UAE Fuel Prices October 2026: Petrol Up 16% as Etihad Rail Reaches Dubai — Should You Sell Your Car or Plate?
UAE petrol prices rose again on 1 October 2026: Super 98 now costs AED 4.40 a litre, Special 95 AED 4.28 and E-Plus 91 AED 4.21, roughly 16% more than in September and around 60% more than a year ago. Two days earlier, Etihad Rail opened its Dubai station and started running passenger trains between Dubai and Abu Dhabi from AED 39. For the first time, a lot of UAE drivers are doing the same sum: what does my car actually cost me now, and do I still need all of it? This guide gives you the official numbers, explains why prices moved, shows when the train beats the car and when it does not, and what to do if you decide a car or a number plate is worth more to you as cash.
The 30-second answer.
- October 2026 fuel prices (per litre): Super 98 AED 4.40, Special 95 AED 4.28, E-Plus 91 AED 4.21, Diesel AED 4.80.
- Change: petrol +15.8% to +16.6% on September; Super 98 +59% on October 2025. It is the third monthly rise in a row.
- Why: UAE prices follow global oil every month. Brent climbed back towards USD 110 after the summer ceasefire around the Strait of Hormuz ended.
- A 70-litre tank of Special 95 now costs AED 299.60, against AED 163.10 in February 2026.
- Etihad Rail: Dubai (Al Yalayis) to Abu Dhabi from AED 39 in Comfort, about an hour, 10 trains a day.
- If you sell: listing a car or a number plate on LicensePlate.ae is free; paid extras such as Featured are optional.
In this guide
- UAE fuel prices for October 2026
- Why are fuel prices rising in the UAE?
- What a full tank costs now
- Why the UAE pays more than the rest of the GCC
- Etihad Rail: stations, tickets, times and parking
- Car or train: an honest commuter comparison
- Should you sell your car or your number plate now?
- How to sell on LicensePlate.ae (free)
- Your mobile number is an asset too
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
UAE fuel prices for October 2026
The UAE Fuel Price Committee announced the October prices on 30 September 2026. They apply from 1 October at every petrol station in the country.
| Fuel | October 2026 | September 2026 | Change | October 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super 98 | AED 4.40 | AED 3.80 | +15.8% | AED 2.77 |
| Special 95 | AED 4.28 | AED 3.69 | +16.0% | AED 2.66 |
| E-Plus 91 | AED 4.21 | AED 3.61 | +16.6% | AED 2.58 |
| Diesel | AED 4.80 | AED 4.30 | +11.6% | AED 2.71 |
Measured against October 2025, Super 98 is up AED 1.63 a litre (+59%) and diesel AED 2.09 (+77%). Against February 2026, the last month before the regional conflict pushed oil up, petrol is around 80% more expensive.
Fuel prices in 2026, month by month
| Month | Super 98 | Special 95 | E-Plus 91 | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.53 | 2.42 | 2.34 | 2.55 |
| February | 2.45 | 2.33 | 2.26 | 2.52 |
| March | 2.59 | 2.48 | 2.40 | 2.72 |
| April | 3.39 | 3.28 | 3.20 | 4.69 |
| May | 3.66 | 3.55 | 3.48 | 4.69 |
| June | 3.95 | 3.83 | 3.76 | 4.33 |
| July | 3.40 | 3.29 | 3.21 | 3.60 |
| August | 3.60 | 3.49 | 3.41 | 3.80 |
| September | 3.80 | 3.69 | 3.61 | 4.30 |
| October | 4.40 | 4.28 | 4.21 | 4.80 |
AED per litre, effective on the 1st of each month. Figures as announced by the UAE Fuel Price Committee and reported by WAM, Gulf News, Khaleej Times and The National. For February diesel, one outlet reported AED 2.53 instead of 2.52.
Why are fuel prices rising in the UAE?
The UAE stopped subsidising petrol and diesel on 1 August 2015. Since then, a Fuel Price Committee — chaired by the Ministry of Energy, with the Ministry of Finance, ADNOC Distribution and ENOC — reviews prices at the end of every month and links them to average global prices plus operating costs. In plain terms: when world oil gets more expensive, UAE pump prices follow a month later.
2026 is the clearest example yet of that link working in both directions:
- March to June — the spike. After the conflict involving Iran began at the end of February and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted, Brent crude posted a record monthly gain in March and peaked near USD 119. UAE petrol rose by around 31% in April alone; diesel jumped from AED 2.72 to AED 4.69.
- July — the drop. A ceasefire framework in mid-June reopened the strait, Brent fell back to around USD 72, and the July prices came down by about 14% for petrol and 17% for diesel.
- August to October — the climb back. When the 60-day ceasefire expired and attacks on regional oil infrastructure resumed, Brent rose by roughly 45% from its July level and traded near USD 108 in mid-September. October's 16% jump is the result.
Even at AED 4.28, a litre of Special 95 (about USD 1.17) is still roughly a quarter below the global average, according to Gulf News. That is little comfort to anyone who fills up twice a week — but it explains why the committee says prices simply track the market.
What a full tank costs now
Tank sizes vary by model, so the table uses round sizes. Check your own car's capacity in the owner's manual and multiply by the price per litre.
| Tank | Fuel | October 2026 | February 2026 | October 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 L (compact, sedan) | Special 95 | AED 214.00 | AED 116.50 | AED 133.00 |
| 70 L (mid-size SUV) | Special 95 | AED 299.60 | AED 163.10 | AED 186.20 |
| 90 L (large SUV) | Super 98 | AED 396.00 | AED 220.50 | AED 249.30 |
| 80 L (diesel pick-up) | Diesel | AED 384.00 | AED 201.60 | AED 216.80 |
Over a month it adds up quickly. A driver covering 2,000 km a month in a car that uses 10 litres per 100 km burns 200 litres. At October's Special 95 price that is AED 856 a month; in February 2026 the same driving cost AED 466. That is AED 390 more every month — around AED 4,700 over a year if prices stay where they are — before Salik, parking, insurance or servicing.
Why the UAE pays more than the rest of the GCC
A comparison table has been shared widely on social media this week. Its direction is right, but it mixes up grades: AED 4.28 is the UAE's Special 95 price, not Super 98. Compared like for like, the UAE is the most expensive country in the Gulf on every grade, because it is the only one that fully passes global prices through to the pump.
| Country | 95-octane, approx. AED per litre | How prices are set |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | 4.28 (October 2026) | Monthly, linked to global prices |
| Bahrain | ≈ 2.41 (August 2026) | Government committee |
| Oman | ≈ 2.28 | Price ceiling since 2021 |
| Saudi Arabia | ≈ 2.28 (July 2026) | Capped |
| Qatar | ≈ 2.12 (October 2026) | Monthly, QatarEnergy |
| Kuwait | ≈ 1.26 | Subsidised, quarterly |
Converted at the official currency pegs (Kuwaiti dinar at about AED 12). Neighbouring countries publish on different schedules, so the dates differ; treat their figures as approximate.
Etihad Rail: stations, tickets, times and parking
Etihad Rail is the UAE's national railway. Its passenger service is run by Etihad Rail together with the French operator Keolis, on a network of about 900 km with trains running at up to 200 km/h. It is the first time UAE residents can travel between emirates by train.
When did Etihad Rail open for passengers?
The introductory service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah started on 30 June 2026. The Dubai station was inaugurated on 28 September and the service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi opened to the public on 30 September 2026. Between June and late September, more than 70,000 tickets were sold.
Where are the Etihad Rail stations?
The passenger network has 11 stations (the often-quoted "13" is the number of trains in the fleet):
| Station | Status (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Dubai — Al Yalayis (Jumeirah Golf Estates) | Open |
| Abu Dhabi — Mohamed bin Zayed City | Open |
| Fujairah — Al Hilal City | Open |
| Al Dhaid (Sharjah) | Open |
| Madinat Zayed, Liwa area (Mezairaa) | Announced for 30 November 2026 |
| Al Sila, Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa | Announced for 30 December 2026 |
| Sharjah — University City | Announced for 30 March 2027 |
| Al Faya | No public date yet |
How much is an Etihad Rail ticket?
Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, fares start at AED 39 in Comfort class and AED 109 in Premium. These are "from" prices: fares change with the date, the time and the fare type you choose — Saver (no changes, no refund), Value (seat selection) or Flex (changeable and refundable). Children aged 2 to 17 travel at half price, passengers over 60 get 20% off and infants under two travel free. One magazine has listed higher Dubai–Abu Dhabi fares than the figures above, so always check the live price when you book.
How long does the train take from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, and how often does it run?
About an hour: Gulf News reports around 57 minutes, while the published timetable shows 64 minutes from departure to arrival. There are five trains in each direction every day, so 10 in total. From Dubai they leave at 06:14, 07:14, 13:14, 17:14 and 18:14; from Abu Dhabi at 06:43, 07:43, 12:43, 16:43 and 17:43.
How do you book an Etihad Rail ticket?
On the Etihad Rail website (etihadrail.ae), in the Etihad Rail app, or at the ticket machines and counters in the stations, paying by card or phone wallet. Tickets are sold until shortly before departure; plan to arrive 20 to 30 minutes early, because the gates close two minutes before the train leaves.
Is there parking at the Dubai Etihad Rail station?
Yes. Al Yalayis station has 265 parking spaces, five of them reserved for electric cars, at AED 30 for a half or full day. A 400-metre pedestrian bridge connects the station to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro station on the Red Line, and RTA bus F38, taxis and ride-hailing all serve the station.
Can you take luggage on Etihad Rail?
Every ticket includes one personal item under the seat and one cabin bag of up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm. Bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters are not allowed. Pets can travel in a carrier of the same size, which replaces the cabin bag.
Car or train: an honest commuter comparison
It is tempting to say the train is now cheaper than driving. For some people it is, for others it is not — and it matters which group you are in before you sell anything.
Take a five-day-a-week Dubai–Abu Dhabi commuter. At the lowest Comfort fare, 22 working days of return trips cost 44 × AED 39 = AED 1,716 a month, plus getting to and from both stations. The same distance by car costs fuel, Salik tolls, parking at both ends, insurance and wear on the car. For a solo driver in an efficient sedan, fuel alone can still come out below the rail fare; for a large SUV, or once tolls, parking and insurance are added, the gap narrows quickly or reverses. Fares are dynamic, so a commuter who books ahead may pay less, and one who books late more.
Where the train clearly wins is for occasional trips between emirates, for anyone who would otherwise park in the city all day, and for households that keep a second car mainly for one person's commute. Khaleej Times has reported residents switching some trips to the Metro and the train, carpooling, and negotiating fewer office days since prices rose.
What we cannot tell you. There is no official 2026 figure for how many UAE residents have sold a car because of fuel prices or the train, and we will not invent one. One online used-car dealer told Khaleej Times earlier this year that enquiries had risen around 30% because of fuel costs and that petrol cars were fetching around 15% less — a dealer's view, not market data. Your own numbers are the only ones that count.
Should you sell your car or your number plate now?
Selling only makes sense if the asset costs you more than it gives you. Three situations where it often does:
- The second car. If one car in the household now mostly covers a commute that the Metro or Etihad Rail can handle, it is costing fuel, insurance, registration and parking for very few journeys.
- The thirsty SUV. A 90-litre tank of Super 98 now costs almost AED 400. If you mostly drive alone in the city, a smaller car — or no car — may be the better trade.
- The idle number plate. A distinctive plate often outlives the car it sits on. If it is parked on a car you no longer need, or reserved in your name doing nothing, it is capital you could use. Read what happens to your number plate when you sell your car before you sell the car, so you keep the number if you want it.
And a reason not to rush: if you depend on the car daily and the train does not reach your home or office, selling to save on fuel can cost you more in taxis and time. Prices also move both ways — July 2026 showed they can fall by 14% in a single month.
How to sell on LicensePlate.ae (free)
We believe nobody should pay a fee just to put a car or a number plate in front of buyers — especially when running a car already costs more every month. Creating a listing on LicensePlate.ae is free for cars and for number plates, across all seven emirates. Optional paid extras, such as a Featured placement, exist for sellers who want more visibility; you never need them to list.
- Check the value first. Use the free plate value calculator for a number plate, or the car value check for a car.
- List it. List your car or list your number plate. It takes a few minutes; buyers contact you directly.
- Price it like a seller who wants to sell. Our study of 50,710 plate listings shows where asking prices really sit.
- Close safely. Complete the transfer through the RTA or your emirate's authority, and never pay or accept a deposit before the car or plate has been seen and the ownership certificate verified. Our guides to selling a number plate in the UAE and selling a Dubai plate walk through each step.
Keeping the plate instead? See what it costs to own a number plate in the UAE.
Your mobile number is an asset too
Number plates are not the only "numbers" with resale value in the UAE. A memorable mobile number — repeating digits, a short pattern, a lucky sequence — trades the same way. If you are turning idle assets into cash this autumn, our sister site explains what UAE mobile numbers are asking in October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel price in the UAE in October 2026?
Super 98 costs AED 4.40 per litre, Special 95 AED 4.28, E-Plus 91 AED 4.21 and diesel AED 4.80, effective 1 October 2026.
Why did fuel prices increase in the UAE?
UAE fuel prices are reviewed every month and follow global oil prices. Brent crude rose again from July to September 2026 as the ceasefire around the Strait of Hormuz ended, so the October prices rose by about 16%.
How much does it cost to fill a tank in the UAE now?
A 50-litre tank of Special 95 costs AED 214, a 70-litre tank AED 299.60 and a 90-litre tank of Super 98 AED 396 at October 2026 prices.
When will the November 2026 fuel prices be announced?
The Fuel Price Committee usually announces the next month's prices on the last days of the month, so expect the November prices around 30 to 31 October.
When did Etihad Rail start passenger service?
The Abu Dhabi–Fujairah service began on 30 June 2026, and Dubai joined the network on 30 September 2026.
How much is the Etihad Rail ticket from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
From AED 39 in Comfort class and from AED 109 in Premium. Fares vary with date, time and fare type.
Where is the Etihad Rail station in Dubai?
At Al Yalayis in Jumeirah Golf Estates, off Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311), linked by a footbridge to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro station.
Is it free to sell a car or number plate on LicensePlate.ae?
Yes. Creating a listing for a car or a number plate is free. Optional paid extras such as Featured placement are available but not required.
Sources
- Gulf News, "UAE petrol, diesel prices for October 2026 announced", 30 September 2026 — gulfnews.com
- The National, "UAE petrol prices to rise by about 16% in October", 30 September 2026 — thenationalnews.com
- Khaleej Times, October 2026 fuel prices, 30 September 2026 — khaleejtimes.com
- Gulf News, historical UAE fuel rates — gulfnews.com
- The National, "UAE petrol prices to drop in July", 30 June 2026 — thenationalnews.com
- UAE Government portal, energy and fuel prices — u.ae
- The Peninsula, Qatar fuel prices for October 2026, 30 September 2026 — thepeninsulaqatar.com
- Gulf News, "Etihad Rail Dubai–Abu Dhabi: fares, stations and what to know", 29 September 2026 — gulfnews.com
- Gulf News, "Etihad Rail expansion: when will the remaining stations open", 24 July 2026 — gulfnews.com
- Khaleej Times, Etihad Rail introductory service from 30 June, 23 June 2026 — khaleejtimes.com
- Khaleej Times, residents plan Metro trips and fewer office days, October 2026 — khaleejtimes.com
- Khaleej Times, demand for hybrid and EV cars rises amid higher oil prices, 2026 — khaleejtimes.com
Images on this page are illustrations created for LicensePlate.ae and do not show Etihad Rail rolling stock. Prices are as published on 30 September 2026 and change monthly.