Introducing a Fast Rail Link Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
On September 30, 2026, the United Arab Emirates launched a new passenger rail service linking Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This innovative route reduces travel time to 64 minutes, a significant improvement compared to the typical 90-minute journey by car or bus. Trains run five times daily in each direction, with two departures in the morning and three in the afternoon. The final train leaves Abu Dhabi at 5:43 PM, while the last service from Dubai departs at 6:14 PM.
Ticket Prices and Premium Service Perks
Ticket costs range from 39 dirhams (approximately 477 UAH) for standard class to 109 dirhams (around 1,334 UAH) for premium class. Passengers opting for premium enjoy several advantages, including:
- extra legroom,
- reclining seats,
- complimentary Wi-Fi,
- and snacks.
Each of the 13 new trains can accommodate up to 400 passengers, enhancing both comfort and capacity for travelers.
Etihad Rail, previously focused on freight transport, aims to expand its network to cover 11 cities and expects to serve 36.5 million passengers annually by 2030. The Dubai–Abu Dhabi route is the second passenger line after the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah connection, which opened in June 2026 and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to travel.
Although rail services in the UAE have existed since 2016, they were exclusively used for freight until this year. The first test passenger train from Dubai to Fujairah ran in early February 2026.
“People are not just trying the train out of curiosity—they are planning their trips around this transport option. The fact that tickets are being booked nearly two weeks in advance shows that rail travel is becoming an integral part of journey planning,” said Azza Al-Suwaidi.
This new rail connection between Dubai and Abu Dhabi not only improves accessibility between the two cities but also highlights the growing role of rail transport in the region. The expansion of the UAE's rail network has the potential to transform the country’s transportation infrastructure, supporting economic growth, improving connectivity, and easing road congestion. It also aligns with global trends favoring environmentally friendly transportation options, which are increasingly important in today’s world.