Can you tell me about your train experience? I am considering this for my trip in April but will have an almost 2 year old with me. Thanks!
We just used it this month (our 2nd time for a cruise - prior was in April).
The train experience itself is wonderful.
The challenge is getting to the station. Just adds an additional step. We have done both a hotel stay in Miami and one in Fort Lauderdale, arriving the day before the cruise. This decision was based on our flight arrival. I prefer getting to Miami, but will take into consideration hotel and flight costs.
Brightline train will pick you up if you are within 5 miles of the station. (This might only apply to the higher priced tickets - I still haven’t gotten this straight - we have gotten it with both levels of tickets).
Here’s our experiences: (items in
bold = $. Items
underlined = free).
1) April 2022, Disney. Flight to FLL. Arrived midday.
Taxi to Ft L Brightline Station (>5 miles).
Train ride. Arrive Miami Central Station. Attempted to use free Metromover - not in service. Took
Lyft to Hampton Inn Miami Brickell. Next day -
Lyft to Port of Miami.
Disembarked ship.
Lyft to Miami Central Station.
Train to Ft L train station.
Free shuttle (
Sprinter van - just 2 of us) to FLL. Flight home.
2) October 2022, MSC. Flight to FLL. Arrived after midnight.
Hotel shuttle to Tru Hotel.
Lyft to Ft L Brightline train station.
Train to Miami Central Station.
Free shuttle (
full 15 person van) to Port of Miami. Had to wait due to large parties filling van multiple times prior to our arrival; we were still within our assigned arrival time.
Disembarked ship. Unable to connect to phone service due to use volume or signal location. Spent nearly one hour after disembarkation trying to book Lyft. Got in taxi queue for ride to train station. (flat rate now $27). Train to Ft L.
Free shuttle to Bahia Mar Resort on Ft L beach. Next morning -
Lyft to FLL for early morning flight (5:30).
Notes: Most of our Lyft rides were in the $20s. I usually pick an XL to be in an SUV; personal preference.
Brightline train tickets cost more when bought day-of use (and can increase in price when quota of entry price tickets is met). Children (up to 4 kids per family?) are free. We paid $17 pp in advance for OW in Smart Class. We tried First Class (Select) for $27 pp OW on our last trip. It includes snacks in the waiting lounge and onboard. Yogurt, fruit, pastries, juices, canned Pepsi products, coffee, tea, beer and wine were among the offerings during morning lounge hours. Onboard, one less seat per row - but essentially the same carriages. Clean and new accommodations with a large restroom per car (about 4 cars). Some seats have a table (my choice. Luggage rack at the end of the car (I select this area, also, to be near my luggage.)
Day-of tickets on our return were $27 for Smart and $47 for Select. I think we should have pre-purchased our tickets and moved the train time, if needed. I guess that will be for the next trip.
They changed their luggage policy. Now, large bags have a $10 fee and must be checked. A large, 28” bag is in this category. I think a medium 24” bag would fit. Should be on the website.
The free shuttle to our Ft L beach resort was an electric Gem car. Seat belts and doors - yes; but very similar to a golf cart.
Brightline trains currently offer an excellent customer experience - friendly, helpful employees, modern and clean facilities and trains.
We have been seated near families with children on our rides. The consensus was it was so much nicer than a plane or car/van.
Would we do it again? Yes. I don’t need the lounge and it’s food for $10 more per OW ride.
Is this just typical "city life"? I don't know; I never lived in a city but have worked over 32 years in Philly and while we hear about crime, I've never actually witnessed anything.
