Oman has formally ratified an agreement with the UAE to develop the railway link between the two countries.
Travelling to Oman from the UAE is about to get much easier. The highly anticipated UAE to Oman railway project, now dubbed Hafeet Rail, has officially entered its implementation phase, which means you’re only weeks away from hopping on board.
The Hafeet Rail marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations between Oman and the UAE. Led by Ahmed Al Musawa Al Hashemi, CEO of Hafeet Rail, the project has seen massive progress since the plan was initially laid out.
Originally named Oman and Etihad Rail Company, the rebranding to Hafeet Rail speaks volumes. The name change reflects the scenic wonders this train ride promises. Journeying through diverse landscapes, from magnificent desert to rugged mountainous terrain, the railway’s route runs parallel to Jebel Hafeet, offering a picturesque travel experience while promoting environmental sustainability.
The 238 km railway will connect the Omani port city of Sohar with the UAE’s national rail network through Al Buraimi and Al Ain. Designed to carry both passengers and freight, the trains are expected to reach a top speed of 200 km per hour, slashing the journey between Sohar and Abu Dhabi to 100 minutes — more than half the time it currently takes by road.
Hafeet Rail said in April that the project had reached 40 per cent completion. The route includes approximately 2.5 km of tunnels, as well as dozens of bridges, viaducts, underpasses and other structures across desert, mountain and urban terrain.
While Hafeet Rail is ideal for residents and citizens of the UAE and Oman, it’s also a great way to bridge the distance between the two nations and form better bilateral relations. And with the GCC countries currently moving towards a unified visa system, this development could make things a lot easier.
Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, told the media on Tuesday that trial operations on the first railway linking Oman and the UAE are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027.
We can’t wait to hop on board.
Contact: https://uaeoman.etihadrail.ae