Introduction to Amtrak in Florida
Amtrak covers a large part of Florida from Jacksonville to Tampa to Miami! But can one ride Amtrak to the cruise ports – Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Port Miami, Port Tampa Bay, Jacksonville Port, and Port of Palm Beach?
Amtrak to Florida Cruise Ports – Summary
Yes, it is possible to ride Amtrak to the cruise ports but it requires some planning.
- Auto Train from Washington DC area to Sanford – Arrives daily at 10 am, meaning you can retrieve your vehicle and reach Jacksonville Port (2h15mins), Port Canaveral (1h30mins), and Port Tampa Bay (2h15mins) in time for your cruise.
- Silver Star is the only train to Tampa
- Silver Meteor does not stop in Tampa
- If traveling between the Ports of West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, Amtrak is not the best option. Consider Metrorail, Tri-Rail, or Brightline (recommended)
Amtrak is also possible when departing the cruise ports after your cruise. Read below for a discussion.
Please visit Amtrak.com for the latest train schedules.
Amtrak In Florida – Rail and Station Map
Amtrak to/from Jacksonville Port
Jacksonville Amtrak Station JAX is 12 miles from the JaxPort Cruise Terminal – It is at least a 25-minute drive.
- UberX – about $20
- UberXL – about $32
Silver Star from New York arrives at 7:06 am – You can easily reach the Port in time
Silver Star from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, and Orlando arrive at 10:44 pm – Too late unless you spend the night near the Port and cruise the next day.
Silver Meteor from New York arrives at 9:24 am – You can easily reach the Port in time
Silver Meteor from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando arrives at 4:51 pm – Too late unless you spend the night near the Port and cruise the next day.
Silver Star to New York departs at 11:04 pm daily – You can easily book this train but you have a very long day of waiting with your luggage.
Silver Meteor to New York departs at 5:11 pm daily – You can easily book this train but you have a long day of waiting with your luggage.
Amtrak to/from Port Canaveral
Orlando Amtrak Station ORL is 54 miles from Port Canaveral – It is at least a 1-hour drive.
- UberX – about $62
- UberXL – about $86
Kissimmee Amtrak Station is another option but it is still at least a 1-hour drive to the Port.
Silver Star from Jacksonville and New York arrives at 10:33 am daily – You can easily reach the Port in time
Silver Star to Jacksonville and New York departs at 7:25 pm daily – You can easily book this train but you have a long day of waiting with your luggage.
Silver Meteor from New York arrives at 1:04 pm daily – You “may” make it to Port in time but it will be a stressful afternoon. I do not recommend this option.
Silver Meteor to Jacksonville and New York departs at 1:36 pm daily – You can easily book this train
Silver Star to Tampa, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami departs at 10:47 am daily – You can book this train but only if you leave the ship early!
Silver Star from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Tampa arrive at 7:09 pm daily – Too late unless you spend the night near the Port and cruise the next day.
Silver Meteor to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami departs at 1:19 pm daily – You can easily book this train
Silver Meteor from West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami arrives at 1:22 pm daily – Too late unless you spend the night near the Port and cruise the next day.
Amtrak to/from Port Tampa Bay
1 mile to Port Tampa Bay Cruise port Terminal 2 and 0.5 miles to Terminal 6 – A 5-minute drive. While safe to walk (look for Publix and head in that direction) during daytime hours, it is a bit too far with cruise luggage unless you travel light! Also, consider the Tampa heat during many months of the year.
- UberX – about $9
- UberXL – about $12
Silver Star from Jacksonville and Orlando arrives at 12:55 pm daily – You can easily reach the Port in time
Silver Star to Orlando and Jacksonville departs at 5:20 pm daily – You can easily book this train but you have a long day of waiting with your luggage.
Silver Star to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami departs at 1:09 pm daily – You can easily book this train
Silver Star from West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami arrives at 5:06 pm daily – Too late unless you spend the night near the Port and cruise the next day.
Amtrak to/from Port of Palm Beach
5.3 miles to Port of Palm Beach – At least a 15-minute drive
- UberX – about $15
- UberXL – about $23
Silver Star from Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa arrives at 4:57 pm – Too late unless you spend the night near the Port and cruise the next day.
Silver Star to Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville departs at 1:10 pm – You can easily book this train!
Silver Meteor from Jacksonville and Orlando arrive at 5:10 pm – Too late unless you spend the night near the Port and cruise the next day.
Silver Meteor to Orlando and Jacksonville departs at 9:47 am – You can book this train but only if you leave the ship early!
Silver Meteor from Fort Lauderdale and Miami arrives at 9:42 am – You can easily book this train!
If traveling between the Ports of West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, Amtrak is not the best option. Consider Metrorail, Tri-Rail, or Brightline (recommended)
MetroRail or Tri-Rail to Port Miami Guide
Brightline to Port Miami Guide
Amtrak to/from Port Everglades
7 miles to Port Everglades – At least a 20-minute drive
- UberX – about $14
- UberXL – about $26
Silver Star from Tampa and Orlando and Jacksonville arrives at 5:57 pm daily – Too late unless you spend the night near the Port and cruise the next day.
Silver Star to Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville departs at 12:18 pm daily – You can easily book this train!
Silver Meteor to West Palm Beach, Orlando, and Jacksonville departs at 8:50 am daily – This is a very early departure. With early disembark arrangements it is doable because city traffic is less at this time.
Silver Meteor from Orlando and Jacksonville arrives at 6:06 pm daily – Too late unless you spend the night near the Port and cruise the next day.
If traveling between the Ports of West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, Amtrak is not the best option. Consider Metrorail, Tri-Rail, or Brightline (recommended)
MetroRail or Tri-Rail to Port Miami Guide
Brightline to Port Miami Guide
Amtrak to/from Port Miami
10 miles to Port Miami – The drive will take at least 25 minutes
- UberX – about $22
- UberXL – about $37
Silver Star from Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa arrives at 6:35 pm daily – Too late unless you spend the night near the Port and cruise the next day.
Silver Star to Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville departs at 11:40 am daily – You can book this train but leave the ship early!
Silver Meteor to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, and Jacksonville departs at 8:10 am daily – Too early
Silver Meteor from Jacksonville and Orlando arrive at 6:59 pm daily – Too late unless you spend the night near the Port and cruise the next day.
If traveling between the Ports of West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, Amtrak is not the best option. Consider Metrorail, Tri-Rail, or Brightline (recommended)