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It is now possible to travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in an hour as the cities are connected by passenger rail for the first time.
Etihad Rail, the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) national railway network that up until now has focused on freight transportation, has launched passenger services across the country.
Its first passenger train rolled out of Al Yayalis Dubai station at 6.14am on Wednesday, 30 September, bound for Abu Dhabi, taking only 64 minutes.
Driving or taking a coach between the two cities usually takes around one and a half hours, making the new train route the fastest option.
The Dubai-Abu Dhabi service is the second to open after the inaugural Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route, which launched in June and takes one hour and 45 minutes.
The network will continue to expand, connecting 11 cities across the UAE with high-speed services.
Five trains operate daily in each direction between Abu Dhabi and Dubai: two in the morning and three in the afternoon. The last train from Abu Dhabi leaves at 5.43pm, while the final train from Dubai departs at 6.14pm.
Standard class tickets start at 39 AED (£8), while premium class starts at 109 AED (£22.37). Premium seats include more legroom, reclining seats and complimentary wifi and snacks.
Each of the 13 new trains will accommodate up to 400 passengers, and Etihad Rail hopes to reach an annual ridership of 36.5 million passengers by 2030.
Etihad Rail, which is not associated with Etihad Airways, says the trains will run on a precise schedule and offer an efficient alternative to congested road travel.
The company said in August that it was already seeing demand for rail travel as passenger rail is beginning to establish itself as a new travel choice for families, commuters, leisure travellers and visitors exploring the country.
Azza Al Suwaidi, chief operating officer of Etihad Rail, said: “People aren’t simply trying the train out of curiosity. They’re planning around it.
“When customers are booking nearly two weeks ahead, it tells us passenger rail is already becoming part of how people organise their journeys. That is an important sign that rail is beginning to establish itself as a natural travel choice across the UAE.”
The tracks, mainly used for transporting freight, have been operational since 2016. Once Etihad Rail launches its full passenger network, it will explore opportunities to expand beyond the UAE’s borders.
Read more: Opening of new £7bn railway line could be delayed by strike action