The UAE and Oman are moving steadily towards a new era of regional connectivity as construction accelerates on the Gulf's first cross-border railway. More than just a transport project, the 238-kilometre Hafeet Rail network is expected to reshape tourism, strengthen supply chains and unlock fresh investment opportunities across the two neighbouring countries.
Recent construction milestones indicate the ambitious project is gathering pace. In April, Hafeet Rail announced that the railway had reached 40% completion, with work progressing across key sections in Al Ain, Al Buraimi, Sohar and Wadi Al Jizzi. More than 27 million cubic metres of earthworks have already been completed, alongside major tunnelling, bridges and viaducts.
Connecting two economies
The Hafeet Rail project is a joint venture between Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala Investment Company, creating the first direct rail connection between the UAE and Oman. Once operational, the railway will link Sohar Port with Abu Dhabi through Al Ain, while integrating seamlessly with the UAE National Rail Network.
According to Hafeet Rail, passenger trains will travel at speeds of up to 200 km/h, reducing the journey between Sohar and Abu Dhabi to around 100 minutes, while freight trains travelling at up to 120 km/h will transport more than 15,000 tonnes of cargo, or approximately 270 standard containers, per journey.
The railway is designed to support industries ranging from mining and steel to agriculture, retail, e-commerce and petrochemicals, offering a faster and more sustainable alternative to road transport.
A major opportunity for tourism
While logistics is central to the project, tourism may ultimately become one of its biggest beneficiaries. Currently, most visitors travelling between the UAE and Oman depend on road transport. Rail connectivity promises faster, more comfortable journeys while encouraging travellers to explore both destinations within a single itinerary.
International visitors arriving in Abu Dhabi could easily continue their holiday into Oman, while Omani residents will gain quicker access to attractions, events and business centres across the UAE. Weekend breaks, short leisure holidays and corporate travel are all expected to become more attractive once passenger services begin.
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 that combine the UAE's urban experiences with Oman's coastline, mountains and cultural heritage.
Boosting trade beyond borders
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 project also supports future passenger travel, tourism and wider social ties.
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.
Building the Gulf's future railway
The Hafeet Rail project 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.According to Hafeet Rail, the railway has been built using internationally recognised signalling, communications and interoperability standards, allowing seamless operations across both countries while providing the foundation for future regional expansion.
Engineering at an impressive scale
The project is also one of the region's most technically demanding transport developments. The route passes through mountains, urban areas, industrial zones and deep wadis, requiring complex engineering solutions including tunnels, bridges and integrated flood protection systems.
According to the Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tunnel excavation is progressing through the Hajar Mountains, while construction is underway on around 80 major engineering structures, together with hundreds of piles and box culverts. The project has also surpassed 10 million safe working hours without major injuries, reflecting its strong safety standards.
The project has now entered its track-laying phase, signalling another important milestone as construction moves from heavy civil engineering towards railway installation.
A greener way to travel
Beyond economic growth, the railway also supports regional sustainability ambitions. Moving freight from trucks to rail is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve highway safety and ease congestion across busy transport corridors. Rail also offers businesses more predictable transit times, making supply chains increasingly resilient.
Hafeet Rail says the network has been designed as a long-term sustainable transport solution, with future plans to incorporate cleaner energy initiatives as the railway expands.
Hafeet Rail promises to redefine how visitors experience the Gulf by making cross-border journeys quicker, easier and more sustainable. Hotels, airlines, cruise operators, tour companies and destination marketers are likely to benefit as travellers increasingly combine the UAE and Oman into a single holiday.
At the same time, businesses will gain faster freight movement, governments will deepen economic integration, and investors will see improved connectivity across one of the Middle East's fastest-growing regions. As construction gathers momentum, the UAE and Oman are not simply building a railway—they are laying the tracks for a more connected Gulf economy, where tourism, trade and investment move together at unprecedented speed.
