Dh39 Fares: Etihad Rail Dubai-Abu Dhabi Service Starts Tomorrow
Commuters eyeing the highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi have a new route to factor into their daily routines starting tomorrow, September 30, as Etihad Rail officially launches its inter-emirate passenger service.
With 10 daily journeys running in each direction, the new line cuts transit time down to just 57 minutes for the Dubai-to-Abu Dhabi run. Fares start at Dh39, offering a fixed-schedule alternative to peak-hour highway traffic.
Beyond the core route, the wider network spans regional connections across the Emirates. Travel from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will take 100 minutes by train, compared to more than 2.5 hours by road, while the trip between Abu Dhabi and Ruwais clocks in at 70 minutes. Confirmed station locations so far include Sakamkam in Fujairah and University City in Sharjah, with a passenger station positioned near Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, previously noted that the rail network could eventually feature a stop at Al Maktoum International Airport allowing passengers to check in directly from train stations, though that specific addition is not yet confirmed.
To manage day-to-operations, Etihad Rail formed a joint venture with global passenger transport leader Keolis. Alistair Gordon, CEO of Keolis UK, Middle East and India, confirmed the joint venture is called Etihad Rail Mobility. The company will run the trains, recruit and train drivers and staff, and manage onward connections including buses, taxis, cars, and car parking.
