Brightline Orlando to Fort Lauderdale

[CeCe0906]

How early do people usually buy tickets? I had a bit of sticker shock today, as I was idly checking schedules and looking at options. We have a DCL cruise in July 2025, with a group of 5. The grandkids know about the cruise but I'm surprising with with a day a WDW to get in the Disney spirit prior to the cruise. I know it's not a proper WDW trip in a day, but they've been last year, so it's not like we have to fit everything in. Plan to stay at the Dolphin- so pool day arrival day, visit Epcot am and finish up at MK. Take the train to FLL the day before our cruise, relax at Hotel. Then Cruise!

But when looking at this earlier I kept seeing the "standard" or smart fares on posts and youtube ( we don't need Premium- plan to do a mid afternoon train, eat beforehand) and those ranged from $79- 99. But when I looked today, only $149 fir smart fare and $309! for premium showed up. I did see a grayout smart saver fare that said sold out.

So is it that I'm too early to buy, or have prices increased recently? Or am I too late, as the cheaper fares are sold out?

I was searching for 2 adults, 3 kids on a Friday late July 2025.

At 149 for 5 people, that's $750, plus ubers to station and to hotel in FLL - Although it is nice to stretch out more on the train. But it's only a 3 hr train ride or a 3 hr car ride, so it doesn't save time, a quick search says car service roughly $700. Maybe rent a car cheaper, but I really don't want to drive myself.

 

[auntlynne]

I thought kids rode free with paying adults.

Sign up for emails. I have gotten notification of better offers.

I think you will see better pricing.

 

[auntlynne]

The current kids pricing offer:

Terms and Conditions: Offer applies to one-way SMART class rides booked on or after October 1, 2022, through December 31, 2024 (“Offer Period”). All other charges, including, but not limited to, taxes and fees are additional and apply to all Guests. Promotion is only applicable for a party of two (2) or more with a maximum of sixteen (16) passengers (Adult and Kids combined) per reservation. Prices and offer are subject to availability and change without notice and may be withdrawn at any time; group travel restrictions, unaccompanied minors, and other travel restrictions apply.

Not what I remember as free kids.

But notice this ends Dec 31. I still expect more offers.

 

[Pixarfans]

I got mine just a few weeks out. The prices seemed to change often. Check for monthly offers. Make sure you are actually typing in the code not just clicking on the offer. Different times will have different prices.
If you factor in transport to/from airport to WDW and in fll, rental car maybe better priced. Train is more relaxing and a cool experience.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Short answer: your best wills won’t come until spring.

When service started, the standard fare was $79 (25% off for parties of four or more). Demand was so strong, it quickly rose to $139-$169. But the novelty wore off after service months and they’ve had to retort to heavy discounting. And now they’re trying to curb the discounting.

Parties of 3 or more (instead of 4) still get 25% off — but only on tickets purchased within 60 days of departure. Kids still get to ride for 1/2 off or even free….but only on select trains (at times kids would rarely travel). They’re still doing tons of promotions, but most focus on travel within 60, sometimes 90 days. And they’ve also discussed setting a floor price, so no matter the promotion, you won’t pay any less than the floor ($39-$59, tickets were going for $10 at times).

Note that the lowest fares no longer include a seat assignment and only premium includes checked baggage ($25 per piece to check). For now you’re still allowed two carryons per person plus a personal item but they’ve discussed reducing this, particularly as a lot of their South Florida commuters are getting annoyed by the amount of baggage onboard.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

We booked a month before with a BOGO promotion which they advertise a lot. We bought the premium seats both ways with a table in between us and now we will never be able to go back to normal seats I think let alone drive down we took the 6:50am train the day of, arrived a little early then waited in the smart lounge for about 45 mins before calling an Uber to port. We could have done the 7:50am train and gone right to port but wanted some Flex Time just in case. We took the 11:20am train back but could have taken an earlier one too.

 

[DisneYE]

How early do people usually buy tickets? I had a bit of sticker shock today, as I was idly checking schedules and looking at options. We have a DCL cruise in July 2025, with a group of 5. The grandkids know about the cruise but I'm surprising with with a day a WDW to get in the Disney spirit prior to the cruise. I know it's not a proper WDW trip in a day, but they've been last year, so it's not like we have to fit everything in. Plan to stay at the Dolphin- so pool day arrival day, visit Epcot am and finish up at MK. Take the train to FLL the day before our cruise, relax at Hotel. Then Cruise!

But when looking at this earlier I kept seeing the "standard" or smart fares on posts and youtube ( we don't need Premium- plan to do a mid afternoon train, eat beforehand) and those ranged from $79- 99. But when I looked today, only $149 fir smart fare and $309! for premium showed up. I did see a grayout smart saver fare that said sold out.

So is it that I'm too early to buy, or have prices increased recently? Or am I too late, as the cheaper fares are sold out?

I was searching for 2 adults, 3 kids on a Friday late July 2025.

At 149 for 5 people, that's $750, plus ubers to station and to hotel in FLL - Although it is nice to stretch out more on the train. But it's only a 3 hr train ride or a 3 hr car ride, so it doesn't save time, a quick search says car service roughly $700. Maybe rent a car cheaper, but I really don't want to drive myself.

Wow... idk what is happening with Brighline... their prices are all over the place.. I was looking to book return tickets just for me to Miami (in January, isn't it low season?!) for a business trip..almost $300 +tax for 1 person? (for the time slot I need) that's crazy.. so many ppl will be turned off by these prices.

$750+ for a family of 4 is bonkers imo... you can get way cheaper than $700 for a car service. I know of one that charges ~$400 iirc..

 

[jwalk03]

Wow... idk what is happening with Brighline... their prices are all over the place.. I was looking to book return tickets just for me to Miami (in January, isn't it low season?!) for a business trip..almost $300 +tax for 1 person? (for the time slot I need) that's crazy.. so many ppl will be turned off by these prices.

$750+ for a family of 4 is bonkers imo... you can get way cheaper than $700 for a car service. I know of one that charges ~$400 iirc..

January in South Florida is certainly not low season.

 

[greeneyedchick]

It would be cheaper to rent a car for the day. It is a toll road between Orlando and Fort Lauderdale but it's a super easy drive. You get on the toll road and everyone puts on cruise control and goes 70+ mph for 3 hours straight. I have friends who live in West Palm Beach and they're always telling me to take the Brightline from Orlando. Every time I look at the prices, I just can't justify the cost for me and my son to take the train instead of driving.

 

[Gatorbuff]

It would be cheaper to rent a car for the day. It is a toll road between Orlando and Fort Lauderdale but it's a super easy drive. You get on the toll road and everyone puts on cruise control and goes 70+ mph for 3 hours straight. I have friends who live in West Palm Beach and they're always telling me to take the Brightline from Orlando. Every time I look at the prices, I just can't justify the cost for me and my son to take the train instead of driving.

I just booked 2 seats for oct. Originally over 150. Got them for 39 apiece. The rates change almost daily. Keep checking. U will get a deal and download app as well. It's a very nice experience and the kids will love it

 

[CeCe0906]

I just booked 2 seats for oct. Originally over 150. Got them for 39 apiece. The rates change almost daily. Keep checking. U will get a deal and download app as well. It's a very nice experience and the kids will love it

Thanks! I'll keep looking for discounts. I'm not going to drive myself, and thought the train would be cool for the kids. But the lure of just door to door service for a car service for cheaper was appealing- only one mode of transport instead of Uber to train station, train, Uber to hotel. And if we have to pay for bags also, sigh. I guess it's way early, and I don't have to rush right now.

Thanks everyone for the info!

 

[Dug720]

January in South Florida is certainly not low season.

And definitely not for cruises.

 

[auntlynne]

Thanks! I'll keep looking for discounts. I'm not going to drive myself, and thought the train would be cool for the kids. But the lure of just door to door service for a car service for cheaper was appealing- only one mode of transport instead of Uber to train station, train, Uber to hotel. And if we have to pay for bags also, sigh. I guess it's way early, and I don't have to rush right now.

Thanks everyone for the info!

Brightline took us to our hotel from Fort Lauderdale train station (complimentary). Possibly still an option?

 

[LAS2AMS]

The period between the end of the Holiday season and the start of college spring break (typically early March) is absolutely a low season in Florida and for cruising. Like everyone else travel wise, it’s busier than it use to be but your cheapest cruises: getaways are during the period following when school returns (August/ into September) and the period following the Holidays.

Just looking at DCl, it’s cheapest cruises are almost all In January…

 

[greeneyedchick]

The period between the end of the Holiday season and the start of college spring break (typically early March) is absolutely a low season in Florida and for cruising. Like everyone else travel wise, it’s busier than it use to be but your cheapest cruises: getaways are during the period following when school returns (August/ into September) and the period following the Holidays.

Just looking at DCl, it’s cheapest cruises are almost all In January…

Where my parents live in FL (Mount Dora), that's the high season. All the snow birds come down after Christmas and stay until mid-March/ early April. All of the big festivals happen during that time. Once May comes, no more festivals and the crowds are gone.

 

[Pixarfans]

Some of the Marriotts were doing a Brightline special. Also you may not have to pay for bags, we just carried ours one. As long as they can go through the X-ray Machine I think you are fine.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Where my parents live in FL (Mount Dora), that's the high season. All the snow birds come down after Christmas and stay until mid-March/ early April. All of the big festivals happen during that time. Once May comes, no more festivals and the crowds are gone.

Good point but snow birds typically don’t have the same impact as tourists. January into February is definitely low season for resorts, theme parks, etc.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Some of the Marriotts were doing a Brightline special. Also you may not have to pay for bags, we just carried ours one. As long as they can go through the X-ray Machine I think you are fine.

Currently all fares include two carryons (same size restriction as the airlines) and a personal item. Checked baggage incurs a $20 fee. I’ve done Brigjtline just twice but neither time did they check nor enforce carryon restrictions — I saw plenty of families with oversized bags and total allotment exceeding the restriction.

But this may change soon, they’re hurting for revenue and have hinted about fees for some or all careyon baggage depending on the fare category.

 

[Luvmypetz]

That’s crazy. I took the train in Rome to the port, and a first class ticket was $12

 

[Kwami]

That’s crazy. I took the train in Rome to the port, and a first class ticket was $12

Yeah, Brightline's prices are ridiculous. I'm surprised that they're as popular as they are.