William and Mary

New Students and Scholars



Departments & Offices » Reves Center for International Studies » International Students, Scholars, and Programs » New Students and Scholars » Transportation to Williamsburg

Transportation to Williamsburg

Airports

Three airports serve the residents of Williamsburg:

Important Considerations
  • Washington DC: Flights are generally cheaper to DC, but public transportation from DC to Williamsburg is minimal.  It can be expensive and complicated to travel from DC to Williamsburg, so we do not recommend flying into DC on your first trip to Williamsburg.
  • Booking your Return Flight: Graduate students, check with your department about the best time to book flights home, as exam schedules vary.  Undergraduate students, book your flight so that it leaves the day after the exam period.  For Fall 2013, the exam period ends December 18, 2013. Residence halls close at 12pm on December 19, so book your fall flight for December 19.  The Spring 2014 exam period ends May 7, 2014. Residence halls close on May 8, so book your spring flight for May 8.
Airport Shuttles and Services
  • Prices May Change: Shuttle/taxi prices were checked in March 2013, but are subject to change.
  • Tipping: For taxis and shuttles, standard US practice is to pay a tip of 15-20% of the fare to the driver.
  • Graduate students and Scholars: Before making transportation arrangements, first check with your department, program or contact at W&M to see if other arrangements have been made to pick you up from the airport.

From Richmond Airport (RIC):
Groome Transportation Shuttle Service: $82 per person (for 1-3 passengers), rates subject to change.  Advance reservation required by phone (1-804-222-7222 or 1-800-552-7911) or email: reservations@groometrans.com.
Tidewater Coach Shuttle: $90 per person; $60 each if multiple riders, rates subject to change. Advance reservation required.  Special William & Mary rates are available.

From Newport News Airport (PHF):
After landing, you can go the Taxi Stand where there are taxis waiting (you can check their website's "Ground Transportation" section for a list of companies). Costs will vary.
Another option is the Tidewater Coach shuttle service. Cost is about $45 per person; about $30 per person if multiple riders, rates subject to change. Advance reservation required.  Special William & Mary rates are available.

From Norfolk Airport (ORF):
Check their website's "Ground Transportation" section for a list of shuttle and taxi options.  You can also use the James River Transportation shuttle service. $118 per person, rates may vary. Advance reservation required. Phone: 1-866-823-4626, or book online.

Taxis

Taxis are often quite expensive in the U.S., so unless you are sharing the ride with another person, this is often not an economical way to come to Williamsburg from the airport.

Bus

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

Train

AMTRAK is the passenger train service in the U.S, and offers service between Williamsburg, Richmond, and Washington DC. The Williamsburg train station is 2km from the College. Amtrak stations are not near the airport in Richmond.  In Washington DC, Amtrak can be accessed from the aiport by Metrorail. Trains only come to Williamsburg once or twice each day and sometimes sell out, so check the schedule and buy in advance.

Note: With the exception of the Williamsburg Bus and Train Station, bus stations and train stations in U.S. cities are often not in the safest section of the city and rarely near the airport. Since you are new to the area, you may want to pay a little extra and take the shuttle service that brings you directly from the airport to Williamsburg.

Hotels

If you plan to arrive in Williamsburg prior to the date that the dorms open, you will be responsible for finding your own housing in a local hotel. When booking a hotel, check the distance from W&M, and keep in mind that some areas of Williamsburg are not pedestrian-friendly.  Public transportation is also minimal.

 

Local hotels include:

Additional options are also listed with the Williamsburg Hotel & Motel Association.