The United Arab Emirates is getting a gamechanging High Speed Rail line that will mean journeys between Abu Dhabi and Dubai will take just 30 minutes.
Etihad Rail’s high-speed service will run separately from the regular passenger service, which is due to launch later in 2026. The project was first announced in early 2025 and now new details can be revealed.
And, following the announcement of the Gold Line on the Dubai Metro, we now know what the railway network will look like in Dubai in the next six years.
The RTA shared a map of Dubai’s rail network, which included two new Dubai Metro lines and the upcoming Etihad Rail passenger service and high-speed lines.
And Etihad Rail has now confirmed the six station locations that the 350km/h passenger service will travel to once complete.
In Dubai, Etihad Rail’s High Speed Rail line will link up with the Green Line on the Dubai Metro as well as the upcoming Blue Line.
And it will also provide a quick route between two of the country’s largest airports.
In Dubai, the High Speed Rail will stop right on the waterfront at Al Jaddaf. This will provide a direct connection to the existing Green Line and the upcoming Gold Line on the Dubai Metro. A vibrant neighbourhood in the northern part of the city, this part of Dubai is packed with pretty views and things to do.
The High Speed Rail will also provide a link to the area surrounding Al Maktoum International Airport. Planned to eventually become the world’s largest capacity airport, transport links in and out of DWC are going to be crucial. Al Maktoum is set to be Dubai’s main airport hub by 2032, according to the Dubai Airports CEO.
Reem Island is a modern residential area in the heart of the UAE capital. This will provide an easy link to the centre of Abu Dhabi. Here, you’ll find Reem Central Park, Reem Mall and The Gate Towers.
This is the place in the UAE to visit for culture vultures. Home to the Saadiyat Cultural District, you’ll find the Louvre, Zayed National Museum, teamLab Phenomena, Natural History Museum and the upcoming Guggenheim Museum.
Yas Island has everything that thrillseekers and families alike could possibly want – and more. The island is home to Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld and the Yas Marina Circuit Formula 1 track. And, as if that’s not enough, it will be the home to Disneyland Abu Dhabi once it is completed.
The High Speed Rail will also link to Abu Dhabi’s international airport, allowing tourists to easily move between the two emirates. Travellers who land in Abu Dhabi will also be able to get to a hotel in Dubai within an hour of arriving in the UAE.
