Dubai to Abu Dhabi in 30 minutes: A game-changer for mobility in the UAE

Ali Siahvashi, Ricardo's General Manager for rail services in the Middle East, discusses the merits of a new high-speed route between the UAE's two largest cities.

The proposed High-Speed Rail (HSR) link between Dubai and Abu Dhabi marks a bold step forward in the UAE’s ambition to deliver world-class, sustainable transportation. Once operational, the dedicated line will cut travel time between the two emirates to just 30 minutes—down from over an hour by car and up to 2.5 hours by bus—providing a fast, reliable and environmentally responsible alternative to road transport.

This high-speed corridor will not only transform how people move between the UAE’s key commercial hubs, but also stimulate economic activity, reduce emissions and drive innovation in the country’s infrastructure and mobility sectors.

It is envisioned as a truly intermodal system, connecting Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, and Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, with downtown business districts, industrial zones and residential communities. This integration with air, metro and regional transport modes will make seamless travel across the UAE and beyond a tangible reality.

A catalyst for economic growth

As with successful high-speed rail programs in Europe and Asia, the Dubai–Abu Dhabi link is expected to act as a catalyst for economic diversification and regional development.

International case studies reinforce this potential.

• The Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) has significantly enhanced regional development, particularly in the western corridor where over 90% of the population resides.
• Cities along Italy’s HSR network experienced a 5.6% GDP increase.
• The Frankfurt–Cologne line in Germany saw 8.5% GDP growth in connected cities.
• Spain’s AVE system continues to generate measurable gains in real estate values and employment along its routes.

These examples underscore the thinking behind UAE’s strategic investment not only in terms of faster travel, but in long-term national value creation—through increased connectivity, urban development and access to opportunities.

Addressing the challenges with global best practice

Large-scale HSR projects are, of course, inherently complex with challenges spanning funding, technology integration, right-of-way and last-mile connectivity. For example, three of the proposed Abu Dhabi stations are located on outer islands, which will require smart planning to ensure efficient access to city centres.

However, the UAE has consistently proven a capability to learn from international models while setting new benchmarks in safety, design, and operations—evident in recent transport successes such as Dubai Metro, Route 2020, and Etihad Rail’s freight backbone.

By applying global best practice in system safety, risk management, integration and engineering assurance, this project can align with global standards while meeting the UAE’s strategic priorities.

Sustainability and environmental benefits

There is also an important sustainability angle to the project: HSR offers a significant reduction in per-capita emissions compared to both cars and short-haul flights. Thus, by helping to shift a portion of intercity travel to electrified rail, the Dubai–Abu Dhabi line will contribute meaningfully to the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategy.

The anticipated modal shift also promises to reduce congestion on Sheikh Zayed Road, one of the region’s busiest arteries, easing pressure on existing infrastructure and improving urban air quality.

With the right momentum, stakeholder alignment and technical stewardship, the Dubai–Abu Dhabi high-speed rail line has the potential to become one of the most transformative infrastructure projects in the region. It is a project grounded in a rational business case, strong environmental rationale, and a clear social benefit—offering a travel experience that is fast, safe, clean, and future-proof.

At Ricardo, we are excited by the UAE’s high-speed rail vision and stand ready to bring our global expertise and local presence to support its successful realisation.