Brightline to Orlando: What riders can expect for this weekend's inaugural trips and beyond
Chantel Sawisch has long been waiting for the day Brightline launches its high-speed train service from South Florida to Orlando.
She runs a Fort Lauderdale-based facial and spa business called The Laser Queen and frequents Orlando about six times a year for conventions. She typically drives the 220-mile route, which takes her about 3 1/2 hours.
No more.
Friday marks the first day of Brightline's intercity rail route that will connect South Florida stations Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport. Sawisch said she's already booked her round-trip tickets for her first Orlando trip later this year.
"For me, it's all about business," Sawisch said. "Being able to do two things at the same time is key. I can sit there with my laptop, look at notes, handle the administrative portion for my business on the way up and back. It's paying for the convenience of someone to chauffeur me there. I'm focused on business, and the time is key for me."
There are five trains departing West Palm Beach today on Friday and the first, which leaves at 12:03 p.m. is sold out, according to Brightline's website. The others leave at 2:03 p.m., 4:03 p.m., 6:03 p.m. and 10:03 p.m. There are six trains available Saturday.
Brightline tickets from West Palm Beach to Orlando range from $79 to $229 for a one-way ticket. Prices start at $79 for Smart tickets and rise to $149 for Premium tickets. Tickets can be bought at Brightline stations or online.
Sawisch said many of her clients are from Orlando and are planning to take the train to Fort Lauderdale, which will help her business.
"For my business, a lot of my clients will use (Brightline)," she said. "Plus it's modern. It's an enjoyable experience. I take an Uber from my office. I mean, I don't have to do anything. It's a first-class operation."
Brightline to Orlando: It's a first-class experience, but it will cost you
Boynton Beach's Mariana Catanzaro has booked a five-day trip in mid-October with her husband Mac and daughter Mila, who will be celebrating her 10th birthday at the Magic Kingdom.
For Catanzaro, the experience to try something different was worth the $375 price tag for the three of them, which included a half-price ticket for her daughter (children under 12 get 50% off).
"It's such a great option," Catanzaro said. "I can bring my laptop, don't have to drive and can just chill and relax. We have a super-clean bathroom and we figured we really can get around with so many transportations in Orlando."
Still, it's probably a trip she and her cost-conscious family won't be taking every month.
"The prices are exorbitant," she admitted. "I mean, you're talking almost $400 for three people. I'm curious as to where they came up with the price point. I understand it's a new mode of transportation, but it would be packed if prices were $25."
Where do I enter my Brightline promo discount code?
Catanzaro said she is always scouring the website for deals and has taken advantage of Brightline's recent Sunday Funday deal to Miami. Those promotional deals are key for Cantanzaro and many other residents.
Luci Pasretti, 70, and her Palm Beach County social justice group PEACE (People Engaged in Active Community Efforts) are taking advantage of Brightline's group discount rate when the group goes to Orlando in November for biannual training sessions.
Groups of no less than four and no more than 16 people are eligible for a 25% discount with a promo code at checkout. This offer is good through the end of the year. Passengers can enter your promo code at checkout.
"The training is always in Orlando and now we can call go together instead of carpooling in multiple cars," said Pasretti, who lives in Boynton Beach. "Who wants to deal with traffic? Plus we can all gather on the train and have house meetings on the way up there. That's the other part of it. We're all super-excited."
Here are another few things to know about the inaugural train service to Orlando.
Do kids travel free on Brightline train?
Babies under 24 months travel free with Brightline. Kids don't travel free, but their tickets are significantly discounted and there's a group discount for families traveling together.
Kids ages 2 through 12 ride for 50% off Smart tickets and groups of four or more save 25%. Kids' Smart one-way tickets are $39.
Is Brightline pet-friendly? Are dogs allowed on the trains?
Dogs and cats are allowed on Brightline trains. The website's pet policy says that pets must be leashed or crated while in Brightline stations and on trains. The West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale stations have pet relief areas.
Does Brightline offer a student discount?
There are student discounts for Brightline tickets. If you create a Brightline account with your student email, you'll receive a 25% student discount.
You can find Brightline's list of participating universities on its website.
Where will the train route go from South Florida to Orlando?
Brightline will not follow a direct path like Florida's Turnpike from South Florida stations to Orlando.
Brightline trains will share tracks with East Coast Railway freight trains from Miami to West Palm Beach and the company paid for track upgrades on that shared-use line from West Palm Beach north to Cocoa. Those improvements will allow Brightline to run up to 110 mph from West Palm Beach to Cocoa. Then, trains will leave the freight line at Cocoa and travel on the new tracks to Orlando International Airport.
Future service will extend from Orlando International Airport to Tampa on tracks in the median of Interstate 4, which was widened in the late 2000s to accommodate high-speed trains.
How long will it take to get from South Florida Brightline stations to Orlando?
Brightline trains will travel to Orlando from existing stations in Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. Here is the estimated time from the South Florida stations:
Miami to Orlando: Three hours
Aventura to Orlando: Two hours, 45 minutes.
Fort Lauderdale to Orlando: Two hours, 30 minutes.
Boca Raton to Orlando: Two hours, 15 minutes
West Palm Beach to Orlando: Two hours.
The service will roll at speeds of up to 125 mph, making Brightline the fastest train operating in Florida and one of the fastest in the country.
The maximum speed of trains between Miami and West Palm Beach is 79 mph.
How can travelers get from Brightline stations to other downtown spots?
Brightline recently announced a partnership with the rideshare service Uber, and the app will be integrated in Brightline's app, Brightline+, which also includes access to electric golf carts and airport shuttles.
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Premium guests will receive complimentary Uber rides within a 5-mile radius. Smart passengers can add a ride to and from the station for a fee without distance restrictions.
Will Brightline stop at Disney?
No, plans to expand to the Orlando area from South Florida will no longer include a stop at Disney Springs, officials announced in 2022.
In November 2020, Brightline and The Walt Disney Co. reached an agreement to build a train station at Disney Springs, the corporation's retail and restaurant complex along I-4 south of the company's theme parks.
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But instead of a station on Disney-owned land, Brightline will have its station at Orlando International Airport, then is expected to build stations at the Orange County Convention Center and an alternate site near Disney Springs.
Where are the Brightline stations located in Florida?
Miami: 600 NW First Ave. Connections are available to Metrorail, Metrobus, MetroMover and Miami Trolley.
Aventura: 19796 W. Dixie Highway. The Aventura Mall is a few blocks away, and complimentary shuttle service is available to and from the mall.
Fort Lauderdale: 101 NW Second Ave. It's walking distance to entertainment and restaurants. Add Brightline+ to your fare and you’ll get a ride to Las Olas, Downtown Fort Lauderdale, the beaches and anywhere else within 5 miles.
Boca Raton: 101 NW Fourth St. Mizner Park is a short walk away.
West Palm Beach: 501 Evernia St. There is a convenient connection to Palm Tran Bus, Palm Trolly, and Tri-Rail. It's walking distance to downtown and The Square. Eco-friendly ride shares and bikes are available.
Five other key things to know about Brightline's service to Orlando
Fast tracks: Brightline will be a fast train, and between Orlando International Airport and Cocoa, it will travel at maximum speeds of 125 mph, which is more than 2 miles per minute. From Cocoa to West Palm Beach, speeds will peak at 110 mph.
Next stop, Tampa: Brightline's next vision is to head west, using tracks for both Brightline and SunRail to connect Orlando to Tampa. The route would go from Orlando International to the Orange County Convention Center and then down I-4 before heading west to a station in Tampa. There is no date for construction on the project to begin.
Contemporary Orlando station: Orlando's 37,350-square foot station features a three-story contemporary design, retail shopping, a bar with light bites and panoramic views of oncoming trains.
Luggage costs: There is no cost for carry-on bags, but there is a two-bag limit. The cost for checked bags is $10 each. Brightline warned that multiple bags should be reserved in advance due to capacity.
Cancellation policy: Smart tickets canceled more than four minutes before a scheduled train departure are fully refundable in the form of a credit. Premium tickets canceled more than four minutes prior to a scheduled train departure are fully refundable in the form of a credit only if the ticket was not used to enter the premium lounge.
James Coleman is a journalist at the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at jcoleman@pbpost.com and follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @JimColeman11. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Brightline train launches service from Miami to Orlando Florida
