The R2R Resource Center knows how difficult it can be to navigate when you move to a new community. 
We have gathered resources to help you get around. 
As always, contact our office at 863-236-9973 for more information.

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Exploring Central Florida (and beyond) on SunRail

 

• 17 stations. Route runs from Poinciana (5025 S. Rail Avenue, Kissimmee) to DeLand
• Highest fare for seniors is $4.75 round trip
• First train leaving Poinciana is 5:45 am; last southbound train arrives in Poinciana at 11:38 pm
• Over 5,000 riders travel by SunRail each day
• No weekend service, but with funding and support, it might happen

 

Most popular stations:

• Orlando Health: Orlando Health Medical Center, Arnold Palmer and Winnie Palmer Hospitals. A shuttle service is available for patients and visitors.
• Church Street, Orlando: Kia Center, Dr. Phillips Center, downtown Orlando, Inter&Co Stadium, Orange County History Center.
• Advent Health: Advent Health Orlando Hospital Complex, Orlando Science Center.
• Winter Park: Tiffany Museum, Scenic boat ride, shopping, restaurants.
• Sanford: Connect via trolley to Historic Downtown Sanford, theaters, restaurants, art galleries.

The App

• The SunRail App is a great tool for planning your trips.

• Find it in the Google Playstore or the Apple Appstore
• When you open the SunRail app, you’ll see an option for buying tickets.
• You can either buy your pass (ticket) on this app or buy a ticket at the station.

 

Buying Tickets at the Station

• SunRail ticket sales are automated at all stations.
• Start the ticket purchase at one of the kiosks. That will take you through a set of options: type of ticket (adult; 65+; one-way or round trip)) and destination.

• Unlike the app, many kiosks will accept cash in addition to cards and electronic payments. (Not all kiosks accept cash, but every station has at least one that does.)
• All stations have ambassadors at peak times to help if you have questions or problems.

• Stations are clean, safe and accessible. Only a few, however, have restroom facilities.

 

Using the App to Buy Tickets

• Click on “Buy Pass”.
• Then choose:
• your fare (senior if you are 65+, or adult)
• one way or round trip
• your departing station (Poinciana)
• your destination
• Then add your payment (credit card, debit card, Google Pay, etc.)
• Unless you’re a regular traveler, it might be easier to buy your ticket at the station kiosk. If you are a regular traveler, you can save 10% by setting up a SunCard account.

 

Tap On. Tap Off.

• Any time before you board the train, and as you exit, tap your ticket at the Tap Here kiosk. This will record your trip.
• You may be asked by a train conductor to show your ticket during your trip. This depends on how busy the train is and availability of staff.
• When you get to your destination, “tap off” at a kiosk.

 

The Ride

• The digital app will provide updates if the train is delayed.
• Verbal announcements and digital signs will let you when the next train is arriving, and “ambassadors” will often show you the best place to stand on the platform.
• Once you are on the train, the digital signs in each car will let you know the next station and verbal announcements will be made. The signs also show each station along the route so you know when your stop is coming up.

 

The App

• The SunRail App does a lot more than help you buy tickets.
• The best part is “Trip Tools”. That’s where the fun things are.

Trip Tools

• Show schedules
• Display a route map
• Tell you all you need to know about each station, including connections.
• Show fares and how to buy and use transfers
• Show you highlights at each station.

 

Schedules

• Click on “schedules”
• You can view northbound schedules or switch to southbound.
• Choose morning, mid-day or evening.
• You’ll see the times the train will leave from, and arrive at, each station on the route.

 

Map

• You can see SunRail’s route in relation to places and roads you know.

 

Stations

• “Stations” is the best tool for planning your trip. We’ll use Winter Park as an example.
• Scroll through the stations until you see Winter Park. Tap on it.

 

Where Are You?

• You’ll see the time of the next train in either direction from Winter Park.
• You can get directions to the station if you’re lost. (It will take you to your maps app and be sure to select the walking icon.)
• It will let you view connections to buses, ride shares and other transportation, as well as what you will find at the destination.

 

Connecting

• You can see connections from the station to various bus routes and their destinations. If you click on the righthand arrow icon, it will bring up complete details about the bus route.
• Micro-Transit Connections will link to ride sharing and taxi services. Just click and it will bring you to the appropriate app on your phone or to a website that will allow you to call for service. If you’ve been having so much fun, you’ve walked 2 miles from the station, it might be nice to take an Uber back.
• Or you may want to visit attractions that are not within walking distance of a station, like Ivanhoe Village, that is more than a mile from the Advent Health station.

 

What’s Here?

• The best part is the destination.
• Click on station destinations or simply scroll down further and you will see a list of things to do at the station along with the distance from the station and the approximate time it will take you to walk there.
• Click on the square icon for any attraction

 

Attractions

• Clicking on the icon will take you to the website for that attraction where you can see details, times, prices, special events, etc.
• Depending on the attraction it may even allow you to make reservations.
• Some sites will even list nearby restaurants.

 

Fun Going … Even Better Going Home

• Sun Rail is an easy, convenient alternative to driving. Nothing is better than relaxing on the train and looking through the window at the traffic back-ups. But the real plus is coming home after a day of walking, sightseeing, shopping, eating and just having fun. Instead of looking forward to driving seemingly endless miles home – in traffic, just hop on the train. By the time you get to the Poinciana station, the drive back to Solivita isn’t bad at all. And since Poinciana is the last stop, you don’t have to worry about missing your station.

 

Three Perfect Excursions

• If you’re planning a day trip for a club or group, a day out with your significant other or your best friend, a sporting event or show, or even a solo adventure, we have some suggestions.

 

Our favorites:

• Winter Park
• Church Street Station
• Sanford

 

Winter Park: SunRail - Better Than Driving

• Winter Park is one of the most interesting cities in Central Florida. But it has its drawbacks. Traffic driving there can be tedious and parking can be a problem. It usually takes well over an hour to drive from Solivita, and you may end up on the dreaded I-4.
• While parking is widely available, there are well-enforced 3-hour limits on street parking.
• SunRail can take you from Poinciana to downtown Winter Park in 54 minutes (sure, you have to drive to the station … but the train is fun).
• The SunRail station is in the heart of Winter Park, steps from the main streets. If you drive and park … you may be in for a much longer walk.

 

Group Outing

• Use SunRail to take your group to Winter Park. Our SolAbility group took the 10:45 train and arrived before noon. (The previous train left at 8:45 a.m.; the following one was at 12:15 p.m.)
• We ate at Cocina 214, at 151 E Welbourne Ave, a couple of blocks from the train station. The restaurant is large, is handicap accessible and is open at 11:30 a.m. Reservations are accepted at (407) 790-7997. Prices are reasonable.
• After shopping and some ice cream you can take the train back at 3:36 or every half hour after that until 6:06 p.m. (next train is 7:26 p.m.).

 

Winter Park: When Company Comes

• If it’s going to be one of Central Florida’s scorchers, plan outdoor activities for early in the day. Head for the Scenic Boat Tour for a pontoon boat ride through the lakes and canals of Winter Park. The ride takes just about an hour, and your guide will almost certainly point out the beautiful Rollins College, the Brewer mansion with his and hers boathouses and the house where Mr. Rogers and his Steinway grand piano lived while he attended Rollins College.
• You cannot visit Winter Park without seeing the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum with its fascinating collection of Tiffany art, from awe-inspiring windows to pottery, paintings, lamps and jewelry. Do not miss the chapel interior from the 1893 Chicago Exposition; relax and be inspired. And the museum runs videos that provide background on their collections.

 

And Eat

• You may be craving full meals. For that, there is a great Turkish restaurant: Bosphorous; Prato for Italian and an array of other options.
• Feeling snackish … Kilwin’s has an amazing assortment of ice cream flavors (and you really need to pick up some homemade candy for the train ride home); grab a slice at Park Avenue Pizza; or try a little baked brie or hummus while you sample wines at the Wine Bar.
• If you get to Winter Park in time for breakfast or brunch, try the Briar Patch for a pecan brioche sticky bun or short rib Benedict. Or opt for the Croissant Gourmet for an omelet inside a croissant (like the brie and ham omelet).

 

Winter Park: There’s More

• Visit the Winter Park Historical Museum with its collection of old Florida memories.
• Or the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens. This is the perfect place to relax and catch your breath.

 

Winter Park

• Next … shop for:
• Exotic cooking oils and vinegars at Ancient Olive
• Books at the Writers Block
• Spices and teas at the Spice and Tea Exchange (try the Florida Sunshine Spice Blend)

 

Or Head to Church Street

• If you’re one of those people who would think driving to downtown Orlando is cruel and unusual punishment, then you need to turn to SunRail. Coordinate your visit with one of the evening activities that Church Street is famous for:

• Kia Center. The Orlando Magic basketball team and the Solar Bears hockey team call the Kia Center home. Other times, the venue hosts ice shows and concerts. (Lionel Ritchie with Earth, Wind and Fire is coming in late July.)
• Dr. Phillips Center offers outstanding entertainment options: Broadway shows, musical performers, dance and much more. With more than one venue in the Center, there is a performance available every day or evening.
• Inter&Co Stadium is home to the Orlando City professional soccer team, the Orlando Pride women's professional soccer team and the Orlando Storm UFL football team.
• The last train back to Poinciana leaves at 11:01, plenty of time for most activities,

 

There’s History at Church Street

• If you haven’t visited the Orange County Regional History Center, you are missing out on a fascinating experience. A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum offers limited run  and permanent collections that cover everything from Florida tourism (like the Wigwam Village motel that once stood on OBT) to the first settlers in the state (and their indigenous predecessors). They have more than 17,000 images illustrating Central Florida’s history.
• Find out about how aviation, cattle, citrus, the environment, early settlers and theme parks shaped our part of the world.

 

Relax

• If you’ve planned a full day, take a 10-minute walk to Lake Eola and see the fountain and swan boats that are synonymous with Orlando. It’s the perfect break in an active day. Take a ride in a swan boat or just find a bench and enjoy the flowers, the people who flock to the park and the unparalleled view of the Orlando skyline.
• Visit City Arts Orlando to view the work of local artists, have some great coffee and maybe even bring home some art. (There is no shortage of comfortable chairs.)

 

Head to Sanford

• Sanford is one of the last stops on Sunrail and a 90 minutes from the Poinciana station, but it’s a day-long excursion to one of the most interesting places in Central Florida. Once known as Celery City, Sanford is famous for its brick-lined streets and rich history.
• Unlike other stops, the Sanford station isn’t in the middle of the action. But it has something no other stop has: a free trolley that lets you explore that great city. The trolley runs every hour from noon until 7 pm and makes 10 stops on its way to the Information Center in downtown Sanford. Return trips back to the train are usually express. Although there are return trains at 8:16 and 10:16, trolley service stops at 7. If you want to stay later, relax and call an Uber.
• Start at Historic Sanford Welcome Center itself and learn about what there is to do.

 

Downtown Sanford

• Once you’ve gathered information at the Welcome Center, you’ll want to spend some time downtown. Of course, you’ll want to eat:
• Hollerbach’s is famous for its German cuisine … people drive hours just to dine here.
• The Yardery offers casual food in an outdoor setting.
• Wildflower is a Latin Fusion restaurant and has a tapas menu that is worth exploring.
• But Google and explore … there is no shortage of great food in Sanford.

 

Shop

• In the mood for shopping (or browsing) check out:
• Magpie’s Modern: everything from clothing and jewelry to gifts with a sense of humor.
• Enjoy the vintage hats at Treehouse Antiques.
• For unique jewelry that’s a conversation piece, Galapagos Tagua has pieces made from tagua, harvested from the seeds of palm trees.
• The Gallery on First. Even if you aren’t shopping for art, the Gallery is perfect for viewing everything from traditional paintings to mixed-media installations.
• And most important … just a few stops from the Welcome Center is the Wondermade Marshmallow ice cream store. From S’mores to Krispwiches, your sweet tooth will be very happy. And take home some chocolate-covered raspberry marshmallows.

 

Explore

• The Sanford Museum, a ten-minute walk from the Welcome Center is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the region.

• The Riverwalk, just a 5-minute walk from downtown, offers comfortable benches for relaxing with views of the St John River; feeling more energic … there’s a well-planned walking path.

 

At Longwood Station

• At Longwood Station, it’s a three-minute walk to a self-guided historic homes tour, including the Inside-Outside house patterned after a whaling ship and with studs on the outside.
• The “haunted” Bradlee-McIntyre home was one of many vacation homes owned by wealthy New Englanders in Altamonte Springs. Despite reports of strange occurrences and ghostly figures, the home is now a historical museum. Tours are offered on Wednesdays.

 

At Advent Health Station

• From the Advent Health Station, it’s a five-minute walk to the Orlando Science Center. Tickets run from $22-$27 and it is the perfect place to take the grandkids. It is equally exciting for adults, especially with the addition of The Dome, an 8K laser projection.
• A half mile from the Advent Health Station is the Orlando Museum of Art, a decidedly unique and fascinating approach to contemporary art.
• Or take a longer walk (or an Uber) to Ivanhoe Village for unique shops and food.

 

At Altamonte Station

• If you are a shopaholic, the Altamonte Springs Mall is a great place to spend a day. A bit too far to walk, you can take the 436N Lynx bus from the station (a10 minute ride) or use an Uber or Lyft.
• You’ll find familiar names like Penney’s, Macy’s, Build-a-Bear, Lululemon and Dillards, smaller boutiques and an endless supply of food choices from Tacos & Burritos and Seasons 52 to Mrs. Fields Cookies and Doc Popcorn.
• There are 150 stores and restaurants, with more coming.

 

Connections

• While you can ride SunRail to visit a range of Central Florida cities, you can also use it to connect to:
• Orlando airport:  take the train to the Sand Lake Road Station and transfer to a LYNX bus (Routes 111, 42, or 311) for a 12–17-minute ride to the airport terminal. Transfers are free with a valid SunRail ticket. SunRail says you should allow 45 min to get from the Sand Lake station to the airport; that may be optimistic.
• Lynx buses. Buses at the Lynx Central Station can take you to Disney, the Florida Mall, Universal and dozens of other locations.
• Brightline. If you take the transfer bus from the Sand Lake Road Station to the Orlando Airport, you can catch a Brightline train to West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. Right now Brightline is more of an experience because of the effort required to get to the actual train.
• Amtrak at various stations. For example … catch the Silver Meteor at Winter Park at 11:05 am and be in Jacksonville by 4:11 that afternoon, or Savannah by 8:34 pm, or New York City by 10:45 the next morning.

 

Make Life Easier

• SunRail is not just for pleasure.
• If you are being treated or visiting someone in Orlando Health Regional Medical Center or Advent Health in Orlando, hospitals are a short walking distance, and they provide shuttles that meet the trains.
• The Sand Lake Road station is the hub for catching a Lynx bus, not only to attractions and the airport, but also the Orange County Convention Center and I-Drive.
• Because many of the stations are located close to central business districts, they may provide an alternative to driving for medical and other appointments.
• Don’t want to drive to the SunRail Poinciana station? An Uber will cost you $5-$10 for as many as 4 people; with the low cost of SunRail, and the high price of gas these days it’s a bargain.

 

Safety

• The new expanded nighttime hours have raised the question of safety.
• If you’re attending an event near Church Street, you will be leaving with hundreds and often thousands of other people and you should be very safe on the short walk to the station.
• While SunRail aims to ensure that ambassadors are available at all stations at peak times, often there are no employees are on duty at night at some stations.
• All stations are very well-lit and have well-marked emergency call boxes and FDOT security cameras. If no ambassadors are present, customer service call boxes will connect you immediately to SunRail customer service.
• Vigilance is always your best way to stay safe.

 

SunRail Is User-Friendly

• All trains and stations are handicap accessible. Seats can be flipped up to accommodate wheelchairs, station platforms are level with train doors, ticket machines have Braille options; there are ramps from parking areas; there are plenty of benches at each station, some in covered areas.
• Seats are available both at ground level and on a second level.
• All trains have ADA compliant restrooms.
• All trains have free wi-fi and outlets.
• Trains have large open storage areas for bicycles, strollers, and mobility scooters (mobility scooters must be able to fit through 30” train doors)
• While most animals must be kept in cages or carriers, registered service animals are allowed if they are leashed or tethered.

 

Beyond Central Florida

• SunRail can be a way to extend your travels. There are connections to the Orlando Airport and to the Lynx terminal that provides bus service to dozens of locations including the attractions and the Mall at Millenia.
• At the Winter Park, Kissimmee, Orlando Health or DeLand stations, you can transfer to an Amtrak train for direct service to stations as far north as New York City, as far south as Miami.
• And, in the future, SunRail may connect directly to Brightline.

 

Have a Back-Up Plan

• As good as SunRail is, there are occasionally issues like delays and canceled trains.
• Except for peak times, there may be significant waits between trains.
• And … we all sometimes slip up and miscalculate our time. This is especially true in Sanford when you need to watch the time for trolley runs back to the station.
• So, have a back-up plan in case something happens (especially if you’re planning to take the connection from Orlando Airport to the train … we all know about flight delays.)
• Set up a rideshare account (Uber, Lyft).
• Many residents provide transportation; keep a few names in your phone contacts.
• Have a friend or relative who will rescue you.
• Chances are you will never need it, but a back-up plan is a good idea.

 

Contacting SunRail

• 1-855-RAIL-411 (1-800-724-5411)
• Email : Info@sunrail.com

• Check the website (https://sunrail.com/help-center/customer-service/) for social media sites and any other information.
  
  

We Are the Resident-to-Resident Resource Center

• The Resource Center is a multi-faceted service for Solivita, providing medical equipment loaner program, workshop, smartphone classes and other services.
• But the Resource Center is all volunteer and we need residents to work in the office, either on a set schedule (once or twice a month) or on a fill-in basis. If you would like to help, please contact the Resource Center at solivitar2radmin@gmail.com or 863-236-9973.