We Rode Brightline SMART to Orlando and Returned in PREMIUM. Here’s Why We’d Happily Skip the Drive Again.

July 20th, 2026

There are two ways to get from South Florida to Orlando.

One involves brake lights, construction zones, wondering why the left lane suddenly became the slow lane, and meeting the same pickup truck three different times because nobody can decide which lane they actually want.

The other involves settling into a comfortable seat, plugging in your phone, watching Florida drift past your window and wondering whether you have room for dessert.

Needless to say, we preferred Option B.

The best way to judge Brightline isn’t by riding one class.

It’s by riding both.

Our adventure began in SMART (coach) from West Palm Beach to Orlando before returning later that evening in PREMIUM. Experiencing both within the same day provided the perfect opportunity to answer the question many travelers ask:

Is the upgrade worth it?

Before we even get there, though, here’s the good news.

No matter which ticket you purchase, Brightline doesn’t simply transport you to your destination. It transforms the trip itself into part of the vacation.

Even in SMART, the experience felt refreshingly different from the usual highway marathon. Spacious seating, overhead luggage storage, power outlets at every seat and complimentary Wi-Fi made it easy to relax, catch up on work or simply enjoy the ride. Reaching speeds of up to 125 mph, the train covered ground with remarkable ease, yet inside the cabin it hardly felt like we were moving that quickly.

In fact, the train may top out at 125 mph, but somehow your blood pressure does the exact opposite.

Perhaps the biggest surprise?

Just how incredibly smooth everything felt.

For a train traveling that fast, there was remarkably little bumpiness. Instead of rattling down the tracks, Brightline seemed to glide across them like a skate cutting effortlessly across fresh ice. Meanwhile, somewhere on Florida’s Turnpike, somebody was probably asking Google Maps why their three-hour drive had mysteriously become four hours and seventeen minutes.

And honestly… we didn’t miss it one bit.

No tailgaters.

No one darting across three lanes because they “almost missed the exit.”

Not a single orange construction barrel trying to ruin the day.

Of course, planning your trip involves more than simply buying a train ticket.

Brightline’s Orlando station is conveniently connected to Orlando International Airport, but unless the airport is your final destination, you’ll want to budget both time and transportation costs for that final stretch.

For us, that destination was SeaWorld Orlando.

Travelers looking to save money can take advantage of Orlando’s LYNX bus system for just $2 per ride. The journey involves riding the airport tram, making a bus transfer and setting aside roughly an hour before arriving at SeaWorld. It’s an excellent budget-friendly option if you’re not in a rush.

If convenience is the priority, Uber and Lyft typically reach SeaWorld in about 20 minutes, although fares generally start around $25 and can climb depending on demand.

Think of it as choosing between saving money or saving time. Neither answer is wrong. It simply depends whether your vacation budget or your patience has the larger balance.

Brightline fares also vary based on demand and how early you book. Promotional fares can start around $39 for SMART Saver, $59 for SMART and $89 for PREMIUM, while peak travel days and last-minute bookings often cost more. Booking ahead can make a noticeable difference.

Even factoring in those extra transportation costs, we couldn’t help but wonder how much we’d have spent driving instead.

Gas.

Florida Turnpike tolls.

Parking.

Wear and tear on the car.

That one driver weaving through traffic like they’re auditioning for the next Fast & Furious movie.

It all adds up.

Suddenly, Brightline looked like an even better value.

Then came the return trip.

That’s where PREMIUM enters the station.

If SMART feels like getting bumped into Economy Plus, PREMIUM feels like the airline quietly saying, “We’ve got a little extra room up front if you’re interested.”

The evening began inside Brightline’s PREMIUM Lounge, where complimentary snacks, coffee, soft drinks, beer and wine created the perfect setting to recharge after a full day exploring Orlando. The lounge was comfortable enough that you almost found yourself hoping boarding would be delayed by five minutes… almost.

Priority boarding followed, allowing PREMIUM guests to settle in before the rest of the passengers. Shortly afterward came a complimentary bottle of FIJI Water, another thoughtful touch that reinforced the elevated experience.

The seats became even roomier, offering generous legroom and enough personal space that no one had to negotiate elbow treaties with the stranger beside them.

Dinner only added to the experience.

PREMIUM passengers choose from complimentary entrée selections, and our choices included a fresh Cobb salad and hearty chicken pasta. Beverage service continued throughout the ride, making the miles melt away almost unnoticed. Somehow dinner tastes even better when you didn’t have to fight for a parking spot at a highway rest stop first.

That’s when Brightline quietly works its magic.

Outside the windows, city lights faded into stretches of open countryside before giving way once again to the familiar glow of South Florida. Inside, conversations softened, phones charged, laptops opened and passengers simply… relaxed.

Travel rarely gives time back.

Brightline somehow does.

Instead of gripping a steering wheel, you’re watching the world pass by one frame at a time. Instead of counting exits, you’re watching skylines slowly appear on the horizon. Instead of arriving mentally exhausted, you step off feeling surprisingly refreshed.

So… is PREMIUM worth the upgrade?

If you’re simply looking for an efficient, comfortable ride, SMART already delivers an outstanding experience.

But if you enjoy beginning your getaway a little earlier, appreciate a lounge before departure, complimentary dining, drinks and a little extra room to breathe, PREMIUM makes a compelling case for itself.

If your budget allows it, SMART is an easy recommendation.

PREMIUM is an easy splurge.

The beauty of Brightline, though, isn’t that one class is good and the other is better.

It’s that both remind you of something we’ve almost forgotten in modern travel.

Sometimes the journey deserves to be every bit as memorable as the destination.

And if it also saves you from yelling, “COME ON!” through your windshield three dozen times before lunch… well, that’s just a bonus.

Brightline at a Glance

Route Reviewed: West Palm Beach ⇄ Orlando

Top Speed: Up to 125 mph

Travel Time: Approximately 3 hours (station to station)

SMART (Coach) Includes:

Spacious reclining seats

Complimentary Wi-Fi

Power outlet and USB charging at every seat

Overhead luggage storage

Exceptionally smooth ride

PREMIUM Adds:

Priority boarding

Access to the PREMIUM Lounge

Complimentary snacks and beverages before departure

Complimentary FIJI Water onboard

Choice of complimentary entrée

Complimentary beer, wine and other beverages

Larger seats with additional legroom

Typical One-Way Fares*

SMART Saver: From $39

SMART: From $59

PREMIUM: From $89

Brightline recently partnered with GOVX, giving verified military members, veterans, first responders, law enforcement officers, medical professionals, educators and other eligible public service professionals access to exclusive discounts. Depending on eligibility and route, savings can reach up to 25% off SMART fares, while verified law enforcement officers can receive up to 50% off SMART fares within South Florida and additional discounts on Orlando routes. If you qualify, it’s well worth checking before booking your trip. 

Prices fluctuate based on demand, travel dates and how far in advance you book.

Getting from Orlando Airport Station to SeaWorld

Budget Option – LYNX Bus

Around $2 per ride

Airport tram + bus transfer required

Approximately 1 hour total travel time

Convenience Option – Uber/Lyft

Roughly 20 minutes

Typically $25+, depending on traffic and demand

Our Verdict

⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)

SMART: Comfortable, quiet, reliable and a refreshing alternative to driving. If you’re looking for value, it’s an easy recommendation.

PREMIUM: Worth considering for special occasions, longer journeys or anyone who enjoys making the trip part of the vacation. Between the lounge, priority boarding, larger seats, complimentary food and drinks, it adds enough comfort to feel like a genuine upgrade rather than simply a more expensive ticket.

Insider Tip

Book your train as early as possible. Brightline frequently offers lower promotional fares weeks in advance, and those savings can easily offset the cost of an Uber to your final destination.

If you’re spending the day at attractions like SeaWorld, Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World, compare the cost of rideshare versus public transit before you arrive. Spending a little more to save nearly 40 minutes each way can mean another ride, another show or simply more time making memories.