What is Etihad Rail?

Etihad Rail is the company behind the UAE’s national rail network. On its official network page, Etihad Rail states the UAE National Railway Network spans around 900 km, linking all seven emirates from Ghuwaifat to Fujairah, and that freight train operations were launched across the UAE following the network expansion.

This is the backbone that enables the next stage: Etihad Rail passenger services, with the first phase of passenger train services planned for 2026.

Etihad Rail Map: What the UAE Passenger Rail Network Includes (Official)

The Etihad Rail passenger network has 11 confirmed stations

Etihad Rail has officially announced details of the UAE’s full passenger railway network, stating that it includes the first four stations previously announced, plus the remaining planned stations, which will become operational in phases.

The first four Etihad Rail passenger stations (announced earlier)

Etihad Rail confirms the first four passenger stations were announced in:

• Abu Dhabi

• Dubai

• Sharjah

• Fujairah

Gulf News’ passenger service guide lists these locations specifically as:

• Mohammed Bin Zayed City (Abu Dhabi)

• Jumeirah Golf Estates (Dubai)

• University City (Sharjah)

• Al Hilal area (Fujairah)

The additional 7 Etihad Rail passenger stations (officially named by Etihad Rail)

Etihad Rail states the remaining planned stations are:

• Al Sila’

• Al Dhannah

• Al Mirfa

• Madinat Zayed

• Mezaira’a

• Al Faya

• Al Dhaid
  …and these will become operational in phases.

Etihad Rail Train Speed and Travel Times (Verified)

Etihad Rail passenger train speed

Gulf News reports that Etihad Rail passenger trains are designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h.

Etihad Rail travel times (as published by Gulf News)

Gulf News reports Etihad Rail has shared estimated journey durations for key routes:

• Abu Dhabi to Dubai: 57 minutes

• Abu Dhabi to Al Ruwais: 70 minutes

• Abu Dhabi to Fujairah: 105 minutes

Important accuracy note: these are published expected durations (not timetabled schedules). Ticket pricing and final timetables are not presented as fixed in the same public reporting, so any article claiming “confirmed fares” or “final train frequency” would be speculation.

Etihad Rail and nol Card: Ticketing Integration (Official)

One of the most searched questions online is: “Will nol work on Etihad Rail?”

Etihad Rail’s official announcement confirms that Dubai’s RTA and Etihad Rail signed an MoU in which RTA will develop ticket booking and fare payment solutions through the nol system for Etihad Rail services.
This was also covered by UAE business media including Arabian Business, consistent with the same nol ticketing direction.

Etihad Rail Map Coverage: National Scale, Not Just Abu Dhabi–Dubai

Etihad Rail’s official network description emphasises the national scale: the railway network spans around 900 km, linking the UAE from Ghuwaifat to Fujairah and connecting all seven emirates.

That means the Etihad Rail map is structured to serve:

• Western UAE and border connectivity (Ghuwaifat / Al Sila’)

• Major urban centres (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah)

• Inland Sharjah corridors (Al Dhaid / Al Faya)

• East coast access (Fujairah / Al Hilal area)

Etihad Rail Stations List (Quick Reference)

Here is the consolidated list of Etihad Rail passenger stations confirmed through Etihad Rail’s full passenger network announcement and Gulf News’ passenger guide coverage:

Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra region

• Mohammed Bin Zayed City

• Al Sila’

• Al Dhannah

• Al Mirfa

• Madinat Zayed

• Mezaira’a

Dubai

• Jumeirah Golf Estates

Sharjah

• University City

• Al Faya

• Al Dhaid

Fujairah

• Al Hilal area

What Etihad Rail Has NOT Officially Confirmed Yet (Avoiding Misinformation)

• Final timetables and frequency (exact schedules)

• Ticket prices / fare structure

• Full last-mile connectivity detail per station (final bus feeders, parking rules, station access layouts)

These details typically become clearer closer to launch, and Gulf News reporting indicates that some passenger-commercial details are still pending.

FAQ: Etihad Rail (High-Intent Google Searches)

1) When will Etihad Rail passenger trains start?

Etihad Rail’s official announcement refers to the launch of the first phase of passenger train services in 2026.

2) How fast will Etihad Rail passenger trains go?

Gulf News reports the passenger trains are designed to reach up to 200 km/h.

3) How long is Abu Dhabi to Dubai on Etihad Rail?

Gulf News reports an estimated journey duration of 57 minutes.

4) How long is Abu Dhabi to Fujairah on Etihad Rail?

Gulf News reports an estimated journey duration of 105 minutes.

5) Will nol card work on Etihad Rail?

Etihad Rail’s official MoU announcement confirms RTA will develop ticket booking and fare payment solutions via nol for Etihad Rail services.

6) How long is the Etihad Rail network?

Etihad Rail states the network spans around 900 km, linking all seven emirates from Ghuwaifat to Fujairah.

Why Etihad Rail Matters ?

The Etihad Rail map is now publicly defined for passenger service, with 11 confirmed passenger stations and a first-phase passenger launch planned for 2026.
With a national network spanning around 900 km from Ghuwaifat to Fujairah, Etihad Rail is positioning rail as a core component of UAE-wide connectivity.
And with nol ticketing integration officially in development through the RTA partnership, Etihad Rail is being built as part of a larger integrated mobility ecosystem

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