On the first day of passenger services on the Etihad Rail line between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, some tickets were sold out, which may complicate booking desired seats.
All seats in the premium compartment on the train departing from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, as well as all tickets for the daytime trip leaving at 13:14, are fully booked. A similar situation is observed on the route from Abu Dhabi to Dubai: tickets in the premium compartment for the trip departing at 12:43 have also run out.
Nevertheless, passengers wishing to travel on the first day of operation can still purchase tickets starting from 39 dirhams. The journey time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is one hour and four minutes.
A total of ten trips are planned between the two emirates, as well as six routes between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. Trains from Dubai to Abu Dhabi will depart at 6:14, 7:14, 13:14, 17:14, and 18:14. Trips from Abu Dhabi to Dubai are scheduled for Wednesday at 7:43, 12:43, 16:43, and 17:43.
There is only one trip from Dubai to Fujairah, which departs at 13:57. The total duration of this journey will be 1 hour and 10 minutes, with ticket prices starting from 29 dirhams.
A representative of Etihad Rail told Khaleej Times that high demand is expected for services between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Amira Al Khlaifi, Director of Strategy and Growth at Etihad Rail, noted: 'We expect this route to be very popular.' She added that the service will be useful for those visiting family, university students, as well as employees regularly traveling between the two emirates, and tourists.
Furthermore, it was announced on Tuesday that Al Dhaid station will open on September 30, as previously reported. Tickets for this station can be purchased through the Etihad Rail website or app.
Al Dhaid station serves settlements in the central region of Sharjah, offering direct connections to both Fujairah and Abu Dhabi. From Al Dhaid to Fujairah, the journey takes only 25 minutes, with fares starting from 19 dirhams. The trip to Abu Dhabi will take about one hour and 24 minutes, and Comfort class tickets start from 69 dirhams.