All aboard as Brightline begins high-speed train service between Orlando and South Florida

The brand new high-speed rail link between Orlando and various stops in South Florida including Miami has left the station for the first time!

A new era in rail travel has arrived in Florida, as the highly anticipated new Brightline rail passenger service linking Central and South Florida began early this morning, Friday September 22, with the inaugural train from Orlando departing to Miami just after 6:30 a.m.

The service from Orlando to Miami passes through West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Fort Lauderdale.

The new passenger train service has been a massive undertaking that’s been years in the making, with plans for the project revealed back in 2012.

Now travelers can travel in comfort from Orlando to Miami on a nonstop Brightline train in three hours and 30 minutes, and from Orlando to West Palm Beach in two hours.

“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,” shared Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline. “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.”

For a limited time, Brightline is offering one-way SMART fares starting at $79 for adults and $39 for kids. Groups of 4+ will automatically save an additional 25 percent on SMART fares. SMART service offers a comfortable 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.

One-way PREMIUM fares start at $149, a first class experience with added amenities including a dedicated PREMIUM lounge, priority boarding, checked luggage, and complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the journey.

Purchase tickets now at gobrightline.com.

Read on for all the details you need on this new rail service

The new Brightline service offers 16 daily round trips with hourly departures between Miami and Orlando, with the non-stop trains having a run time between Miami and Orlando of two hours and 59 minutes.

Regular service from Orlando to Miami stops at all Brightline stations including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Aventura.

Brightline offer two classes of service on the new service, SMART and PREMIUM .

Brightline’s PREMIUM service provides complimentary drinks and snacks in a dedicated lounge and train coach.

One-way SMART fares start at $79 and one-way PREMIUM fares are priced from $149.

Brand new Brightline trains offer travellers spacious leather seats with plenty of legroom, access to complimentary, high-speed wifi, charging ports at every seat and multiple food and beverage stations onboard.

Guests will also find a designated place for bikes and ample room throughout coaches for carry-on storage.

With Brightline’s signature yellow and spacious lounges, the new Orlando station at Orlando International Airport is the perfect backdrop for a new era of passenger rail that will connect Central and South Florida.

The new station is meticulously designed and built through the lens of today’s modern traveler. The 37,350 square foot station is located in Orlando International Airport’s new 80,000 sq. ft. Train Station facility adjacent to Terminal C.

The Train Station connects directly to the airport’s Parking Garage C, which will have more than 350 parking spaces branded for Brightline guests. The Train Station provides direct access to the other airport terminals A and B via the airport Terminal Link (automated people mover) in under five minutes. Transportation and mobility options at the Orlando Station include Brightline’s first and last-mile service, Brightline+, which will cater to the unique needs of the Orlando visitor.

The guest journey begins at the main entrance, located off the airport’s expansive two-story glass atrium. Once inside the station, passengers can purchase tickets from guest services or one of several self-service kiosks, and check luggage before proceeding through touchless turnstiles into the security screening tunnel.

Once through the security tunnel, guests are greeted by an expansive two-story station space, featuring world-class amenities Brightline is known for, including:

Mary Mary Bar, serving hand-crafted cocktails and light bites. The signature sit-down bar is positioned at the far end of the station with a stunning panoramic view overlooking the train platforms where guests can leisurely watch as trains arrive and depart.

Above the Mary Mary bar is an iconic, split-flap message board that can rotate alphanumeric text and/or graphics to form a message. A nostalgic nod to historic train stations, the split-flap will provide updated train schedules, boarding times, news of the day and other announcements complete with sounds reminiscent of the first passenger train stations in America.

MRKT PLACE is a retail experience with convenient in-station shopping for last-minute gifts, sundries and refreshments.

Brightline offers two classes of service, SMART and PREMIUM. Brightline’s PREMIUM service includes complimentary meals, snacks and beverages, a dedicated first class lounge, free checked luggage, priority boarding and a dedicated coach.

Throughout the station, all guests will have access to free high-speed Wi-Fi, charging stations at every seat, 87 big screen televisions and a BrightKids children’s play area located in the SMART lounge.

Passengers will access trains by escalator or elevator to first level platforms.

These platforms are 1,000 feet long and can accommodate a train with up to 10 coaches and two locomotives.

Additional details of Brightline’s opening schedule include:

Weekdays

• Hourly southbound departures from Orlando to Miami starting at 5:00 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 5:00 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.

• First northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando at 9:15 a.m.

Additional dedicated trains will continue to serve commuters and the South Florida region between Miami and West Palm Beach with early morning departures at 5:00 a.m. from West Palm Beach and late night departures until 12:45 a.m. out of Miami.

For the latest news and information from throughout Central Florida, here at Gotta Go Orlando we keep you informed throughout the day, every day.

You can also keep up to date with us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, for the best of Orlando.