A new rail line will connect 11 cities, including two of the most modern in the world, when it opens in 2026. The United Arab Emirates is growing in popularity among tourists, thanks to incredible futuristic cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 11 cities and all 7 emirates are to be connected when Etihad Rail, the country’s first train network, welcomes passengers next year. Although no date has been given for its launch, bosses say that 2026 will see it taking passengers from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east.

It will pass through Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. It will give both locals and tourists the chance to travel between these cities via train for the first time ever. British tourists heading to the UAE might be able to incorporate both Dubai and Abu Dhabi into one trip, as the journey time between the two cities is expected to be only 30 minutes. The rail line has been in the works for some time.

Etihad Rail’s first passenger test service ran back in early 2024 between Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah. A prototype journey from Al Faya Depot to Al Qudra took place a month later. 

Previous estimates suggest the planning and construction of the train line could cost as much as £3 billion. As it stands, Etihad Rail is only used for freight trains. 

Construction of the first passenger station is underway in Fujairah’s Sakamkam district, which is just steps away from the popular Umbrella Beach. Once it starts welcoming passengers, Etihad Rail is expected to carry an estimated 36.5 million passengers every year, offering them a low-emissions way to travel around the country. 

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said: “The Etihad Rail project is more than just a rail network; it will serve as a vital artery for economic growth and infrastructure development while driving decarbonisation, for the benefit of the UAE and its people.”

Although the final network will serve 11 cities, the first stations to be opened will be in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah. The other passenger stations will open in phases. 

The rail line runs through many rural parts of the UAE, so it will offer passengers views of the desert and the mountains. 

Monica Menendez, professor of civil and urban engineering at New York University Abu Dhabi, said: “It changes the landscape tremendously. And brings the cities very close together.”