Etihad Rail passes breaches 70,000 tickets sold as rail travel gains momentum

Customers booking an average of 12 days in advance as rail becomes part of everyday travel planning

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, has announced a series of early milestones following the introduction of passenger services, with more than 70,000 tickets sold as customers across the UAE increasingly incorporate rail into their travel plans, according to an official press statement.

The figures provide one of the clearest indications yet that passenger rail is beginning to establish itself as a new travel choice for families, commuters, leisure travellers and visitors exploring the country.

One of the strongest indicators of sustained demand is customer booking behaviour.

Passengers are currently booking their journeys an average of 12 days in advance, demonstrating not only strong demand but also a growing tendency to proactively plan travel around rail services.

Natural travel choice

“That is an important sign that rail is beginning to establish itself as a natural travel choice across the UAE,” observed Azza Al Suwaidi, Chief Operating Officer, Etihad Rail.

“This diversity highlights the role the passenger train is playing as a comfortable and reliable transport option that meets a wide range of travel needs, whether for family journeys, business travel, educational trips, leisure experiences, or exploring new destinations across the UAE,” added Adhraa Almansoori, Executive Director-Commercial, Etihad Rail Mobility.

Looking ahead, the Etihad Rail passenger network will continue to expand, with Dubai and Al Dhaid stations scheduled to open on 30 September 2026, followed by Liwa and Madinat Zayed on 30 November 2026, the remaining Al Dhafra stations on 30 December 2026, and Sharjah on 30 March 2027, further strengthening connectivity between people, places and opportunities across the UAE.