The time has finally come for us to hop on a Brightline train and make our way to O-Town! After more than four years in the making, the high-speed passenger rail service has opened its Orlando station, which was unveiled back in April before tickets first went on sale in May. For a limited time, one-way tickets to Orlando will start at $79 for adult SMART fares and $39 for kids each way.
Families or larger outings (groups of four or more) automatically save an additional 25 percent on SMART fares. Students with eligible email domains also have the opportunity to receive up to 25 percent of SMART rides, after creating a Brightline account using an active college or university email.
One-way PREMIUM fares, a first class experience with added amenities like access to an exclusive lounge and complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the journey, will start at $149.
The new service includes 16 daily round trips with hourly departures from Miami and Orlando. Trains will travel at maximum speeds of 125 mph — more than two miles per minute. With a non-stop route between Miami and Orlando for just three hours (compared to four with traffic), this development is a godsend for those looking to explore the city or, well, plan a trip to Disney without the stress of driving or catching a flight.
What to know about Brightline’s Orlando station
The station linking Orlando with South Florida is located at Orlando International Airport. At 37,350 square feet and spanning three stories, it is adjacent to Terminal C and covered in Brightline’s signature yellow and spacious lounges.
The guest journey begins at the main entrance, located off the airport’s two-story glass atrium. Once inside, passengers can purchase tickets from guest services or one of several self-service kiosks if they didn’t buy tickets in advance.
Once through the security tunnel, guests will be greeted by an expansive station space, including the Mary Mary Bar, serving hand-crafted cocktails and light bites; a split-flap message board as a nostalgic nod to historic train stations; a MRKT Place retail experience; and panoramic views overlooking oncoming trains.
The station connects with the Orlando Airport’s Parking Garage C, which will have more than 350 spaces branded for Brightline passengers.
Throughout the station, guests will also have access to charging stations at every seat, 87 big screen televisions and a BrightKids children’s play area located in the SMART lounge.
Regular service from Orlando to Miami will stop at all Brightline stations including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Aventura with a run time of three hours and 30 minutes. The Orlando station, which will connect 170 miles of track, aims to reduce congestion along the route while offering a more efficient (and quicker) way to travel between Miami and Orlando.
Brightline currently offers fares for as low as $10 for one-way trips between Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. Other potential routes that are in the works are Tampa, which is part of Brightline’s Phase 2 expansion into Central Florida.
For tickets, visit their website by clicking here. Soon we’ll be on the next train out directly to The City Beautiful!