Passengers travelling on Etihad Rail can now rent a car from Dh80 per day at selected stations in the UAE, making it easier to continue their journey after arriving by train. The new Rail to Road car rental service, operated in partnership with Thrifty Car Rental, offers affordable daily rentals with fuel included and no security deposit.
The service is currently available at Etihad Rail’s Abu Dhabi and Fujairah stations and is designed to provide convenient first- and last-mile transportation for rail passengers.
Etihad Rail Car Rental from Dh80
The Rail to Road service offers three vehicle categories to suit different travel needs and budgets. Daily rental prices range from Dh80 to Dh200, depending on the vehicle category.
One of the main advantages is that the rental package includes prepaid fuel and 60km of driving. Customers who need additional mileage can purchase extra kilometres for an additional fee.
Three Car Rental Categories
| Category | Vehicle Types / Examples | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai Accent | Solo travellers, couples and budget-conscious passengers |
| Comfort | Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Creta, Mazda 6 | Families and passengers who need more space |
| Stretch | Audi A3, Mazda CX-90, Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Patrol, Jeep Wrangler | Travellers looking for larger or premium vehicles |
No Security Deposit Required
One of the biggest benefits of the Etihad Rail car rental service is that customers do not have to pay a security deposit.
According to Thrifty, payment cards are tokenised for processing instead of requiring a traditional rental deposit.
This could make the service particularly convenient for passengers who want to rent a vehicle immediately after getting off the train without having to block a large amount of money on their card.
No Minimum Advance Booking
Passengers also do not need to make an advance reservation within a specific time period.
You can:
- Book the car well before your train journey
- Reserve a car when you arrive at the station
- Rent a vehicle as a walk-in customer
Thrifty says it plans to maintain an adequate number of vehicles for walk-in customers, although availability may depend on demand.
Can You Return the Rental Car at Another Location?
The Rail to Road service is primarily designed for passengers to collect and return the car at the same Etihad Rail station.
However, Thrifty also allows customers to return their rental vehicle at another Thrifty location for a nominal one-way rental fee.
This gives travellers additional flexibility if their onward journey does not bring them back to the original station.
How to Book an Etihad Rail Rental Car?
- Car rental has been integrated into the Etihad Rail ticket booking journey.
- After booking a train ticket, passengers can select the option to rent a car as part of their onward travel arrangements.
- The service is also available through Thrifty’s digital platforms, with further improvements planned to make the booking process easier and more visible to passengers.
Fuel and Mileage Included
Every Rail to Road rental package includes:
- Prepaid fuel
- 60km of driving
- No security deposit
- 24-hour rental period
Additional mileage can be purchased if the included 60km is not sufficient for the journey.
Importantly, rentals operate on a 24-hour basis rather than being calculated according to the train’s arrival or departure time. This means passengers have greater flexibility if their travel plans change.
Etihad Rail and Thrifty Partnership
The Rail to Road service is part of an exclusive five-year partnership between Etihad Rail and Thrifty Car Rental.
As part of the partnership, Thrifty plans to invest more than Dh10 million over five years in areas including:
- Fleet expansion
- Digital infrastructure
- Customer experience
- Self-service facilities
- Digital booking systems
An initial fleet of approximately 500 vehicles is planned, with the possibility of expanding the fleet as passenger numbers and the UAE rail network grow.
The partnership also includes plans for digital kiosks and physical assistance desks across Etihad Rail’s 11 passenger stations.
Why the Rail to Road Service Matters?
The new service addresses one of the common challenges faced by train passengers: getting from the railway station to their final destination.
Instead of arranging a taxi or another form of transportation after arriving at the station, passengers can book a rental car as part of their overall journey.
For tourists, business travellers and residents, this could provide a more flexible alternative, particularly when travelling to destinations that are not easily accessible by public transport.
Final Thoughts
The new Etihad Rail Rail to Road car rental service offers passengers a convenient way to continue their journey after arriving by train. With rentals starting at Dh80 per day, fuel included, 60km of mileage, no security deposit and walk-in availability, the service provides several advantages for travellers.
As Etihad Rail’s passenger network expands, the partnership with Thrifty could also make rental cars a more important part of the UAE’s integrated public transport system.