In this review, I wanted to share our experience traveling from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale for a cruise via Brightline as an alternative to driving which we would normally do for a South Florida cruise departure. Brightline is a high speed intercity passenger rail (train) service running between Miami and Orlando with future expansion plans that will potentially extend the route to Tampa. There is also a potential station coming to the Cocoa Beach area to serve Port Canaveral.
The Brightline trains can travel at a top speed of 125 mph, travel time varies based on a number of factors such as speed limits in certain areas. In our experience, actual travel time between Orlando and South Florida is about 3 hours.
In our case, we live about 20-minutes (depending on traffic) from Orlando International Airport (MCO) making the Brightline Orlando Station a convenient alternative to driving. The train station’s location also opens up the option for anyone visiting Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Resort, the beaches, or anywhere else in the Central Florida area to fly into Orlando for some time vacationing on land with additional Disney Cruise options from Fort Lauderdale instead of just Port Canaveral. The same service can be taken to Miami for even more cruise options.
For me, the instant appeal for the train was an easy trip to Fort Lauderdale, avoiding the drive on the Florida Turnpike, and then paying to park at the terminal for the duration of the voyage.
Our amazing friend picked us up from the house and we were unloading our bags at the Orlando Brightline station at 6:15 AM ahead of our 6:50 AM departure. There is dedicated drop off area that was empty at this early hour.
Five minutes after being dropped off, we were inside and heading to baggage and passenger screening which only took few minutes.
Just outside the baggage screening area was a sign with important information including Brightline’s pet policy, carry-on and checked items, as well as information on bikes, scooters, and eBikes. You can find the most up to date policy information posted on Brightline’s website here.
All passengers and bags are screened by onsite security before proceeding into the waiting area.
At 6:25 AM, 10-minutes after arrival we were where we needed to be and had some time to explore the terminal’s merchandise, food, and beverage options.
There are multiple places to wait in the terminal with the majority of passengers congregating in the general seating area available for all guests.
A Premium Lounge, with complimentary small bites, snacks, and drinks available if you purchase a premium fare.
Around the terminal you will see clear signage showing the current time and train status.
Within the terminal’s main area, you will see >>MRKT which in Orlando offered a selection of merchandise, and snacks to take with you on the trip.
Yes, you can buy Brightline logo merchandise including at the time of this trip, Titlelist Pro V1 golf balls.
Just behind the >>MRKT is the Mary Mary bar, where you can buy drinks and order food.
An all day breakfast menu was available and according to the Brightline website, service begins at 5:30 AM and runs until final departure.
A mid-day menu was also out on the bar, but hours were not listed.
The bar menu is below and can also be found the most up to date menu on Brightline’s website here.
Since this was the first departure of the day, the train was already at the station. A NOW BOARDING announcement was made over the terminal’s PA system around 6:37 AM.
We proceeded to track 1 and defended the escalator and boarded our train car that was listed on our tickets in the Brightline app which worked perfectly during our trip.
We found our seat and were seated by 6:40 AM and we departed at exactly 6:50 AM as scheduled.
We booked SMART class tickets which allowed us to pick seats and includes an option to cancel for 100% credit up to 48 hours before departure or 50% thereafter. The cheaper fare, SMART Saver does not allow for seat selection or modifications and only offers a 10% credit for canceling. The PREMIUM fare (which I briefly mentioned for the terminal lounge access), has its own set of perks such as a dedicated train car with larger seats with complementary snacks and beverages.
We chose 3 seats with a table knowing that the 4th seat might be booked by a single rider or assigned to someone booking SMART Saver boarding at another stop (which did happen).
The seat was comfortable and the table provided a nice work surface.
There is complimentary WiFi available, which I included in a screenshot of the Speedtest from just outside the Orlando Station. I ended up tethering to my cell phone for most of the trip, but it is a nice option for areas along the route with poor cellular data service.
During the trip, you can order beverages and food items, which is done via the app.
Each train car has restroom facilities.
The trains do not spend long at each stop so you will need to pay attention when you get close to your destination. There are clearly visible digital displays in each train car, plus you can always pull up a map on your phone to see your exact location.
The views along they way are mixed with a combination of nothing to city scapes.
Our stress free trip from Orlando to the Fort Lauderdale station was just under 3 hours arriving at 9:46 AM.
Inside the Brightline Station in Fort Lauderdale, you can get a bird’s eye view of the of tracks.
There are shuttle options to the airport, but at this time, no options for Port Everglades.
Outside the terminal is a pickup and drop off area when you can get a ride share or taxi.
We’ve found it easily to request a ride from Lyft and the prices have been less than Uber.
Following the cruise from Fort Lauderdale, we reversed course and requested a ride share after debarking the ship back to the Brightline Station.
There is a dedicated spot for rideshare pickups at Disney’s terminal in Fort Lauderdale.
On the way out of the terminal, be camera ready to get your last pictures of the ship before heading home.
About 15 minutes later we were at the station which is a standalone station in Fort Lauderdale unlike the Orlando station that is part of Terminal C at the airport.
The seats are comfortable and all you have to do is sit back and relax for the next few hours.
Upon arrival at the Brightline Station, you can see the pickup and drop off lane from inside.
The trip is stress free and easy, but it can come at a steep price point depending on when you book and how many people are in your traveling party. I would highly recommend booking ahead of time and keeping an eye out for promotions.
For me, the drive from our Central Florida home to Port Everglades is 215 miles and according to driving directions is a 3 hour and 5 minute drive. We are 20 minutes to the airport, and have great friends who are wiling to drop us off and pick us up which saves on parking or ride share costs. From a cost perspective it is still often cheaper to drive, fill up the gas tank, and pay for parking at the port. However, the convenience factor as well as the sit back and relax (or work and be productive) mode of transportation is something you cannot put a price on.
We’ve also recently taken the trip from Orlando to Miami on Brightline for a cruise out of Port Miami. There really isn’t much of a difference, as this is also a great option, especially considering the cost to park at Port Miami for a 7-night cruise. Plus, the Brightline Miami station is less than a 10-minute drive to the PortMiami cruise terminals.
I am used to train commute and O am thrilled with bright line !
I would love Orlando to be connected to Port Canaveral and avoid the road altogether. Unfortunately we will need to wait until 2028.
Like you mentioned, it will be coming eventually. The plans for the Coco Station appear to still be moving forward.
We first used the train in June of last year for our DVC cruise. That was right before a rain storm flooded both Miami & Ft Lauderdale airports canceling our connecting flight from California. This is why we arrive 2 days early for a east coats cruise. We got into MCO and took the train to FTL station for our hotel. The train is fantastic and worth the price which saved our DVC member cruise. We had SMART tickets then and we were very comfortable with our seats but we could not have our cruise luggage placed in the baggage car so we had to store our bags in the cars rack which is very limiting.
We took advantage of the train once again last March after our Star Trek cruise came back to Miami and we headed to Orlando to stay with family. This time we booked PREMIUM seats and the difference was a great, The lounge with free drink, coffee, beer, wine and a variety of substantial snacks plus the free drinks and food on board the train makes up the price difference between SMART & PREMIUM seats. It is just my wife and I so the cost is reasonable but it may be daunting for a family.
Our Conductor/Server spent time talking to us and she mentioned that they are adding a station at Coco Beach with a possible shuttle to Port Canaveral. Since we told her we are from Southern California, she told us the Brightline West will be serving SoCAL to Las Vegas in 2027. Speeds will be in excess of what Florida train has since most of the train track will be through open desert area. Our 4.5 hour drive to Vegas will be cut in half!
Thank you so much for this very informative article. We were thinking of doing this same thing in September but just read that they charge to check your bags. This seemed to add a large amount to the fares. Could you confirm that they do indeed charge for all baggage.
Thank you.
They only charge if you check your luggage with them. If you carry on your own luggage it is not an additional fee.
I really wanted to try Brightline for our cruise plus parks trip last December to get from Port Everglades to Orlando. It wound up being cheaper to fly Southwest. Book early is the moral of the story. I had priced it out but waited to book and prices skyrocketed.
In November of 2023 after getting off the Dream in Port Everglades, we took Brightline from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando. The waiting room was clean and comfortable. The train was modern, relaxing and fast. At one point I clocked it 137 MPH. The bathroom had no touch features. We had checked our suitcases and retrieving upon arrival was not very organized. One guy opening a door and pushing the bags out. One thing that needs improvement. Outside of that I would take Brightline again.