SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.orlandomagazine.com
Orlando Magazine highlights the luxurious Orlando-Miami travel experience aboard Brightline’s high-speed train, with Bigtime Design Studios playing a pivotal role. The firm designed the striking and modern architecture of the new Orlando station, elevating both aesthetics and functionality. Travelers can enjoy premium amenities, including spacious seating and ADA-compliant features, all within a beautifully crafted environment by Bigtime Design. This design contributes significantly to making Brightline the preferred choice for hassle-free travel between Orlando and Miami.
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“All Aboard Brightline For An Orlando-to-Miami Travel Adventure”
High-speed train puts the fun into a South Florida getaway.
Designed by Bigtime Design Studios, the new Brightline Orlando Station boasts, bold, modern architecture. Photo by Emily Jourdan
A Bright Future for Orlando-to-Miami Travel
MY HUSBAND HAS ALWAYS LOVED TRAINS, so when he heard Brightline was offering service to Miami, he wanted to book a day trip. His goal: Get off the train in Miami, grab lunch and return home the same day.
With 16 departures to and from Miami daily, that’s doable. But why not go all in? We now had an excuse to become reacquainted with a city we hadn’t visited in decades, partly because of the drive there and back. Let’s be real. Who wants to drive to and from Miami? No one I know. But who wants to ride comfortably in a high-speed train that frees you up to take in the scenery, grab a nap or fit in some work? Need to stretch your legs? Walk around. Need a bathroom break? Take a short walk down the aisle. Need a snack or drink? The cart is coming your way.
Passengers booking Premium tickets have access to the Premium Lounge, complimentary snacks and beverages, priority boarding, and more. Photo by Emily Jourdan
Getting Your Trip on Track
Start by booking your Brightline trip. Smart, or business-class, fares begin at $79 one way per person. Premium, or first-class, fares begin at $149 per person. To compare the experiences, we booked Premium seats on the way to Miami and Smart seats on the way home. Premium tickets include access to the station’s Premium Lounge, where you can enjoy free breakfast, lunch or dinner items, along with free beverages.
Two alcoholic beverages are included. Premium tickets also include a free checked bag and free food on the train, where frequent feedings ensure a hobbit would be in his element. Passengers with Smart tickets have access to their own lounge at the station. Food, beverages and checked baggage—$25 per bag— are all at an additional cost. The leather-covered seats are slightly narrower, and you may find yourself sharing a four-person table with strangers if you don’t choose a two-seat row. That said, we were just as comfortable in our Smart coach as we were in our Premium coach, though less pampered. Both coaches offered plenty of leg room, and trays and tables easily accommodate laptops. Each seat also provides device-charging stations. Plus, all cars generally offer plenty of overhead storage for luggage and include a standing rack for larger bags. It’s also important to note each coach offers level boarding and is fully ADA-compliant, with wide aisles and accessible seating and bathrooms, which are also touch-free. Accessibility is a win for families with strollers and wheelchair-bound passengers.
Our trains were on schedule, each trip taking roughly 3 ½ hours with brief stops in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Aventura. But what you may not save in time, you’re saving in sanity and, possibly, safety. And don’t forget, you can make good use of your travel time, unlike when you’re driving.