[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

Renting a car one way from TV (Leesburg) to the port seems like a much more relaxing, cheaper and faster option to me.

We did look into car rental, but the cheapest was $180 from Fort L. to TV - probably because it was within a week (as we were planning to book Cruise Express). We would also have to factor in getting to TV from Leesburg, the gas and the tolls.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

If you are doing a return trip with Cruise Express it is still $140, so would be the cheapest

It is only because they increased the one-way from $70 to $120 that we even considered Brightline

Ok, got it. Thanks for the that clarification. So if one were taking a point to point cruse and then having to fly home, rather than a round trip cruise, getting to the debarkation port would be less expensive via Brightline even figuring in the uber/cab fares involved.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

Ok, got it. Thanks for the that clarification. So if one were taking a point to point cruse and then having to fly home, rather than a round trip cruise, getting to the debarkation port would be less expensive via Brightline even figuring in the uber/cab fares involved.

I read recently one of the cruise lines offered a free shuttle from brightline to port. Do not remember which one.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

Renting a car one way from TV (Leesburg) to the port seems like a much more relaxing, cheaper and faster option to me.

Almost all of the rental drop-offs near the port offer a free shuttle to the cruise port. I just checked what it would cost this month, and most days a one way rental to the port area of Fort Lauderdale would be $70 or less.

It's an easy drive, just hop on the turnpike and set the cruise control to 75. Drive a couple of hours, stop for lunch or a snack, drive two more hours and then you're there.

We did that and saw several other customers doing the same. Car cost us $70 for two days and we had 4 travelers in the mini van

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

We did look into car rental, but the cheapest was $180 from Fort L. to TV - probably because it was within a week (as we were planning to book Cruise Express). We would also have to factor in getting to TV from Leesburg, the gas and the tolls.

Wow, we paid $70 to go from TV to Ft. Lauderdale in April. Seasonal rates must apply

[carpej]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

As previously posted, I was so shocked at the recent 70% increase in the one-way fare from Port Everglades to The Villages by Cruise Express that I decided to look at Brightline as an alternative means of transport.

I am happy to report that the train journey was slightly cheaper and more comfortable than taking the bus. It took a bit longer overall, but only because this was my first time of doing it. I caught the 10.20 train whereas I was there in time to catch the 09.20 (had my ticket allowed me to switch). Arriving at MCO I killed some time as my Groome connection was almost an hour away, and headed for the pick-up point to see the earlier bus backing out and leaving. Taking those hours off each end of the journey, as I hope to do next time, and the arrival time at my house would have been before the bus reached Bealls in Spanish Springs.

I shall certainly be using the train in future but, as mentioned in my last thread, be sure to keep a look out for discounted fares as they come up on a regular basis.

We have done it a few times both ways from MCO to cruise ports in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. We drive to MCO from TV park at off airport private parking (pre booked to save money). They take you directly to the train station at MCO and back. At the cruise ports we call Uber when we get there (did not book in advance) both to and from the train station. The Uber costs were around 15.00 and a 5>00 tip for 20.00 total each way. Our waits at both the port and train station were always less than 15 minutes mostly less than 10 minutes. Riding the train was much more relaxing than driving and when we drove we always went down the day before to cover for problems along the way. On the train always the same day. Brightline is now our go to for south Florida.

[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

We did look into car rental, but the cheapest was $180 from Fort L. to TV - probably because it was within a week (as we were planning to book Cruise Express). We would also have to factor in getting to TV from Leesburg, the gas and the tolls.

I've never heard of a 1 day rental being $180 except during March break or Christmas so that must've been because of very short notice. Usually when I get a car from Leesburg to just take one way to Orlando airport the next day it's around $55 including their prepaid tolls.

There are no tolls between TV and any main Leesburg rental car company. How much would gas possibly be? $1 from Brownwood area, or $2 from LSL?

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

There are no tolls between TV and any main Leesburg rental car company. How much would gas possibly be? $1 from Brownwood area, or $2 from LSL?

I was referring to the tolls and gas to get from Fort Lauderdale to Leesburg, plus the taxi from Leesburg to TV after dropping off the rental car. These all have to be factored into the cost of driving back from the cruise port, as opposed to taking Cruise Express or Brightline.

Apologies if my wording didn't make that clear.

[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

I was referring to the tolls and gas to get from Fort Lauderdale to Leesburg, plus the taxi from Leesburg to TV after dropping off the rental car. These all have to be factored into the cost of driving back from the cruise port, as opposed to taking Cruise Express or Brightline.

Apologies if my wording didn't make that clear.

Tolls from TV to Fort Lauderdale is $16. Gas would likely be around $50. Taxi from LSL to Leesburg area where most of the car rentals are (441) is around $45.

I still don't see how Brightline could be faster, cheaper or involve less steps.

[Salty Dog]

We just drive to and from rental car location with our personal vehicle. We pick up the rental car the afternoon before and drive home. We leave from home with the rental car to MCO or the port. There is a rental car drop-off at Terminal C where Brightline station is. Upon return we drive a rental car to house and then one of us drives our vehicle to pickup where the rental car is dropped off.

[Rollie]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

I read recently one of the cruise lines offered a free shuttle from brightline to port. Do not remember which one.

I think it was Princess. They're even suppose to have a specially painted rail car.

Rollie

[harby]

fyi, there s about $60 for a round trip (from Orlando to Miami Airport) on Red Coach bus. It has many schedules to depart and arrive and usually takes 4hrs each way. Get cheaper flight fares from Miami to Cairo instead of Orlando (and less time flying). Chas

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by harby

fyi, there s about $60 for a round trip (from Orlando to Miami Airport) on Red Coach bus. It has many schedules to depart and arrive and usually takes 4hrs each way. Get cheaper flight fares from Miami to Cairo instead of Orlando (and less time flying). Chas

Interesting. Thank you, Harby.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

Tolls from TV to Fort Lauderdale is $16. Gas would likely be around $50. Taxi from LSL to Leesburg area where most of the car rentals are (441) is around $45. I still don't see how Brightline could be faster, cheaper or involve less steps.

It was cheaper for us because the one way (last minute) rental was so expensive.

One must also expect to pay more if you have someone else doing the driving, be it a taxi, a bus or a train.

[Ecuadog]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

I read recently one of the cruise lines offered a free shuttle from brightline to port. Do not remember which one.

Princess-Brightline offer... click here.