Norfolk International Airport

Norfolk International Airport (ORF) sits about six miles northeast of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, serving the Hampton Roads region — a metropolitan area of over 1.7 million people that includes Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News, and Chesapeake. It is the primary commercial airport for the region, handling roughly 3.5 million passengers annually. The airport operates a single terminal with two concourses, concourses A and B, and offers direct flights to major US hubs plus limited seasonal international service to destinations like Cancún and the Bahamas. Despite its name, the airport’s international traffic is modest; the vast majority of passengers are domestic travelers connecting through Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, or other US gateways.

Getting There

The airport is located off Interstate 64 near the junction with US-460 (Norfolk-Virginia Beach Expressway). From downtown Norfolk, driving takes about 15 minutes via I-64 eastbound to exit 279 (Airport Blvd). From Virginia Beach, allow 30 minutes north on I-264 then I-64 west. From Newport News, cross the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (expect delays at peak times) and follow I-64 west; total journey time 20–40 minutes depending on tolls and traffic.

For those avoiding driving, rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) and taxis are widely available; typical fare from downtown Norfolk is $20–$25. Public transit: Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) Route 15 bus connects the airport to downtown Norfolk and the Newtown Road light rail station. The journey takes about 40 minutes and costs $1.75. Rental cars are available on-site from major companies (Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National) in a dedicated facility connected to the terminal by a covered walkway.

Parking is all paid. Options include:

• Parking Garage: directly connected to the terminal, $16/day.
• Economy Lots: slightly further away with free shuttle service, $10/day.
• Multi-storey car park: same as garage? Actually the garage is multi-storey. The confirmed facility mentions both paid parking lot and paid multi-storey car park. So both are available. Spaces in the garage can fill during peak times (Monday 4 pm, Tuesday 3 pm, etc.). Booking ahead is not available for parking; plan extra time if arriving during busy periods.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is straightforward. Check-in counters and baggage claim are on the lower level; security checkpoints and gates are upstairs after the escalators. The airport is wheelchair-accessible throughout, with ramps, elevators, accessible parking, and toilets. Wheelchairs are available at curbside upon request.

Security is run by TSA. Typical wait times range from 10 to 30 minutes, but during busy periods (Monday afternoon, Thursday evening) they can stretch to 40 minutes or more. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are available — lines are often shorter.

Once through security, passengers enter a central atrium with two concourses radiating left (Concourse A) and right (Concourse B). Concession options are limited but adequate: a handful of fast-food outlets (McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks), a sit-down bar and grill, and a few news/gift shops. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the terminal; connection is stable and fast enough for streaming.

Restrooms are clean and include changing tables. Baggage storage is offered by a third-party service located near baggage claim — useful for layovers. Other amenities include a nursing room and a small children’s play area near gate A2.

Boarding and arrival processes are efficient. The terminal is compact: from security to the farthest gate is about a five-minute walk. Passengers appreciate the lack of long corridors and confusing layouts. However, seating near gates can fill up during peak times, so consider waiting in the central atrium where there are more seats.

Norfolk International Airport and Norfolk

Norfolk is more than just a transit hub — it is the historic core of the Hampton Roads region and a city shaped by its maritime identity. Established in 1680 as a port town, it grew wealthy through tobacco and shipping, then endured destruction during the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Today, its economy is anchored by the world’s largest naval station, Naval Station Norfolk, which employs tens of thousands and accounts for a significant share of the airport’s passenger traffic.

For travelers with time to explore, Norfolk offers a compact but rich set of attractions. The Chrysler Museum of Art houses a renowned collection of glass, including works by Tiffany and Chihuly, plus an impressive array of paintings and sculpture. The museum is free to the public. Nearby, the historic Freemason Abbey district features cobblestone streets, colonial-era architecture, and the Norfolk Tides minor-league baseball stadium. The Waterside District along the Elizabeth River is a revitalized entertainment area with restaurants, a brewery, and a marina.

Nauticus, an interactive maritime museum, and the battleship USS Wisconsin docked alongside give insight into the region’s naval heritage. The Virginia Zoo in Lafayette Park is well-regarded for its Asian and Africa exhibits. For those seeking beaches, Virginia Beach’s resort strip is a 25-minute drive east; the quieter shores of Sandbridge are 40 minutes away.

Outdoor enthusiasts can walk or bike the Elizabeth River Trail, which passes through the city and along the waterfront. The Norfolk Botanical Garden offers 175 acres of themed gardens and is located right next to the airport — a perfect pre-flight stop.

Culturally, Norfolk punches above its weight. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Opera, and Virginia Stage Company all call the city home. The regional food scene emphasizes fresh seafood — oysters, crabs, and she-crab soup are local staples. Several craft breweries, including the award-winning Benchtop Brewing Company, are within walking distance of downtown.

Norfolk is also a gateway to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and historic Williamsburg. For passengers simply passing through, the airport itself is a calm and manageable entry point to a region that offers far more than its reputation suggests.

Practical Information

• Airport Hours: Norfolk International Airport is not open 24 hours. The terminal opens daily around 4:30 AM and closes after the last flight, typically around 11:30 PM. Check the official website for exact times.
• Contact: +1 757-857-3351, www.flyorf.com.
• Wi-Fi: Free, no login required.
• Baggage Storage: Available near baggage claim; operated by a third-party vendor. Hours may vary; call ahead.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible throughout. Wheelchairs can be requested at curbside or from your airline.
• Parking: Paid only. Garage $16/day, economy lot $10/day. Payment by credit card or cash at machines.
• Busiest Times: Monday 4 pm, Tuesday 3 pm, Wednesday 2 pm, Thursday 5 pm. Security lines are longest during these windows.

One concrete piece of advice: If your flight is scheduled around the busiest times listed above, arrive at least two and a half hours before domestic departure, and consider signing up for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to save time. The airport is not huge, but the security checkpoint can bog down when multiple flights depart within an hour.