This post was originally published on this site.
Passengers can expect long desert stretches across Al Dhafra, where flat sand plains open out towards the western coastline, followed by low-lying salt flats and industrial zones near Ruwais. As the route moves east, the landscape begins to shift—date farms, wadis, and rocky foothills appear, particularly on journeys towards Sharjah and Fujairah.
The railway includes 593 bridges and crossings and nine tunnels spanning 6.5km, allowing trains to pass cleanly through mountain terrain without disrupting existing roads or communities. On future cross-border routes, the Hafeet Rail connection towards Oman is expected to offer views of Jebel Hafeet, Abu Dhabi’s highest mountain, from which it takes its name.
While city skylines will briefly come into view near Abu Dhabi and Dubai, much of the journey runs through areas rarely seen by car—a quieter, slower unfolding of the country’s less familiar landscapes.
Can I travel from Saudi Arabia to Oman on Etihad Rail?
Eventually, yes—and maybe even to the rest of the GCC. Thanks to a 2023 agreement, Etihad Rail will connect Abu Dhabi to Sohar Port. Construction on this line, Hafeet Rail, began in May 2024. The train ride between Abu Dhabi city and Sohar will likely take 1 hour 40 minutes, compared to the nearly three hours it takes by road. From Al Ain to Sohar will take just 47 minutes.
At the other end, Ghuwaifat, the border crossing town between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is expected to be one of Etihad Rail’s launch stations. So, connectivity between the northern emirates—or indeed Oman—and Saudi Arabia’s eastern province won’t be a problem.
Saudi Arabia already has a track that connects Al Haditha near the Jordanian border to Riyadh, and another between Riyadh and Dammam. When a link between Dammam and Ghuwaifat is complete, a three-country trip should be possible.
Does Etihad Rail connect to the rest of the GCC?
Etihad Rail’s 900km network will extend across the UAE, from the border of Saudi Arabia to the border of Oman. For now, Oman is the only international operation where work is underway. However, there are signals that Etihad Rail could connect to the rest of the Arabian Peninsula within a few years as part of the $100-billion Gulf Cooperation Council regional rail network. It’s been in discussion since at least 2004, but has begun chugging along in recent years. A 650km Saudi-Kuwait rail link is expected to be finished by 2028.
Is there going to be First Class on Etihad Rail?
Etihad Rail has confirmed that its passenger trains will feature three travel classes: first, business, and economy. Designs revealed for the fleet show all classes equipped with WiFi, charging ports and work-friendly seating, with first and business offering more spacious layouts and quieter cabin zones.
While full service details—including catering, pricing, and lounge access—have yet to be announced, Etihad Rail has indicated that comfort and productivity will be central to the onboard experience across all classes. More information is expected closer to the launch of passenger services in 2026.
Etihad Rail’s luxury service
This being the UAE, there certainly is a luxury version. Etihad Rail agreed with Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale to recreate the golden age of train travel in the UAE, with what it calls a “rail cruise”.
