UAE To Oman In 47 Minutes: 200 Km/h Hafeet Rail Set To Transform Gulf Travel

Last Updated:April 22, 2026, 21:43 IST

UAE Oman Hafeet Rail is 40 percent complete, a 2.5 billion dollar project linking Al Ain and Sohar, cutting travel times and boosting Gulf trade, tourism and commuters

A major new rail project connecting the United Arab Emirates and Oman for the first time is moving quickly toward reality, with 40 per cent of construction now complete. Called Hafeet Rail, the cross-border train network is expected to reshape travel, trade and tourism across the Gulf region. Named after Jebel Hafeet, the mountain near the UAE-Oman border, the project is especially relevant for frequent travellers, and businesses dependent on regional trade routes.

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200 km/h Passenger Trains To Cut Travel Time Sharply

Once operational, passenger trains on the Hafeet Rail corridor are expected to run at speeds of up to 200 km/h, making road travel far less necessary on key routes. The biggest time-saving example is the route between Abu Dhabi and Sohar, which is expected to take just 1 hour 40 minutes, down from around 3 hours 25 minutes by road. The Al Ain to Sohar route is expected to fall to 47 minutes, compared with roughly 1 hour 27 minutes currently.

$2.5 Billion Strategic Rail Project

The project is valued at around $2.5 billion and is a joint venture involving Etihad Rail, Oman Rail, and Mubadala Investment Company. Its core goal is to connect the UAE national rail network at Al Ain to Sohar Port in Oman, creating a new transport artery for both passengers and freight. This would establish a seamless cross-border railway connection that has not existed before in the region. Construction began in 2024, with active work under way in Al Ain, Al Buraimi, Sohar and the Wadi Al Jizzi corridor.

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Big Boost For Cargo And Trade

Freight trains are expected to run at speeds of up to 120 km/h, helping move goods faster between ports, factories, warehouses, and logistics hubs across the Gulf. The railway is planned to connect more than 12 passenger stations, five major ports and over 15 integrated freight facilities. This wider network could improve supply chains, reduce transport delays and strengthen trade efficiency between the two countries. For Indian exporters, traders, and logistics companies active in the Gulf market, the development could be worth watching closely.

Scenic Route Through Desert and Mountains

Apart from speed, the route is expected to offer a visually striking journey through desert landscapes and mountain areas near Jebel Hafeet, potentially making it attractive for leisure travellers too. The combination of modern high-speed trains and scenic Gulf terrain may turn the rail line into more than just a transport link- it could become a travel experience in itself.

News world UAE To Oman In 47 Minutes: 200 Km/h Hafeet Rail Set To Transform Gulf Travel

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