I’m sitting on a brand new train in Florida, cruising at up to 124 miles per hour, as I begin writing this review.
Brightline launched its new Orlando to South Florida service in September. I decided to take one of the first trains from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Miami to see what the new service was like in one of the coach cabins on what’s called a “Smart Fare.”
The Florida-based private company runs (somewhat) high-speed trains from Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C in Central Florida to Miami, covering 235 miles between 3 and 3 and 1/2 hours, depending on South Florida station stops.
Brightline describes the company as “… the boldest private infrastructure project in the nation and marks the revitalization of Henry Flagler’s original vision for the Florida East Coast Railway.” Indeed, it is bold, from the color of the trains to the brand-new stations. There’s nothing quite like it this side of the Atlantic.
The company launched operations in South Florida in 2018, connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. It didn’t stop there.
Stations in Boca Raton and Aventura opened last year, and construction on its 170-mile extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando began in 2019. Brightline said the $6 billion project has generated substantial economic benefits in Florida, creating 10,000 jobs and billions in direct economic impact to the region.
It’s not only an efficient way to travel, but I’d also call it fun.
Here’s what you can expect if you try out this cool new private train service.
Booking Brightline
TPG paid just $79 for a one-way ticket on Brightline between Orlando and Miami. I, somewhat mistakenly, used my Platinum Card® from American Express. It was a mistake because that card awards 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airlines but awards no bonus points for trains. My colleague credit cards writer Emily Thompson wrote the go-to story on what credit cards to use for train travel, and clearly, I should have used my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar spent on travel. (You can get five times the points on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.)
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Related: Why I love my American Express Platinum card
That price was for the coach cabin that Brightline calls Smart Fares. Pricing is dynamic, however; on the day of my journey, prices ranged up to $99. Premium Fares, which are Brightline’s premium-class fares, were going for $149 for the same journey — much more on the differences in the cabins below.
Seat selection was free, and I chose seat 12D in coach 3 on the brand-new train that Brightline named “Brightorange.” Brightline names its trains after colors — you may have noticed they have a distinct appreciation for bright yellow.
All fare types include complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, multiple power and USB outlets, and leather seats.
Smart fare on Brightline
You’ll find plenty of room on Brightline, no matter which class you choose. In the Smart Fare cabins, the widest part of the seats is 19 inches wide; it narrows to 17 inches as the seats accommodate the recline buttons and the electrical panel in the center of the seats. Seats are in a 2-2 configuration.
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You’ll find a nested headrest around 17 inches with about two inches of padding at the headrest area — perfect for taking a quick snooze.
Each seat has 15 to 16 inches of pitch, depending on where you measure from and which seat you choose. There are a variety of seating arrangements, including forward- or backward-facing and seats with tables in between.
The seats do recline a few inches; rather than reclining into the seat behind you, the seat itself pops forward, angling the seatback slightly (very slightly). It’s more like leaning back than actually reclining.
There is a wide tray table large enough for a laptop and a smaller table that folds out to hold drinks.
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Additionally, there’s plenty of storage above the seats and more room for luggage at the ends of the train cars.
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The bathrooms are large and were pristine on our journey. Everything is motion-operated, which makes for hands-free buttons.
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Premium Fare on Brightline
I also traveled in Brightline’s Premium Fare on a personal trip between Miami and West Palm Beach earlier this year. The seats were similar, though they felt roomier. Since there are fewer seats in the fancier train cars, you feel less crowded.
Seats in the Premium Fare class seemed wider than those in the Smart Fare class. I measured as much as 25 inches at the widest part of one seat, though the company said the seats are about the same size in all classes. Each Premium car has 46 seats in a 1-2 configuration.
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You’ll find a roomier ride and free snacks, but the service is otherwise just as good as Smart Fare, and I don’t think most folks will need to splurge on the everyday trip.
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Amenities and service on Brightline
Service was friendly, if a bit frazzled, on the day I traveled from Orlando. That is to be expected when a new service begins, whether it’s a cruise ship, an airline, a hotel or a train company.
In the coach cabin, attendants came through with a cart about 55 minutes after leaving the Orlando station. The two friendly agents took orders with a few options like Clif Bars, Kind bars, Pringles or Smartfood white cheddar popcorn ($3-$5). Those same snacks would have been free in Premium Class.
It wasn’t on the QR menu on the first day of service, but sandwiches and salads are also available. When I asked why they weren’t on the menu, my friendly attendant Devin told me that was because the sandwiches and salads were new; they wanted to ensure they had them in stock before they were added to the menus.
A variety of sandwiches are available, including a turkey and Gruyere cheese club hoagie and a Caesar salad with grilled chicken. All are priced at $14.
Brightline is cash-free, so you’ll need to use your credit or debit card for purchases.
Related: Brightline to Los Angeles to Las Vegas
There was a large selection of nonalcoholic beverages, including Aquafina or Sanpellegrino water, cranberry juice, Lavazza coffee, ginger ale, Red Bull or Pepsi ($2-$4.50). Since Brightline is a Pepsi train, you won’t find any Coke products on the menu.
Booze-friendly options included Aviation American Gin, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey or Baileys Irish cream, all selling for $10 a drink. Wine options included 19 Crimes red blend, Ecco Domani pinot grigio or a Pink Flamingo Gris de Gris rose, each selling for $10.
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There was a second beverage service two hours into the first leg of the journey to West Palm Beach.
If you go for the first-class experience, you’ll get a better selection of complimentary food and drinks onboard.
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The internet on the train is free and provided by SpaceX’s Starlink. It was good enough to upload images, though there were some service interruptions at various points in the journey.
All about the lounges on Brightline
The best part of traveling in Premium Fare on Brightline is access to the lounges. A first-class ticket will get you into the lounges at the six Brightline stations. Inside the lounges, you’ll find lots of comfy seating areas, along with included beverages and snacks.
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You’ll find a buffet spread including charcuterie, salad, fresh fruit, crackers and other cold items. There is also a selection of cold Pepsi products, Lavazza coffee and bottled water.
Beers include Stella, Michelob Ultra, Sam Adams Seasonal and brews from some local spots, depending on the station.
Wines include Matua sauvignon blanc, Pink Flamingo rose and Sterling Vinters Collection cabernet sauvignon.
The Orlando station has an added perk of the “My Tap system” with full-service spirit cocktails.
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High-speed rail in Florida?
It took 2 and 1/2 hours to reach West Palm Beach from Orlando. I clocked us traveling at speeds as high as 124 miles an hour.
Is this true European or Asian-style high-speed rail? No. But speeds of up to 125 miles per hour are pretty good for train travel in the U.S., where Amtrak typically averages 40-70 miles per hour. Even the higher-speed Acela maxes out at around 110-145 miles per hour in the Northeast Corridor.
As Brightline continues to expand, the company hopes to improve speeds as infrastructure projects are completed. The company has begun constructing a new line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles that could start as soon as 2028. It hopes to get trains traveling as fast as 186 miles an hour.
Brightline is also planning an additional Tampa station, which is in the very early stages of development. Officials say the Tampa extension will be built in the Ybor City area, but it’s still at least four to five years off.
Related: Brightline doubles service between Orlando and Miami
Bottom line
I’ve been so excited to see the progress of Brightline in Florida and to take one of the first trips involving the new Orlando station. This was especially encouraging compared to the attempts by the state of California to get high-speed rail going.
From what I saw from Brightline, it builds beautiful new stations, has friendly service, brand new trains and travels free of car traffic, making it a great alternative to driving or flying in Florida.
On top of that, it was just a fun trip. There’s no bigger thrill than speeding along the tracks and passing slower-moving car traffic, especially sitting inside a new train.
There were times on my trips on Brightline when I thought the service compared favorably to some of the incredible train journeys I’ve taken in Europe. Critics will complain that Brightline is not true high-speed rail, since some trains in Europe and Asia travel as fast as 200 miles per hour, but it’s still progress here in the U.S.
I highly recommend this service if you can make it make sense for your next trip.
I am eagerly awaiting the debut of Brightline West between Vegas and LA. Heck, maybe someday, high-speed rail really will make its way to California, too. Until then, I recommend trying Brightline the next time you travel one of its routes in Florida.
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