Norfolk travel guide
Norfolk Tourism | Norfolk Guide
You're Going to Love Norfolk
With a population of 242,803, Norfolk is a must-see destination in Virginia, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Norfolk deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.
Where to Eat in Norfolk
Downtown is the neighborhood with the most restaurants in Norfolk. These include popular favorites such as Byrd and Baldwin Bros. Steakhouse (116 Brooke Avenue), Glass Light (201 Granby St) and Leone's (455 Granby St). If you’re looking for affordable options, Texas de Brazil - Norfolk (300 Monticello Ave, Space #147) and Supper Southern Morsels (319 W 21st St) are great picks.
When to visit Norfolk
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Norfolk in July, when the average temperature is 78.8 °F, and the highest can go up to 86 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 32 °F, with an average temperature of 42.8 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in July, when precipitation is around 5.8″. In contrast, November is usually the driest month of the year in Norfolk, with an average rainfall of 2.9″.
How to Get to Norfolk
Plane
When flying to Norfolk, you’ll arrive at Norfolk Airport (ORF), which is located 6 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Norfolk include Allegiant Air, Delta and WestJet. The shortest domestic flight to Norfolk departs from Boston and takes around 1h 37m.
Train
Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Norfolk. The train journey from Norfolk to Alexandria takes 4h 13m and costs around $29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Baltimore, expect to pay about $36 for a 5h 45m trip. The train station in Norfolk is called Norfolk, and is located 0.9 miles from the city center.
Car
Another option to get to Norfolk is to pick up a car rental from Washington, D.C., which is about 148 miles from Norfolk. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Sixt, among others, in Washington, D.C..
Bus
VA Express Lanes operates bus routes to Norfolk. The most popular bus station is Norfolk Best Square, located 4 miles from downtown Norfolk. Norfolk Norfolk State University - Ballantine Blvd is also a commonly used station, and is 2 miles from the city center.
Airlines serving Norfolk
Where to stay in Norfolk
Average rates range from around $307 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $164 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Tru by Hilton Norfolk Airport and Hampton Inn & Suites Norfolk-Airport. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Norfolk, with prices from $55 to $1,640 per night. Ocean View is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Norfolk are about 46% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.
Downtown - Here you’ll find travelers’ favorites such as Glass Light Hotel & Gallery, Autograph Collection, Hilton Norfolk The Main and Courtyard by Marriott Norfolk Downtown. The average nightly price for a double room in Downtown is $95.
Where to stay in popular areas of Norfolk
Most booked hotels in Norfolk
Renting a car in Norfolk
Renting a car in Norfolk costs $65 per day, on average, or $129 if you want to rent if for 2 days. Alamo, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Thrifty are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Norfolk is the Dollar branch at 2200 Norview Ave, which is 6 miles from the city center.
It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 4% cheaper than airport locations in Norfolk.
Expect to pay $3.94 per gallon in Norfolk (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Norfolk is Compact (Nissan Rogue or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Standard rental cars (Mazda Mazda6 or similar) are, on average, 68% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.