Brightline to Begin Miami-Orlando Service on September 22

Brightline, the high-speed rail service connecting Miami and Orlando, will begin service on September 22. The first trains will depart from MiamiCentral at 10:00 AM and Orlando International Airport at 11:00 AM.

The schedule: In addition to Miami and Orlando, Brightline will also stop in Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach. The initial schedule will have six daily round trips, with more trains added in late October. Each train has 239 seats, for a total of 3,824 seats each way.

Prices and more: The journey from Miami to Orlando will take about 3.5 hours. Tickets start at $79, with discounts available for groups of four. Students can also get a 25% discount off Smart fares by registering an active college or university email.

The perks: Brightline is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Miami and Orlando. The current fastest way to travel between the two cities is by car, which takes about 4 hours. Brightline will also offer a more sustainable alternative to air travel.

What’s next: The launch of Brightline's Miami to Orlando service is a major milestone for the company. It is the first step in Brightline's plan to expand service to Tampa and Las Vegas.