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The second fastest train in the U.S. is expected to begin its long-awaited service from Miami to Orlando this summer.
This is insane news considering there has never been more than one high-speed train (famous worldwide and in places like Europe) in the U.S., much less in Florida.
This will be great news for travelers heading to the beach for the summer who also want to check out theme parks like Magic Kingdom or Universal Studios.
This will also make traveling to Miami from Orlando much more reliable and less stressful since you won’t sit in traffic.
Rail systems in Florida have not seen any updates since Disney opened in 1971, and this groundbreaking will be something to keep your eye on if you’re planning to travel to Florida this summer.
Find out how one of the fastest trains in the U.S. is set to launch service between Miami and Orlando this summer.
What Is It?
Brightline is a private inter-city rail company that started high-speed service in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale in 2018, which allowed travelers to visit both towns easily and set the stage for plans. By 2022, they had Boca Raton and Miami stations connecting most of South Florida.
The company touts itself as a modern rail system that focuses on the experience rather than shuffling many people into a train car.
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Where Can It Take You?
Once service starts in Orlando this summer, it can take you from Orlando to their different South Florida stations, which are located in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, and finally, Miami.
Service will be daily and run on the weekends. Hourly trains will depart from Orlando starting at 5 am until 8:50 pm.
Weekend service will mirror the weekday service. If you’re traveling from Miami to Orlando, hourly service begins weekly at 6:50 am and until 9:45 pm.
The Miami to Orlando weekends run slightly differently, with hourly service starting at 5:45 am until 9:45 pm.
There are going to be 16 daily round trips in total.
How Long Will It Take?
Traveling to Miami from Orlando will only take three hours. The drive from Orlando to Miami only takes three hours, but if there’s traffic (there always is), it can take up to four or five hours.
This beats out competitors like Amtrak, which can take up to or more than four hours on a one-way trip. This also creates more opportunities for those who want to avoid driving.
Where Are The Stations?
The Orlando station will be at the Orlando International Airport with its own mini-terminal.
The Orlando station will be adjacent to Terminal C and have counters for checking bags and buying tickets. All the stations have a gift store and a bar where you can purchase drinks or light food.
There are also waiting areas equipped with corners for kids and free WiFi, outlets for charging, and restrooms.
How Much Will It Cost?
Tickets will be available at the beginning of May and cost $79 for a one-way pass from Orlando to Miami and vice versa.
For only $199, you can buy four tickets for a one-way journey in either direction as part of their promotion for families of four.
Premium fares will be hiked up to $149 per trip.
Is There a Business Class?
Yes. Brightline’s premium service can be bought online and at one of its stations.
This includes free WiFi (in the station and on the trains), station parking, complimentary snacks and beverages (alcoholic drinks included), premium lounge access, priority boarding, free ride share within a 5-mile radius of the station, and extra seat space.
Their economy section, or SMART class, offers free WiFi & charging ports (in the station and on the trains) and station parking for a price.
Can You Bring Luggage?
Yes! Carry-on baggage will be with you on the train, but check-in service for bigger bags is also available for those who need to bring a bit more with them.
Brightline coming to Orlando is a massive step in creating sustainable public transit for Florida.
It will allow you to see the beach in Miami and the parks in Orlando all in one trip with comfortable travel in between.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Floridian
Tuesday 25th of April 2023
As someone who lives in Orlando, I am excited by this. This gives me more options. I drive a lot. I wish one went West toward Tampa. The traffic is horrible on i-4. One if the worst in the country. I tend to go to Sarasota a lot too and the driving is exhausting.
Ophny annorat
Thursday 27th of April 2023
@Floridian,
Trish
Monday 24th of April 2023
It's pretty great with having stations south of Boca in general because there is always congestion southbound on i95 below Glades. I get headaches with stop and go traffic during my commute down there. Station in Orlando is great and I'm good with the price so it can gatekeep how many people can go on or it'll be like the packed subways in Korea during rush hour. To say it's too slow for 3 hours but you can drink and sleep or do laptop work on the train which can't be done in the car as a driver. It's not for everybody and I'm all for it so I can enjoy my peace.
ArizonaTrainNut
Monday 24th of April 2023
I wish we had something like this here in Arizona, and not just between Tucson and Phoenix but also maybe to Sierra Vista, and I guess Flagstaff too via Wickenburg and Prescott! I'd give almost anything to ride a passenger train be it Amtrak, Brightline, or whatever!
I'm happy for the state of Florida, and a bit jealous or envious too though I wish to stay in Arizona. Love to take a train to Florida too and you used to be able to do that until Hurricane Katrina hit! Hopefully that'll be reversed!
cowboy
Monday 24th of April 2023
Too slow and too expensive for Floridans. Maybe, if your a European In Miami and want to go to Disney this is your option. I predict a massive failure.
Ophny annorat
Thursday 27th of April 2023
@cowboy, I agree with you as a Floridian as I also think that it's too expensive and definitely to slow for a train, cause you're taking basic the same time driving 3 to 4 hours.
Chris Jay
Monday 24th of April 2023
So when will the first small town between Orlando and Miami revolt and start parking old pickup trucks on the tracks?