Thrifty Car Rental UAE has announced the launch of a new service, 'Rail to Road,' which will allow Etihad Rail passengers to rent a vehicle directly at railway stations to complete their journey across the UAE.
Thrifty Car Rental UAE has announced the launch of a new service, 'Rail to Road,' which will allow Etihad Rail passengers to rent a vehicle directly at railway stations to complete their journey across the UAE.
On Monday, Thrifty Car Rental UAE reported that it has signed an exclusive five-year agreement with Etihad Rail to service the national passenger rail network. Passengers will be able to book cars through the Etihad Rail website and app, as well as via the Thrifty platform. Digital kiosks for rentals and physical assistance points will be installed at each of the 11 stations in the network.
Both companies are working to integrate transport booking with train ticket purchases, allowing travelers to process both parts of their journey through a single digital process. This service aims to solve transportation issues at the beginning and end stages for tourists, business people, and passengers whose final destinations are not near railway stations.
Thrifty UAE stated plans to invest over 10 million dirhams over the next five years in expanding its fleet, developing digital infrastructure, and improving customer experience. Initially, about 500 vehicles will be allocated to the service, with capacity expected to increase according to passenger demand and the development of the rail network.
According to Thrifty UAE, more than half of global train passengers use car rental or other shared mobility services to complete their trip. By combining rail transport with on-demand transport access, passengers can pick up a car at the arrival station and continue to their destination.
The company is also developing AI-based booking and customer service features within its platform. Abdullah Ahmed Almoosa, founder of A.A. Almoosa Enterprises, noted: 'True connectivity covers the entire journey from start to finish. By bringing Thrifty into the Etihad Rail network, we eliminate gaps for passengers and help build a smarter, fully connected, and sustainable future for travel in the UAE.'
Etihad Rail launched the first phase of its passenger service on June 30, connecting Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. The network is planned to expand on September 30, 2026, with the opening of Dubai Station, located near Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Al Dhaid Station in Sharjah. These additions will increase rail accessibility for two major population centers in the country. Additional stations are planned to open in phases until the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027. Madinat Zayed and Liwa Stations in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi are scheduled to open earlier than planned, on November 30, 2026. Al Sila, Al Dannah, and Al Mirfa Stations, also in the Al Dhafra region, will begin operations on December 30, extending the passenger network further west. The Sharjah University Station is scheduled to open on March 30, 2027, completing the first phase of the passenger network. It is expected that after full operation, the Etihad Rail network will carry approximately 10 million passengers annually.
The launch of the Etihad Rail passenger service on June 30, 2026, marked a new era in the UAE's transport system, significantly changing the daily lives of local residents.
The initial route connects Mohammed Bin Zayed Station in Abu Dhabi with Al Hilal Station in Fujairah. This journey takes only one hour and forty-five minutes, reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h.
For Amna, a geosciences student at the University of Sharjah, the opportunity to intern at International Resources Holding (IRH) in Abu Dhabi was a big dream. This chance to gain practical experience in exploration and production perfectly matched her needs for starting a career. However, this dream was accompanied by the problem of a six-hour round trip from her home in Dibba Al Fujairah.
Amna shared that she was very happy about this opportunity because it provided practical experience in her field of specialization, but she was also worried about the distance of the training location from her home in Dibba Al Fujairah. Weekly trips represented a serious burden not only for her but also for her father, who had to drive her there and back every weekend.
A solution appeared just a week after starting the internship with the launch of the Etihad Rail passenger service. Amna noted that it felt like an answer to a prayer she had hoped for. The journey became easier and more comfortable, and the long road stopped being a fear-inducing obstacle.
Amna's story is not unique. Alia, who works in Abu Dhabi and travels weekly to her family in Fujairah, knows well the toll that long car journeys used to take on her weekends. She said that the weekly trip consumed a significant part of her weekends. Now, she sometimes uses the early morning Etihad Rail train on Monday and goes directly to work.
What used to be hours of driving fatigue has turned into productive and relaxing travel time. Alia explained that instead of grueling long-distance driving, she now spends two hours in comfort, enjoying the ride, and arrives at her family's home energized for the rest of the day. This saves time, effort, and the difficulties of the road, including traffic jams and everything else.
For both women, this service means more than just improved transport; it is the return of time, energy, and quality of life. Alia also expressed gratitude to the country for striving to make things easier for its citizens and for its wise leadership.
For passengers like Amna and Alia, this service is not just a faster way to travel, but a profound change in work-life balance and accessibility. Amna stated that she now uses Etihad Rail weekly for trips between Dibba Al Fujairah and Abu Dhabi, and it has become part of her routine. In addition to saving time and effort, it has provided her with comfort and safety, making her practical training experience easier and more pleasant.
The passenger trains are designed to carry up to 400 passengers and offer a modern travel experience, including guaranteed seating, free Wi-Fi, charging ports at every seat, and dedicated luggage storage. The service proved to be affordable and very popular among residents, offering starting fares from 55 dirhams for Comfort Class and 120 dirhams for Premium Class.
By significantly reducing travel time between emirates—from three hours one way to 105 minutes by train—Etihad Rail effectively shrinks the commuting zone. This allows residents to live in quieter and more affordable areas, such as Fujairah, while still working in major economic centers like Abu Dhabi. The early morning service on Mondays, which Alia now uses, clearly demonstrates how seamlessly the train has integrated into the rhythm of working life across the UAE.
Amna concluded that sometimes the simplest solutions completely change our day. For her, Etihad Rail was not just a means of transport, but a bridge connecting her to an important opportunity in her academic and professional path.
As Etihad Rail continues to gradually expand its network, including Dubai and Al Dhaid in September 2026, followed by Al Dafra in December and Sharjah in March 2027, more and more UAE residents will undoubtedly share this experience.
