It’s been a long time coming, but next year a passenger train will finally connect 11 incredible cities with a new multi-billion-pound rail link that will be 560 miles long (900 km).

It will travel through some of the world’s most incredible, futuristic cities with the train itself offering a range of amenities and entertainment, from an advanced air-conditioning system to charging stations. But fear not, it doesn’t necessarily come with a high price tag as there are options for every type of budget and traveller with three different classes: economy, family and first class.

At a cost of AED 40 billion (£8 billion), the brand-new rail route aims to significantly reduce travel times and ease road congestion with high-speed and standard services, offering scenic routes and modern amenities for 36.5 million passengers annually by 2030.

Launching in May 2026 after first being announced in 2020, the line is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the region.

Over a million Brits visit this region every year and 1.4 million have done so in the first 9 months of 2025, mostly to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A further 250,000 Brits live in the UAE, again mostly in Dubai.

Ethiad Rail will travel through all seven United Arab Emirates states, connecting 11 cities and regions – from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east.

Many of the 11 cities en route are hugely popular with Brits and home to many ex-pats. The 11 cities on the route are Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), FujairaAl Ain, Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Al Dhaid, Ghuweifat on the Saudi border and Sohar in Oman.

Travel Times from Abu Dhabi to Dubai will be 50 mins (standard) or 30 mins (high-speed) and Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in 100 mins (standard) reports Time Out.

Trains are designed to accommodate up to 400 passengers, aiming to ease road congestion, reduce carbon footprint, and provide scenic travel for residents and tourists alike.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “The Etihad Rail is the largest project to consolidate the strength of the union for the next fifty years. It will connect 11 key cities and regions across the UAE.”

“The UAE’s infrastructure is among the best in the world, and the Etihad Rail will further enhance UAE excellence in the logistical field. The project comes in line with the environmental policy of the UAE and it will reduce carbon emissions by 70-80%,”.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan added: “The National Railways Program reflects the true meaning of integration into our national economic system, as we see the largest partnership between government entities at the federal and local levels. It comes to support a national vision to connect the country’s key centres of industry and production, open new trade routes and facilitate population movement, creating the most developed work and life environment in the region.”

The UAE Railways Programme falls under the ‘Projects of the 50’ which is a series of developmental and economic projects that aim to accelerate the UAE’s development, transform it into a comprehensive hub in all sectors and establish its status as an ideal destination for talents and investors.

The programme contributes to reducing 70-80% of carbon emissions over the next 50 years, a move that supports the UAE’s efforts to preserve the environment and achieve its goal of carbon neutrality.

A network of light rail will be connected to the Rail Passenger System to facilitate transportation inside UAE cities.