If you’re planning to visit Virginia Beach, you will want to ensure you spend as much time there as possible. The best way to achieve this is to fly to the nearest airport to Virginia Beach. You’ll reduce your travel time and maximize time spent exploring the city and relaxing on the beach.
Norfolk International Airport is the closest commercial airport to Virginia Beach, but there are a few other nearby airports, including private airstrips.
Norfolk International Airport – The Closest Airport to Virginia Beach
Norfolk International Airport is the closest airport to Virginia Beach. The IATA code for the airport is ORF, and it is 12.7 miles from the city. You can fly to Virginia Beach via American Airlines and United Airlines, and there are various flights to Norfolk International.
You can also easily visit Chesapeake and Norfolk from here if you’d like to explore the surrounding area during your visit to Virginia Beach.
Other Airports Near Virginia Beach
There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to find flights on the days that are convenient for you. It’s equally frustrating when you can’t find any flights landing in the right place. Thankfully, there are plenty of airports in the US, so finding a different one that isn’t too far from your chosen destination is easy.
There are several other options when it comes to airports near Virginia Beach. If you can’t find suitable flights landing at Norfolk International, try to fly to Newport News Williamsburg International Airport. You can also choose to charter a private plane for your Virginia Beach vacation.
Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
For Virginia Beach, airport options include Norfolk International Airport and Newport News Williamsburg International Airport. The latter airport is 35 miles northwest of Virginia Beach and is situated in the city of Newport News.
You can book Delta, American Airlines, Frontier, Allegiant, and PEOPLExpress flights here. They have a restaurant and a specialty shop.
Other International Airports near Virginia Beach
The following international airports near Virginia Beach are within a +/- 100-mile radius of the city:
- Richmond International Airport
- Salisbury–Ocean City–Wicomico Regional Airport
Regional and executive airports
Twenty-three miles southwest of Virginia Beach, you’ll find the Chesapeake Regional Airport. Hampton Roads Executive Airport is located 27 miles west of Virginia Beach.
Both are public airports, not international airports. This means that they can only offer limited chartered flights. These are more expensive than flights offered at international airports. There are two regional and executive airports within 30 miles of Virginia Beach.
Private-use airports
If you’re flying to Virginia Beach via private or chartered plane, there are two spots to land not far from the city. Contact these private airstrips beforehand, however, to ensure you’re permitted to land there. They often only have a single runway, so planning must be done carefully.
Virginia Beach Airport is 12 miles southwest of the city, and Knight’s Landing Airport is 22 miles southwest. The latter is only contactable via phone – their number is 757-426-7741.
Ground Transport Options at Norfolk International Airport
You’ll need to take a form of ground transport in order to reach your final destination in Virginia Beach. There are a variety of options to get you to Virginia Beach, from ride-sharing to limousine hire.
These are the ground transportation options available at Norfolk International Airport, the closest airport to Virginia Beach:
Rental cars
Norfolk International Airport has on-site options for car rental reservations. You’ll find these on Level One in the Arrivals Terminal. They are open from 4h30 until the arrival of the last flight for the night.
You can pick up your rental car in Garage A on Level G. When returning your vehicle, you’ll need to go to Garage A on Level Two.
Each company has a variety of vehicles available, but a standard town car or SUV will be perfect for a weekend in Virginia Beach.
The following rental companies have kiosks at this airport:
- Alamo
- American
- Avis
- Budget
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- National
Taxi cabs
There are a number of taxi cab companies that service Norfolk International and can transport you to Virginia Beach. There is a list of the different companies available on the airport’s website so that you can book a cab in advance.
Ride app companies
There is a designated pick-up spot for Transportation Network Companies (or Ride Apps), located at the Arrivals Terminal, outside Door Five. You can book a ride to Virginia Beach with either Lyft or Uber.
Limousine and courtesy vehicles
If you’ve booked a limousine or are expecting a courtesy vehicle, you’ll need to go to the pick-up area outside the Arrivals Terminal, between crosswalks one and two.
Peer-to-peer car sharing
A great alternative to standard car rental is peer-to-peer car sharing. This is when you borrow someone’s car for the duration of your visit. At the moment, this is offered through a company called Turo.
Top Destinations Near Norfolk International Airport
If you’d like to extend your trip, you could include a visit to Newport News. Not only does this city host the second nearest airport to Virginia Beach, but it also has Huntington Park and the Virginia Living Museum.
Alternatively, you can visit Norfolk, where you can explore the city’s rich maritime and naval history. Norfolk also has a wonderful riverside zoo where you can see a wide variety of birds and animals. If you prefer arts and culture, the Chrysler Museum of Art will keep you entertained with its variety of local and international artworks.
FAQs
What airport should I fly into when visiting Virginia Beach?
The best major airport to fly into when visiting Virginia Beach is the Norfolk International Airport. Alternatively, book a flight to the Newport News Williamsburg International Airport.
How long is it from Norfolk, Virginia to Virginia Beach?
Norfolk Virginia is 18 miles from Virginia Beach, Virginia. If you’re driving to Virginia Beach from Norfolk International Airport, you’ll need to travel just under 13 miles.
What airlines are at Virginia Beach?
The airlines available at the closest airport to Virginia Beach, Norfolk International, are:
- Allegiant Airlines
- American Airlines
- Breeze Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- United Airlines
More about our TFVG Author
A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.
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