Florida's newest high-speed train to open in Orlando soon & tickets are officially on sale

Cover photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo by BBT609 | Flickr

Travelers looking to explore everything from Orlando to Miami and all that's in between are about to have a new way to get to their favorite destinations because Brightline's high-speed train in Orlando has announced an official opening date — and tickets are now on sale through their website.

A release announcing the September 1 opening offers a peek into pricing expectations for would-be travelers, with one-way SMART Fares for Adults sitting at $79, and children's SMART Fares running for $39. A 25% discount will also be applied automatically for families and friend groups of 4 or more passengers.

Premium tickets are also available, unlocking extra perks including exclusive lounge access, complimentary food and beverage options, priority boarding, more spacious seating, and more. You'll also enjoy complimentary WiFi at the station and onboard when going with this ticket option that starts at $149 per passenger.

What can guests expect in terms of speed and travel time? What about the new station's location, amenities, and check-in process — what does that all look like?

"The guest journey begins at the main entrance, located off the airport’s expansive two-story glass atrium," a press release from January 9 reads, in part. "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 area."

The release also states that Brightline is currently the only rail system in America that screens all passengers and bags prior to boarding and details where to find convenient in-station shopping options, as well as its Mary Mary Bar — serving hand-crafted cocktails and light bites at the far end of the station over-looking the train platform.

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 children’s play area located in the SMART lounge.

“This world-class train station continues our mission of transforming train travel in America,” said Patrick Goddard, president at Brightline. “We have carefully thought through each detail of this station to ensure that it exceeds the expectations of the modern traveler.”

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

Passengers will access these trains by escalator or elevators to the first level platform and board from one of two new track platforms. These platforms are 1,000 feet long and will accommodate a train with four coaches and two locomotives that will transport guests on the Orlando to Miami route in just over three hours.

The 37,350 square-foot station is located in the heart of Orlando International Airport’s new 80,000-square-foot Terminal C and connects directly to the airport’s parking deck C, which will have more than 350 parking spaces reserved for Brightline guests.

An automated people mover connects the terminal to the rest of the airport facilities, including Terminals A and B, in under five minutes.

Brightline’s Orlando station is designed by Bigtime Design Studios, an architecture firm based out of Miami, Florida, that also designed the newly opened Brightline stations in Boca Raton and Aventura, alongside the architect of record Sonny Fornoles of Borrelli + Partner.

Itching for a ride and your next vacation? Those hoping to book their travel on Brightline's high-speed train can do so through their website here.
​
Did you know Brightline also has a program running all summer long that gets your kids into some of South Florida's most iconic museums for free when traveling on their train while also earning prizes? Click here to learn more.
Article by Rachael Volpe