How to Get to the Miami Boat Show: Take the New South Florida Brightline Train

We took the all-new high-speed Brightline train to downtown Miami to attend the Miami Boat Show.

Getting around town during the annual Miami Boat Show can sometimes be challenging. Luckily for boat show attendees and South Florida locals alike, the new high-speed Brightline train has officially begun running at numerous stations this year, just in time for the event.

Does Brightline really make life easier? We put the train to the test and rode it south toward the Miami Boat Show. Read on to get our full experience and decide for yourself if Brightline is worth the trip.

Convenience

Boat show or not, the Brightline train is highly convenient. As South Florida gets more and more populated over the years, the need for more options for public transportation has become increasingly evident. A train is just the solution. With stops in all the major cities in South Florida, Brightline offers an easy and comfortable solution for getting where you need to go. There are currently stations in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, and Miami. It was simple to book tickets online, and it’s just as easy to purchase in person at the digital kiosk at the station. There are plenty of personnel at the station to help you if you need it. Digital signage is plenty throughout the comfortable waiting area, showcasing real-time updates on upcoming trains and other useful information.

Luxury

Once our tickets were scanned and bags were checked (the thorough security put all safety worries at bay), we were pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful waiting area upon entrance to the just-opened Aventura station. While many train stations can sometimes feel a bit grimy, this brand-new, modern, and extremely comfortable space had us kicking our legs back and…relaxing. It was just the start, but it felt like our commute could–dare we say it–be stress-free. There was even an impressive premium lounge for those who want to take the luxury up a notch. The same goes for seating on the train; you have two options for tickets: smart or premium. We went for smart, the more affordable option, and were shocked at the luxury feel. With plenty of legroom and space, the seats were heavily cushioned and extremely comfortable. Large seat-back trays felt more like a desk where we could comfortably fit our laptop to get some work done during our ride.

Service

The overall service at the Aventura Brightline station was superb. Security was happy to help with any questions we had, and staff personally came by to inform us that our train was soon approaching. When there was a few-minute delay, staff members approached passengers one by one to let us know and to apologize for any inconvenience (although we still got to Miami at the scheduled time!). The kindness and professionalism continued aboard the train.

Cleanliness

Throughout the various locations at both stations–the entrance hall, waiting areas, lounge, escalators, bridge, platform, bar (yes, there is a bar with a view at the MiamiCentral station)–as well as on the train itself, everything was in pristine condition. Even the exterior of the train looked like it was freshly washed! It looked like a bright, shiny new toy we couldn’t wait to play with. Since everything is brand new, it added to the luxe feel–and the comfy cushioned seats kept that feeling going.

Design

As we mentioned, the Aventura station was clean, modern, and even futuristic. It was designed to be sleek and sophisticated, as was the train itself–with its distinguishable yellow color beckoning us. Miami is all about style, so we were not surprised that the MiamiCentral train station was colorful and lively. With glass walls all around, peeking out at some of Miami’s tropical beauty, there were vibrant art installations throughout–including a floral “MIAMI” piece as well as “#305” to show some local love.

Ride

Even with a slight delay, we made the trip to Miami at record speed and arrived on time. Digital signage aboard kept passengers informed of our location, in addition to announcements over the intercom. There is full service aboard, even in smart-level cabins, offering drinks (including alcohol) as well as food. It felt like a flight! The stewardess–we mean train attendant–was kind and helpful. When it was announced that we were approaching Miami, everyone was shocked–it felt so quick.

The smooth ride didn’t end there. With so many people attending the boat show, Brightline partnered with the Miami International Boat Show to offer complimentary shuttles to various points at the show, including One Herald Plaza and the Miami Beach Convention Center. As soon as we exited the station, a bus was already there waiting to sail us over to the boat show–no hassle involved. We arrived at the show with a clear head and a clearer heart.

Attending the Miami Boat Show this week? Stop by the Denison booth to tour some of the most impressive yachts on display.