Here's What Etihad Rail Allows and Bans on Board

As the United Arab Emirates prepares to usher in a new era of rail travel this week, Etihad Rail released a detailed set of travel policies outlining exactly what passengers can and cannot bring on board ahead of the network's inaugural passenger service launch on Tuesday.

The guidance came just ahead of the first passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, a route that took approximately one hour and 45 minutes, with trains reaching speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour. The corridor marks the opening phase of Etihad Rail's broader national passenger network, which is slated to eventually link 11 cities and regions across the country.

Travelling with Pets

Passengers will be permitted to bring domestic pets on board, including dogs and falcons, provided the animals are kept inside an approved carrier. Carriers must not exceed dimensions of 55cm by 40cm by 23cm and will count toward the passenger's standard carry-on luggage allowance. This means travellers opting to bring a pet on board will not be able to also carry a separate cabin bag.

Additional conditions apply: pets must remain in the carrier for the entire duration of the journey, only one carrier per passenger is allowed, and the animal must remain under the owner's control at all times.

Assistance Dogs Welcomed

Etihad Rail has confirmed that trained and certified assistance dogs will also be permitted to accompany passengers. However, unlike domestic pets, these must be arranged in advance by contacting the Etihad Rail Customer Centre prior to travel.

Families and Children

Parents travelling with young children will be entitled to bring one pushchair per child free of charge, though the stroller must be folded before boarding the train. The operator has additionally advised that pushchairs be wrapped to protect them during transit.

Accessibility and Mobility Support

The railway is designed to accommodate passengers using wheelchairs and other mobility aids. However, a specific restriction applies: only electric wheelchairs equipped with integrated, manufacturer-installed batteries will be accepted on board. Passengers requiring wheelchair access must reserve a designated space at the time of booking to ensure appropriate accommodations are made.

Not Allowed on Board

While the operator has made provisions for pets, families, and passengers with mobility requirements, certain items are strictly prohibited. Bicycles, e-scooters, and e-bikes will not be permitted on any Etihad Rail passenger service. This policy aligns the UAE's rail network with practices seen on several other regional rail systems but stands in contrast to commuter rail operators elsewhere that permit non-motorised cycles during off-peak hours.

Looking Ahead

Tuesday's launch represents a significant milestone for Etihad Rail, transitioning from freight operations to full passenger mobility. The initial Abu Dhabi–Fujairah corridor serves as proof of concept for a much larger ambition, with expansion plans targeting connections to eleven cities and regions nationwide as the project develops into its subsequent phases.