Brightline unveiled its highly anticipated Brightline Orlando Station at Orlando International Airport (MCO). The station will connect two of the fastest-growing regions in the state: Central and South Florida. Brightline also announced that Orlando ticket sales will launch in May for future dates, with one-way fares starting at $79 for SMART and $149 for PREMIUM. SMART fare bundles for families of four will be available for less than $199 one way.
More than 300 invited guests took part in the Brightline Orlando Station reveal, the latest milestone moment for Brightline and transportation in America. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Kevin Thibault joined Brightline CEO Mike Reininger, President Patrick Goddard, and Brightline teammates to celebrate the historic occasion.
“Brightline’s Orlando Station sets a new benchmark for travel that establishes a seamless, convenient, and comfortable experience built for today’s modern traveler. The station is packed with amenities for future guests and has an encompassing sense of arrival from the moment you enter. We’ve curated an experience well beyond time-savings and we can’t wait to welcome guests onboard.” – Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline
The 37,350 square foot station is located in Orlando International Airport’s new 80,000 sq. ft. Train Station facility adjacent to Terminal C. The Train Station connects directly to the airport’s Parking Garage C, which will have more than 350 parking spaces branded for Brightline guests. The Train Station provides direct access to the other airport terminals A and B via the airport Terminal Link (automated people mover) in under five minutes. Transportation and mobility options at the Orlando Station include Brightline’s first and last-mile service, Brightline+, which will cater to the unique needs of the Orlando visitor.
The guest journey begins at the main entrance, located off the airport’s expansive two-story glass atrium. 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 tunnel.
Once through the security tunnel, guests are greeted by an expansive two-story station space, featuring world-class amenities Brightline is known for, including:
Mary Mary Bar, serves hand-crafted cocktails and light bites. The signature sit-down bar is positioned at the far end of the station with a stunning panoramic view overlooking the train platforms where guests can leisurely watch as trains arrive and depart.
Above the Mary Mary bar is an iconic, split-flap message board that can rotate alphanumeric text and/or graphics to form a message. A nostalgic nod to historic train stations, the split-flap will provide updated train schedules, boarding times, news of the day, and other announcements complete with sounds reminiscent of the first passenger train stations in America.
There is a retail space called MRKT PLACE with convenient in-station shopping for last-minute gifts, sundries, and refreshments.
Brightline offers two classes of service, SMART, and PREMIUM. Brightline’s PREMIUM service includes complimentary meals, snacks, and beverages, a dedicated first-class lounge, free checked luggage, priority boarding, and a dedicated coach.
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 BrightKids children’s play area located in the SMART lounge.
Passengers will access trains by escalator or elevator to first-level platforms. These platforms are 1,000 feet long and can accommodate a train with up to 10 coaches and two locomotives.
Orlando to South Florida Train Schedule Details
BService will begin in the Summer of 2023 and will include 16 daily round trips with hourly departures between Miami and Orlando. Brightline’s non-stop trains have a run time between Miami and Orlando of two hours and 59 minutes. Regular service from Orlando to Miami will stop at all Brightline stations including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Aventura with a run time of three hours and 30 minutes. Additional details of Brightline’s opening schedule include:
Weekdays
Hourly southbound departures from Orlando to Miami starting at 5:00 a.m. until 8:50 p.m.
The first southbound train from Orlando arrives in Miami at 8:30 a.m.
Hourly northbound departures from Miami to Orlando starting at 6:50 a.m. until 9:45 p.m.
The first northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando at 10:15 a.m.
Weekends
Hourly southbound departures from Orlando to Miami starting at 5:00 a.m. until 8:50 p.m.
The first southbound train from Orlando arrives in Miami at 8:30 a.m.
Hourly northbound departures from Miami to Orlando starting at 5:45 a.m. until 9:45 p.m.
The first northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando at 9:15 a.m.
Additional dedicated trains will continue to serve commuters and the South Florida region between Miami and West Palm Beach with early morning departures at 5:00 a.m. from West Palm Beach and late night departures until 12:45 a.m. out of Miami.
For more information on Brightline Orlando, visit www.gobrightline.com/Orlando.