SunRail & LYNX: Train to Plane
Overview:
Currently, the SunRail commuter rail system in Orlando does not directly connect to Orlando International Airport (there is a connection in the works, dubbed "Phase 3", but is years away). So, in the mean time, the way to get to or from the airport is via the LYNX Link 111 bus. That route (or "Link") travels from the Orlando International Airport to Sea World via Sand Lake Road and the State Road (SR) 528 highway with a stop at the Sand Lake Road SunRail Station.
Schedule:
The bus is scheduled to arrive at the SunRail Station within minutes of the train's schedule; Eastbound buses (to Orlando International) arrive just a few minutes after the train arrives, and Westbound buses (from Orlando International) arrives just a few minutes before the train leaves.
Fares:
SunRail fares are $2 and then an additional $1 for every county line crossed (Ex, start and end in Orange County, the total is $2; start in Seminole and end in Orange or Volusia, $3; start in Volusia and end in Orange, $4). There are discounts for disabled, youth, and seniors.
Transfer Fares:
From train to bus, the transfer is FREE! Yes, that's right, FREE! Just show the bus operator your SunRail ticket or card and you'll get one free bus ride (this also is valid for ANY LYNX route that connects to SunRail).
From the bus to the train, you'll need to ask for a transfer when you board the bus (BEFORE you insert cash), then at the SunRail station, go to a Ticket Validation Machine (TVM) and swipe your transfer. If you're traveling within only one county, you'll get a free transfer to SunRail, if you're crossing county lines on the train, you'll need to pay an additional fee.
My Experience:
In August, I was flying out of town at Orlando International Airport, so I had a friend drop me off at DeBary SunRail Station, and I boarded the 10:00 Southbound train, and I arrived at Sand Lake Road right on time at 11:03. There's plenty of room on the lower level for your baggage (upstairs has some room, however it requires carrying your luggage up stairs).
At Sand Lake Road, myself and the other passengers disembarked the train and I went to the Link 111 bus stop. There were three other groups of people who were also going to the Airport for a flight. The bus arrived within a few minutes of the train (my train arrived at 11:03, the bus was scheduled to arrive, and did, at 11:06). After leaving the SunRail Station, the bus travels Sand Lake Road for a short distance before turning onto the SR 528 toll road directly to the airport. Once arriving at the airport, the bus stops on Level 1 of the terminal on the "A" side (note, the buses will be moving to the new Transportation Facility just south of the terminal in 2018). At the Airport, there are also transfers to LYNX Links 11, 41, 51, 407 and 436S. Just take the elevator up to Level 3 for ticketing, if you do not need to check bags and you already have your boarding pass, proceed to the Main Atrium to go through security.
The bus ride only takes 17 minutes between the Sand Lake Road SunRail Station and the Airport. Now, depending on the time of day and where you're coming from, the total travel time can take longer than just driving to the airport, however it costs a lot less! For me, traveling from Volusia County, the entire fare was $4, as opposed to tolls and parking fees at the airport. Overall, I would definitely recommend trying this service, it's quick, easy, cheap, and convenient!
Currently, the SunRail commuter rail system in Orlando does not directly connect to Orlando International Airport (there is a connection in the works, dubbed "Phase 3", but is years away). So, in the mean time, the way to get to or from the airport is via the LYNX Link 111 bus. That route (or "Link") travels from the Orlando International Airport to Sea World via Sand Lake Road and the State Road (SR) 528 highway with a stop at the Sand Lake Road SunRail Station.
Schedule:
The bus is scheduled to arrive at the SunRail Station within minutes of the train's schedule; Eastbound buses (to Orlando International) arrive just a few minutes after the train arrives, and Westbound buses (from Orlando International) arrives just a few minutes before the train leaves.
Fares:
SunRail fares are $2 and then an additional $1 for every county line crossed (Ex, start and end in Orange County, the total is $2; start in Seminole and end in Orange or Volusia, $3; start in Volusia and end in Orange, $4). There are discounts for disabled, youth, and seniors.
Transfer Fares:
From train to bus, the transfer is FREE! Yes, that's right, FREE! Just show the bus operator your SunRail ticket or card and you'll get one free bus ride (this also is valid for ANY LYNX route that connects to SunRail).
From the bus to the train, you'll need to ask for a transfer when you board the bus (BEFORE you insert cash), then at the SunRail station, go to a Ticket Validation Machine (TVM) and swipe your transfer. If you're traveling within only one county, you'll get a free transfer to SunRail, if you're crossing county lines on the train, you'll need to pay an additional fee.
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| SunRail trains at Winter Park Station |
In August, I was flying out of town at Orlando International Airport, so I had a friend drop me off at DeBary SunRail Station, and I boarded the 10:00 Southbound train, and I arrived at Sand Lake Road right on time at 11:03. There's plenty of room on the lower level for your baggage (upstairs has some room, however it requires carrying your luggage up stairs).
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| My bag with plenty of room at one of the lower level seating areas. |
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| The LYNX bus arriving at Sand Lake Road Station, with "111 Orlando Int'l Airport" on the destination sign above the window. |
At Sand Lake Road, myself and the other passengers disembarked the train and I went to the Link 111 bus stop. There were three other groups of people who were also going to the Airport for a flight. The bus arrived within a few minutes of the train (my train arrived at 11:03, the bus was scheduled to arrive, and did, at 11:06). After leaving the SunRail Station, the bus travels Sand Lake Road for a short distance before turning onto the SR 528 toll road directly to the airport. Once arriving at the airport, the bus stops on Level 1 of the terminal on the "A" side (note, the buses will be moving to the new Transportation Facility just south of the terminal in 2018). At the Airport, there are also transfers to LYNX Links 11, 41, 51, 407 and 436S. Just take the elevator up to Level 3 for ticketing, if you do not need to check bags and you already have your boarding pass, proceed to the Main Atrium to go through security.
The bus ride only takes 17 minutes between the Sand Lake Road SunRail Station and the Airport. Now, depending on the time of day and where you're coming from, the total travel time can take longer than just driving to the airport, however it costs a lot less! For me, traveling from Volusia County, the entire fare was $4, as opposed to tolls and parking fees at the airport. Overall, I would definitely recommend trying this service, it's quick, easy, cheap, and convenient!
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| This LYNX bus is wrapped with an advertisement for the "Train to Plane" service |
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