ORLANDO, Fla. – The construction of the Brightline train station in Orlando is finally complete. Brightline officials unveiled the new station, located at Orlando International Airport (MCO), on Thursday morning, giving prospective travelers a first look inside.
Brightline’s Orlando station was unveiled with much fanfare as officials took the time to teach prospective passengers how to navigate Florida’s high-speed rail system. Park first in the Terminal C parking lot at Orlando International Airport, they said.
“Come in through the south side, come through [State Road] 417 because that’s a seamless connection here,” said Kevin Thibault, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
If you need a ticket, you can buy it online in advance or buy it at the station. After getting the ticket, you can check in your luggage before going through security, and once you’re ready to travel, the new station has everything you need while you wait for your ride.
“The Premium Lounge, the bar, the sales area, the Smart Lounge. Leather seats, wifi, power sockets. It’s going to change everything,” said Brightline President Patrick Goddard.
The high-speed line goes to West Palm Beach and Miami.
“Similar to a hotel, there will be dynamic pricing on certain trains,” Goddard said.
Passengers have the option of choosing between “Smart” and “Premium” classes, with $79 for Smart class from Orlando to Miami and $149 for Premium class. In the Smart section we found that the seats are a bit smaller than in the Premium section, but still very comfortable.
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Construction of the Brightline train station in Orlando is finally complete. Brightline officials unveiled the new station at Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Thursday morning and gave a first look inside.
Goddard said the journey from Orlando to Miami is expected to take about 3 1/2 hours by rail.
“Relax, take a nap, watch a movie,” he said.
“It was a happy moment for both of us,” said Belinda Ortiz Kirkguard, who attended a tour of the train on Thursday with her son Christian, 7, who happens to love Thomas the Train. She said she couldn’t resist taking him with her. Christian said: “I love the train and the station, it’s so cool!”
Ortiz Kirkguard, who also works at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said the rail line isn’t just for vacationers, it will also help boost business.
“It’s individuals who come to meetings to do business in a very convenient way, you don’t waste time.”
Brightline officials unveiled the new Orlando station and allowed guests to tour a train. Brightline officials unveiled the new Orlando station and allowed guests to tour a train. Brightline officials unveiled the new Orlando station and allowed guests to tour a train. Brightline officials unveiled the new Orlando station and allowed guests to tour a train. Brightline officials unveiled the new Orlando station and allowed guests to tour a train.
Goddard said the first ride starts at 8:30 a.m. and the last ride comes back at midnight. Here’s how you can spend the day in South Florida without paying for a hotel. But just a reminder, if you’re driving into Orlando International Airport, you’ll need to pay regular parking fees to park your car. Goddard said 800 parking spaces will be added for Brightline in the future.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he hopes SunRail’s commuter rail will be connected to Brightline in a few years as the city is currently seeking federal funding.
“The next step is to take SunRail to the airport and imagine you can hop on anywhere in the 61 miles and go to the airport and then connect to Brightline and go to West Palm or Fort Lauderdale. This will be great for any trip.”
As the company prepares to begin rail service from the beautiful city to South Florida, FOX 35 News answers some of your frequently asked questions.
What is Hellline? When will Brightline begin service in Orlando?
Brightline is Florida’s high-speed passenger rail service. It currently serves Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. Brightline hopes to open the Orlando station before July this year.
What can guests expect aboard a Brightline train?
When guests board a Brightline train, officials say they can expect spacious leather seats with plenty of legroom, access to free high-speed WiFi, charging ports at every seat, and multiple food and drink stations on board. Guests will also find a designated space for bicycles and ample space on all coaches for storing carry-on luggage.
Where is the Brightline Orlando station located? What amenities does the Brightline Orlando Station offer?
Brightline’s modern, two-storey Orlando spaces are located adjacent to Terminal C in the MCO.
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We take a first look at Brightline’s brand new train station at Orlando International Airport.
The station will offer the following amenities:
- Mary Mary Bar serving craft cocktails and small bites
- MRKT PLACE, a retail store with gifts and refreshments
- BrightKids, a children’s playground
Like its trains, the station offers free WiFi and charging stations at every seat.
How much are Brightline train tickets? When can I buy them?
Travelers will be able to purchase train tickets for future dates between Orlando and South Florida starting in May. An official date has not been announced.
The company offers two classes of service: SMART and PREMIUM. Brightline’s PREMIUM service offers complimentary drinks and snacks in a dedicated lounge and train car.
One-way SMART fares start at $79 and one-way PREMIUM fares start at $149, according to Brightline’s website.
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Brightline Orlando Station: View of the SMART Lounge
How long does it take to travel from Orlando to Miami on the Brightline train?
Travelers can expect to travel from Orlando to Miami in two hours and 59 minutes and from Orlando to West Palm Beach in two hours on a non-stop Brightline train.
Officials say scheduled trains that stop at Brightline’s other South Florida stations will connect Orlando travelers to the area in three hours and thirty minutes.
What is the Brightline Orlando train schedule between Central and South Florida?
The Orlando Station will operate daily, offering 16 round-trip trips from Central Florida to South Florida.
During the days of the weekhourly southbound departures from Orlando to Miami from 5:00 a.m. to 8:50 p.m. The first southbound train from Orlando arrives in Miami at 8:30am
Hourly northbound departures from Miami to Orlando operate from 6:50am to 9:45pm. The first northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando at 10:15 am
On the weekendshourly southbound Orlando-to-Miami departures operate as on weekdays, with the first southbound Orlando-to-Miami train also arriving in Miami at 8:30am
Hourly northbound Miami to Orlando weekend departures begin at 5:45 am and run until 9:45 pm. The first northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando earlier at 9:15 a.m. on weekends
Is Orlando Brightline Station Retiring?
Brightline is seeking multiple full-time positions at its brand new station at Orlando International Airport.
The company is hiring for its operations, hospitality/guest services, and security teams, according to its website.
Below is a list of vacancies:
- Acting Companion
- Acting Supervisor
- Hospitality attendant
- Guest Relations
- Safety Officer (part-time or full-time)
- Safety & Security Manager
- Deputy Security Manager
- conductor
- onboard lead
- barkeeper
- Guest Relations Agent
- baggage handler
- station manager
- Director, Baggage Operations
- Senior manager, operational analysis
To apply or find out more about each position, visit Brightline’s careers page by clicking here.