By Yasmene Warren
Contrary to popular belief, the city of Orlando isn’t entirely car-dependent. There are quite a few ways to get around town without your own set of wheels, and we’re going to take a deep dive into the details of them all!
Orlando’s Train System
Did you know Orlando has its own railway system — or systems? If you’ve been around Central Florida, you’ve probably driven over a few railroad tracks once or twice. There are three commuter rail systems in Orlando that you should know about:
SunRail
Orlando is something of a “land of opportunity” in itself for those 9-5’ers residing in the outskirts of Central Florida, but commuting to those opportunities by car can be a hassle. That’s where SunRail comes in! SunRail is a commuter rail service that operates on a 49-mile route, Monday through Friday. It runs as far east as DeBary in Volusia County to as south as Poinciana in Osceola County.
Perfect for those who don’t live in the hustle and bustle of the City Beautiful but need to travel here for work or fun, SunRail has 16 stations situated in four counties. Orlando’s stations include:
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AdventHealth Station
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LYNX Central Station
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Church Street Station
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Orlando Health/Amtrak Station
Riding the SunRail has a lot of benefits! Apart from saving on gas and tolls and avoiding traffic, its trains and stations are renowned for their cleanliness and reliability. Trains consistently run on time, ensuring you get to where you need to be in a timely manner.
With future plans to extend service east to the Orlando International Airport and the opening of its newest station in DeLand, SunRail remains a great way to get around for Orlando residents and visitors alike.
Amtrak
Have travel plans that branch out of the Central Florida corridor? Amtrak just may be calling your name. Amtrak is a national passenger railroad company that offers both intercity and national rail services. It operates daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Orlando’s Amtrak station, which doubles as a SunRail station, crosses right through the heart of Orlando and can bring you to Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami. If you’re looking to cross state lines, there are also over 500 destinations across 46 states you can travel on with Amtrak.
Brightline
Brightline is the newest commuter railway system to land in Orlando with its debut in September 2023. Its Orlando station is located at the Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal, and it’s open from as early as 4 a.m. to as late as 1:15 a.m. daily.
Credit: Brightline
This train seamlessly connects Orlando to Miami and other parts of South Florida. We recently had the opportunity to experience the luxury of Brightline’s high-speed rail services, and it was nothing short of extraordinary.
Lindsay describes the experience as clean, having friendly service, and utterly convenient with the ample food and beverage options at the station that you can bring on the train.
The plus side to taking the Brightline is being able to sit back and relax for three hours as you make your way to South Florida without having to worry about traffic or the road in front of you as you would behind the wheel.
Click here to read more about the Brightline and to purchase tickets!
Bus Services to Get Behind in Orlando
If you’re looking for a more direct alternative to driving a car around Orlando, the city’s bus services are the next best thing. Currently, Orlando has two bus service options to choose from:
LYMMO
When you live in downtown Orlando and want a quick, easy way to get around, LYMMO is the way to go. LYMMO is a free bus rapid transit circulator that runs daily throughout downtown Orlando.
LYNX
LYNX is one of the best ways to commute around Orlando and surrounding Central Florida cities. It operates through Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties, as well as parts of Polk and Volusia counties.
Orlando’s Walkability
The best part about having a downtown area in a city is its walkability, and downtown Orlando excels in that regard. When you live downtown, transportation is one thing you won’t have to worry about.
According to Walk Score, downtown Orlando is a “Walker’s Paradise” with a score of 93 out of 100. With grocery options like Publix and a wide variety of local bars, restaurants, and shops around the corner, traveling by car is not a necessity around these parts.
How We Compare to Other Cities
Compared to most major cities across the United States, Orlando pales when it comes to public transportation — but that doesn’t make it any less great.
The LYNX buses cover a lot of ground in Orlando, making it relatively reliable for daily commuters without a car. It currently stands as the city’s most used mode of public transportation.
The City Beautiful, however, is still in desperate need of a high-speed rail system. The future is bright thanks to Brightline, which looks to extend services to Tampa in the future. As far as intercity high-speed rail travel is concerned, Orlando is severely lacking.
The bustling metro that is Orlando would greatly benefit from an intercity rail system similar to those in New York City, Chicago, and Boston.
The plus side to Orlando’s public transportation is its ease of access and reachability. Most of Orlando’s main attractions are within 30 minutes of each other, so you won’t have to worry about sitting on a bus or train for too long when traveling to your next destination!
Overall
Orlando is on the up in every way imaginable — public transportation included. As SunRail and Brightline continue to expand and new businesses begin to make this city their home, growth is steadfastly approaching. More growth means more demand, which means Orlando’s future in public transportation is sure to be a bright one! If you want to be a part of that growth, let us help you find the perfect place to call home in the City Beautiful!
The Orlando Real is sponsored by The Pozek Group. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in Orlando, reach out and we would love to help!
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