Orlando to Miami... Amtrak?

[diskam]

We're going on the Wonder out of Miami in May, and I'd like to do Orlando first. I could drive from Orlando to Miami, but I wanted to check out other options as well. Has anyone done the train? We'd go the day before since I don't want to worry about delays. Does anyone know how close to the port or hotels the Amtrak station is?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Amtrak offers two trains per day from Orlando to Miami. One of them goes to Tampa first which is way out of the way so avoid that one. However, be aware that Amtrak's station in Miami is nowhere near downtown which is where the Port of Miami is located. Sometime in 2013 Amtrak is moving to new Miami Central Station where it will be possible to connect to Metrorail rapid transit trains to downtown.

These companies offer bus service to Miami.
http://www.thefloridaexpressbus.com/
http://www.gotobus.com/

Really, your best option is a car rental.

BobK/Orlando

 

[travelcoupons]

Amtrak offers two trains per day from Orlando to Miami. One of them goes to Tampa first which is way out of the way so avoid that one. However, be aware that Amtrak's station in Miami is nowhere near downtown which is where the Port of Miami is located. Sometime in 2013 Amtrak is moving to new Miami Central Station where it will be possible to connect to Metrorail rapid transit trains to downtown.

These companies offer bus service to Miami.
http://www.thefloridaexpressbus.com/
http://www.gotobus.com/

Really, your best option is a car rental.

BobK/Orlando

It'll be in late 2013 before they relocated the Amtrak station. Right now the Metrorail transfer station is a few blocks away from the Amtrak station, but not walkable.
Rental car is the way to go. Hertz services the Amtrak station.
http://www.hertz.com/rentacar/location/index.jsp?targetPage=locationDetailsView.jsp&eoag=MIAX02&locType=

http://www.redcoachusa.com/ also services Miami from orlando

 

[SuzanneSLO]

It'll be in late 2013 before they relocated the Amtrak station. Right now the Metrorail transfer station is a few blocks away from the Amtrak station, but not walkable.
Rental car is the way to go. Hertz services the Amtrak station.
http://www.hertz.com/rentacar/location/index.jsp?targetPage=locationDetailsView.jsp&eoag=MIAX02&locType=

http://www.redcoachusa.com/ also services Miami from orlando

Assuming I can find a flight at a reasonable price, any reason we should not just fly between Orlando and Miami? -- Suzanne

 

[diskam]

Assuming I can find a flight at a reasonable price, any reason we should not just fly between Orlando and Miami? -- Suzanne

I think it's probably faster to drive by the time you factor getting to the airport early, waiting for luggage etc. That's what I'm leaning towards now. It looks like a fairly easy route between the parks and the port, so I think it won't be a problem.

The last time we used Tiffany Towncar our driver mentioned something about taking people to Miami. I have no idea how much that would cost though.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I think it's probably faster to drive by the time you factor getting to the airport early, waiting for luggage etc. That's what I'm leaning towards now. It looks like a fairly easy route between the parks and the port, so I think it won't be a problem.

The last time we used Tiffany Towncar our driver mentioned something about taking people to Miami. I have no idea how much that would cost though.

Elite transportation has a town car from Orlando to Miami for $415! -- Suzanne

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Assuming I can find a flight at a reasonable price, any reason we should not just fly between Orlando and Miami? -- Suzanne

Because there usually aren't reasonable fares between Orlando and Miami.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Talking Hands]

The Amtrak station is currently in Hialeah which is not close to the port at all. You would need to find transportation between the station and the port. You might be able to get Metrorail from Hialeah to downtown but you still would have to get from the station to the Port of Miami.

 

[glammadiva]

We can often get decent fares between MCO and Miami on Priceline, etc. In Miami the orange line metrorail train runs to and from the airport, but I would only use it during the day.