Etihad Rail opens Madinat Zayed and Liwa stations on 30 November

Passenger trains will reach the western desert of Abu Dhabi at the end of this month. Etihad Rail's stations at Madinat Zayed and Liwa, both in the Al Dhafra region, will open on 30 November, the company said. The date was brought forward from 30 December at the direction of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra, so that the stations open with the start of the region's season of events and festivals.

The two stations add to the network that already links Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Fujairah. Passenger services began on 30 June between Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi and Al Hilal in Fujairah, and the Dubai station at Al Yalayis, near Jumeirah Golf Estates, opened on 30 September, putting the capital about an hour away from Dubai by train. Al Dhaid in Sharjah is also open.

Next in line are Al Mirfa, Al Dhannah and Al Sila, also in Al Dhafra, which are due on 30 December, according to Gulf News' list of opening dates, and University City in Sharjah on 30 March 2027. The line has drawn strong demand: Etihad Rail sold 120,000 passenger tickets in the first month of the Dubai to Abu Dhabi service.

Liwa is best known in winter for its dunes and the festivals held around them, including the Liwa International Festival, which runs from 11 December to 2 January this season. Madinat Zayed is the main town of Al Dhafra and home to the Al Dhafra Festival grounds. Until now, getting there from Dubai has meant a drive of several hours.

Fares and the timetable for the new stations have not been announced yet. Tickets for every Etihad Rail journey are sold on the Etihad Rail app and at etihadrail.ae, where you can see the schedule and pick a seat; fares on the existing routes vary by time and day. If you plan a December trip to Liwa by train, check the app close to 30 November for the first timetable before booking a hotel or a camp.