Etihad Rail has sold over 70,000 tickets since the launch of passenger trains in the United Arab Emirates. The first route, between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, covers 250 km in just one hour and 45 minutes, and the introductory fare starts at around EUR 13. After the launch period, the price in the Emirates will rise to around EUR 26.
Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the national rail network in the United Arab Emirates, has announced its first results following the introduction of passenger services.
Over 70,000 tickets have been sold, and passengers are booking their journeys, on average, 12 days in advance.
The operator believes that these figures show the train is no longer being used merely out of curiosity, as a one-off experience, but is beginning to form part of residents’ regular travel plans.
Bookings made almost two weeks in advance
The new trains are being used by families, business travellers, tourists, school groups and people with disabilities.
“People aren’t just trying the train out of curiosity. They’re building their plans around it. When passengers book nearly two weeks in advance, this shows us that rail travel is already becoming part of how they organise their journeys,” said Azza Al Suwaidi, Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Rail.
According to the company, demand from a wide variety of passenger groups demonstrates that the new network can become an alternative for business travel as well as for day trips, tourism and family holidays.
Etihad Rail will gradually increase capacity in line with demand during the current introductory phase of operations.
Tickets from EUR 13 for 250 km
The first operational passenger route, launched on 30 June, connects Abu Dhabi with Fujairah.
The distance of approximately 250 km is covered in one hour and 45 minutes, and trains can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h.
Passengers can choose between two travel classes: Comfort and Premium.
The Comfort class includes a guaranteed seat, Wi-Fi, power sockets at every seat and generous luggage space. During the introductory period, a ticket costs 55 dirhams, the equivalent of approximately EUR 13.
In Premium class, passengers also benefit from wider seats and complimentary refreshments served on board. A ticket costs 120 dirhams, approximately EUR 28.4.
Once the promotional period ends, fares are expected to rise to 109 dirhams, approximately EUR 25.8, for Comfort class, and to 239 dirhams, around EUR 56.5, for Premium class.
The Etihad Rail network continues to expand
Etihad Rail is preparing to open new stations in the coming months.
The stations in Dubai and Al Dhaid are scheduled to open on 30 September 2026, followed by those in Liwa and Madinat Zayed on 30 November.
The remaining stations in the Al Dhafra region are due to open on 30 December 2026, whilst the station in Sharjah is scheduled for 30 March 2027.
This phased expansion will connect several cities and regions across the United Arab Emirates, in a country where passenger transport has so far relied mainly on cars and aeroplanes.
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