Passenger

A new way to move across the UAE

Passenger rail is a new chapter for mobility in the UAE. It is designed to connect cities, support daily life, and give people a reliable new option for travelling between emirates - whether for work, family, or leisure. This is not about replacing how people travel today. It is about expanding choice, improving predictability, and building a service people can rely on, day after day.

The launch of passenger rail services comes less than five years after the UAE announced its vision to develop the National Railway Programme, which included the launch of the Passenger Rail Project as part of the Projects of the 50 in December 2021.

The UAE’s national passenger rail network has officially launched, with Etihad Rail now operating passenger services connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Dhaid and Fujairah. The network will continue to expand with the opening of Zayed City and Liwa stations on 30 November 2026, followed by the remaining Al Dhafra stations on 30 December 2026 and Sharjah Station on 30 March 2027.

Passenger

A new way to move across the UAE

Passenger

A new way to move across the UAE

What passenger rail is designed to do

Passenger rail has been planned around a simple principle: travel should work for real life.

At Etihad Rail, we believe passenger rail succeeds when it becomes part of everyday routines.

What passenger rail is designed to do

Passenger rail has been planned around a simple principle: travel should work for real life.

At Etihad Rail, we believe passenger rail succeeds when it becomes part of everyday routines.

What passenger rail is designed to do

Passenger rail has been planned around a simple principle: travel should work for real life.

At Etihad Rail, we believe passenger rail succeeds when it becomes part of everyday routines.

Predictable journeys people can plan around

Stations that are easy to use, even for first-time rail users

Onboard environments that support both relaxation and productivity

A service that feels safe, clear and dependable from the first journey

Predictable journeys people can plan around

Stations that are easy to use, even for first-time rail users

Onboard environments that support both relaxation and productivity

A service that feels safe, clear and dependable from the first journey

Predictable journeys people can plan around

Stations that are easy to use, even for first-time rail users

Onboard environments that support both relaxation and productivity

A service that feels safe, clear and dependable from the first journey

The passenger experience

Passenger rail is an end-to-end experience, not just a train journey.

From the moment passengers arrive at the station, the focus is on clarity, comfort and reassurance.

The passenger experience

Passenger rail is an end-to-end experience, not just a train journey.

From the moment passengers arrive at the station, the focus is on clarity, comfort and reassurance.

The passenger experience

Passenger rail is an end-to-end experience, not just a train journey.

From the moment passengers arrive at the station, the focus is on clarity, comfort and reassurance.

Stations are designed to feel open and intuitive, with

Clear signage and way finding
Comfortable waiting areas
Staff on hand to assist

Onboard, trains are designed to give passengers control over their time

Guaranteed seating
Comfortable legroom
Wi-Fi and power at every seat

We know that some passengers will want to relax. Others will want to stay connected or work. Etihad Rail’s service is designed to support both, because we understand that flexibility matters.

Stations are designed to feel open and intuitive, with

Clear signage and way finding
Comfortable waiting areas
Staff on hand to assist

Onboard, trains are designed to give passengers control over their time

Guaranteed seating
Comfortable legroom
Wi-Fi and power at every seat

We know that some passengers will want to relax. Others will want to stay connected or work. Etihad Rail’s service is designed to support both, because we understand that flexibility matters.

Stations are designed to feel open and intuitive, with

Clear signage and way finding
Comfortable waiting areas
Staff on hand to assist

Onboard, trains are designed to give passengers control over their time

Guaranteed seating
Comfortable legroom
Wi-Fi and power at every seat

We know that some passengers will want to relax. Others will want to stay connected or work. Etihad Rail’s service is designed to support both, because we understand that flexibility matters.

Stations: gateways to the network

Stations are where passenger rail becomes real. Each station has a specific role within the wider network:

Some act as major gateways, connecting cities and regions

Others support everyday commuting and regular travel

Together, they form one connected system that makes moving across the country simpler and more predictable. First impressions matter. That’s why Etihad Rail’s stations set the tone for the entire journey. Stations are designed to be:

Accessible

Easy to navigate

Integrated with surrounding communities

Stations: gateways to the network

Stations are where passenger rail becomes real. Each station has a specific role within the wider network:

Some act as major gateways, connecting cities and regions

Others support everyday commuting and regular travel

Accessible

Easy to navigate

Integrated with surrounding communities

Stations: gateways to the network

Stations are where passenger rail becomes real. Each station has a specific role within the wider network:

Some act as major gateways, connecting cities and regions

Others support everyday commuting and regular travel

Accessible

Easy to navigate

Integrated with surrounding communities

Safety comes first

Safety is the foundation of passenger rail.

Globally, rail is recognised as one of the safest forms of transport and Etihad Rail has embedded that principle into every part of the passenger network.

From infrastructure and control systems to staff training and operational standards, safety is treated as non-negotiable.

Passenger services are built on the same safety culture and discipline that already underpin Etihad Rail’s freight operations.

At Etihad Rail, nothing is prioritised above safety.

Safety comes first

Safety is the foundation of passenger rail.

Globally, rail is recognised as one of the safest forms of transport and Etihad Rail has embedded that principle into every part of the passenger network.

From infrastructure and control systems to staff training and operational standards, safety is treated as non-negotiable.

Passenger services are built on the same safety culture and discipline that already underpin Etihad Rail’s freight operations.

At Etihad Rail, nothing is prioritised above safety.

Safety comes first

Safety is the foundation of passenger rail.

Globally, rail is recognised as one of the safest forms of transport and Etihad Rail has embedded that principle into every part of the passenger network.

From infrastructure and control systems to staff training and operational standards, safety is treated as non-negotiable.

Passenger services are built on the same safety culture and discipline that already underpin Etihad Rail’s freight operations.

At Etihad Rail, nothing is prioritised above safety.

A network built to grow

Passenger services will launch in phases.

The initial routes linking Abu Dhabi and Fujairah mark the beginning of a growing passenger network that will expand over time, connecting more cities and regions across the UAE.

This phased approach allows services to be introduced carefully, tested properly, and scaled responsibly.

That’s because we believe that a successful passenger rail system is not built all at once - it is built to last.

A network built to grow

Passenger services will launch in phases.

The initial routes linking Abu Dhabi and Fujairah mark the beginning of a growing passenger network that will expand over time, connecting more cities and regions across the UAE.

This phased approach allows services to be introduced carefully, tested properly, and scaled responsibly.

That’s because we believe that a successful passenger rail system is not built all at once - it is built to last.

A network built to grow

Passenger services will launch in phases.

The initial routes linking Abu Dhabi and Fujairah mark the beginning of a growing passenger network that will expand over time, connecting more cities and regions across the UAE.

This phased approach allows services to be introduced carefully, tested properly, and scaled responsibly.

That’s because we believe that a successful passenger rail system is not built all at once - it is built to last.

Looking ahead

Passenger rail is entering its delivery phase.

Plans have been announced. Commitments have been made. And the focus now is on readiness, consistency and execution.

Passenger rail will succeed when it earns trust - through reliability, clarity and care - and when people choose it not once, but repeatedly.

That is the standard Etihad Rail is building towards.

Looking ahead

Passenger rail is entering its delivery phase.

Plans have been announced. Commitments have been made. And the focus now is on readiness, consistency and execution.

Passenger rail will succeed when it earns trust - through reliability, clarity and care - and when people choose it not once, but repeatedly.

That is the standard Etihad Rail is building towards.

Looking ahead

Passenger rail is entering its delivery phase.

Plans have been announced. Commitments have been made. And the focus now is on readiness, consistency and execution.

Passenger rail will succeed when it earns trust - through reliability, clarity and care - and when people choose it not once, but repeatedly.

That is the standard Etihad Rail is building towards.

We move together

Start a conversation today

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Get in touch today to learn more.

Get in Touch

We move together

Start a conversation today

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Get in touch today to learn more.

Get in Touch

We move together

Start a conversation today

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Get in touch today to learn more.

Get in Touch

Contact Careers Supplier Registration NOC FAQs Policies & Compliance

Follow Etihad Rail on social media

Contact Careers Supplier Registration NOC FAQs Policies & Compliance

Follow Etihad Rail on social media

Contact Careers Supplier Registration NOC FAQs Policies & Compliance

Follow Etihad Rail on social media