The UAE and Oman are pressing ahead with Hafeet Rail, the Gulf's first cross-border railway, as construction reaches 40% completion. The 238-kilometre network, a joint venture between Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala Investment Company, is designed to transform regional connectivity for both passengers and freight.
Recent milestones include the completion of over 27 million cubic metres of earthworks, alongside tunnelling through the Hajar Mountains and construction of around 80 major engineering structures. The project has now entered its track-laying phase, signalling a shift from heavy civil engineering to railway installation.
Passenger and freight specifications
Passenger trains will operate at speeds up to 200 km/h, reducing the journey between Sohar and Abu Dhabi to approximately 100 minutes. Freight trains, running at up to 120 km/h, will carry more than 15,000 tonnes of cargo — roughly 270 standard containers — per journey. The route will link Sohar Port with Abu Dhabi via Al Ain, integrating with the UAE National Rail Network.
The railway is designed to serve industries including mining, steel, agriculture, retail, e-commerce and petrochemicals, offering a faster and more sustainable alternative to road transport. According to Hafeet Rail, the network uses internationally recognised signalling, communications and interoperability standards, laying the groundwork for future regional expansion.
Tourism opportunities
While logistics is a core driver, tourism stands to benefit significantly. Currently, most visitors travelling between the UAE and Oman rely on road transport. Rail connectivity promises faster, more comfortable journeys and encourages travellers to explore both destinations within a single itinerary. International visitors arriving in Abu Dhabi could easily continue into Oman, while Omani residents gain quicker access to attractions, events and business centres across the UAE.
Hafeet Rail says the network has been designed to integrate with other transport modes, simplify cross-border movement and support tourism initiatives that encourage each country to become "the first port of call" for the other. For hotels, destination management companies, tour operators and attractions, the railway opens new possibilities for twin-destination packages combining the UAE's urban experiences with Oman's coastline, mountains and cultural heritage.
This development aligns with broader regional trends, such as the expected decline in GCC airfares as airspace reopens, making multi-destination travel more accessible. For more on that, see GCC Airfares Expected to Fall by July as Regional Airspace Reopens.
Trade and economic integration
The railway is also expected to become a strategic logistics corridor linking ports, industrial zones and manufacturing hubs. By connecting Sohar Port directly to the UAE's national rail network, businesses will be able to move goods more efficiently while reducing dependence on heavy road freight. The Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the railway will strengthen trade flows, improve supply-chain resilience and deepen economic integration between the two countries.
The timing is significant as both governments continue diversifying their economies beyond hydrocarbons, investing heavily in logistics, tourism, manufacturing and technology. Improved transport infrastructure also makes both countries increasingly attractive to international investors seeking efficient regional distribution hubs.
Regional rail ambitions
Hafeet Rail is widely viewed as the first major step towards the long-envisioned GCC Railway, which aims to connect all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries through a unified rail network. Although the wider regional project has experienced delays over the years, the UAE-Oman connection demonstrates that cross-border rail integration is finally becoming a reality.
The project has also surpassed 10 million safe working hours without major injuries, reflecting strong safety standards. Beyond economic growth, the railway supports regional sustainability ambitions by moving freight from trucks to rail, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving highway safety and easing congestion across busy transport corridors.
Hafeet Rail promises to redefine how visitors experience the Gulf by making cross-border journeys quicker, easier and more sustainable. Hotels, airlines, cruise operators and tour operators should take note as the network opens new avenues for twin-destination itineraries and regional travel packages.
