What Is Brightline?
Brightline is a privately operated high-speed rail service connecting Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando. The service offers modern trains with clean, comfortable carriages, easy booking, and conveniently located city centre stations.
Why Use Brightline for Cruise Travel?
Brightline works equally well for pre-cruise and post-cruise travel. Key advantages include:
- Fast, comfortable travel with frequent departure times
- Reserved seating and step-free boarding
- Spacious leather-stitched seats, Wi-Fi, and strong air conditioning
- Access to major Florida cities
- Competitive fares when booked in advance (example fare: $29 for Miami to Fort Lauderdale)
From the Port of Miami, it is about 10 minutes by taxi or rideshare to Brightline’s MiamiCentral station.
Main Brightline Stops for Cruise Passengers
MiamiCentral
Best for cruises at the Port of Miami or Downtown Miami stays. The station features a spacious waiting area, Joe & the Juice cafe, restrooms, water refill stations, and a guest services desk. Premium passengers may access a lounge.
Fort Lauderdale
Ideal for Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and hotel stays. The station includes a snack shop, Mary Mary cafe, and clear signage to ground transportation options.
West Palm Beach and Boca Raton
Better suited for quieter coastal destinations and resorts in the Palm Beach area.
Orlando
Perfect for pre-cruise arrivals, theme park visits, or flights from Orlando International Airport. The Miami-to-Orlando journey takes approximately 3.5 hours with multiple stops.
Use the Brightline website or app to check schedules and prices. Tickets are cheapest when booked early.
What to Expect Onboard
Brightline offers two service classes:
- Smart Class: Comfortable seats, free Wi-Fi, charging ports, and main station lounge access
- Premium Class: Extra spacious seating, included snacks and drinks, and premium lounge access
The modern trains feature clean carriages, good lighting, spotless bathrooms, and recycling stations throughout.
Price Guide
Brightline uses dynamic pricing. Recent fares included $29.84 from Miami to Fort Lauderdale in Smart Class, with typical Premium Class tickets around $49 for the same route (including lounge access and onboard food and beverages).
Where to Stay Nearby
- Miami: Hotels near MiamiCentral in Downtown Miami
- Fort Lauderdale: Hotels near the Brightline station
- Orlando: Various hotel options throughout the city
Why Choose Brightline
The service delivers a business-class experience across all seating tiers. For cruise passengers connecting between ports, airports, or extending vacations within Florida, Brightline provides a stress-free alternative to driving and competing flight arrangements.
Whether you’re heading from the Port of Miami up to Fort Lauderdale for a night before flying home, or arriving into Orlando and working your way south to catch a sailing, Brightline takes the pressure out of Florida travel logistics.