027, including the launch of Sharjah Train Station.
Etihad Rail said the service is designed to enhance mobility, reduce highway congestion and strengthen economic and tourism links between emirates. Fares for additional routes, including Abu Dhabi-Dubai services, are expected to be announced closer to their launch dates.
