The UAE’s new passenger rail network is turning a road-trip country into a train-trip country
Etihad Rail is connecting Gulf and desert cities at up to 125 mph, creating a new way to travel through the UAE without renting a car.
The UAE’s Etihad Rail passenger network is expanding through 2026 and 2027, eventually linking 11 cities over nearly 900 kilometers.
The first passenger service connects Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, with additional stations including Dubai opening as the system expands.
Why it’s worth going
The train creates a very different way to see the UAE: city centers, mountains and desert landscapes without airport security or highway driving.
When not to
The network is still rolling out. Check whether the station and route you want are actually operating before building a trip around the system.
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Etihad Rail
The network's history and stages, from freight lines to the planned high-speed Dubai to Abu Dhabi link.
Wikipedia · Wade · 5 min
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