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| Who is this guy, why does he have a bucket on his head, and what does he have to do with Virginia airports? See below. |
As always, it depends on your individual circumstances. I've put together some pages to help you make your decision and give you valuable information about each airport, including:
- How to get cheap flights (it may NOT be what you think!)
- Parking tips
- A map of the airport
- Airlines that service RIC plus their phone and baggage claim numbers
- A map of the terminal
- Nearby attractions and restaurants to visit before and after your flight
I'll also give you links to air travel tips, including traveling with kids, airport security rules, and how to make your flight a breeze.
I'll start with the most central airport for visiting Virginia.
Richmond International Airport Overview
Even before we moved to Virginia, Richmond International Airport (I'll sometimes refer to it by its acronym, RIC) was our favorite. Having lived in California, New York, and Detroit, Michigan, and having to deal with the huge airports there, RIC was a breath of fresh air.
Moderate-sized, easy to get to, and virtually never crowded, it's a pleasure to fly in and out of. That by itself would be reason enough for us to choose it as "our" airport over Washington, DC's Dulles International Airport, even if RIC weren't closer. After all, you don't want to start your vacation stressed out because of a congested airport.
Yes, you may be more likely to get cheap flight deals at Dulles, but you'll pay for it with longer lines, dealing with DC traffic, and potential parking headaches. Plus, RIC is more central to Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and central Virginia.
So unless you're planning to spend part of your vacation in Washington, DC or northern Virginia, I don't recommend Dulles. Go with RIC or Norfolk International Airport or Williamsburg airport.
Speaking of Norfolk, that's where my brother-in-law, John (alias Bucketman) prefers to fly in to. He lives in New York and is always looking for late evening flights that get him as close as possible to my in-law's house in Smithfield (just over the bridge from Newport News and Hampton. So Norfolk works best for him.
That's a picture of him above from his visit last summer, pretending to be a superhero called "Bucketman." Our kids love it.
Directions to Richmond International Airport
Richmond International Airport is located seven miles southeast of Richmond, the Virginia's capital. It's less than an hour drive from Williamsburg and a two-hour drive from Washington, D.C., the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Virginia Beach. Next to Dulles, it's the largest airport in Virginia.
As a former Californian, having spent way too many hours beating Los Angeles traffic and the intracacies of LA Airport, I find RIC a breath of fresh air...it's so easy to get to and navigate. (Go to our Richmond Airport Facts page for a map of the terminal.)
Whichever direction you're coming from, it's hard to miss.
From the West (Richmond and Charlottesville): Take I-64 east to Exit 197A (Airport Drive). Or, take I-295 east to Exit 31.
From the East: Take I-64 west to Exit 197A; or take I-295 west to Exit 31.
From the North: Take I-95 south to I-64 east to Exit 197A. Take I-95 south to I-295 east to Exit 31.
From the South: Take I-95 north to I-64 east to Exit 197A. Take I-95 north to I-295 east to Exit 31.
Click here for a Google Richmond International Airport map.
Richmond International Airport address: Richard E. Byrd Terminal Drive, RIC, VA 23250-2400
Richmond International Airport Phone Number: (804) 226-3000
Emergency (804) 226-0001
Airport Badging (804) 226-3056
Lost and Found (804) 226-3056
TTY (804) 222-9781
Richmond International Airport website: www.flyrichmond.com
Richmond Airport Air Carriers
What air carriers service RIC? What are their phone and baggage claim numbers? What food options are available at the airport? How can you get a map of the terminal?
For answers to these questions, go to our Richmond Airport Facts page.
RIC Parking Options
RIC is a breeze when it comes to parking. When we had to deal with New York's LaGuardia and JFK, or even Detroit Metro Airport, we had to allow a good 30-45 minutes to get the car parked and get into the terminal, just in case the parking garage was full or we had to wait for a shuttle.
At RIC, except for Economy Parking, there is no shuttle...the terminal's so small that there's no need for one! (The terminal's small size seems to help with the timeliness of its baggage claim too--we've never had to wait for our bags for more than a few minutes.)
Here are the RIC Parking Options:
- Hourly Parking (in Garage): first 30 minutes free; $2 per hour or fraction; $24 per day - across from terminal
- Economy Parking: $1 per hour or fraction; $6 per day - free shuttle to terminal
- Daily Parking (Surface and Garage): $3 per hour or fraction; $12 per day - across from terminal
- Valet Parking: $2 per hour; $20 per day - curbside at terminal
If you're picking up or dropping off passengers, use Hourly Parking.
My husband always refuses to use the Economy Parking lots when we fly out of Richmond. No matter how much I plead, and how much money I tell him we'll save, he always insists on paying extra for the Daily Parking lot. Why?
1) He thinks that the Daily lot is safer (although I've never heard any evidence to support that idea).
2) He doesn't want to be bothered with waiting for a shuttle to the airport, and fears it might make us miss our flight.
Are his fears realistic? You have to do whatever you feel comfortable with, but I can tell you this: compared to other international airports, RIC is one of the easier and safer airports in the nation to use the external parking lots.
(I'll keep working on my husband!)
Richmond International Airport Hotels & Park, Stay, Fly Deals
There are a number of nearby hotels to choose from. Some of them have Park, Stay, Fly deals, where you spend the night, leave your car there during your trip, and take a shuttle to and from the airport. These can be really good deals, especially if you have a late night or early morning arrival or departure in Richmond.
The Park and Fly deals include one night's lodging plus 7 to 21 days of free parking. Details depend on the hotel.
These are the hotels near the airport that have Park, Stay, Fly deals (plus how far they are from the airport and their rating):
Wingate Inn Richmond Airport - 1 mile - 2 stars
Deal includes one night lodging plus 14 days of parking and free shuttle
Wingate Inn Richmond Airport address: 491 International Center Drive, Sandston, VA 23150
Click here for Wingate Inn Richmond Airport reservations.
Comfort Inn Airport - 1 Mile - 2 stars
Deal includes one night lodging plus 7 days of parking and free shuttle
Comfort Inn Airport address: 7201 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23294
Click here for Comfort Inn Airport reservations.
Other Richmond Airport hotels:
Microtel Inn Airport - 1 Mile - 2 stars
Doubletree Airport - 1 Mile - 3 starts
Econo Lodge Airport - 1 mile - 2 stars
Days Inn Airport - 1 Mile - 2 starts
Courtyard by Marriott - 1.4 Miles - 2 stars
Clarion Hotel Sandston - 1.5 Miles - 2 starts
Commonwealth Park Suites - 6 Miles - 3 stars
Omni Richmond Hotel - 6 miles - 4 starts
Hampton Inn Richmond - 6 Miles - 3 stars
Crowne Plaza Hotel - 9.8 Miles - 3 stars
Return from Richmond International Airport to Virginia Beach Family Vacation Getaway
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