Published: Tuesday, 4 August 2026,  4:54 am| Dubai | Edited: Tuesday, 4 August 2026, at 4:57 am

The new Etihad Rail car rental service is officially set to redefine travel across the Emirates. Read on to know all details about this groundbreaking project, station expansion dates, and booking methods.

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Etihad Rail Car Rental Service: Exclusive Five Year ‘Rail to Road’ Partnership

Etihad Rail joins hands with Thrifty UAE to offer seamless last mile transport solutions.

The national passenger rail network has officially partnered with Thrifty Car Rental UAE for an exclusive five year agreement. This first of its kind service helps commuters, tourists, and business travelers reach their final destinations directly after stepping off the Etihad Rail passenger train.

Globally, more than 50% of train commuters depend on shared mobility or car rentals to complete their journeys. This initiative successfully fills transport gaps for passengers traveling to destinations not directly connected by rail tracks.

• 5 Year Exclusive Deal: Thrifty UAE will exclusively provide rental services across the national rail network.
• First and Last Mile Solved: Bridges connectivity gaps between train stations and final destinations.
• Smart Travel Vision: Designed to support a connected, sustainable, and modern transit infrastructure.

How to Book Your Car Rental

Step by step options available for passengers to reserve vehicles online and at stations.

Passengers can easily rent a car at Etihad Rail stations through multiple digital and physical channels. Both companies are currently working to integrate train tickets and vehicle bookings into a single, seamless digital procedure.

• Digital Platforms: Reserve cars via the Etihad Rail official app, website, or Thrifty’s digital platform.
• Station Facilities: Every station will feature a digital self service kiosk and a physical assistance desk.
• Single Digital Process: Future updates will allow booking train tickets and car rentals together.
• AI Features: AI powered booking tools and digital customer service features are being integrated into the platform.

Thrifty UAE Fleet Investment and Growth

A major financial investment to deploy hundreds of vehicles for national rail passengers.

To support the service, Thrifty UAE announced an investment of over Dh10 million over the next five years. This capital will fund fleet expansion, digital tools, and customer experience improvements across the UAE.Initial deployment focuses on key stations, with vehicle numbers expanding as passenger demand grows.

• Dh10 Million+ Investment: Dedicated budget for digital technology, infrastructure, and expanding vehicle options.
• 500 Initial Vehicles: An initial fleet of about 500 cars will be allocated immediately for passenger use.
• Scalable Fleet: Vehicle capacity will increase in line with rail network expansions and user demand.

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Full Timeline for Etihad Rail Station Locations

Complete details on passenger station opening dates across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.

Knowing the upcoming Etihad Rail station locations helps residents and visitors plan their journeys efficiently. The national rail network launched its first phase on June 30, connecting Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.

Further station openings are scheduled across multiple emirates through late 2026 and early 2027

• September 30, 2026: Dubai Station (near Jumeirah Golf Estates) and Al Dhaid Station in Sharjah open.
• November 30, 2026: Early launch of Madinat Zayed and Liwa stations in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region.
• December 30, 2026: Al Sila, Al Dhannah, and Al Mirfa stations open further west in Al Dhafra.
• March 30, 2027: Sharjah University City Station opens, completing phase one of the passenger network.

Network Impact and Executive Remarks

Connecting millions of passengers annually with smart, sustainable mobility.

Abdulla Ahmed Almoosa, founder of A.A. Almoosa Enterprises, highlighted that true connectivity covers the entire journey from start to finish. Bringing Thrifty into the rail network bridges transport gaps for a fully connected UAE travel future.Once all 11 passenger stations become fully operational, the network will transform public travel.

• 10 Million Annual Passengers: The network expects to carry about 10 million passengers every year.
• Complete Travel Solutions: Connects population centers, business hubs, and regional areas.
• Eco Friendly Choice: Combines public train travel with on demand road vehicles to promote sustainability.

Conclusion

The Etihad Rail car rental service provides a smart, convenient travel solution for all UAE commuters.

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FAQs

What is the new Etihad Rail car rental service?

It is a ‘Rail to Road’ service allowing passengers to rent cars directly at train stations across the UAE.

How can I book a rental car at Etihad Rail stations?

You can book through the Etihad Rail app, website, Thrifty’s platform, or station kiosks.

How many vehicles will be initially available for passengers?

An initial fleet of around 500 vehicles will be deployed across the passenger network.

When will the Dubai Etihad Rail station open?

Dubai Station, located near Jumeirah Golf Estates, is scheduled to open on September 30, 2026.