Major city · United States
Colonial Williamsburg
Give it one full day if you buy a ticket; two days only if you want the museums and evening programs. Walk the street free.
Colonial Williamsburg is a 301-acre living-history district in Williamsburg, Virginia, run by a non-profit foundation. The Historic Area is free to walk through; the ticketed part is the buildings, trade shops, tours and museums. Most visitors see the core in one day, and the town works as a base for Jamestown, Yorktown and Busch Gardens.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks (crowds)
- Airports
- PHF · ORF · RIC · IAD
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Colonial Williamsburg911 ▾
- 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 Colonial Williamsburg, 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 Historic Area is well lit and heavily patrolled; the usual US cautions apply.
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.
- AirportPHF Newport News/Williamsburg International (Closest airport; limited flights, about 30 min by car).
- Getting aroundNo cars inside the Historic Area.
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, main courseTip 18–22% on top.$18–35
- Street or quick mealSandwich or bowl at a Merchants Square counter$12–18
- BeerDraft beer or house wine$7–12
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Rideshare, 5 km (3.1 mi)Rideshare, 3.1 mi (5 km)$12–18
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedFamily room or suite (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$250
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
- PHF Newport News/Williamsburg International (Closest airport; limited flights, about 30 min by car) · ORF Norfolk International (More airlines; about 1 h by car) · RIC Richmond International (About 1 h by car) · IAD Washington Dulles (About 2 h 45 min by car; no direct rail link)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Oct (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Colonial Williamsburg: 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
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°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
No cars inside the Historic Area. Duke of Gloucester Street runs about 1.6 km end to end, so plan on walking and wear comfortable shoes. A shuttle links the Visitor Center, the Historic Area and the paid parking lots; the Historic Triangle Shuttle continues to Jamestown and Yorktown. A car is useful for the wider region.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Historic Triangle Shuttle from the Visitor Center, or 15 min by car
Two separate sites: the state museum and the archaeological site. A half day each.
Yorktown Battlefield and American Revolution Museum
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Historic Triangle Shuttle, or 25 min by car
Pairs with Jamestown on a two-day Historic Triangle ticket.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
goDoor to door: About 20 min
10–15 min by car or rideshare
A full day; buy dated tickets online.
Virginia Beach
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
I-64 east, about 1 h by car
Doable as a day but better as an overnight in summer.
Norfolk
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
I-64 east, about 50 min by car
Museums and waterfront; a long half day.
Newport News
goDoor to door: About 35 min
I-64 east, about 25 min by car
Mariner's Museum and the Virginia Living Museum.
Carrollton, Virginia
skipDoor to door: About 40 min
US-17 south, about 30 min by car
Residential and rural; no reason to detour unless you are visiting someone.
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.
Historic Area edge (Duke of Gloucester St)
Walk to everything; highest rates and the fewest rooms.
Richmond Road / Bypass Road
Chain hotels and motels, 5–15 min drive to the Visitor Center; best value.
Downtown Williamsburg (Merchants Square area)
Restaurants and shops on foot; a small number of inns and B&Bs.
Resort corridor near Busch Gardens
Family resorts and campgrounds, 10–15 min drive; pairs with a park day.
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
- $70–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–220 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$160 | US$320 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$130 | US$520 |
| Single-day admission ticket, adult2 × US$47 · check | US$94 |
| Multiday pass, adult (3 consecutive days)2 × US$57 · check | US$114 |
| Rideshare, Visitor Center to Historic Area1 × US$12 · check | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$109 |
| Trip total≈ US$300 per person per day, bed included | US$1,199 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Sandwich or bowl at a Merchants Square counter | $12–18 |
| Sit-down dinner, main courseTip 18–22% on top. | $18–35 |
| Draft beer or house wine | $7–12 |
| Rideshare, 5 km | $12–18 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Many buildings close on certain weekdays and hours shift by season: check the day's schedule before you commit.
- Summer heat and humidity are real; carry water and use the shaded side of the street.
- Colonial-era sites include uneven brick paths and steps; some upper floors have no lift.
- Restaurant waits in the Historic Area run long at peak lunch and dinner: book or eat off-peak.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Colonial WilliamsburgColonial Williamsburg
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Williamsburg; consulates and embassies are in Washington, DC. US visitors: your state driver's licence is fine.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Single-day admission, adult: about $47; youth 6–12 about $26 (check)
- Multiday pass, adult: about $57 for 3 consecutive days (check)
- Rideshare, Visitor Center to Duke of Gloucester St: $10–15
- Historic Triangle Shuttle: included with admission (check)
Say or show
- Where is the Visitor Center? — Where is the Visitor Center?
- One adult ticket, please — One adult ticket, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is this building open today? — Is this building open today?
- Where is the nearest restroom? — Where is the nearest restroom?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
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 Colonial Williamsburg. 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: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks (crowds) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for ORF, PHF and RIC: last shuttle times, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Duke of Gloucester Street, Palace Green, Market Square, the museums.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Governor's Palace, Capitol, Courthouse, Public Gaol, Bruton Parish Church) and eat pages with last orders.
- Ticket-tier comparison so the calculator can price a one-day versus three-day pass.