After several delays, Brightline will launch its high-speed line between Orlando and South Florida in just over a week.
The Florida-based private railroad said late Tuesday that service in Orlando will officially start on Sept. 22, after the railroad successfully completes the final stages of certification and testing.
The bright yellow trains will soon take passengers from Terminal C of Central Florida’s Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Miami in just over three hours. The trains can reach a top speed of 210 km/hour.
“The opening of Orlando is a fulfillment of our ultimate business model. We have seen incredible enthusiasm from the business and tourism sectors eager to travel between Central and South Florida,” Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline, said in a statement. “As we begin flying to Orlando during peak season, I encourage everyone to check the calendars, make plans, visit our website or app and reserve a seat now.”
TPG attended the station’s official opening in Orlando in April. You can read about it here.
Brightline has been successfully running trains between Miami and West Palm Beach for some time, with stops in Aventura, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale.
A further stop in Tampa is in the early stages.
Related: Brightline high-speed rail expands in South Florida
How much does Brightline cost?
Brightline told TPG that for a limited time, tickets are on sale between Orlando and South Florida for just $79 for adults and $39 for children. Premium fares start at $149 and include first-class seating, lounges and complimentary snacks and drinks in a specially reserved train car.
Daily newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for the latest news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from the experts at TPG
Brightline has two classes: Smart is the more affordable option, and Premium includes slightly larger seats and other benefits mentioned above.
1 by 9
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
A ticket purchased today for next month for a Smart fare between Miami and Orlando round-trip would cost $158 below the promotional price.
Related: First look inside Brightline’s $100 million train maintenance facility in Orlando
Where is the Orlando International Airport (MCO) Brightline station?
1 by 9
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Orlando Station is conveniently connected to the new Terminal C at Orlando International Airport. Inside the station you’ll find a lot of really cool amenities, like a full bar (with flipboard for arrivals and departures), a bright and airy seating area, and a full lounge for those with premium tickets. The only requirement is that you go through a series of security gates, where you put your bags through an X-ray machine.
Where is the Miami Central Brightline station?
The Miami station is located in downtown Miami on NW 1st Avenue in what they call MiamiCentral. It is within walking distance of the Wilkie D Ferguson Jr. Metromover station and the historic Overtown/Lyrica Theater Metrorail station, providing easy public transportation connections. When I was there in April it was easy to hail an Uber.
What does the Brightline schedule look like?
Brightline has a maximum of 16 return trains daily. The first southbound train leaves MCO at 5 a.m. and the first northbound train leaves Miami at 5:45 a.m. on weekends and weekdays and at 6:50 a.m. on weekends. The journey between the two stations takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
In short
The opening of the Orlando route for Brightline is a major boost for rail service and opens up some intriguing new options for Florida transit. TPG plans to send a reporter to cover the opening of the new line, and we’ll have a full overview of the service soon too.
Related reading: