Florida just changed the way people travel between its biggest cities. Brightline is the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States, connecting Miami to Orlando with stops at five stations along the way. If you're tired of sitting in traffic on I-95 or the Florida Turnpike, this modern train service offers a genuine alternative.
What Is Brightline?
Brightline is an intercity rail route that runs between Miami and Orlando, Florida. The company started operations in January 2018 with service between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Today, it connects six Florida cities with regular departures throughout the day.
The train runs on biodiesel and reaches speeds of 79 mph in South Florida. Between West Palm Beach and Orlando, it hits 130 mph on certain sections. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale leg takes 35 minutes, and Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach takes 40 minutes. The full Miami to Orlando route clocks in at just over three hours.
Current Routes and Stations
Brightline currently serves these locations:
- Miami (MiamiCentral Station)
- Aventura
- Fort Lauderdale
- Boca Raton
- West Palm Beach
- Orlando (at Orlando International Airport)
The service operates 16 daily round-trips with hourly northbound and southbound departures. The Orlando station sits inside Terminal C of the airport, making it one of the most convenient airport-to-train connections in the country.
Additional stations are planned for Stuart and Cocoa as the network expands. The company also has long-term plans to extend service to Tampa.
Two Ways to Ride
Brightline offers two service classes to match different budgets and travel styles.
SMART Class
SMART Class is the standard option. Tickets start at $79 for adults and $39 for kids age 2-12 on the Miami to Orlando route. The soft gray leather seats are comfortable and recline forward instead of backward, so you won't bother the person behind you. Every seat includes free WiFi powered by SpaceX's Starlink and power outlets.
Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard. Groups of four or more get a 25% discount.
PREMIUM Class
PREMIUM class begins at $149 and includes checked luggage plus complimentary food and drink. The first car of every train is reserved for PREMIUM passengers. These seats are 21 inches wide and arranged in different configurations, including solo seats with tables.
PREMIUM passengers also get access to dedicated lounges at stations, priority boarding, and their first checked bag free. The class feels closer to first-class air travel than typical train service.
The Onboard Experience
The trains themselves are sleek and modern. Each train has four or five cars pulled by bright yellow locomotives. Inside, you'll find hand-stitched leather seats, large windows, and plenty of legroom.
Some rows are arranged in groups of four with tables in between, perfect for families or friends traveling together. The aisles are wide and uncluttered since Brightline requires oversized luggage to be checked.
Bathrooms open automatically when you wave your hand over a sensor near the door. The trains run quietly enough that you might not realize how fast you're actually moving until you look out the window.
Dogs and cats are welcome on Brightline trains. Pets must stay leashed or crated at all times. Pet relief areas are available at West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale stations.
Pricing and Passes
Ticket prices vary based on when you book and when you travel. As of July 2025, Brightline's average short haul fare was $24.32 while long haul was $70.96. Booking several days in advance typically gets you the best rates.
The company introduced peak and off-peak pricing in September 2025 to give travelers more predictable costs within South Florida. They also offer multi-ride passes starting at 10 rides for $239 through the Brightline Rewards loyalty program.
Special promotions pop up regularly. The company recently launched "Twilight Trains" with $29 SMART Saver fares for Monday through Thursday travel after 6pm between South Florida and Orlando.
How Ridership Is Growing
By the end of 2018, almost 600,000 passengers had ridden the train, and the line welcomed its 1 millionth rider in August 2019. Service paused during the pandemic from March 2020 to November 2021.
Since resuming operations, ridership has climbed steadily. In April 2024, Brightline Florida carried 223,117 riders, an increase of 48% year over year. Long-distance trips between Orlando and South Florida have proven especially popular.
The company introduced commuter passes in 2023, targeting daily travelers between South Florida cities. These passes were briefly discontinued due to capacity constraints but returned in 2025 after the company received federal funding to run longer trains.
Why Brightline Works
Several factors make Brightline different from typical American train travel.
First, the stations are in good locations. Miami's station sits in the heart of downtown with connections to three high-rise buildings. The West Palm Beach station is walking distance from the courthouse and other downtown destinations. Orlando's station is literally inside the airport.
Second, Brightline runs trains every hour throughout the day. You don't need to plan around a limited schedule. Show up when you want to travel.
Third, the boarding process is straightforward. You buy tickets through an app, get assigned seats, and board through clearly marked gates. There are no complicated security procedures like at airports.
Finally, the trains are actually fast. The trains can reach speeds up to 130 miles per hour, making them competitive with driving times while eliminating the stress of traffic.
The Brightline West Expansion
Brightline isn't stopping in Florida. Brightline West will connect Las Vegas and Southern California with the first true high-speed passenger rail system in the nation. This 218-mile, all-electric line will include stations in Las Vegas, Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Rancho Cucamonga.
Construction is underway, though no opening date has been announced yet. The Vegas to California route will use all-electric trains, building on lessons learned from the Florida operation.
Is Brightline Worth It?
Whether Brightline makes sense depends on your specific trip. For travelers who value time and stress reduction, the train delivers. You avoid traffic, don't need to find parking, can work or relax during the journey, and arrive in downtown locations or at the airport.
The cost is higher than driving but often comparable to or cheaper than flying when you factor in parking, rental cars, and the time spent getting to and through airports.
Families with kids find the spacious seating and ability to move around helpful. Business travelers appreciate the WiFi, power outlets, and ability to work productively. Weekend travelers enjoy skipping the unpredictable I-95 traffic.
Final Thoughts
Brightline represents something new for American transportation. Private passenger rail service almost disappeared in the United States decades ago. This modern system proves there's still demand for train travel when it's done well.
The service now connects six destinations with plans for further expansion. As more stations open and the Las Vegas line comes online, Brightline's model of comfortable, frequent, well-located train service might inspire similar projects in other parts of the country.
For now, if you're traveling through Florida, Brightline offers a genuine alternative to driving or flying. The trains are comfortable, the stations are convenient, and the experience is far more pleasant than battling Florida traffic.