Orlando’s Trains - explore options

Amtrak

Amtrak is the national passenger rail company serving Florida from the east coast. The Orlando Health/Amtrack Station was built for the Atlantic Coast Railroad in 1962 and designed by M.A. Griffth and is located near downtown Orlando at Orlando Health/Amtrak (1400 Sligh Blvd, Orlando, FL 32806). Drive time to downtown Orlando from the station is less than 10 minutes and about 20 minutes to Universal Studios and the entrance to the Walt Disney Resort. The station also serves as one of Orlandos four SunRail stations.

Trains on the Silver Meteor and Silver Star routs stop at Orlando station with service to cities including Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, Washington DC. and New York City. See Amtrack Southern destinations.

Note: Amtrack trains serve only a limited number of towns and cities in Florida.

Kissimmee Amtrack Station is closer to Disney World Resort in term of miles and car rental companies can be found near the station as another option.

Parking at Orlando Health/Amtrack

Free same-day and overnight parking is available, including disabled spaces.

Brightline

Florida’s new Brightline train offers a way to travel between the state’s major tourism hubs in comfort. High speed rail connects South Florida and Orlando via Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Boca Raton with its latest stop, a brand-new station at Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C. Train Passes available see website for details.

Long or short-term parking is available at Orlando International Airport’s Parking Garage C, walking distance from Brightline Orlando Station. If parking at Parking Garage C is full you can park at the South Park Place Economy Lot.

Cost https://www.gobrightline.com/train-tickets

Offers https://www.gobrightline.com/offers

Brightline Orlando Station, 10705 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827

SunRail

SunRail is a commuter rail system in Florida that serves the Greater Orlando area. It’s operated by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in partnership with local counties and municipalities.

SunRail currently operates on a north-south corridor, with 16 stations spanning 49 miles of track through Orange, Seminole, Volusia, and Osceola counties. The system operates Monday through Friday with limited evening hours and does NOT operate a service on weekends or certain holidays. During morning and evening peak hours, the trains run every 30 minutes. During off-peak hours (midday and late evening) the trains operate every 2 to 2.5 hours. Check the SunRail Maps and Schedules for operating times.

The city of Orlando (Orange County) has 4 local stations, Orlando Health/Amtrak, Church St, LYNX Central, and AdventHealth.

Fares and Passes https://sunrail.com/

The SunRail network service operates over 49 miles with 16 stations within four zones distinguished by county lines. The cost of a ticket is determined on the number of zones a rider passes through, the type of trip required, and rider type traveling by SunRail could be a more cost-effective way to travel once fuel, parking, and rental fees are taken into consideration.

SunRail Map with Zones.

The four zones with stations are:

Volusia County

• DeLand (Coming Summer 2024)
• DeBary

Seminole County

• Sanford
• Lake Mary
• Longwood
• Altamore Springs

Orange County

• Maitland
• Winter Park/Amtrak
• AdventHealth
• LINX Central
• Church Street
• Orlando Health/Amtrack
• Sand Lake Road
• Meadow Woods

Osceola County

• Tupperware
• Kissimmee / Amtrak
• Poinciana

Ticket Prices

There is a base fare of $2 and an additional $1 charged for every county/zone you pass through. For example, if you travel from Sanford (Seminole County) to Orlando Health/Amtrack (Orange County), the one-way fare would be $3.

SunRail Ticket

SunRail tickets are a one-time purchase for a one-way or round-trip journey. The tickets are paper based and may be discarded after use once the fare has been validated by tapping on and off the train. This type of ticket is better suited for occasional rail users

SunCards

SunCards are value for money reloadable rail travel cards best suited for regular rail users. SunCards can be purchased at the Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) available at all 16 railway stations and are ADA (American with Disabilities Act) accessible. TVMs accept cash and credit/debit cards. SunCard purchases can also be made online at SunRail.com.

Note: When purchasing a SunCard from a TVM It is important to register your SunCard at account.sunrail.com for balance protection should the card be lost or stolen. SunCards purchased online have protection automatically set up.

SunCard Prepaid Value

Used with SunCards, SunCard Prepaid Value is a good option for travellers who use the rail less frequently. It allows you to reload your card when required to meet commuting requirements.

Riders receiving a 10% bonus value when loading their SunCard with prepaid value.

See the chart below:

SunCard Travel Passes

For more frequent rail travellers who ride SunRail 4-5 days a week SunCards offer unlimited use and can provide significant savings over daily tickets. With varying prices based on travel between counties or SunRail “zones” for weekly, monthly, or annual travel from your initial Tap On.

Rider Discounts:

Youth Rider (ages 7-18) * – 50% discount

Senior Rider (ages 65+) * – 50% discount

Disabled Rider – 50% discount

Children under 6 – Free. With one paid accompanying adult. Limited to 3 per adult.

*Upon request by the SunRail conductor or fare inspector, seniors and youth must show proof of age with a government-issued valid ID. Acceptable forms include driver’s license, passport, Medicare card, student ID, State ID, or LYNX/Votran youth ID.

Using your SunCard

Before boarding your train locate a Ticket Validator Unit (TVU) on the station platform. “Tap On” by holding the ticket close to the validator screen. The screen will prompt you when it has accepted the ticket. Keep your ticket for when you exit the train.

When you arrival at your destination station, locate a Ticket Validating Unit on the station platform. “Tap Off” by holding the ticket close to the validator screen. The screen will prompt you when it has accepted the ticket.

Remember to keep hold of your ticket if you are in the middle of a round trip for future use.

SunRail Mobile Ticket App

The SunRail app features train status, trip planning, ticket purchasing, SunCard management and more. For information and free download visit https://sunrail.com/fares-passes/mobile-tickets/#download.

SunRail Train/LYNX Bus Transfers

SunRail and Lynx work together to provide passengers with rail-to-bus or bus-to-rail transfer options.

From SunRail to Bus:

• Pay your train fare
• Show LYNX/Votran operator your SunCard or one-way/round-trip ticket
• Receive one free transfer from the LYNX/Voltran bus operator to a feeder bus route that serves SunRail Stations

From Bus to Rail:

• Pay bus fare on LYNX/Votran feeder bus route
• Ask operator for a free transfer to SunRail (a transfer is always required even when passengers have a bus pass)
• Take transfer to SunRail ticket vending machine (four at each station)
• Follow instructions to use a transfer on the ticket vending machine screen
• Swipe transfer (which is valid for 90 minutes)
• Pay $1.00 upgrade for crossing each county line on SunRail (if necessary)

Parking

Free parking is available at the following suburban stations:

DeLand – Coming 2024

DeBary

Sanford

Lake Mary

Longwood

Altamonte Springs

Maitland

Winter Park / Amtrak*

Sand Lake Road

Meadow Woods

Tupperware

Kissimmee / Amtrak*

Poinciana

*4-hour limit