Etihad Rail sold 120,000 tickets in its first month linking Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Etihad Rail sold 120,000 passenger tickets in the 30 days from 30 September to 30 October, its first full month since the national network officially opened with stations in Dubai and Sharjah. The figure was reported by The National, alongside comments from the company's passenger arm.

The network now links four places: Abu Dhabi, Dubai's Al Yalayis station, Al Dhaid in Sharjah and Fujairah. Trains between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah began on 30 June as an introductory service, and the Dubai and Al Dhaid stations opened on 30 September, which counted as the official launch. For comparison, the company said in early August that it had passed 70,000 tickets in the first five weeks of the introductory service, so the pace picked up once Dubai joined.

Adhraa Almansoori, executive director of commercial and support at Etihad Rail Mobility, said the aim is for the train to become "a trusted choice that people return to time and again", and that the first month showed passengers' confidence in rail travel.

More of the country joins soon. Madinat Zayed and Liwa stations in Al Dhafra open on 30 November, in time for the region's winter festivals. Al Sila, Al Mirfa and Al Dhannah follow on 30 December, and University City station in Sharjah, the last stop of the first phase, opens on 30 March 2027. A second Dubai station and a link to Oman through Hafeet Rail are planned, as part of the GCC railway expected by 2030.

For Dubai residents, the train is already a way to reach Abu Dhabi or Fujairah without driving. Trains leave from Al Yalayis, near Dubai's southern edge, so plan how you will get there and park. Tickets are booked on the Etihad Rail website and app; the company has said most passengers book well ahead, so for weekends and public holidays book early. The Liwa stop from 30 November makes a train trip to the Liwa festival season possible for the first time.