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Trains in United Arab Emirates: Info, Map and Tickets Online

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Your Complete Guide to Train Travel in United Arab Emirates

Etihad Rail is the national railway operator of the United Arab Emirates and began intercity passenger service on 30 June 2026, starting with the Abu Dhabi to Fujairah route. Passenger trains are run by Etihad Rail Passenger Services, a joint venture between Etihad Rail and Keolis, using a fleet of 13 trains built by CAF, each carrying up to 400 passengers at speeds up to 200 km/h, with Comfort Class and Premium Class. The network is rolling out in phases. At launch, Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi and Al Hilal City station in Fujairah are open. Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates and Al Dhaid in Sharjah are scheduled for 30 September 2026, the Al Dhafra region stations for 30 December 2026, and University City in Sharjah for 30 March 2027. The initial route will connect 11 stations across the country, with the Abu Dhabi to Dubai journey expected to take about 57 minutes once Dubai opens. Etihad Rail's 900 km network also carries freight across all seven emirates. For urban travel within Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority runs the Dubai Metro, used with Nol cards at stations. Rail Monsters shows bookable Etihad Rail options where passenger tickets are available for the selected date and route.

How to Buy Train Tickets in United Arab Emirates

Purchasing train tickets in the UAE has never been easier with our user-friendly platform. Benefit from secure payment options that accept various international methods, making your travel plans seamless. With multi-currency support, you can buy tickets in the currency of your choice. Plus, our multilingual 24/7 customer service team is available to help you with any questions or concerns, ensuring a smooth journey from start to finish.
1
Digital booking confirmation
When a UAE rail ticket is available through Rail Monsters, confirmation details arrive by email with the information needed for travel.
2
24/7 multilingual support
Rail Monsters support staff help with booking questions, refunds, and route information in English and other major languages.
3
Flexible online payment
Pay for available rail bookings with major cards and supported online payment methods after selecting your date and route.
4
National and urban rail
Etihad Rail runs intercity passenger service from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, while Dubai Metro covers city travel within Dubai.
5
Etihad Rail classes
Etihad Rail intercity trains offer Comfort Class and Premium Class, both with guaranteed seating and onboard Wi-Fi.
6
Phased station opening
Etihad Rail stations open in stages through 2027, so check which stations are in service for your travel date.
1
Digital booking confirmation
When a UAE rail ticket is available through Rail Monsters, confirmation details arrive by email with the information needed for travel.
2
24/7 multilingual support
Rail Monsters support staff help with booking questions, refunds, and route information in English and other major languages.
3
Flexible online payment
Pay for available rail bookings with major cards and supported online payment methods after selecting your date and route.
4
National and urban rail
Etihad Rail runs intercity passenger service from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, while Dubai Metro covers city travel within Dubai.
5
Etihad Rail classes
Etihad Rail intercity trains offer Comfort Class and Premium Class, both with guaranteed seating and onboard Wi-Fi.
6
Phased station opening
Etihad Rail stations open in stages through 2027, so check which stations are in service for your travel date.

United Arab Emirates Railway Network Map

Etihad Rail's national standard-gauge line runs from the west of Abu Dhabi to Fujairah on the east coast, connecting all seven emirates. Passenger stations open in phases: Mohamed bin Zayed City (Abu Dhabi) and Al Hilal City (Fujairah) from 30 June 2026, then Jumeirah Golf Estates (Dubai) and Al Dhaid (Sharjah) from 30 September 2026, the Al Dhafra stations from 30 December 2026, and University City (Sharjah) from 30 March 2027. The same corridor carries freight nationwide. Within Dubai, the RTA Dubai Metro operates a separate urban network on its Red and Green lines for city travel.

How to buy train tickets in United Arab Emirates

On Rail Monsters, search a United Arab Emirates route by origin, destination, and date to see whether an Etihad Rail ticket is available. Compare listed options by time, route, and fare, then choose the class or seat option shown for that service. Complete payment online and review the confirmation sent by email. Etihad Rail intercity trains offer Comfort Class and Premium Class. Rail Monsters lists valid tickets where applicable and does not sell rail passes or local metro fares.

How to buy train tickets in United Arab Emirates

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Ticket office on station

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Rail Monsters mobile app

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Rail Monsters website

Payment Information

Rail Monsters accepts major credit and debit cards for available Etihad Rail bookings in the United Arab Emirates. Prices display during search before payment, and confirmation is sent by email after purchase. Etihad Rail fares depend on the route, class, and departure. Check the fare conditions, refund rules, passenger name details, and class information before completing payment online. Dubai Metro fares are paid locally with RTA Nol cards and are not booked through Rail Monsters.

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FAQ and Facts About Trains in United Arab Emirates

How long is the train from Dubai International Airport to Downtown Dubai?

Dubai Metro Red Line trains connect Airport Terminal 1 and Airport Terminal 3 with Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station in about 25 to 30 minutes, depending on direction and waiting time. The service runs directly without changing trains. From Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, the pedestrian link to Dubai Mall adds extra walking time, often 10 to 15 minutes. Airport luggage rules apply on the metro, so keep bags within RTA size limits.

How fast do Etihad Rail trains go?

Etihad Rail's standard intercity passenger fleet, built by CAF, reaches speeds of up to 200 km/h. A separate high-speed line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, announced in 2025 and planned for 2030, is designed for speeds up to 350 km/h, which would cut the Abu Dhabi to Dubai journey to around 30 minutes.

Who operates trains in United Arab Emirates?

Etihad Rail Passenger Services, a joint venture between Etihad Rail and Keolis, operates national intercity passenger trains in the United Arab Emirates. Service began on 30 June 2026 with the Abu Dhabi to Fujairah route, and more stations open in phases through 2027. Etihad Rail also runs the national freight network across all seven emirates. Within Dubai, the RTA operates the separate Dubai Metro for city travel.

How do I book UAE train tickets through Rail Monsters?

Enter a UAE departure point, arrival point, and travel date on Rail Monsters to check whether an Etihad Rail ticket is available. Select the service, review the schedule and fare, then complete payment online. Rail Monsters provides valid tickets where applicable. Etihad Rail passenger routes open in phases through 2027, so if a specific route is not yet listed, that service may not be open for public ticketing on that date yet.

How long is the Abu Dhabi to Fujairah train?

The Etihad Rail journey from Abu Dhabi's Mohamed bin Zayed City station to Al Hilal City station in Fujairah takes about 1 hour 45 minutes, with three services daily in each direction at launch. This is a fixed timetable, giving a more predictable journey time between the emirates than road travel, which varies with traffic.

When will the Abu Dhabi to Dubai train open?

The Dubai station at Jumeirah Golf Estates is scheduled to open on 30 September 2026, along with Al Dhaid in Sharjah. Once Dubai opens, the Abu Dhabi to Dubai train is expected to take about 57 minutes. A separate high-speed line between the two cities, designed for speeds up to 350 km/h, is planned for 2030 and would cut the time to around 30 minutes.

What ticket classes are available on Etihad Rail?

Etihad Rail intercity trains offer Comfort Class and Premium Class. Both include guaranteed seating and onboard Wi-Fi, with Premium offering more space and a quieter environment suited to business travel. Onboard amenities include charging points, air-conditioned coaches, and dedicated luggage storage. Introductory fares on the Abu Dhabi to Fujairah route started at 55 AED for Comfort Class and 120 AED for Premium Class.

Can tourists use Etihad Rail?

Yes. Tourists can book Etihad Rail using a passport for identification, with no UAE residency or driving licence required. The train gives visitors an option to travel between emirates independently without renting a car, for example a day trip from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah. Keep the identification used for booking accessible during the journey, as it may be requested.

Why should I check UAE train tickets in advance?

Advance checking matters because Etihad Rail passenger stations open in phases through 2027, so some intercity routes are not yet in service. Searching before travel confirms whether a route is available by train on your date, and early demand on the launch route has been high. Booking ahead helps secure seating on the service and date you want.
Learn more information at our
Country Guide

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail develops the national railway network of the United Arab Emirates.