Orlando to Miami Day Trip: Train, Boat & Beach

Ride the rails south, then drift past celebrity homes on the water.

A full-day excursion from Orlando to Miami by high-speed train, including a Biscayne Bay cruise around Star Island, roundtrip water taxi access to South Beach, and your choice of either a narrated open-top bus tour through Wynwood and Little Havana or independent beach time. The train departs from Orlando Airport and returns in the early evening, with all transport and cruise tickets arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Orlando to Miami day trip

• Board train at Orlando Brightline station
• Travel to Downtown Miami by train
• Walk to Bayside Marketplace mall
• Explore Bayside Marketplace shops and restaurants
• Take Biscayne Bay cruise around Star Island
• Ride water taxi to South Beach
• Explore South Beach and art deco district
• Return by train to Orlando

The Experience

The day starts at Orlando Brightline station, where you board a high-speed train heading straight into Downtown Miami. The train pulls into Miami Central, a short walk from Bayside Marketplace—the waterfront mall where the rest of your day unfolds. From there, you step onto a boat for a Biscayne Bay cruise that circles Star Island, where you'll see the waterfront mansions and city skyline from the water itself. The cruise is included; you're not narrating it from a bus window.

After the cruise, the day splits. If you choose the bus option, you ride an open-top vehicle through Miami's neighborhoods—Wynwood's street art, Little Havana's Cuban culture, the landmarks a guide points out as you move. If you pick the beach option instead, a water taxi takes you from Bayside across to South Beach, where you have a few hours to walk Ocean Drive, lie on the sand, explore the art deco district, or eat at a beachfront restaurant. The water taxi runs both ways and is included in that choice. Either way, you're not managing separate bookings or timing—the tickets are already yours.

In the early evening, you board the train back to Orlando. The whole day—train both directions, the cruise, and either the bus or the taxi—is one package, which means no hunting for individual tickets or worrying whether you'll make the return departure. The trip takes around eleven to twelve hours door to door.

What’s included

• Roundtrip high-speed train from Orlando Airport to Miami Central.
• Biscayne Bay cruise around Star Island with views of waterfront mansions and the city skyline.
• roundtrip water taxi from Bayside Marketplace to South Beach (if you choose the beach option) or an open-top narrated bus tour through Wynwood and Little Havana (if you choose the bus option).
• free time to explore Bayside Marketplace, South Beach, Ocean Drive, or local restaurants.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Gray Line of Orlando

Is this one for you?Choose the bus tour if you want a guide pointing out the neighborhoods and street art; pick the water taxi option if you'd rather spend the afternoon on your own at the beach and the art deco district. Both routes include the same train and cruise, so the choice is really about how you want to use your Miami afternoon.

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Top questions

Can I choose between the bus tour and South Beach when I book, or do I decide on the day?

You choose at checkout. The Water Taxi Beach Transfer option includes roundtrip taxi to South Beach and free time there; the Day Trip with Boat & Bus Tour option includes the narrated open-top bus through the city neighborhoods. Pick the one that matches how you want to spend your afternoon in Miami.

What exactly does the Biscayne Bay cruise show you?

The boat circles Star Island, where you see the waterfront mansions and luxury homes from the water, along with views of the Miami skyline and other iconic landmarks. It departs from Bayside Marketplace and is included in both package options.

How much free time do I have at Bayside Marketplace before the cruise?

Bayside Marketplace sits just a 15-minute walk from Miami Central station, so you have time to explore the shops, restaurants and live music there before boarding the cruise. The itinerary builds in time for this, though the exact window depends on train arrival and cruise departure.

Is there a guide with me the whole day?

If you choose the open-top bus tour, a guide narrates the route through Wynwood, Little Havana and other neighborhoods. If you choose South Beach, that time is independent—you explore on your own. The train rides and cruise do not include a guide.

Do I need to get myself to Orlando Brightline station, or is that included?

The train departs from Orlando Airport station, and you'll need to arrange your own transport there. The high-speed train to Miami, the Biscayne Bay cruise, and either the bus tour or water taxi to South Beach are all included in the package price.

What if I have young children—can they come on this trip?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available. The trip involves train travel, a boat cruise and either a bus or water taxi, so children should be comfortable with those forms of transport.