Seeking a fast and easy way for your group to travel? Hop aboard Brightline, the Florida trains that transform your commute into an adventure
Brightline is the answer to stop-and-go traffic, cramped buses and cars, and long airport security lines. The route to your travel endpoint isn’t always pleasant. And often, it’s the shorter trips that cause the most anxiety for tour groups. Florida has some of the most renowned attractions in the country, but it can be a hassle venturing out to see them, especially for those traveling regionally. However, thanks to Florida’s Brightline rail service, visitors are provided a more affable travel experience with state-of-the-art stations.
What are Brightline Florida Trains?
Launched in January 2018, Brightline is the only privately funded, operated and maintained rail service in the United States. It offers hospitality-focused, inter-city express passenger rail service in South Florida to better connect people to the places they want to visit. The goal of Brightline is to provide a premium train travel experience without increasing traffic congestion, making it safer and faster to experience all the wonderful sites the region has to offer. For guests looking for an elite travel alternative, Brightline even offers a Select service that grants exclusive station parking, an enhanced lounge area with complimentary refreshments and business amenities, and onboard services like scented cold hand towels and magazines.
Brightline Florida trains provide travelers with an exceptional eco-friendly experience.
Brightline’s first route, between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, launched with 10 daily roundtrips on weekdays and nine on the weekends. The trip takes about 35 minutes between the two cities. It extended service to Miami and opened an 11-acre transportation hub called MiamiCentral. Brightline Florida trains connect Central and South Florida with stations in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Aventura and Orlando. Future stations will be built in Stuart and Cocoa as well as Brightline West connecting Las Vegas to Southern California on a 218-mile stretch on an all-electric highspeed train. Check out Brightline’s group ticket discounts for your next adventure.
Brightline is taking train travel to the next level, and giving groups a comfortable, convenient way to see the state. To find out more about the innovative rail service, we asked them a few questions about the product, why they developed it and what groups can expect onboard. Their trains are all 100% manufactured in America and are powered by FPL clean biodiesel for a greener and quieter ride.
Brightline St. Lucie train trestle. Photo credit: The Roaming Railfan
Why was the Brightline service needed as a transportation option in the Central and Southern Florida region?
- Brightline is a more convenient, reliable and faster alternative than traveling by car in one of the nation’s most congested regions.
- The South Florida market area is densely populated and presents a powerfully diverse mix of business and leisure travelers that mirror the complexion of the overall Florida economy, blending both international and domestic customers.
- Having access to reliable transportation connects communities, increases business opportunities and improves the quality of life.
- There are really two major highways that connect the three major central business districts, I-95 and the Turnpike.
- According to the Wall Street Journal, in Miami-Dade County, more people died in crashes on I-95 in 2015 than any other county along the interstate.
- Miami-Dade is the seventh most populated county and fifth most congested in the nation, according to the U.S. Census and INRIX.
- The tourism economy continues to grow. More than 26 million visitors traveled to Miami in 2023, and a record-setting 7.3 million cruise passengers sailed through PortMiami.
- It is also the primary gateway for business and tourism between the U.S. and Latin America, which makes it among the most important international marketplaces in the U.S.
- Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are the most populated cities in their respective counties.
Brightline Miami Station. Photo credit: Phillip Pessar/Flickr
When was the idea conceived and how long did it take to build?
Brightline was announced in March 2012. Construction started in 2015. Introductory service between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale launched in mid-January and service to Miami opened in mid-May. Today, service to Orlando is available with other stations in the works.
What type of experience can travelers expect on Brightline?
Brightline is the new benchmark for travel by train in America with express inter-city passenger rail service connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Aventura and Orlando. Providing a travel option that lives at the intersection of transportation and hospitality, the service will ease the stress of traffic, provide a simple and intuitive experience from door to destination, and foster new opportunities to explore more of Central and Southeast Florida.
Brightline Miami Station lounge area. Photo credit: Phillip Pessar/Flickr
Guests will experience ease of travel at Brightline’s airy and luminous state-of-the-art smart stations equipped with touchless turnstiles, food options, garage parking, complementary Wi-Fi, PREMIUM lounges for associated members and more. Families traveling on Brightline will delight in knowing their kids are safe and happy playing in the stations’ BrightKids Zones before departing. Family-friendly seating, delicious kid-approved snacks and touchless Mothers’ Rooms add to the comfort.
Passengers can relax onboard with amenities like food and beverages, charging ports at every seat, free Wi-Fi and friendly staff.
What advice can you give to groups wishing to book with Brightline?
Gather your friends, colleagues and family and let Brightline provide you with an unforgettable experience. Let us help you plan your next corporate event, celebration or social outing by train. Each of our exceptional stations can host a party for you upon arrival, or we can direct you to one of the many exciting venues near each station.
We offer discounts up to 25 percent off train fares for groups of 10 or more, plus a list of perks to choose from. In addition, groups of 3-10 receive 50% off SMART fares when booked up to seven days in advance. Larger groups of up to 50 can save on both SMART and PREMIUM fares.
Brightline Miami Station provides food for hungry travelers. Photo credit: Phillip Pessar/Flickr
Brightline offers several ticket types including SMART and PREMIUM fares. SMART fares provide comfortable business-class travel options with food and beverages for purchase. PREMIUM fares include complementary snacks and beverages, and access to their exclusive PREMIUM Lounge.
Other features of SMART and PREMIUM fares include bike and carry-on storage, ADA accessibility, and options to bring your luggage and pets onboard. The interconnected stations provide opportunities to visit top city destinations with ease and comfort.
What is your policy on changes or cancellations?
Group reservations canceled or changed within 30 minutes prior to departure will receive a full refund. See our Terms of Service for details.
Do you have expansion plans beyond routes offered today?
We are currently in an RFP process with the Florida Department of Transportation to extend the service to Tampa. Brightline West is bringing high-speed rail service to Las Vegas where groups can travel to sunny Southern California.
For more information, visit Brightline and start planning your fast-tracked adventure!
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