Etihad Rail passenger rules: Full list of banned and restricted items on trains
Passengers planning an Etihad Rail journey need to check more than their luggage size before heading to the station. A number of items that might normally travel in a car including e-scooters, vape devices and bulky sports equipment cannot be taken aboard the train.
There are separate rules for wheelchairs, strollers, medical equipment and pets. Some can travel only if specific booking or storage requirements are met.
Here’s what passengers need to know before packing.
13 types of items banned on Etihad Rail trains
Etihad Rail’s passenger rules identify 13 categories of prohibited items. Some are obvious safety risks, while others may catch travellers by surprise.
- Explosives: Fireworks, ammunition and other explosive materials cannot be carried.
- Flammable or hazardous substances: Gasoline, paint thinners, compressed gases, pressurised gas cylinders, aerosol canisters and other highly flammable or toxic substances are prohibited.
- Weapons: Firearms, knives and other weapons are not allowed unless carried by authorised personnel, such as law-enforcement officers.
- Illegal drugs: Passengers cannot carry illegal drugs in any form.
- Chemical or biological hazards: Materials that could pose a health risk to passengers or railway staff are banned.
- Large or disruptive items: Anything too large for the designated luggage areas, or capable of blocking an aisle or exit, can be refused. This includes oversized boxes, large musical instruments and bulky sports gear such as surfboards, paddles, skis, snowboards and golf clubs.
- Animals that do not meet the permitted travel rules: Animals cannot simply be brought onto a train without meeting Etihad Rail’s requirements for pet or assistance-animal travel.
- Items that cannot be secured: Anything that cannot be stored safely in the train’s designated areas may be refused. Plants are included in this category.
- Trade or commercial goods: Large quantities or packaging that suggest the goods should be moved through a professional transport service are not accepted as ordinary passenger luggage.
- Items banned by customs authorities: Anything prohibited by the relevant customs rules cannot be carried.
- Alcohol and electronic smoking devices: Alcoholic beverages are banned even if they are sealed and were legally purchased. Electronic shisha, e-cigarettes, vaping devices and other electronic smoking equipment are also prohibited.
- Offensive or disruptive items: An item can be refused if it produces a strong odour, causes discomfort or is likely to create danger, disruption or unreasonable distress for other passengers.
- Bicycles, scooters and personal transport devices: Bikes, scooters and e-scooters cannot be taken aboard, even if they fold or can be disassembled.
That last rule is worth checking before leaving home. A foldable e-scooter still counts as a prohibited item.
What can be carried with restrictions?
Not everything on the restricted list is banned. Several items are accepted as long as the passenger meets the relevant requirements.
Luggage: Each passenger may bring up to two permitted pieces of luggage free of charge. Personal items such as a handbag or laptop bag must be small enough to fit under the seat.
Wheelchairs: A wheelchair space needs to be reserved during booking. For electric wheelchairs, only models with integrated batteries installed by the manufacturer are permitted.
Strollers and baby carriages: A passenger travelling with a child can take one stroller for that child free of charge. It needs to fold easily or be capable of being disassembled. Protective wrapping is recommended.
Medical equipment: Equipment such as oxygen tanks and mobility aids may be accepted where wheelchair seating has been booked and the equipment fits within the allocated space.
The 55cm × 40cm × 23cm rule
The maximum dimensions for a carry-on bag are 55cm high × 40cm wide × 23cm deep. Carry-on luggage is stored in the overhead racks.
Personal items, including laptop bags and handbags, go under the seat instead.
Passengers who need to travel with baggage beyond their standard allowance should arrange the additional baggage before travelling through Etihad Rail’s booking channels or at a station.
Oversized luggage is a different issue. Paying for additional baggage does not mean a passenger can bring an item that is too large to store safely or that could obstruct an aisle or emergency exit.
Can pets travel on Etihad Rail?
Pets are permitted subject to Etihad Rail’s carrier requirements.
The approved carrier can measure no more than 55cm × 40cm × 23cm, the same dimensions used for a standard carry-on bag. Only one pet carrier is permitted per passenger.
There’s an important trade-off: the pet carrier takes the place of the passenger’s carry-on luggage allowance.
So a passenger travelling with a pet carrier cannot also bring a separate standard carry-on bag.
The pet must remain inside its carrier and under the passenger’s control during the journey.
Trained and certified assistance dogs are handled separately and should be arranged in advance.
Three things to check before leaving for the station
A few minutes spent checking your bags can prevent a problem at boarding.
First, leave alcohol, vape devices, bicycles and e-scooters behind. Folding them or keeping them sealed does not change the rule.
Second, measure anything being treated as carry-on luggage or a pet carrier. 55cm × 40cm × 23cm is the number to remember.
Finally, arrange wheelchair space, medical equipment and other travel requirements before the journey rather than arriving at the station and assuming space will be available.
Etihad Rail can carry out security checks at stations, and an item may be refused if it presents a safety or security risk.
For most passengers, the packing rule is simple: bring what can be stored safely, keep within the luggage allowance, and check the restrictions before travelling with anything unusual.