Major city · United States
Virginia Beach
Give it 3 nights in season: one boardwalk-and-beach day, one state-park or Back Bay day, one for the Aquarium or a Williamsburg run. Off-season, 2 nights is enough.
Virginia Beach is a family oceanfront resort on the Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay, with a 3-mile concrete boardwalk, a 300-foot-wide beach and more than 18,000 acres of state parks and national wildlife refuge behind it. It is the most populous city in Virginia. Most trips are beach-first: swim and boardwalk in the morning, parks, aquarium or a day trip inland in the afternoon. A car helps for anything beyond the Oceanfront.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–early Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, heat, higher room rates); hurricane season peaks Aug–Oct
- Airport
- ORF
- Nights
- 3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Virginia Beach911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Virginia Beach, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyThe resort strip is busy and generally safe in season; the main risks are rip currents, sun and heat, and traffic.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportORF Norfolk International Airport (In neighbouring Norfolk, about 20–30 min west of the Oceanfront by car; the closest airport to the resort strip.).
- Getting aroundThe Oceanfront and Boardwalk are walkable and bikeable; surreys and bike rentals line Atlantic Avenue.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip.$18–35
- Street or quick mealCasual lunch (sandwich or seafood basket)$12–20
- BeerBeer at a boardwalk bar$6–9
- Museum or sight ticketVirginia Aquarium adult admission$30–40 (check)
- Budget bedHostel or budget motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedOceanfront hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
- High-end bedOceanfront hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$420
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ORF Norfolk International Airport (In neighbouring Norfolk, about 20–30 min west of the Oceanfront by car; the closest airport to the resort strip.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Care*
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: May–Jun. Mixed: Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Oct (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Virginia Beach: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The Oceanfront and Boardwalk are walkable and bikeable; surreys and bike rentals line Atlantic Avenue. Hampton Roads Transit runs buses and a seasonal trolley along the strip; bus fare is $2.00 per ride. For anything beyond the beach — First Landing, Back Bay, Town Center — a car is the practical option, and traffic is heavy in peak season.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car via I-64 west, about 1 h
Full day; pair with the Williamsburg historic area.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car via I-64 west, about 1 h
Theme-park day; buy dated tickets ahead in summer.
Door to door: About 45 min
Car or HRT bus, about 30–40 min
Waterside, museums and the Amtrak station for onward rail.
Hampton
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via I-64, about 45 min
Air and Space Center and harbourfront.
Newport News
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via I-64, about 45–55 min
Mostly a rail and museum stop; go only if you have a reason.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Oceanfront / Boardwalk (Atlantic Ave, 1st–40th St)
Walk to beach, boardwalk and most restaurants; the default for a first beach trip. Book early for summer weekends.
Town Center
Inland business and retail district about 15–20 min from the beach; cheaper rooms, more parking, less beach.
Sandbridge
Quieter residential beach south of the resort strip, near Back Bay and False Cape; needs a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–130 excl. bed
- Mid
- $130–220 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Oceanfront hotel double room1 × 3 nights × US$220 | US$660 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$170 | US$1,020 |
| Rental car, per day1 × US$70 | US$70 |
| HRT bus fare, per ride2 × US$2 | US$4 |
| First Landing State Park parking, per car1 × US$7 · Weekends Apr–Oct about $10 | US$7 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$179 |
| Trip total≈ US$328 per person per day, bed included | US$1,970 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Prices are shown before sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Casual lunch (sandwich or seafood basket) | $12–20 |
| Sit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip. | $18–35 |
| Beer at a boardwalk bar | $6–9 |
| Virginia Aquarium adult admission | $30–40 (check) |
| Virginia MOCA adult admission | About $8 (check) |
| Boardwalk bike or surrey rental, per hour | $10–25 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Peak-season traffic and parking near the Oceanfront are the main friction; park once and walk.
- Cape Henry Lighthouse sits on Fort Story military base: a valid photo ID is required and access can be restricted — check before you go.
- Hurricane season runs roughly Jun–Nov and peaks Aug–Oct; watch forecasts and know your hotel's cancellation terms.
- Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge does not allow pets.
- North Landing River Natural Area Preserve boardwalk has been closed to the public — check before planning a visit.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Virginia BeachVirginia Beach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Virginia Beach; most countries keep embassies in Washington, DC, with consulates in Norfolk or Richmond — check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- ORF airport → Oceanfront, taxi or rideshare: about $35–55, 20–30 min (check)
- HRT bus, per ride: $2.00
- First Landing State Park parking: $7 per car, about $10 on weekends Apr–Oct
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the beach access? — Where is the beach access?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there a lifeguard on duty? — Is there a lifeguard on duty?
US tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Virginia Beach. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, heat, higher room rates); hurricane season peaks Aug–Oct · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialVirginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
- officialCity of Virginia Beach
- officialNorfolk International Airport
- officialHampton Roads Transit
- officialFirst Landing State Park (Virginia DCR)
- officialBack Bay National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS)
- officialVirginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
- officialCape Henry Lighthouse (Preservation Virginia)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Virginia Beach, revision 5326418 (CC BY-SA 4.0)