Etihad Rail’s latest passenger train station map: Your guide to UAE’s rail journey
As Etihad Rail prepares to launch its long-awaited passenger service later this year, the UAE’s first national railway network is set to do more than just connect cities. It promises to open up a new way for people to discover the country’s hidden gems.The passenger rail network will link 11 stations across the UAE, stretching from Al Sila near the Saudi border to Al Dhaid in Sharjah, and from the western region of Abu Dhabi to Fujairah on the east coast. Together, these stations form a route that passes through desert towns, coastal communities, cultural centres, and emerging destinations.A press release sent out on Thursday unveiled seven new stations in addition to the four stations previously announced. Here is a breakdown of what the Etihad Rail map will look like:Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.1. Al Sila: Located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, the Al Sila area lies at the UAE’s border with Saudi Arabia. The town of Ghuweifat is located here, and the area has a population of around 12,000 people. With local souqs and small residential areas, Al Sila is a quiet, coastal town which has remained a hidden gem thus far. 2. Al Dhannah: Formerly called Ruwais, Al Dhannah was a sleepy fishing village which has now transformed into a thriving urban residential area. Located 250km west of Abu Dhabi, the town became a strategic oil and gas industry location when Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) chose the city as the base for a self-sufficient urban hub to accommodate its industrial staff in 1970.3. Al Mirfa: Once a place known for its fishermen and pearl divers, Al Mirfa has now become a coastal community with a bustling residential area. The Al Mirfa beach is often described as one of Abu Dhabi’s best-kept secrets. It is home to the annual Al Dhafra Watersports Festival, which sees adrenaline-fuelling competitions such as kiteboarding, wakeboarding and surf-ski kayaking. From Al Mirfa, a part of the Etihad Rail route takes a sharp turn into the south of the country to cater to two towns in the interior of the UAE.4. Madinat Zayed: Located 180 kilometres away from Abu Dhabi, Madinat Zayed is well known for its annual Al Dhafra Festival. It features races, a camel beauty pageant, and a traditional market. It has a peaceful residential community with affordable housing costs.5. Mezairaa: Located close to the Liwa Oasis and the Empty Quarter, Mezairaa is a culturally rich city. It is home to the Mezairaa Fort, which is a traditional Arabic fort built in the 1950s. It is a popular location for activities like dune bashing, camel trekking, bird watching and camping. The other part of the rail network goes straight from Tarif along the coast to then traverse Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE.6. Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi station is located in the Mohammed Bin Zayed City. Located close to Musaffah, it is a quiet, suburban city with affordable residential areas and two malls in its vicinity: the Mazyad Mall and Delma Mall. 7. Al Faya: Home to an Inland Container Depot, Al Faya is conveniently located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It is a strategic location for the freight services of the Etihad Rail, which is expected to move 20 million tons of material by the year 2030.8. Dubai: The only Etihad Rail station in Dubai will be located at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The residential golf community is also home to a metro station, which is expected to provide riders with seamless transportation across the city9. University City, Sharjah: The next stop for the rail is at University City in Sharjah. This strategic location is expected to serve thousands of students who pursue their education at several institutes in the city. 10. Al Dhaid: It is an oasis town known for its date palm plantations irrigated by water from the nearby Hajar Mountains via centuries-old falaj channels. The city is as popular for its fresh produce as it is for its camel racetrack and Friday Market. 11. Sakamkam, Fujairah: The last stop of the rail network is this quiet, wadi settlement located about seven kilometres away from Fujairah town. It is known for its archaeological findings and historical fort. UAE's full passenger network revealed as Etihad Rail announces 7 new stationsNew highway, trains, metro: How UAE daily commutes will change for residentsEtihad Rail launch: UAE passenger network to begin operations in 2026
As Etihad Rail prepares to launch its long-awaited passenger service later this year, the UAE’s first national railway network is set to do more than just connect cities. It promises to open up a new way for people to discover the country’s hidden gems.
The passenger rail network will link 11 stations across the UAE, stretching from Al Sila near the Saudi border to Al Dhaid in Sharjah, and from the western region of Abu Dhabi to Fujairah on the east coast. Together, these stations form a route that passes through desert towns, coastal communities, cultural centres, and emerging destinations.
A press release sent out on Thursday unveiled seven new stations in addition to the four stations previously announced. Here is a breakdown of what the Etihad Rail map will look like:
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
1. Al Sila: Located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, the Al Sila area lies at the UAE’s border with Saudi Arabia. The town of Ghuweifat is located here, and the area has a population of around 12,000 people. With local souqs and small residential areas, Al Sila is a quiet, coastal town which has remained a hidden gem thus far.
2. Al Dhannah: Formerly called Ruwais, Al Dhannah was a sleepy fishing village which has now transformed into a thriving urban residential area. Located 250km west of Abu Dhabi, the town became a strategic oil and gas industry location when Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) chose the city as the base for a self-sufficient urban hub to accommodate its industrial staff in 1970.
3. Al Mirfa: Once a place known for its fishermen and pearl divers, Al Mirfa has now become a coastal community with a bustling residential area. The Al Mirfa beach is often described as one of Abu Dhabi’s best-kept secrets. It is home to the annual Al Dhafra Watersports Festival, which sees adrenaline-fuelling competitions such as kiteboarding, wakeboarding and surf-ski kayaking.
From Al Mirfa, a part of the Etihad Rail route takes a sharp turn into the south of the country to cater to two towns in the interior of the UAE.
4. Madinat Zayed: Located 180 kilometres away from Abu Dhabi, Madinat Zayed is well known for its annual Al Dhafra Festival. It features races, a camel beauty pageant, and a traditional market. It has a peaceful residential community with affordable housing costs.
5. Mezairaa: Located close to the Liwa Oasis and the Empty Quarter, Mezairaa is a culturally rich city. It is home to the Mezairaa Fort, which is a traditional Arabic fort built in the 1950s. It is a popular location for activities like dune bashing, camel trekking, bird watching and camping.
The other part of the rail network goes straight from Tarif along the coast to then traverse Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE.
6. Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi station is located in the Mohammed Bin Zayed City. Located close to Musaffah, it is a quiet, suburban city with affordable residential areas and two malls in its vicinity: the Mazyad Mall and Delma Mall.
7. Al Faya: Home to an Inland Container Depot, Al Faya is conveniently located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It is a strategic location for the freight services of the Etihad Rail, which is expected to move 20 million tons of material by the year 2030.
8. Dubai: The only Etihad Rail station in Dubai will be located at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The residential golf community is also home to a metro station, which is expected to provide riders with seamless transportation across the city
9. University City, Sharjah: The next stop for the rail is at University City in Sharjah. This strategic location is expected to serve thousands of students who pursue their education at several institutes in the city.
10. Al Dhaid: It is an oasis town known for its date palm plantations irrigated by water from the nearby Hajar Mountains via centuries-old falaj channels. The city is as popular for its fresh produce as it is for its camel racetrack and Friday Market.
11. Sakamkam, Fujairah: The last stop of the rail network is this quiet, wadi settlement located about seven kilometres away from Fujairah town. It is known for its archaeological findings and historical fort.
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