Abu Dhabi-Dubai Etihad Rail tickets cost up to Dh40 more during peak hours

Passengers booking Etihad Rail tickets over the weekend may have noticed higher fares on some services between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with prices increasing by as much as Dh40 during peak periods.

Etihad Rail has now confirmed that it follows a flexible pricing system, with ticket fares varying according to demand and several other factors.

Etihad Rail Tickets Cost More During Peak Hours

Booking platforms showed that some trains between Dubai and Abu Dhabi were priced significantly higher during busy travel periods.

For example, on Sunday, October 11, a Premium class ticket for the 5.14pm train departing Dubai was priced at Dh149, compared with the off-peak fare of Dh109.

Only one seat remained in the Premium cabin at that price, while Comfort class tickets on the same service were available for Dh59.

Other services operating between Dubai and Abu Dhabi over the weekend had fares ranging from Dh49 to Dh149, with several cabins already sold out for the upcoming weekend.

What Determines Etihad Rail Ticket Prices?

Etihad Rail said its ticket prices can change depending on several factors.

These include:

Selected service
Travel date
Travel time
Ticket class
Passenger category
Time of booking
Demand for a particular service

The flexible pricing approach means passengers travelling during popular periods may pay more than those choosing off-peak services.

Passengers Can Compare Fares Before Booking

Etihad Rail said passengers can check available fares, compare different travel options and book their journeys in advance through the Etihad Rail app or website.

Tickets can also be purchased from vending machines at stations, although availability is subject to demand.

An Etihad Rail spokesperson previously said passengers were booking tickets as much as 10 days in advance, highlighting the strong demand for the new passenger service.

High Demand for Dubai-Abu Dhabi Rail Service

Etihad Rail began passenger services between Dubai's Al Yalayis station in Jumeirah Golf Estates and Abu Dhabi's Mohamed bin Zayed station on September 30.

The journey between the two emirates takes approximately one hour and four minutes, with 10 direct services operating daily.

The service has experienced strong demand since its launch. In response, Etihad Rail introduced six additional trains last weekend to accommodate more passengers.

Etihad Rail Network Continues to Expand

Passenger services on the UAE's first national railway network initially began between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on June 30.

The network later expanded to include Dubai and Al Dhaid, increasing connectivity between more parts of the country.

Etihad Rail is also preparing to expand its services further. According to a spokesperson, the network's Liwa station is expected to open before the Liwa Festival begins on December 11.

With demand continuing to grow, passengers travelling during peak periods may benefit from booking their Etihad Rail journeys earlier and comparing different travel times and ticket classes before confirming their trips.