Dubai Joins UAE Rail Network with Essential New Station

Dubai will join the UAE passenger rail September 30, 2026.

Passenger services will start at the Dubai and Al Dhaid stations.

Moreover, it marks another phase in the rollout of the country’s national passenger railway network operated by Etihad Rail.

Passenger rail services in the UAE began their introductory operational phase on June 30. They connect Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.

The route has a journey time of approximately one hour and forty-five minutes.

Additionally, the UAE passenger rail network is being introduced in phases. Additional stations are scheduled to become operational over the coming months.

Dubai to Become Part of the National Passenger Network

The September 30 expansion will bring Dubai into the national passenger rail system alongside Al Dhaid. The development will provide another transport option for people traveling between different parts of the UAE and form part of a wider network connecting population centers, economic hubs and tourism destinations.

Etihad Rail has positioned the passenger network as a mobility option for different types of journeys, including work, family travel and leisure. The network is intended to complement existing transport options while providing another way for passengers to travel between the emirates.

The passenger rail fleet comprises 13 trains, with each train capable of carrying up to 400 passengers. The trains include features such as onboard Wi-Fi, charging facilities and luggage space. Premium Class services are also available on the network.

Passenger Rail Expansion to Continue

The September launch in Dubai and Al Dhaid marks the first stage of the UAE passenger rail network rollout.

Moreover, further expansions are planned across the country.

Passenger stations in Madinat Zayed and Liwa are scheduled to launch on November 30, 2026.

The UAE passenger rail network is expected to reach Sharjah on March 30, 2027, marking another stage in the rollout.

Further feasibility studies will also examine the possibility of extending the passenger network to additional emirates in the future.

Growing Interest in Passenger Rail

The UAE passenger rail network has already attracted significant early interest.

Etihad Rail announced in August that more than 70,000 tickets were sold since services began. Customers used the service for family travel, school trips, tourism, and other journeys.

The company has positioned passenger rail as part of a broader national transport system connecting communities, economic centers and tourism destinations across the UAE.

Dubai is scheduled to join the UAE passenger rail network on September 30.

Additionally, the passenger rail project is entering another stage of its nationwide expansion.