Get ready to travel in a whole new way because the GCC Railway is almost here.
The regional rail project is set to pass through Saudi and other GCC nations, making inter-travel a lot easier.
The Eurostar-esque train was first announced in 2009 and, after some delays and timeline restructuring, is going to start running in 2030.
According to a report by the Saudi Gazette, GCC Secretary General Jassim Al-Budaiwi confirmed the railway’s expected inauguration year at the Transport and Roads Forum on Sunday, February 8.
GCC Railway completion
The Gulf Railway, also known as the GCC Railway, is a mega rail project set to link all six Gulf countries through a 2,177km network. With an estimated price tag of USD250 billion, it aims to move millions of passengers and hundreds of millions of tonnes of freight each year, transforming travel and trade across the region. Once complete, the network is expected to serve up to 8 million passengers and carry 271 million tonnes of goods annually by 2045, making it one of the most ambitious transport projects in the world.
Each GCC country is building and funding its own section, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE taking on the largest share, followed by Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
GCC Railway proposed route
The planned route kicks off in Kuwait before heading south to Dammam in Saudi Arabia, where the real connectivity begins. From there, travellers can branch off to Qatar via Salwa, cross over to Bahrain, or continue on to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the UAE, before linking up with Dubai through Etihad Rail. The journey then wraps up with a scenic ride down to Oman, ending in Muscat via Sohar, turning cross-Gulf travel into one smooth, seamless adventure.
GCC Railway country breakdown
Bahrain
Bahrain will link up with Saudi Arabia through the King Hamad Causeway, a 25km rail bridge designed to bring the two countries even closer. The journey will start at the King Hamad International Station in Ramli, which will connect seamlessly to Bahrain International Airport and key parts of the kingdom via the future Bahrain Metro. From there, trains will cross the Arabian Gulf on a dedicated two-track bridge to Dammam, plugging Bahrain straight into the wider GCC Railway network.
Kuwait
Kuwait will anchor the northern end of the GCC Railway, with a sleek 111km line stretching along the coastline and built for passenger speeds of up to 200km/h. The main hub will sit in Shadadiya, around 25 km south west of Kuwait City, serving as the network’s central station. With Turkish firm Proyapo Engineering and Consulting on board as consultants for the first phase, the project is set to put fast, modern rail travel firmly on Kuwait’s map.
Oman
Oman has been teaming up with the UAE since 2022 to bring its rail vision to life, and in 2024 that partnership took shape with the launch of Hafeet Rail. This 303km high speed line will link Abu Dhabi with Sohar, running at speeds of up to 200 km/h and opening up seamless cross-border travel. Once complete, it will connect more than 12 cities and passenger stations across both countries, plugging Oman straight into the wider regional rail network.
Qatar
In July 2025, Qatar gave the green light to a landmark agreement to join the unified GCC railway network. The route will link Qatar to Saudi Arabia via a dedicated maritime bridge to Dammam, then continue on through Abu Dhabi in the UAE before reaching Muscat in Oman. Designed to slot smoothly into the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, the project promises effortless travel across borders and a new era of regional connectivity.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia sits at the heart of the GCC railway, building on its existing national rail network to link the region together. Dammam will become the main hub, welcoming trains from Kuwait in the north and sending them onwards via two new maritime bridges to Qatar and Bahrain. From there, travellers can also head straight to Riyadh and beyond, making Saudi the central connector for seamless Gulf-wide journeys.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE is already rolling ahead with Etihad Rail, which is running freight services and gearing up to launch passenger trains in 2026. The 900 km network will link 11 cities across all seven emirates, making cross-country travel faster and easier than ever. The first passenger station will open in Sakamkam, right in the heart of Fujairah, with the line stretching from Al Sila to Fujairah and stopping in key hubs including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa and Al Dhaid.
Train travel
In recent years, the demand for affordable land travel has increased in the region, especially in Saudi Arabia. After a very successful launch of the Riyadh Metro in 2024, Jeddah Metro is rolling forward with the Blue Line. Saudi to Qatar high-speed rail link has also been announced. The Saudi Arabian land bridge is aiming for s 2034 completion while the Saudi northern rail network is set to expand further. SAR has ordered 20 new Haramain trains from Spain’s Talgo. Delivery is expected to be completed by 2031.
2030. Across GCC, mot.gov.sa.
