Lifestyle
All Aboard: Etihad Rail Commences Historic Passenger Services Across the UAE
The dawn of the UAE’s national rail era arrives as the first commercial passenger trains link the capital with the Eastern Coast, transforming regional connectivity.
By 19Network Editorial Team · Jul 3, 2026 · 5 min read
In a landmark milestone for regional infrastructure, Etihad Rail has officially welcomed its first public passengers on the strategic Abu Dhabi to Fujairah corridor, signaling the start of a multi-phase roll-out that will eventually link 11 cities across the nation.
The United Arab Emirates has officially entered a transformative era of public mobility. Following years of meticulous planning and engineering excellence, Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s National Rail Network, launched its inaugural passenger train service. The first phase connects the capital, Abu Dhabi, directly to the scenic eastern emirate of Fujairah, offering residents and visitors a seamless, fast, and highly reliable alternative to trans-country road travel. The launch represents a core pillar of the UAE’s “Projects of the 50” blueprint, which positions advanced logistical infrastructure at the center of long-term economic diversification and environmental sustainability. Running at operational speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour, the high-performance passenger fleet cuts down travel times significantly. Commuters can now complete the journey from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in just 105 minutes, while upcoming phases will link Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 57 minutes and Dubai to Fujairah in 69 minutes, bridging the diverse landscapes of the country with unexampled efficiency. To celebrate the historical debut, the operator introduced an initial 50% discount…