The Gulf is stepping into a new age of rail-powered travel, and Hafeet Rail is leading the way. This landmark cross-border project will link the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national rail network directly to Oman for the first time, creating a smoother, faster corridor for people and goods moving between the two neighbors.
In this guide, we’ll tackle all the key details of the Hafeet Rail project and what it would mean for your inter-GCC travels.
Key Takeaways
Hafeet Rail is the first UAE-Omani railway, linking Etihad Rail in Abu Dhabi (via Al Ain) to Sohar Port as a mixed-use corridor for freight now and future passenger services.
The first phase covers about 238 km, with tunnels, viaducts and multiple stations planned; construction is underway, but the full operational timeline is still being finalized.
Once Etihad Rail to Oman is live, travellers will be able to plan smoother, multi-stop GCC rail journeys that connect Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Oman in a single itinerary.
What Is the Hafeet Rail Project?
The Hafeet Rail is the new cross-border railway being built to connect the UAE’s national rail network with Oman. It will connect the Etihad Rail network in Abu Dhabi, via Al Ain, to Oman’s port city of Sohar, creating a direct rail corridor between the two countries.
To deliver this, a dedicated company with the same name as the railway has been established as a joint venture between Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala. This entity is responsible for developing, building and operating the new rail link as part of a long-term UAE-Oman transportation corridor.
Here are some fast facts about the Hafeet Rail project:
Route: Abu Dhabi (UAE) – Al Ain – Sohar Port (Oman)
Developer/Operator: Hafeet Rail (joint venture of Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala)
The line is designed as a mixed-use railway, serving heavy freight as well as future passenger services, and forms a key piece of the wider GCC Railway Network vision to connect Gulf countries by rail. Once complete, it is expected to be the first international segment of that larger Gulf Railway system.
Etihad Rail to Oman: Map, Route and Timeline
The Hafeet Rail forms the core of the Etihad Rail to Oman connection. The first phase will run between Abu Dhabi and Sohar Port in Oman, creating a direct UAE-Oman rail corridor that plugs into the wider UAE National Rail Network.
According to official information, the route is about 238 kilometers long and supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure, including tunnels, viaducts, bridges, and underpasses. Below is a map of the planned route for the Hafeet Rail.
hafeetrail.com
Once complete, the railway is planned to:
Serve more than 12 passenger stations and cities across the UAE and Oman
Have five major ports and over 15 integrated freight facilities linked into the network
From a traveler’s point of view, reports suggest that once launched, passenger services could reduce travel time to around 1 hour 40 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Sohar (via Al Ain), and about 47 minutes between Sohar and Al Ain, with passenger trains running at up to 200 kph and freight trains up to 120 kph.
Construction Phases and Timeline
2022: The Oman-Etihad Rail joint venture was first announced in 2022.
2024: It was rebranded as Hafeet Rail in April 2024. Construction officially began in the same year, with civil works and tunnelling now underway in key sections, including the Hajar Mountains.
2025: As of October 2025, the 238 km network is over halfway built and “nearing completion,” with testing and commissioning for freight expected to start around early 2026, followed by phased operations.
It is worth noting, however, that the official Hafeet Rail website mentions that the company is “working on establishing the expected timeline” for the network to become fully operational.
Ras Al Khaimah to Oman and Vice Versa: Multi-Stop GCC Rail Itineraries
Once the full network is in place, the Etihad Rail to Oman link via Hafeet Rail is expected to turn classic road trips into smooth, multi-stop rail journeys. A future itinerary could look like this:
From Abu Dhabi, travel by train to Dubai and onwards to the northern emirates, including Ras Al Khaimah, via the Etihad Rail passenger network.
Connect from the UAE mainline to the Hafeet Rail corridor, crossing the border towards Sohar and, in time, further into Oman.
Because the same integrated system is being designed to move both freight and passengers, travelers will eventually be able to stitch together mountains, deserts, and coastlines across Ras Al Khaimah and Oman in a single rail-powered trip, with journey times that are competitive with driving but more relaxed and sustainable.
Key Destinations You Can Visit
Once you arrive in Ras Al Khaimah by rail, a whole mix of mountains, beaches, desert and heritage sites are within easy reach by road. Here are some of the standout experiences you could build into your UAE-Oman rail itinerary:
Jebel Jais
From Ras Al Khaimah city, it’s an inland drive into the Hajar Mountains to reach Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest peak and one of the emirate’s signature attractions. Here, you’ll find sweeping viewpoints, hiking trails and a cooler mountain climate, plus record-breaking adventure experiences, such as the Jais Sky Tour and Jais Flight, the world’s longest zipline.
Beaches, Islands and Waterfront Resorts
A short drive from the city brings you to Ras Al Khaimah’s long stretch of coastline, dotted with white-sand beaches and island escapes like Al Marjan Island, plus a collection of family-friendly and luxury beachfront resorts along the Arabian Gulf.
Desert Escapes and Stargazing
Inland from the coast, Ras Al Khaimah’s desert landscapes offer a different kind of escape. Tented desert camps and nature-focused resorts give guests the chance to experience dune drives, camel treks, falconry displays and clear, star-filled night skies.
FAQs
When will the Hafeet Rail project be completed?
There’s no confirmed opening date yet for the Hafeet Rail project. Construction has begun, and Hafeet Rail says it is still finalizing the operational timeline, so any dates are indicative. Travelers should always check the latest updates from Hafeet Rail, Etihad Rail and Oman Rail.
Is Hafeet Rail part of the wider GCC Railway Network?
Yes. Hafeet Rail is positioned as the first cross-border railway between two Gulf states, connecting Abu Dhabi and Sohar and plugging into the UAE National Rail Network. It is viewed as an early building block of the wider GCC Railway Network linking major Gulf cities.
How will customs and immigration work on the UAE-Oman railway?
Detailed border procedures for the Etihad Rail to Oman corridor haven’t been published yet. Officially, Hafeet Rail says the network will unify technical and operational standards to support seamless border crossings, but standard UAE and Oman entry rules will still apply, so travelers must confirm visa and passport requirements.
Rail Journeys on the Horizon
The Hafeet Rail project is set to transform trips between the UAE and Oman, making future Etihad Rail journeys smoother, faster and more sustainable. For Ras Al Khaimah, it means travelers will one day be able to fold its mountains, beaches, desert and heritage sites into easy multi-stop rail itineraries that continue across the border into Oman.
