Norfolk Transportation
Norfolk ORF Airport terminal; (c) Joey Genco/Wiki Commons
Airport
Norfolk transportation begins with Norfolk International Airport (ORF) anchors local transportation with a regional-scale airport that serves the Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Hampton Metro Area. It features over 20 daily flights to destinations that include Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and Miami.
Car Rentals: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Dollar, Hertz, National, and Thrifty brands serve ORF Airport.
Taxis: Service includes Black & White (757-489-7777), Checker (757-855-3333), and Yellow (757-622-3232). You can also book an Uber at ORF Airport..
Groome Shuttle: Located outside of baggage claim (757-857-1231) with service to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, and area military bases. Shuttles depart from ORF airport every 10 minutes to Norfolk and Virginia Beach and every 30 minutes to Hampton and Newport News.
Train Station
Amtrak Northeast Regional train headed to Norfolk; (c) Doug Riddell/Wiki Commons
Amtrak Norfolk Station is located at 280 Park Avenue, next to the Harbor Park baseball stadium. The station is within walking distance of the Norfolk Tide Light Rail station. Amtrak Norfolk Station hosts 3 Amtrak Northeast Regional roundtrips directly between Washington and Norfolk:
Amtrak Northeast Regional: NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC-Richmond-Norfolk
Two additional daily Northeast Regional trains stop in Newport News, where a connecting Amtrak Bus Shuttle will transport you to the Amtrak Norfolk Station. As passenger rail infrastructure improves in Virginia over this decade, Amtrak plans more daily trains to Richmond and Norfolk.
Rapid Transit
Norfolk Tide Light Rail service runs every 10-30 minutes daily from Norfolk to Virginia Beach. It stops at several places Downtown, Norfolk State University, and other popular destinations. TIDE LIGHT RAIL MAP.
Norfolk Tide Light Rail at MacArthur Station; (c) Soul Of America
As you notice from the map, the Tide stops short of Virginia Beach. It is unclear when the Tide Light Rail extension to Virginia Beach will be funded.
Cruise Ports
If you easily get motion sickness, buy Dramamine 30-60 minutes before a cruise. On a cruise, sit in the rear of the lower deck where motion sensation is reduced.
Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center
DESCRIPTION: Named for a fort built on the same site in 1673, it is a state-of-the-art facility that boasts one of the nation’s largest privately-owned ocean liner collections as well as 400-year-old artifacts from historic Jamestown. It is also adjacent to the Nauticus Naval Museum and the USS Wisconsin Battleship. Since opening in 2007, this passenger-friendly cruise facility has become an award-winning port of call for several cruise lines traveling to Bermuda, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas:
– Carnival
– Radisson Seven Seas
– Oceania Cruises
– Phoenix Reisen
WEBSITE: https://nauticus.org/explore/cruise-virginia/
The always attractive Norfolk Cruise Port at Waterside; (c) Visit Norfolk
Spirit of Norfolk Harbor Cruises
DESCRIPTION: 2-3 hour cruises are available with a narrated tour of the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet; dance music and bountiful buffets; also features Early Bird Dinner Cruises and specialty cruises; prices vary.
ADDRESS: Waterside Marina, downtown Norfolk
PHONE: 757-625-1463
Paddlewheel Ferry
DESCRIPTION: For fast, economical, and panoramic harbor views, catch a 150-seat paddle-wheel ferry boat. The system consists of 3 gas-powered ferries that travel between North Landing and High Street in Portsmouth and Downtown Norfolk at The Waterside. The ferry operates every 30 minutes, with a 15-minute service at peak times on weekends, and is wheelchair and bicycle-accessible.
ADDRESS: Waterside Marina, downtown Norfolk
PHONE: 757-222-6100
WEBSITE: http://www.hrtransit.org
Portsmouth Harbor Tour
DESCRIPTION: Explore the world’s largest natural harbor, the nation’s first naval shipyard, and cruise the site of the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac aboard a replica of a 19th-century Mississippi riverboat. A light fare menu is served on board for cruises.
DATES & TIMES: April-October; 90-minute daytime cruises at 12:10p and at 2:10p. Sunset cruises June 1 through Labor Day at 6p
ADDRESS: Portsmouth’s North Landing on 6 Crawford Parkway
PHONE: 757-393-4735
Chesapeake Bay Cruise
Explore the Chesapeake Bay on a scenic four-hour cruise between Portsmouth, Crisfield, Maryland, and Tangier Island cruises on the luxurious ship. The package from Crisfield to Portsmouth is offered two days a week. Both trips return the following day and include a round-trip cruise, lunch on the vessel both days, overnight accommodations, a breakfast buffet, and a tour of the Naval Base from the vessel as it is on its way to Portsmouth. The vessel also makes a reverse trip from Portsmouth to Tangier Island, then on to Crisfield for an overnight stay
DATES & TIMES: June-October
PHONE: 410-968-2338 or 800-863-2338
Elizabeth River Ferry between Norfolk and Portsmouth; (c) Joy Schoenberger/Wiki Commons
Elizabeth River Ferry
DESCRIPTION: Pedestrian ferry that crosses the Elizabeth River between Portsmouth and Norfolk; also takes bicycles.
ADDRESS: High Street Landing and North Landing at Waterside in Norfolk
DATES & TIMES: Memorial Day through Labor Day, Mon-Fri 7a-11:30p and Sat-Sun 10a-11:30p; other dates ferry service ends 10p Sun-Thu and midnight Fri-Sat
PHONE: 757-222-6100
Victory Rover Naval Base Cruises
DESCRIPTION: Cruise the historic Norfolk harbor to National Maritime Center Docks for the grandest view of naval ships anywhere.
ADDRESS: Norfolk Marina
PHONE: 757-627-7406
Freeways
Norfolk-Virginia Beach Freeways are well-maintained, but signage is lacking in some areas. Pay careful attention to your smartphone’s map directions before freeway exits, else you risk a long backtrack.
The ride across US Route 13, Chesapeake Bay Bridge & Tunnel is a thrill for most people because you can see water surrounding you as your vehicle submerges from the middle of the bay into two tunnels. When there’s an accident, however, it can feel a bit claustrophobic crossing the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel.
I-64 Freeway is often crowded with traffic coming from all points on the East Coast to Virginia Beach during warm weather. So allow extra time traversing this freeway.