Florida Brightline Train: Orlando to Miami Guide

Wondering if there is a train from Orlando to Miami that actually saves you time? We recently tested out the Florida Brightline train to see if it lives up to the hype.

If you are looking for a high-speedtrain from Orlando to Miami, this guide covers everything from parking secrets to the best way to reach the Miami cruise port.

Traveling via the Brightline train from Orlando to Miami has become a popular alternative to skipping the congested high traffic of South Florida.

We’ll take you step-by-step through our journey so you can enjoy the ride and avoid the baggage mistakes we made!

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Brightline Orlando Station: MCO Terminal C

The Brightline Orlando station is located next to Terminal C of the Orlando International Airport (MCO). To get there, we entered Terminal C and took the elevator to the 4th floor.

Terminal C in Orlando Airport signs towards the Brightline train station

From there, you follow the signs and cross an interior bridge that connects Terminal C to the train station.

Note: It is about a 6-8 minute walk, so we recommend wearing comfortable shoes and using luggage with wheels.

Parking Options in Orlando

• MCO Airport Parking: You can park in Garage C (covered) starting at$24 per 24-hour period, or use surface parking starting at starting at  $20 per 24-hour period. You can check parking location and current prices on the MCO website.

• Fast Park & Relax: This is the option we chose because it was more affordable. It is located 10-15 minutes from the train station. It is an undercover car park, and once you enter, they direct you to a specific spot so you don’t have to walk far. Their shuttle takes you straight to Terminal C.

How to Book Tickets & Luggage Rules

You can purchase tickets through the Brightline app (which we recommend having handy for scanning at check-in) or their website.

Typically, trips start as early as 5:40 AM, and the last one leaves around 8:55 PM. They usually offer about 10 trips per day within that timeframe.

Brightline’s onboard menu and storage space for large luggage

Ticket Tiers & Pricing

• Smart Saver: The cheapest option, but it does not allow you to select your seat or make modifications.
• Smart: This is the second tier and what we purchased. It allows for seat selection.
• Premium: Includes access to the premium lounge (for 2 hours before departure only) and one complimentary checked bag. We are planning to try this next time, even though the vegan food options are limited for us, to see if it’s more convenient.

Essential Luggage Information

• Checked Bags: You must drop these off at the checkpoint at least 30 minutes in advance in Orlando (20 minutes in West Palm or Ft. Lauderdale).
• The Boarding Gap: There is a small ramp to help, but there is still a small gap between the station floor and the train car, so be careful when boarding with heavy wheeled luggage.

• Storage: There is an open overhead area for carry-ons. While there is storage for large bags, it may not be close to your assigned seat.
• Station Limits: Aventura and Boca Raton stations do not allow checked bags.

Brightline Train Interior & Experience

The Brightline train interior is very modern and was recently launched in 2023.

• Seating Layout: You can choose the normal two-chair per side configuration or the 4-chair set with a table in the center.
• Comfort: The chairs are comfortable, recline, and have standard USA electrical outlets. There is a fold-down table (like an airplane) that allowed me to work on my blog comfortably during the trip.

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• Touchless Bathrooms: The bathrooms are spacious, super clean, and everything (door, sink, toilet) is touchless. I found them to be much more spacious than the ones we used in Valencia high-speed train from Barcelona.
• Onboard Snacks: Inside the train, we found very limited vegan and gluten-free options (mostly just coffee and chips). The station has a few more choices, but we didn’t eat there either, and we decided to bring our own snacks.
• Credit Card Only: If you want to buy food or drinks, in the station or onboard, you must bring a credit card as they do not accept cash.

The Journey: From Orlando to Miami

The trip average is 3.5 hours. The first part of the trip is fast, riding parallel to the I-95.

💡 Blogger Tip: I used the 3.5-hour ride from Orlando to Miami to finalize this post! High-speed trains are the perfect “mobile office.” If you’re interested in learning how to monetize your travel passions, explore my blogging tips and free video class to learn how to create your website.

Once you reach Boca Raton, Aventura, and Fort Lauderdale, the train moves into more developed areas and reduces its velocity.

Important Tip: Keep an eye on the station indicators! We witnessed a passenger who missed her stop in West Palm Beach because she didn’t realize where she was.

Brightline Miami Station: Arriving in Miami

The Miami station is very large and features several restaurants, cafes, and bars, making it a great place to hang out for a bit.

Does Brightline go to the Miami Cruise Port?

No, the Brightline does not go directly to the Miami cruise port. To get from the Brightline station to the cruise terminal, you have two main options, since the Miami Metrorail does not stop at the cruise port:

• Uber/Lyft: If you are heading to the cruise terminal, we recommend taking an Uber, as it’s the most direct way to get to the port.
• Coral Way Trolley: While there is a trolley that goes to PortMiami, it does not stop directly at the Brightline station. You can walk about 3 blocks to reach the trolley stop, or use the Metromover (Inner Loop) to get to the Coral Way Trolley station, which takes you to the port. To see the current trolley tracker, visit the Miami Gov website.

Does Brightline go to Miami Airport?

You have two main options to get to the airport from the station:

• Uber/Lyft: The most direct method.
• MetroRail: Walk to the Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre Metrorail station (5 minutes from the Brightline Miami station) and take the Orange Line directly to the airport.

Is the Florida Brightline Train Worth It?

We are huge fans of promoting this new means of transportation in Florida. We loved our experience traveling on the high-speed train from Barcelona to Valencia and have been wishing for the same type of travel here.

This route is a huge step in the right direction. While the food options for vegans are limited and you have to be very strict with the luggage timing, the comfort and ability to work while traveling make it a great choice.

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