Key points
- The high-speed rail between Abu Dhabi and Dubai will cut travel time to just 30 minutes
- The Etihad Rail network is projected to contribute Dh145 billion to the UAE’s GDP over 50 years
- It will eventually connect with Saudi Arabia and Oman.
ISLAMABAD: In a landmark moment for the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s transportation evolution, Etihad Rail has officially confirmed that its much-anticipated passenger train service will launch in 2026, marking a new chapter in regional connectivity, sustainability, and mobility.
The announcement came in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network highlighted ongoing progress and reaffirmed its commitment to revolutionising travel across the Emirates.
In a high-level meeting at Al Dhanna Palace, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan—the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region—was briefed on the latest developments by Etihad Rail’s CEO, Shadi Malak, and his delegation.
The update focused on the upcoming passenger service, part of what is being hailed as one of the UAE’s most ambitious infrastructure projects to date.
“The project stands as one of the country’s largest strategic transportation projects,” reads Etihad Rail’s statement, “reflecting His Highness’s ongoing commitment to monitoring national projects and his continued support for infrastructure development initiatives across the UAE.”
Fast, green travel ahead
Once operational, the passenger rail service will offer a fast, efficient, and eco-conscious mode of travel, linking major cities and regions.
Designed to take the daily commute and weekend getaways to the next level, it promises a travel experience where speed meets sustainability, and where the desert gives way to seamless, steel-bound journeys.
In January, Etihad Rail ignited further excitement by unveiling a high-speed rail project connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This futuristic train—set to zip through the desert at 350 kilomtres per hour, will slash travel time between the two emirates to a mere 30 minutes.
With routes planned through strategic hubs and tourist hotspots, the high-speed link is poised to become more than just a train ride—it is a beacon of integrated urban life, drawing people, opportunities, and economies of the UAE closer together.
Ecnomic powerhouse in motion
Officials project that the high-speed service alone could inject Dh145 billion into the UAE’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the next 50 years, underscoring the railway’s economic weight.
As tenders roll out and network designs gain approval, the next phases of the project will unfold in tandem with the UAE’s broader vision for sustainable infrastructure.
Ultimately, Etihad Rail will not stop at the UAE’s borders. The network is set to extend into Saudi Arabia and Oman, forging regional rail links that could redefine how the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) thinks about transportation and trade.
Etihad Rail, established under Federal Law No. 2, is more than a rail company—it is a symbol of what the UAE can achieve with vision, investment, and engineering precision.
