Essential Information for Travel Advisors Regarding Brightline’s Extension to Orlando
Starting Sept. 1, travelers in Florida can ride the popular Brightline high-speed train service between Orlando and five South Florida stations, including Miami. Brightline’s extension to Orlando will help travel advisors plan longer and more complex Florida itineraries—so clients can enjoy more of the Sunshine State’s legendary attractions without long car journeys.
“The options open up quite a bit to lengthen the stay, add additional products and invite those clients to do additional experiences,” says Gabriel Martinez, Brightline’s vp-distribution.
Read on to learn more about the Florida train service that launched in South Florida in 2018 and carried nearly 1.5 million guests in 2022.
Travel Times
Brightline will operate 16 daily roundtrips with hourly departures between Miami and Orlando.
Trains between Orlando and Miami will stop at all five South Florida stations, with a total run time of three hours and 30 minutes. Travel time from Orlando to the first stop in South Florida, West Palm Beach, will be two hours.
Fare Options
Brightline offers two classes of service:
SMART, its business-class option, with onboard features including leather seats, complimentary Starlink WiFi, multiple power and USB outlets, and food and beverages available for purchase;
and PREMIUM, a first-class experience with added amenities such as a dedicated station lounge, priority boarding, checked luggage, and complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the journey. PREMIUM fares also include a complimentary Uber ride anywhere within a 5-mile radius of each station, which can be booked through the Brightline app.
Tickets between Orlando and South Florida are available for purchase from Sept. 1 through early 2024. One-way SMART fares start at $79 for adults and $39 for kids (12 and younger), and one-way PREMIUM fares start at $149. Groups of 4-plus automatically save an additional 25 percent on SMART fares.
Travel Advisor Discounts
Register as a Bright Advisor to receive access to discounted rates, which allow you to book your clients’ tickets and mark up the fare or pass on the discount as an added benefit.
More than 2,500 advisors have joined the program. Brightline expects fares to be bookable on the GDS by the end of 2023.
The Stations
All six of the modern, amenity-packed Brightline stations feature complimentary WiFi and plenty of charging outlets and USB ports in the spacious waiting lounges; touchless turnstiles that scan each ticket’s barcode; the self-service MRKT convenience store; and PREMIUM lounges, with complimentary drinks and snacks. Riders at the Orlando, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami stations can also relax and order bites and cocktails at the Mary Mary bar.
The conveniently located stations include:
Orlando: The Brightline Orlando Station is inside Orlando International Airport (MCO), adjacent to Terminal C, which services JetBlue and international flights. It connects directly to the airport’s Parking Garage C, with 350 parking spaces dedicated to Brightline guests. Passengers can easily travel to terminals A and B via the automated people mover, and Brightline departure times will be displayed throughout the airport.
West Palm Beach: In the heart of downtown, the West Palm Beach station makes it easy for clients to explore The Square shopping and dining district, and the restaurants and nightlife of Clematis Street. Just a half-mile away is the Hilton West Palm Beach, connected to the Palm Beach County Convention Center, and known for its guest room views of downtown and lush tropical pool area. Clients can rent BrightBikes just outside the station, or request a ride on the city’s free Circuit Shuttle, with destinations including the luxe attractions of Palm Beach.
Boca Raton: Nearby attractions include Mizner Park, and Brightline passengers can request free Circuit rides to more destinations in Boca.
Fort Lauderdale: Near such attractions as the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and the Museum of Discovery and Science, the Fort Lauderdale station offers the Brightline+ Fixed Route Shuttle to and from Fort Lauderdale International Airport ($10 for the first guest, $5 for each additional rider in the same party). Passengers can also ride the free Circuit Shuttle to Las Olas, the beach and more hotspots.
Aventura: Brightline offers a free shuttle to the nearby Aventura Mall—the largest mall in Florida and third largest in the U.S.
Miami: Brightline’s flagship, the MiamiCentral Station is in downtown Miami. Passengers can take the Brightline+ Fixed Route Shuttle to and from Miami International Airport ($10 for the first guest, $5 for each additional rider in the same party). Free Circuit Shuttles take passengers to such nearby destinations as the Kaseya Center, the Frost Museum and Bayfront Park.
Selling Opportunities
When planning a combined Central and South Florida itinerary, check out what sporting and cultural events are taking place—and how Brightline might help your clients get there. For example, Brightline’s Fort Lauderdale station offers complimentary shuttles to this season’s Inter Miami CF games, where fans have been flocking to see soccer superstar Lionel Messi. And free shuttles take baseball enthusiasts between the Miami Marlins’ loanDepot Park and Brightline’s MiamiCentral station.
Less than two miles from the MiamiCentral station, the Arlo Wynwood hotel—in Miami’s creative Wynwood district, known for its vibrant outdoor murals—frequently hosts guests who arrive via Brightline. That trend is expected to increase with the Orlando expansion.
“With Miami and Orlando being two of the top tourist destinations in Florida, we are anticipating increased interest for bookings at Arlo Wynwood,” says Jennifer Hiblum, general manager. “As we get closer to the inauguration of the new Orlando route, we are also launching partnerships tailor-made for that market. For example, we are now partnering with iii Points Festival, taking place in Wynwood in October, and it is expected to host approximately 5,000 music enthusiasts coming from Orlando. As the only hotel in Wynwood, we are anticipating a sell-out, and are excited to collaborate with Brightline to offer visitors a seamless travel experience.”