Etihad Rail has opened passenger reservations at half price / Photo – File
The countdown to one of the UAE’s most anticipated transportation projects has officially entered its final stage.Etihad Rail has opened its ticketing service for its first passenger train service, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to secure seats ahead of the launch on June 30.
The introductory offer includes a 50% discount on prices, with ticket prices starting from only 55 dirhams for the inaugural line between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.This launch marks the beginning of the first inter-emirate passenger rail service in the United Arab Emirates, a project that has been under construction for years and is expected to lead to a qualitative shift in travel between major cities and regions in the country.
Etihad train ticket prices
Passengers booking the first services currently benefit from promotional launch rates.According to the booking platform, comfort class ticket prices were reduced from 109 dirhams to 55 dirhams, while premium class prices decreased from 239 dirhams to 120 dirhams under the introductory offer for a limited period. The offer is valid on the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route, which begins operating on June 30.Etihad Rail has also introduced fare categories similar to those used by airlines, allowing passengers to choose between savings tickets, value tickets and flexible tickets depending on how much flexibility they need.
The introductory price is expected to remain in effect for a limited period before moving to a broader pricing structure.Additional discounts are available for certain groups of passengers. Children aged between two and 17, as well as passengers over the age of 60, are eligible for discounted fares, while infants under two can travel for free when sitting on a guardian’s lap.
How to book Etihad Rail tickets?
Bookings are now available via Etihad Rail’s mobile app and official booking website.
Travelers can choose their preferred travel date, class and fare type before completing the online payment process.The initial timetable shows three direct services operating in each direction daily.The trains are scheduled to depart from Abu Dhabi at 8:19 am, 1:53 pm and 6:39 pm. From Fujairah, services are listed at 5:34am, 10:59am and 5:28pm.Demand has already proven strong. Within hours of bookings opening, many launch day services were sold out or had very limited availability, highlighting the excitement surrounding the country’s first passenger rail service.
Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in just one hour
The inaugural route will link the Abu Dhabi station in Mohammed bin Zayed City to the Fujairah station in Al Hilal City. The flight is expected to take approximately one hour and 45 minutes, which will significantly reduce travel time between the two emirates.While the launch scheduled for June 30 will focus on Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, it is only the first phase of a much larger national network.Etihad Rail has confirmed that additional stations will be opened in phases, with Dubai and Al Dhaid scheduled to join the network on September 30.
Al Dhafra stations are expected to follow in December, while the Sharjah station is scheduled to open in March 2027.The wider network is designed to create a more connected UAE, providing residents with an alternative to long-distance road travel and supporting future economic growth across the Emirates.
Looking forward
Etihad Rail says travelers can expect a modern intercity travel experience built on comfort and convenience.The trains offer guaranteed seating, on-board Wi-Fi and customized amenities for passengers.
The fleet consists of 13 trains, each capable of carrying up to 400 passengers.The stations are also designed with extensive facilities, including parking areas, prayer rooms, family waiting areas, food and beverage outlets, retail stores, taxi areas, bus routes, ticket counters and accessibility features.Officials hope that the service will eventually do for inter-emirate travel what the Dubai Metro did for urban transport, providing a faster, more convenient and sustainable way to get around the country.
