Brightline unveils its opening date for train service from South Florida to Orlando
Brightline's high-speed train service from South Florida to Orlando will start Friday, September 22.
This is a long-anticipated announcement of the inter-city rail route that will connect South Florida stations Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach to Orlando.
“Opening Orlando fulfills our ultimate business model. We have seen incredible enthusiasm from the business and tourism industries eager to travel between Central and South Florida,” Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline announced. “As we start service to Orlando for peak holiday seasons, I encourage everyone to check calendars, make plans, visit our website or app and reserve a seat now.”
An official time has not been announced for the first train, which will depart from Miami. However, according to spokesperson Katie Mitzner, it is expected to leave Miami between 6:45 a.m. and 7 a.m. Upon arrival in Orlando, the inaugural train will be greeted by a banner, confetti and dignitaries. That train will return to Miami later in the day.
Passengers can get tickets for other trains to and from Miami to ride the trains that day and the weekend at gobrightline.com.
The idea for the United States' only privately owned and operated inter-city passenger railroad was born in 2012 when All Aboard Florida, a subsidiary of Florida East Coast Industries, announced the plans.
Since then, it has steadily opened South Florida locations with Palm Beach County stops of West Palm Beach launching in 2018 and more recently Boca Raton in 2022.
Brightline had initially planned to launch the service on Labor Day weekend from South Florida sites to the new station at Orlando International Airport, but it was delayed by the lengthy certification process.
How much are Brightline train tickets?
For a limited time, Brightline is offering one-way Smart fares starting at $79 for adults and $39 for kids. Groups of four or more will automatically save an additional 25 percent on Smart fares. Smart service offers business-class option onboard in hand-stitched leather seats, complimentary Starlink WiFi, multiple power and USB outlets and an array of food and beverages available for purchase.
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One-way Premium fares start at $149, a first-class experience with added amenities including a lounge, priority boarding, checked luggage, and complimentary snacks and beverages. Premium booked guests also enjoy Brightline’s first- and last-mile service to get to and from the station with complimentary Uber rides anywhere within a five-mile radius in South Florida.
Passengers can buy tickets at the stations, but they also can purchase them online. Discounted fares are available with two days advance purchase.
What is the South Florida to Orlando Brightline train schedule?
Service will include 16 daily roundtrips with hourly departures between Miami and Orlando.
Weekdays
Hourly southbound departures from Orlando to Miami starting at 5 a.m. until 8:50 p.m.
First southbound train from Orlando arrives in Miami at 8:30 a.m.
Hourly northbound departures from Miami to Orlando starting at 6:50 a.m. until 9:45 p.m.
First northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando at 10:15 a.m.
Weekends
Hourly southbound departures from Orlando to Miami starting at 5 a.m. until 8:50 p.m.
First southbound train from Orlando arrives in Miami at 8:30 a.m.
Hourly northbound departures from Miami to Orlando starting at 5:45 a.m. until 9:45 p.m.
The company also said a daily commuter schedule with "dedicated trains will continue to serve commuters and the South Florida region between Miami and West Palm Beach." The early morning departure will be at 5 a.m. from West Palm Beach with evening night departures until 12:45 a.m. out of Miami
How long will it take to get from South Florida Brightline stations to Orlando?
Brightline will link riders from Miami to Orlando in about three hours.
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.
Brightline trains will travel to Orlando from existing stations in Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. 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 five-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 Interstate 4 south of the company's theme parks.
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.
What are Brightline's latest safety upgrades?
Brightline has installed infrastructure and safety improvements at all 156 rail crossings between Cocoa and West Palm Beach. The $170 million infrastructure investment upgrades include new crossing gates, signal systems, pedestrian gates, pavement markings and roadway profiles.
Brightline also recently announced the completion of work adding improvements at 48 railroad crossings in the tri-county area (Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade) from a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grant awarded in 2017.
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This was a $5.4 million project, supported by Federal Railroad Administration funding of $2.3 million. Another $1.5 million came from 11 local communities and the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency, while Brightline contributed more than $1.4 million.
Work included center-line delineators, channelization devices, exit gates, active message signs, and lane edge markings.
There have been at least 25 deaths in Palm Beach County attributed to Brightline trains since the company's service began in 2017. Brightline maintains that none of the accidents were the fault of its trains.
Where are the Brightline stations located?
Miami: 600 NW First Ave. Connections available to Metrorail, Metrobus, MetroMover and Miami Trolley.
Aventura: 19796 W. Dixie Highway. Aventura Mall is located a few blocks away, and complimentary shuttle service is available to and from the mall.
Fort Lauderdale: 101 NW Second Ave. 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. Convenient connection to Palm Tran Bus, Palm Trolly, and Tri-Rail. Walking distance to downtown and The Square. Eco-friendly ride shares and bikes available.
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Fast tracks: Brightline will be a fast train, and between Orlando International to 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 Interstate 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. Cost for checked bags is $10 each, with a two-bag limit. Brightline warned that multiple bags should be reserved in advance due to capacity.
Cancellation policy: Smart tickets canceled more than 4 minutes before their scheduled train departure are fully refundable in the form of a credit. Premium tickets canceled more than 4 minutes prior to their 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 unveils South Florida to Orlando train service opening date
