Sheikh Mohammed tests Etihad rail and has revealed his thoughts on the project
We may still be a little while away from hopping on board, but Etihad Rail just got a major seal of approval – from none other than His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai recently took a test journey from Dubai to Fujairah aboard the passenger train, part of the country's first national rail network set to launch in 2026.
Mohammed bin Rashid boards Etihad Rail passenger train for journey between Dubai and Fujairah ahead of commercial launch in 2026. pic.twitter.com/p4GTZPetp9 — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 2, 2025
Sheikh Mohammed said: 'We have made the journey from Dubai to Fujairah on the Etihad Rail passenger train… The train will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, from Al Sila to Fujairah, with a speed of 200 km/h. It is expected to carry 36 million passengers annually by 2030.
'I'm proud of our national projects. I'm proud of the Etihad Rail team led by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed. And I'm proud of a nation that never stops working – one that adds a new brick to its future infrastructure every single day.'
So where are we with Etihad Rail?
Right now, the train isn't open to the public – but it's getting there. By 2026, you'll be able to zoom across the country in plush, modern comfort, skipping traffic and slashing travel times.
Expect to go from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in just 57 minutes and reach Fujairah in around 105. That's a game-changer for both residents and tourists – and the network's design is all about efficiency, sustainability and connectivity.
Here's what we know so far:
The rail will connect 11 cities across the UAE from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east.
It's designed to carry up to 36 million passengers a year by 2030.
The passenger service is expected to boost domestic tourism, potentially generating Dh24 billion in revenue over the next 50 years.
While official ticket prices haven't been announced yet, the RTA's nol card is expected to be part of the payment system. And if early reports are anything to go by, the interiors will feature luxury seating, charging ports, entertainment systems and a little Italian flair – thanks to a partnership with boutique train design firm Arsenale.
The bigger picture
Etihad Rail isn't just about fast trips between cities. It's part of a Dh50 billion national railway programme designed to future-proof transport in the UAE – with expected economic gains of Dhs200 billion over the next 50 years.
Think reduced car dependency, lower emissions and safer roads. Every freight train will take up to 300 trucks off UAE highways and the network is expected to cut land transport emissions by 21 percent annually by 2050.
And with freight already in motion, it won't be long until passengers can climb aboard too.
Four stations have already been confirmed and construction is in full swing. So while you won't be riding it just yet, Sheikh Mohammed's test journey shows the future of UAE travel is firmly on track – fast, sustainable and seriously stylish.
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