Transportation to William & Mary and VIMS

Before Making Travel Plans

• Washington, DC: Flights are generally cheaper to DC, but it can be expensive and complicated to travel to Williamsburg, so you may want to consider flying into an airport listed below for your first trip. 
• Before Buying Tickets:
  • Students should refer to the academic calendar and Residence Hall schedules (if you will live on-campus) when arranging flights. Exams cannot be scheduled around flights, and dorms close shortly after the exam period.
  • Graduate students, check with your department for exam schedules and other graduate commitments.
• New International Students
  • New undergraduate students, including exchange students, are required to participate in New Student Orientation.
  • Graduate students, check with your department for program orientation, etc.
    
  • See our visa page for additional information about when you are eligible to enter the U.S.
• Bring your Address: If you are traveling by taxi or shuttle, bring a campus map with you, and the address of your destination. If you live on campus, you can find the address for your building in the Campus Street Address directory. 

Airports

• Richmond International Airport
  • Airport Code: RIC
  • 75 km from Williamsburg
• Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
  • Airport Code: PHF
  • 30 km from Williamsburg
• Norfolk International Airport
  • Airport Code: ORF
  • 70 km from Williamsburg

Airport Shuttles & Transportation

• Prices May Change: Contact company for the latest prices.
• Tipping: For taxis and shuttles, standard US practice is to pay a tip of 15-20% of the fare to the driver.

From Richmond Airport (RIC):

• Academy Bus: Contact the company for pricing and availability. One of the university's contracted services.
• Oleta Coach Lines: Contact the company for pricing and availability. One of the university's contracted services.
• Tidewater Coach: Contact the company for pricing and availability. 
• Uber: Price estimates are available on the company's website.
• Lyft: Price estimates are available on the company's website.
• Additional taxi options are available through the airport.

From Newport News Airport (PHF)

• Oleta Coach Lines: Contact the company for pricing and availability. One of the university's contracted services.
• Tidewater Coach: Contact the company for pricing and availability.
• Additional taxi options are available through the airport.

From Norfolk Airport (ORF):

• Academy Bus: Contact the company for pricing and availability. One of the university's contracted services.
• Oleta Coach Lines: Contact the company for pricing and availability. One of the university's contracted services.
• Tidewater Coach: Contact the company for pricing and availability.
• Uber: Price estimates are available on the company's website.
• Lyft: Price estimates are available on the company's website.
• Additional taxi options are available through the airport.

Washington D.C. Airports

• Oleta Coach Lines: Contact the company for pricing and availability. One of the university's contracted services.

Taxi, Bus, & Train

Taxis are often expensive in the US, so unless you are sharing the ride with another person, this is usually not an economical way to get to Williamsburg from the airport. 

Greyhound Bus Company offers bus service between most cities in the US (including Williamsburg). Williamsburg Bus Station is 2 km from William & Mary.

AMTRAK offers train service between Williamsburg, Richmond, and Washington DC. The Williamsburg train station is 2km from the William & Mary. Amtrak stations are not near the airport in Richmond. In Washington DC, Amtrak can be accessed from the airport by Metrorail. Trains only come to Williamsburg once or twice per day and sometimes sell out in advance.

If you are considering traveling by Greyhound bus or Amtrak train to Williamsburg, you will most probably need to find transportation from the airport to the bus or train station. Bus and train stations are generally not close to airports.

Hotels

If you will be staying on campus, and will arrive in Williamsburg before the Residence Halls open, you must arrange your own early housing such as in a hotel. When booking a hotel, note that some areas of Williamsburg are not pedestrian-friendly. Public transportation is also minimal.

William & Mary have also contracted with local hotels to provide discounted rates for the W&M community, family, friends and guests.

Local accommodations within walking distance to W&M include:

• The Griffin Hotel
• Williamsburg Lodge
• Fife & Drum Inn
• Cedars of Williamsburg
• Newport House