How to Take Brightline from Orlando (And My Full Vlog Experience)
Ride Brightline from Orlando to Miami, Aventura & more. Tips, ticket guide, travel times, and my full vlog review of Brightlineâs Premium & Smart class.
đ Why Brightline Matters for Orlando Travelers
If youâre planning a trip to South Florida from Central Florida, Brightline is a game-changer. The high-speed train now connects Orlando to Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach, giving travelers a stress-free alternative to driving I-95 or booking short flights.
A Brightline train is ready for passengers at the Orlando station
I recently rode Brightline from Orlando to Aventura and documented the full journey in my vlog. You can watch it here. This article breaks down everything you need to know to use Brightline, with tips from my experience. I travel both, Premium Class and regular, so you can see both.
đ Where to Board in Orlando
Brightlineâs Orlando station is located at Orlando International Airport (MCO), directly integrated into Terminal C. Even if youâre not flying, you can park at the airport and walk right into the station.
Tip: Arrive at least 20â30 minutes before departure to check in, grab a snack, and enjoy the lounge areas.
đī¸ Choosing Your Ticket: Premium vs Smart
Brightline offers two ticket types:
Premium Class â Includes lounge access, complimentary food and drinks onboard, more spacious seating, and priority boarding.
Smart Class â More budget-friendly with comfortable seats and the option to purchase food and drinks.
đ In my vlog, I tried both Premium and Smart so you can see the differences side by side. If you like extra perks, Premium is worth the upgrade. If you just want a quick, affordable ride, Smart is still fantastic.
Brightline Premium lounge at the Orlando station.
đī¸ What Itâs Like Onboard
Brightline trains are clean, modern, and quiet â with Wi-Fi, power outlets, and plenty of legroom.
Premium passengers enjoy included snacks, beer, wine, and cocktails.
Smart passengers can purchase items from the cafÊ menu.
Families will love the roomy seating, and business travelers will appreciate the productivity-friendly setup.
đ Travel Time & Destinations
From Orlando to Aventura, the trip takes about 3.5 hours. Along the way, trains stop in:
West Palm Beach
Boca Raton
Fort Lauderdale
Aventura (where I stopped for my vlog)
MiamiCentral (the final stop)
đī¸ What to Do in Aventura (and Beyond)
In my trip, I got off at Aventura Station, which is directly connected to Aventura Mall â one of the largest malls in the country. From there, I headed to Hollywood Beach for some ocean views before wrapping up the night at Hard Rock Stadium for a Coldplay concert.
Your trip might look different, but Brightline makes it easy to hop off and explore different South Florida neighborhoods.
đĄ Tips for First-Time Riders
Download the Brightline app for mobile boarding passes and easy booking.
Travel light â luggage racks are available, but space fills up quickly.
Bring headphones if you plan to work or nap; the train is family-friendly and sometimes lively.
Book early â weekend trains and special event days sell out fast.
Check out promotions â Brightline often runs discounts for families, groups, and early bookings.
đĨ Watch My Full Brightline Journey
I filmed my entire experience from Orlando to Aventura, including both Premium and Smart class, and stops at Aventura Mall, Hollywood Beach, and Hard Rock Stadium.
đ Watch the vlog here: Brightline Train Experience
⨠Final Thoughts
Whether youâre heading to South Florida for vacation, shopping, sports, or the beach, Brightline makes the journey smoother and more enjoyable. After riding it myself, Iâd say itâs the most relaxing way to get from Orlando to Miami and beyond.
For even more insight, donât miss my full vlog on Brightline â itâll give you a travelerâs perspective before you book your own trip.
Darren spent nearly 20 years as an Orlando travel agent, helping families plan unforgettable vacations to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Disney Cruise Line, and beyond. Today, he has transitioned his passion for travel into writing and video production. As a travel writer and producer, Darren shares insider tips, reviews, and in-depth guides through his blog and his travel channel on YouTube, where viewers can explore destinations, resorts, and theme parks with him. You can find his videos here on his Travel Channel.
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Brightline High Speed Train Will Add Stop Near Port Canaveral
High-speed train service between Orlando and Port Canaveral, Florida
Brightline, a high-speed passenger rail service has confirmed that a stop will be added to Cocoa, Florida, just 8 miles away from the Port Canaveral cruise terminal.
Brightline at Orlando International Airport
This new station will allow cruise passengers to travel swiftly between Orlando International Airport, the Orlando theme parks, and Port Canaveral, Floridaâs second-largest cruise terminal.
Cocoa, Florida is just south of Port Canaveral. And while a Cocoa station will be very convenient for cruise passengers, Brightline has shared that there are plans for a dedicated Port Canaveral station as well.
Brightline has a new terminal inside Terminal C at Orlando International Airport, so cruisers flying into MCO will have easy access to the trains.
Brightline trains currently run between Orlando and Miami, so this new station will also make Port Canaveral more accessible for South Florida passengers.
Orlando is home to the newest, largest, and most family-friendly cruise ships like Royal Caribbeanâs Utopia of the Seas and the Disney Treasure. See the Orlando-based cruise ship fleet >
Carnival, MSC, and Norwegian also have cruise ships homeported at Port Canaveral.
Funding is still being discussed and will rely heavily on state and federal grants. There is no date set for the opening but it will likely take several years to complete the project.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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