Railways in the
United Arab Emirates
Etihad Rail oil tank train in the desert.
The first public railway in the United Arab Emirates was a section of the Dubai Metro opened in 2009. The Metro has since been extended and a monorail added; further extensions are proposed, as are trams and a metro for Abu Dhabi.
The first long distance railway is a 264km, standard (1435mm) gauge freight line from the Shah industrial complex to Habshan and the port of Ruwais, opened in 2014.
In 2021, construction was completed on a 139km extension from Ruwais to Ghuweifat on the border with Saudi Arabia, where it will eventually connect with the Saudi rail network.
In 2022, construction was completed on eastward extensions: 216 km from the main line railway at Liwa to Dubai Industrial City, with a branch to Khalifa Port; 94km from Dubai Industrial City to the border of Sharjah, with a branch to Jebel Ali Port; and a 51km continuation of this line through the Emirates of Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah.
In 2024, contracts were signed for the construction of a 303km railway connecting the Etihad network at Fujairah (then under construction) with the port of Sohar, Oman.
Also in 2024, pre-qualification bids were received for a 150km high speed passenger railway linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
In 2025, construction was completed on a further 94km eastward extension of the main line from Dubai, to reach Fujairah.
Passenger services on the complete line from Fujairah to Al Sila’ began in 2026.
© 2004-2026 Glyn Williams
Photo image: Etihad Rail