Etihad Rail: Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of the most popular destinations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and indeed the entire Middle East.
Now imagine if one could travel between two beautiful cities within 30 minutes. Well, commuting between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is poised to get a lot more convenient and faster with the upcoming high-speed passenger service of Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national rail network, expected to transform train travel and general commute in the desert nation.
What is Etihad Rail?
Established in June 2009, Etihad Rail is the national railway network of the UAE, linking the country with nearby Oman and Saudi Arabia. The modern, high-speed rail network funded by the Federal Government of the UAE and the Government of Abu Dhabi has a standard track gauge of 1,435mm, and is designed to make travel within the emirates faster and more convenient.
According to officials, the Etihad Rail network is expected to carry more than 60 million tonnes of freight and 37 million passengers by 2030.
When will UAE’s rail network become operational?
The Etihad Rail network is finally complete after nearly 17 years, and passenger trains are expected to begin operations early next year. As per media reports, nearly all passenger stations are nearing completion and trains carrying freight and passengers will ply on tracks once the stations are ready.
UAE rail network is expected to transform public transport in the UAE and across the Gulf region as it aims to reduce road congestion by moving heavy cargo off highways. This will improve logistics for businesses and industries, and boost regional economy by linking key trade and industrial hubs.
How big is the Etihad Rail network?
The Etihad Rail network spans 1,200 km across the UAE, starting from the Ghuweifat on the Abu Dhabi-Saudi Arabia border to Fujairah on the east coast. In the near future, there is a proposal to connect the network to the ambitious pan-GCC rail network, which will link the UAE to other Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
The main 900 km rail network was completed in 2023, connecting all seven emirates, and major cities such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah.
Etihad Rail main stations
Etihad Rail will have main passenger stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah cities, which will feature business-class lounges, retail outlets and family-friendly amenities. The first station was built in Sakamkam, Fujairah, followed by another near the University City of Sharjah.
Six other key stations include Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, and Yas Island in Abu Dhabi; and the train stations near the Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf in Dubai. In Dubai, another station is currently being built near the Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while in Abu Dhabi, another station is likely to come up along the pipeline corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.
The railway network will connect 11 cities and and regions across the seven emirates, with key stoppages in Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah.
What is speed of Etihad Rail trains?
According to media reports, Etihad Rail passenger trains will have a maximum operation speed of up to 200 kmph, while Abu Dhabi-Dubai high speed train is expected to reach 350 kmph, drastically reducing travel times by up to 40 percent compared to the current transport network.
The distance between Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to be covered in 57 minutes, Abu Dhabi to Al Ruwais in 70 minutes, and Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in 105 minutes.
Each train will have the capacity to carry up to 400 passengers, and feature modern amenities including Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, along with food and beverage options.
Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 30 minutes?
While the regular Etihad train is likely to take around an hour to cover the near 150 km distance between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, a new high-speed train project unveiled in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, which is expected to cut the travel time to just 30 minutes. The train will travel at speeds of up to 350 kmph, stopping at six stations in between.
These are Reem Island, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Zayed Airport in Abu Dhabi; and Al Maktoum Airport and Jaddaf in Dubai.