Riding Brightline: Our Fort Lauderdale to Orlando Journey in Premium Class

Trying Brightline for Ourselves: Fort Lauderdale to Orlando

After an amazing time in Fort Lauderdale, Wayne and I decided to continue our journey by booking a stay in Orlando—and this time, we opted to take the Brightline rail. We had heard so many glowing reviews from YouTube influencers and fellow travelers that we wanted to experience it firsthand. To get the full experience, we even upgraded to Premium seats. So, bright and early on January 25, 2026, we caught an Uber and headed to the Brightline station with high expectations.

What to Know About Brightline Pricing

Traveling between Fort Lauderdale and Orlando has become faster and more convenient thanks to Brightline, Florida’s high-speed rail service. One-way fares vary based on demand, travel dates, and booking timing, but generally range from about $36 to $200+. SMART class, Brightline’s standard option with comfortable seating and Wi-Fi, is often priced around $79 one-way when booked early, while peak travel times can push fares higher. Premium class costs more and includes lounge access, complimentary snacks and beverages, and priority boarding. Much like airline pricing, booking early typically yields the best value.

Arrival at the Station: First Impressions

Upon arriving, the exterior of the station felt fairly unassuming—nothing particularly special—though the signature Brightline yellow certainly stood out everywhere you looked. Inside, it was time to check in. There were two lines: one for Premium and one for non-Premium passengers. Interestingly, the non-Premium line seemed to move faster that morning. While not a major issue, the check-in experience felt very transactional. The attendant wasn’t especially warm, but she did get us checked in.

One surprise came when we were told that checked baggage service had reached capacity, meaning we had to take our bags onboard ourselves. This felt unusual, as we’ve never encountered that limitation on other forms of public transportation. We were then directed to take either the escalator or elevator upstairs to security.

Security & the Premium Lounge Experience

Upstairs, we scanned our tickets at the gates and placed our bags on the conveyor for security screening. The security staff were much friendlier, and one attendant in particular was very helpful in guiding passengers through the process.

Then came the Premium waiting area—and unfortunately, this was our biggest disappointment. The space felt small and cramped, with very low seating that seemed more child-sized than lounge-worthy. Food options were extremely limited—mostly bagels, toast, coffee, and tea—and there was no dedicated bathroom for Premium guests. If you needed the restroom, you had to walk to the opposite side of the station and use the same facilities as non-Premium passengers, which felt odd given the extra cost of Premium service.

To make matters worse, the women’s restroom had only four stalls, one of which was not sanitized and therefore unusable. With boarding time approaching, long lines formed, adding stress before the journey even began.

Boarding the Train: A Lack of Direction

When it was time to board, there was very little signage indicating which direction trains were arriving from. We initially headed the wrong way until Wayne asked an attendant on the platform, who checked our ticket and pointed us in the correct direction. Clear signage—similar to what you see in most major train stations—would have made this much smoother.

Onboard the Brightline: Mixed Experiences

Once onboard, we found our seats, which were nice but slightly dated. Shortly after departure, an attendant came around to check tickets and offer refreshments—cookies or fruit cups. Unfortunately, cookies ran out quickly. Another attendant followed with a different cart that only had drinks and chips. When Wayne asked for coffee for our 10:30 a.m. departure, we were told they had already run out.

At this point, the experience was feeling like a bit of a bust—until one attentive onboard staff member offered us wine and chips instead. Just like that, things started to look up. He made multiple passes to ensure we were taken care of, refilling our wine and chips as needed, which truly made a difference in how we felt about the journey.

Eventually, we both drifted off for a bit before a tray service arrived, including a sandwich, a chocolate tart, and a nut-based item (which I happily passed on to Wayne).

Final Thoughts: Would We Do It Again?

After three hours and two stops, we arrived at our destination in Orlando. Overall, we would rate our Brightline experience a 3 out of 5. The 5 goes entirely to the onboard attendants, whose service truly saved the experience, while the 1 goes to everything else, averaging out to a 3.

We’re glad we tried Brightline for ourselves, but we’re honestly not sure we would do it again—at least not Premium. That said, don’t let our experience deter you. Travel is personal, and experiences vary. If you’re curious, take the trip and let us know what you think—we’d love to hear your perspective.