Brightline Unveils Orlando Station, Announces Ticket Sales

The Orlando area’s new high-speed passenger train reached another significant milestone on its way to starting operations as the brand-new station at Orlando International Airport (MCO) finally opens to the public, and ticket details are finally released.

Covering over 37,000 square feet adjacent to MCO’s new Terminal C, Birhgtline’s station offers travelers a modern and luxurious transfer experience from any of the three airside terminals or the parking garage–which will have over 350 parking spaces specifically for Brightline passengers–featuring its own Mary Mary bar, Marketplace, premium lounge, and children’s play area.

State-of-the-art self-service ticket and baggage check stations wait at the entrance. Brightline confirms one-way fares will start at $79 for SMART class tickets and $149 for PREMIUM class tickets. SMART fare bundles will also be available for families of four, starting at less than $199 one way.

Related: New Train to Orlando to Set State Speed Record

Ticket sales are expected to begin in May, with passenger service confirmed to begin this summer with 16 daily round trips and hourly departures between Orlando and Miami.

“Brightline’s Orlando expansion is an essential piece of the boldest, private infrastructure project in the nation, connecting millions of riders between Central and South Florida,” Birghtline stated in their press release.

Florida’s private passenger rail service currently operates multicolored train sets with four passenger coaches and two engine units, but they state that the 1,000-foot platforms at MCO station can service longer trains with up to ten coaches and two engines.

Brightline Orlando – Miami Train Schedule

Brightline confirms that its high-speed trains will offer non-stop service between Orlando and Miami Central Station in Downtown Brickell, as well as regular service that will serve its other stops in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Aventura. Non-stop service is expected to have a run time of two hours and 59 minutes, while regular Brightline service is expected to take three hours and 30 minutes.

According to Brightline’s press release, here is a look at what passengers can expect from Brightline’s weekday and weekend service in and out of MCO:

Weekdays

• Hourly southbound departures from Orlando to Miami starting at 5:00 a.m. until 8:50 p.m.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• First northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando at 9:15 a.m.

“Today’s milestone is the last piece of transformative infrastructure that is now complete as we ready ourselves for the start of the service we have been building for a decade,” said Mike Reininger, CEO of Brightline. “This station will be a gateway for visitors and travelers throughout Florida, but beyond that, it is indicative of how we set out to transform travel in a way that hasn’t been done in more than a century. We’re proud to start this journey in Florida and rejuvenated in our belief that the time is now to accomplish this in other parts of the country.”

Related: High-Speed Train Moves Into New Orlando Basecamp

Once service is underway, Brightline’s next stage of expansion will be down and across to Tampa, Florida, with additional stops expected near the Orange County Convention Center and I-Drive attractions, made in partnership with Orlando’s commuter train SunRail with the hopes of providing people easier access to Theme Parks like Universal Orlando Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort.

We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on this story as more developments come to light