My love of riding trains dates back as early as high school, with fond memories of my first Amtrak ride, where I gazed at mountainous scenery on a trip from Washington to Montana.
During a college study abroad in Scotland, I got to experience the United Kingdom’s well-connected public transit system, where a train and a bus could get you just about anywhere. The lush green scenery and Scottish accents overheard while traveling by rail added to the novelty of the experience.
It was with eager anticipation that I hopped aboard the Brightline for my first serious train trek in the Sunshine State. Sure, I’ve tested out Central Florida’s commuter SunRail, but this longer distance trip felt like something different and special. After a summer of driving all around the greater Orlando area, I much preferred kicking my feet back and taking in the sights without the headache of fighting traffic on a trip to Miami.
In mid-July, I was heading to South Florida to catch a flight for the grand opening of Carnival’s Celebration Key in the Bahamas, and it made sense to zip down there on the sleek, modern high-speed rail rather than waste hours behind the wheel. Here’s how my first Brightline trip went.
The Mary Mary bar is a place for train passengers to kill time before boarding the Brightline at the train’s Orlando station. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Brightline Orlando Station
On a Friday afternoon, the pre-security part of the Orlando terminal felt quiet and empty, making me wonder if there are times when it’s bustling. I breezed through security, which is similar to going through a TSA line at the airport.
With just two years of trips from Orlando, everything feels new, modern and clean. While I had an upgraded ticket with access to the premium lounge, I didn’t leave myself enough time to enjoy the included food and beverages at the Orlando station.
Boarding was called about 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. I sat down in the premium car and found it had plenty of room to spread out with multiple plug outlets near each seat.
Passengers prepare to board the Brightline at the train’s Orlando station. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Heading south
The train began moving right at 4:50 p.m., our scheduled departure time. As we made our way out of the airport complex and headed east next to State Road 528, we coasted along quietly but quickly, going faster than cars at highway speed. I thought to myself, “It’s much nicer to sit here relaxed than sitting in traffic.”
A few times on our journey, trains whizzed by us on the opposite track, gone in a matter of seconds. At 5:25 p.m., I saw the Cocoa water tower, putting us ahead of driving pace less than an hour into our journey. By 6:15 p.m., we were in Fort Pierce. What would have normally taken an hour and 45 minutes by car, we completed in less than an hour and a half.
The premium car is spacious and comfortable as seen aboard the Brightline at its Orlando station. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
I did have trouble connecting to the Wi-Fi for the first hour or two of my journey. Up until that point, it had been all too easy.
Aside from the ability to work or relax and stretch out while in transit, I enjoyed the scenery of smaller coastal towns and the natural sights along the way. This included multiple crossings of the Intracoastal Waterway, D.J. Wilcox Preserve in Fort Pierce and Jonathan Dickinson State Park — which I recognized instantly after hiking through the park during last year’s Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail adventure.
One of the perks of the premium ticket is a free meal and snacks. Just over an hour into the journey, I opted for a slider meal with a small side salad, plantain chips and a tart for dessert. The offering was nothing special, but it was satisfactory for an included-in-fare meal.
Premium tickets include a meal and drinks aboard the Brightline train. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The bathrooms onboard were also clean and decently spacious, especially compared to the cramped lavatories on airplanes. One major benefit of train travel is the ability to get up and stretch whenever, no worries about fasten seatbelt signs or turbulence.
Around 8 p.m., I caught a glimpse of the sunset out of the window on the opposite side of the train, and about 45 minutes later, we had arrived in Miami. From boarding to arrival, right around four hours after departure, it was my most stress-free travel experience in recent memory, and it didn’t take any longer than it would have to drive.
A premium Brightline ticket includes access to an exclusive lounge that includes free food and beverages, as seen at the train’s Miami station. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Homeward bound
After being spoiled by the premium experience on my first trip, I’m not sure that I can ever go back. I had extra time to spend at the Miami station before boarding, so I took full advantage of the premium lounge.
The exclusive spot had comfortable chairs and room to spread out, plus a small buffet of included light bites and self-serve draft beer. Having that experience in the station, plus the included food on the train, made the extra cost well worth it.
The return trip was unremarkable and just as easy. I was engrossed in work on my laptop most of the time, but found the service was great and the seat was cozy.
So comfortable, in fact, that the guy across the aisle from me had his shoes off and feet kicked up on his briefcase like an ottoman. If that doesn’t spell leisurely travel, I don’t know what does.
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
If you go
Brightline tickets may be purchased at gobrightline.com.
