Etihad Rail passenger service: First look at the Abu Dhabi-Dubai journey ahead of tomorrow's launch

10 minutes into the journey, Premium Class passengers are served complimentary refreshments.

Dubai is gearing up for tomorrow’s Etihad Rail passenger service launch, with digital road signs across the city building anticipation ahead of the big day.

Motorists travelling along Sheikh Zayed Road can spot the countdown on electronic variable message signs (VMS), displaying the message: “New Horizon in Mobility – 1 Day Left”, alongside the Etihad Rail and RTA logos.

The countdown comes as Etihad Rail prepares for its official launch on Wednesday, September 30, marking a major milestone in the UAE’s passenger rail journey.

Step into Premium Class, with 56 seats in total. From Dh109, you get wider reclining seats, extra legroom, padded headrests, and complimentary drinks and snacks

Our journey starts at Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi. Passengers can book on the Etihad Rail website and app, or use the ticket vending machines right here, where you can also print your ticket.

Etihad Rail tickets for the new Dubai-Abu Dhabi passenger service are now on sale, with trains set to begin operating from Dubai on September 30.

The new service will connect Al Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates with the Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi, with the journey taking around 57 minutes.

Tickets were first made available on September 22 before bookings were paused. They are now available again through the Etihad Rail website and mobile app.

Here is everything passengers need to know about Etihad Rail tickets, fares, train timings, stations, classes and how to book.

The Dubai Crown Prince shared his Etihad Rail ticket on Snapchat, showing a journey between the two emirates ahead of the launch of passenger services from Dubai.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai shared his Etihad Rail ticket on Snapchat, showing a journey between the two emirates ahead of the launch of passenger services from Dubai.

The ticket indicates a Comfort option, with prices starting from Dh39.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and Chairman of Etihad Rail, inaugurated the Etihad Rail station in Dubai on Monday, announcing the official launch of the national passenger rail network and the start of a new phase of expansion connecting more cities and regions across the UAE.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was present, traveling aboard an Etihad Rail train from Abu Dhabi to Dubai on a journey ahead of the official launch of the service on the national passenger rail network.

The inauguration comes ahead of the start of services between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah on 30 September 2026.