Using the Brightline Miami to Orlando train

Using the Brightline Miami to Orlando train

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Discussion

CoupeKid

Original Poster:

757 posts

66 months

Saturday 20th April
quotequote all
We're having our first Florida holiday in August.

We're starting in Miami for a few days then having 8 days in Orlando before finishing with a couple of days in New York.

I have an acquaintance who lives in Orlando so am planning on catching up with him while I'm there.

He suggested that instead of hiring a car to drive from Miami to Orlando and having it in Orlando I should take the Brightline train and borrow his Lexus LS400 while in Orlando.

Has anyone got experience of the Brightline vs driving between the cities?

Rough101

1,743 posts

76 months

Saturday 20th April
quotequote all
I can’t comment on the train, but the drive is very long, and extremely boring.

RC1807

12,551 posts

169 months

Saturday 20th April
quotequote all
Long drives in Florida are boring.

If the online images of the train are realistic, use the train.


LHRFlightman

1,940 posts

171 months

Saturday 20th April
quotequote all
RC1807 said:
Long drives in Florida are boring.

If the online images of the train are realistic, use the train.
This. Unless you are planning on a slow scenic drive up the coast road, it'll be a long boring trip. Take the train.

x5tuu

11,952 posts

188 months

Saturday 20th April
quotequote all
The brightline isn’t massively cheap or even particularly quick but it is very stress-free and easy and that’s its major selling point.

There’s a few issues with the routing and track safety (there have been several people hit by trains since it went live) but they’re being ironed out slowly.

I recommend it all the time to people and I’d much rather use it than do that drive (and I really dislike train journeys!)

Matt Harper

6,621 posts

202 months

Saturday 20th April
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I've used it a couple of times. As others have stated, it is not fast - pretty much 3 hours, but it allows you to work/relax versus the drive, which takes around 30 mins longer, depending on time of day. Return fare is $90+ so it's not exactly cheap either.
Convenient for me, because I live close to the Orlando terminus (terminal C at MCO), but because I need to get around in South Florida, it makes more sense to take my car, using the Turnpike (again, easier to access for me, than I-95).

CoupeKid

Original Poster:

757 posts

66 months

Sunday 21st April
quotequote all
Thanks for all the feedback. I didn't think I'd get so much positivity for taking a train from a car enthusiasts' website.

This is definitely something I'll be looking into.

Boxster5

675 posts

109 months

Monday 22nd April
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x5tuu said:
There’s a few issues with the routing and track safety (there have been several people hit by trains since it went live) but they’re being ironed out slowly.

)
An unfortunate term of phrase!!

Super Sonic

4,925 posts

55 months

Monday 22nd April
quotequote all
Boxster5 said:
x5tuu said:
There’s a few issues with the routing and track safety (there have been several people hit by trains since it went live) but they’re being ironed out slowly.

)
An unfortunate term of phrase!!
You could even say ironic!

Boxster5

675 posts

109 months

Monday 22nd April
quotequote all
Super Sonic said:
Boxster5 said:
x5tuu said:
There’s a few issues with the routing and track safety (there have been several people hit by trains since it went live) but they’re being ironed out slowly.

)
An unfortunate term of phrase!!
You could even say ironic!

fourstardan

4,314 posts

145 months

Monday 22nd April
quotequote all
Am I missing something but it's 3hrs 48 to drive and 3.5 hours on the train.

A single on this train is 170USD.

I'd be driving all day long.

Puggit

48,481 posts

249 months

Tuesday 23rd April
quotequote all
A couple of vidoes I've recently seen that feature the train:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8--9veN7EUk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIK7wvDyD38

Trustmeimadoctor

12,637 posts

156 months

Wednesday 24th April
quotequote all
fourstardan said:
Am I missing something but it's 3hrs 48 to drive and 3.5 hours on the train.

A single on this train is 170USD.

I'd be driving all day long.
we are landing in miami next year doing a cruisethen doing orlando and yes indeed for us its cheaper to hire a car than use the train ok there is fuel on top but at least we get to use it in orlando too and arnt totally held hostage by the big mouse

Matt Harper

6,621 posts

202 months

Wednesday 24th April
quotequote all
fourstardan said:
Am I missing something but it's 3hrs 48 to drive and 3.5 hours on the train.

A single on this train is 170USD.

I'd be driving all day long.
One way, Orlando to Miami is currently circa $45.00 (depending on time of day and demand).

Trustmeimadoctor

12,637 posts

156 months

Wednesday 24th April
quotequote all
for me $616 return but thats first
$396 if i go on the cheap ticket
car hire is $659 for a standard suv