Etihad Rail has revealed the full list of 11 passenger stations that will anchor the UAE’s first inter-city train service, due to begin phased operations in 2026 ([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/ae/etihad-rail-unveils-11-station-passenger-network-promises-abu-dhabi-dubai-in-under-50-minutes/)). New stops include Al Sila, Madinat Zayed, Jumeirah Golf Estates and University City, linking all seven emirates at speeds of up to 200 km/h.
Strategic significance. The rail line offers a viable alternative to the often congested E11 and E311 highways and reduces carbon emissions by an estimated 40 per cent versus single-occupancy car trips. For global businesses, it opens daily-commute possibilities between talent pools and corporate hubs, widening hiring options and lowering driver allowances.
Corporate-travel impact. Wi-Fi-equipped carriages create an “office on wheels,” enabling productive work time during the 50-minute Abu Dhabi–Dubai run. Travel managers should begin negotiating corporate fare bundles and updating policies to include rail for sub-300 km trips.
![Etihad Rail maps 11-station passenger network, cutting Abu Dhabi–Dubai to under 50 minutes]()
International staff travelling to meet regional teams will also need the right paperwork: VisaHQ can handle UAE tourist or business visa processing end-to-end, offering real-time status updates and dedicated support to ensure everyone is ticket-ready when the trains start rolling. Explore service options at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/.
Logistics & sustainability. Etihad Rail is partnering with ride-hailing apps for last-mile connectivity and plans to integrate with metro and bus services, creating a door-to-door ecosystem. Companies with Scope 3 emission targets can count rail travel toward reduction goals.
Next steps. Ten of 13 Alstom trainsets are already in dynamic testing. Station-area real-estate is seeing a spike in interest, notably around Jumeirah Golf Estates, signalling potential shifts in expatriate housing patterns.
Strategic significance. The rail line offers a viable alternative to the often congested E11 and E311 highways and reduces carbon emissions by an estimated 40 per cent versus single-occupancy car trips. For global businesses, it opens daily-commute possibilities between talent pools and corporate hubs, widening hiring options and lowering driver allowances.
Corporate-travel impact. Wi-Fi-equipped carriages create an “office on wheels,” enabling productive work time during the 50-minute Abu Dhabi–Dubai run. Travel managers should begin negotiating corporate fare bundles and updating policies to include rail for sub-300 km trips.
International staff travelling to meet regional teams will also need the right paperwork: VisaHQ can handle UAE tourist or business visa processing end-to-end, offering real-time status updates and dedicated support to ensure everyone is ticket-ready when the trains start rolling. Explore service options at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/.
Logistics & sustainability. Etihad Rail is partnering with ride-hailing apps for last-mile connectivity and plans to integrate with metro and bus services, creating a door-to-door ecosystem. Companies with Scope 3 emission targets can count rail travel toward reduction goals.
Next steps. Ten of 13 Alstom trainsets are already in dynamic testing. Station-area real-estate is seeing a spike in interest, notably around Jumeirah Golf Estates, signalling potential shifts in expatriate housing patterns.
