America’s privately owned, high-speed train service beats flying

The train: Brightline

• The journey: Orlando to Miami. The train departed on time from Orlando at 12.50pm, arriving in Miami at 4.15pm
• Frequency: Hourly departures daily
• Train: Brightline, Florida’s modern, high-speed train service
• Class: Smart Saver, coach 5, seat 14D
• Travel time: Scheduled and actual was three hours and 25 minutes

Brightline in Miami.

Checking in

Booking is easy through the Brightline website (I’m still avoiding downloading apps unless they’re ones I’ll use regularly), where I select my seat and receive a digital ticket. Brightline Orlando Station is airy, clean and spacious, with plenty of seating and a sleek, modern design. The check-in process here was efficient, with minimal waiting and clear signage all around.

Baggage

For an additional fee starting at $US30 ($47) per item, you can add checked baggage to your Smart Saver fare. If you’re bringing more than one bag, it’s best to pre-add them to your booking through the Brightline app or website.

The seat

Seats in the Smart carriage.

Brightline has two service classes: Smart (standard seating with essential amenities) and Premium (extra perks like lounge access, free snacks, and priority boarding). My Smart Saver seat is comfortable, with adequate legroom and a good reclining option. That said, because someone sat next to me partway through the journey, I move to seat 15D in the row of two behind, which is free. This seat does not recline. None of the seats in Smart Saver have fold-out tray tables, but there are cupholders, and a small fixed table between paired seats for holding drinks or devices.

Ticketing at Orlando.

Entertainment + tech

While economy seats don’t feature personal entertainment screens, passengers can access basic Wi-Fi for light browsing free of charge. For higher-speed Wi-Fi and streaming, an upgrade is available for purchase. USB ports and power outlets are located at each seat, so I just plug in my iPhone and watch shows I’d previously downloaded while taking in the views.

Service

Service in Brightline’s Smart carriages is minimal but efficient. An attendant is stationed at the back, mostly on her phone, but is available if needed. A food-and-drinks cart is rolled through at one point, with snacks and beverages to buy. You can also buy a handful of over-the-counter medications, playing cards, and headphones.

Food

I have a smoked turkey focaccia for lunch, and it’s exactly what I’d expect a sandwich on a train to be — fine but nothing special. I had planned to eat something fresh before boarding, but the cafe at Brightline Orlando Station was out of stock of quite a few food items.

Sustainability

Brightline promotes sustainability by reducing plastic use and providing water stations in each car for refilling reusable bottles, helping passengers avoid single-use plastics. They’ve also achieved carbon-neutral operations as of February through partnerships that offset emissions and focus on energy-efficient practices.

One more thing

Currently operating in Florida, Brightline is the only privately owned, higher-speed rail service in the US. Launched in 2018, it connects Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, offering a fast (trains travel up to 200km/h) and eco-friendly alternative to driving and flying. The service is now expanding with Brightline West, a high-speed rail project that will connect Southern California and Las Vegas by 2028.

Brightline at Orlando Station.

The price

$US69 ($108) plus an additional $US30 for my checked suitcase. Premium fares start at $149 ($235).

The verdict

The smooth ride is a major highlight for me — unlike road journeys, the train’s gentle motion made it easy to relax or work. Plus, I skip the hassle of flying, avoiding long security lines, cramped seats, and delays, making for a much more stress-free trip.

Our rating out of five

★★★★½

The writer travelled at her own expense. See gobrightline.com