Ruth Haines
SunRail is a rail service in Central Florida that provides an easy connection to Orlando International Airport. Although there is currently no direct route from SunRail to the airport, passengers can transfer to a Lynx bus at Sand Lake Road Station. This connection is expected to be improved in the future with the development of the Sunshine Corridor, which will provide a direct rail link to the airport. In the meantime, passengers can use the SunRail and Lynx mobile apps to plan their trip and purchase tickets, with fares starting at $2.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| SunRail Route | Northbound and Southbound routes through Central Florida |
| Number of Stops | 16 |
| First Stop | DeBary in Volusia County |
| Last Stop | Poinciana in Osceola County |
| Base One-Way Fare | $2 |
| Additional County Fare | $1 |
| Discounts | Available for seniors and multi-day pass purchases |
| Ticket Purchase | Ticket vending machines at stations or the downtown Orlando SunRail information center |
| Connection to Orlando International Airport | LYNX buses (11, 311, 42) from Sand Lake Station |
| LYNX Bus Frequency | Every 30 minutes |
| LYNX Transfer Fee | Free with a valid SunRail ticket |
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What You'll Learn
SunRail and LYNX connection to Orlando International Airport
SunRail and LYNX offer a convenient connection to Orlando International Airport. You can take the SunRail train to the Sand Lake Road Station and then transfer to one of three LYNX buses for a quick connection to the airport. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Board the SunRail Train
Purchase your SunCard or ticket at any SunRail station. You can also download the SunRail mobile app to plan your trip and buy tickets in advance. Tap your SunCard or ticket at a ticket validator unit before boarding the train. SunRail fares start at $2, which includes a free transfer onto LYNX within the same county.
Step 2: Arrive at Sand Lake Road Station
The Sand Lake Road Station is a key hub that offers seamless transfers between SunRail and LYNX. It provides easy access to Orlando International Airport (OIA) through the LYNX bus service.
Step 3: Transfer to LYNX Bus
At the Sand Lake Road Station, you can choose from three LYNX bus routes to get to Orlando International Airport:
- LYNX 311: This route provides express travel to OIA every 30 minutes throughout the day.
- LYNX 11: The earliest service on this route starts at 4:39 am, connecting with LYNX Central Station and South Orange Avenue. During morning and afternoon rush hours, it operates every 30 minutes.
- LYNX 42: This route offers service to the airport every 30 minutes, making other key local stops along the way.
When boarding the LYNX bus, be sure to show your valid SunRail train ticket to receive a free transfer to Orlando International Airport.
Future Developments:
The Sunshine Corridor is a proposed east-west rail corridor under development, which will connect Orlando International Airport to southwestern Orange County, near Walt Disney World. This project is a joint venture between SunRail, Brightline, and local businesses. The opening of the airport connection is currently scheduled for 2031, pending approval of a sales tax proposed by Orange County.
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The Sunshine Corridor
As of February 2025, there is no direct SunRail route to Orlando International Airport. However, there is hope for a direct connection in the future, as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is currently studying the possibility. The proposed route, known as the "Sunshine Corridor", would connect the airport with Universal Studios, the Orange County Convention Center, and Disney Springs. The study, anticipated to cost $6 million, will investigate critical factors such as station locations, ridership increases, and maintenance costs. It is projected to take two years, with the airport connection scheduled to open in 2031 if a sales tax proposed by Orange County is approved.
Currently, the closest connection between SunRail and Orlando International Airport is via a transfer to a Lynx bus at Sand Lake Road Station. SunRail fares start at $2, which includes a free transfer onto Lynx within the same county. There are three Lynx bus options for the connection to the airport: Lynx 311, which offers express travel to the airport every 30 minutes all day; Lynx 11, which begins service at 4:39 am and runs every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours; and Lynx 42, which runs every 30 minutes and includes other key local stops.
The development of the Sunshine Corridor proposal was influenced by the need to bypass Universal Orlando's theme parks and the decision by the Walt Disney Company to not allow a station on their property at Disney Springs. The International Drive South station, located just outside Disney property, was planned as an alternative.
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Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal
The Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal is a modern, efficient transportation hub that seamlessly connects air, rail, and vehicular travel. The terminal boasts a range of essential functions, spanning 1.3 million square feet and serving as a tranquil space for passengers to transition between different modes of transportation.
Currently, the SunRail commuter rail line does not directly serve the Orlando International Airport. However, there are plans and ongoing discussions to extend the SunRail to the airport. One proposal involves extending the existing SunRail line by 5.5 miles (8.9 km), with 3.5 miles (5.6 km) running along an Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) rail spur adjacent to the airport's southern boundary. From this point, two options are under consideration. The first option entails SunRail trains branching north off the OUC line onto a new 2-mile (3.2 km) spur terminating at the Airport Intermodal Terminal. Alternatively, a transfer station could be built along the OUC line, allowing passengers to switch from SunRail trains to light rail trains for the 2-mile journey to the airport.
In the meantime, passengers can use a combination of SunRail and LYNX bus services to travel between the airport and SunRail stations. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Purchase a SunCard or ticket at any SunRail station.
- Tap your SunCard or ticket at a ticket validator unit.
- Take the SunRail to Sand Lake Road Station.
- At Sand Lake Road Station, board one of the three LYNX bus routes (LYNX 311, LYNX 11, or LYNX 42) that provide connections to Orlando International Airport (OIA).
- Show your valid SunRail train ticket to ride the LYNX bus to OIA for free.
The LYNX 311 route offers express travel to OIA every 30 minutes throughout the day. The LYNX 11 route starts at 4:39 am, connecting with LYNX Central Station and Orange Avenue, and runs every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours. The LYNX 42 route also operates every 30 minutes, making other key local stops before reaching Orlando International Airport.
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SunRail's connection to the airport: the history
SunRail is a rail service in Central Florida that began operating in 2014. Since the mid-2010s, SunRail officials have been investigating a connection to Orlando International Airport. Currently, passengers can take SunRail to Sand Lake Road Station and transfer to a public Lynx bus to get to the airport. However, the development of a more direct connection to the airport has been a topic of discussion for several years.
In April 2017, a state study found that constructing a direct rail connection to the airport would cost about $250 million. With no funding sources identified, the project was left without a timetable for execution. In 2018, Brightline, a privately funded inter-city rail passenger service, announced its intentions to expand west from Orlando International Airport to Tampa. This proposal caused talks for a SunRail connection to the airport to resume.
Brightline's initial proposed route would exit the airport, run west along the OUC Spur, and then south along the SunRail main line with a stop at Meadow Woods Station before turning west towards Tampa. This route was opposed by Universal Orlando, as their theme parks would not be served by this line. As a result, the Sunshine Corridor proposal was developed.
The Sunshine Corridor is a new east-west rail corridor under development that will run from Orlando International Airport to southwestern Orange County, near Walt Disney World. It is a joint venture between SunRail, Brightline, and local businesses. The corridor will begin at the Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal, which opened in 2017 with track connections to the OUC spur completed in 2022 by Brightline. The Sunshine Corridor will continue west along Taft-Vineland Road and State Road 528, with stations near the Orange County Convention Center and Universal Orlando's future theme park. From the convention center, the corridor will continue southwest along Interstate 4, with an additional station in the vicinity of Walt Disney World. As of April 2024, the airport connection is scheduled to open in 2031 if a sales tax proposed by Orange County is approved.
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SunRail stations and schedules
SunRail is a rail service that operates over 61 miles with 17 stations spread across Volusia, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola counties. The SunRail Map provides station locations and real-time updates on train positions and arrival times. You can also download the SunRail mobile app to plan your trip.
SunRail's startup operations were divided into two phases. Phase 1, which opened on May 1, 2014, covers the stretch between DeBary and Sand Lake Road. Phase 2 was further divided into two segments due to budgetary constraints. Phase 2 South, opened on July 30, 2018, and connects Sand Lake Road to Poinciana. Phase 2 North, which opened on August 12, 2024, covers the stretch between DeBary and DeLand.
The Sunshine Corridor is an upcoming east-west rail corridor that will connect Orlando International Airport to southwestern Orange County, near Walt Disney World. The Sunshine Corridor is a joint venture between SunRail, Brightline, and local businesses. It will begin at the Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal, which has been the terminus of Brightline since September 2023. The Sunshine Corridor is currently scheduled to open in 2031, pending the approval of a sales tax proposed by Orange County.
Currently, there is no direct SunRail connection to Orlando International Airport. To get to the airport, you must board a LYNX bus at Sand Lake Road Station. LYNX offers three bus services for quick connections to the airport. These are LYNX 311, which operates every 30 minutes all day; LYNX 11, which starts at 4:39 a.m. and runs every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours; and LYNX 42, which operates every 30 minutes with other key local stops. You can use your valid SunRail Train ticket to transfer to LYNX for free.
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Frequently asked questions
Currently, there is no direct SunRail route to Orlando International Airport. However, you can take the SunRail to Sand Lake Road Station and then transfer to one of the three LYNX buses (311, 11, or 42) that will take you to the airport.
SunRail fares start at $2, which includes a free transfer onto LYNX within the same county.
LYNX 311 runs every 30 minutes all day, while LYNX 11 and 42 run every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours.
Yes. The proposed Sunshine Corridor would connect Orlando International Airport with Universal Studios, the convention center, and Disney Springs. The project is currently in the study phase, with an anticipated timeline of four to five years for completion.
You can download the SunRail mobile app or visit their website to access the most up-to-date schedules, station maps, and directions to SunRail stops in Orange County, Seminole County, and Volusia County.
