Hampton Roads Transit runs Virginia Beach buses and the VB Wave trolleys; trip help 757-222-6100. Oceanfront meters and lots are free Nov. 1 to March 31.
Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. Facts come from Hampton Roads Transit, the City of Virginia Beach’s transit page and parking pages, and Norfolk International Airport. For road work, see road construction and closures.
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) runs the city’s buses, and in summer the VB Wave trolleys work the Oceanfront. For live traffic, use 511 Virginia or dial 511.
Who to call
- Buses and trolleys: Hampton Roads Transit, 757-222-6100
- Parking tickets, permits and garages: Public Works Parking, through VB311, 757-385-3111
- 31st Street garage: 757-385-7831; 25th Street garage: 757-385-7825; 9th Street garage: 757-491-7206
- Interstates and state routes: VDOT, 800-367-7623
Main roads
- Interstate 264 carries traffic between Norfolk and the Virginia Beach Resort Area. The city’s event traffic plans name its exits at First Colonial Road, South Birdneck Road and Parks Avenue.
- Laskin Road (U.S. 58) and Shore Drive (U.S. 60) are the other routes into the Resort Area the city keeps open during big events. First Landing State Park is at 2500 Shore Drive.
Expect lane closures this fall on Shore Drive and near Elbow Road; see road construction and closures.
Buses and trolleys (Hampton Roads Transit)
HRT runs routes in Virginia Beach seven days a week, plus seasonal VB Wave trolleys from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Routes serving the city, from HRT’s Virginia Beach list:
| Route | Runs between |
|---|---|
| 12 | South Norfolk and TCC Virginia Beach |
| 15 | Evelyn T. Butts Avenue and Robert Hall Boulevard |
| 20 (express) | Downtown Norfolk Transit Center and the Virginia Beach Oceanfront |
| 22 | Newtown Road Station and Shore Drive at Pleasure House Road |
| 24 | Pembroke East, Summit Pointe and Robert Hall Boulevard |
| 25 | Military Circle, TCC Virginia Beach and Sentara Princess Anne |
| 26 | TCC Virginia Beach and Lynnhaven Mall |
| 27 | Newtown Road Station and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek |
| 29 | Shore Drive at Pleasure House Road and Lynnhaven Parkway |
| 30 | Atlantic Avenue Trolley (seasonal) |
| 31 | Aquarium and Campground Trolley (seasonal) |
| 33 | TCC Virginia Beach, Parks Avenue at 19th Street, and 68th Street at Atlantic Avenue |
| 35 | Bayfront Bus |
| 36 | Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek and TCC Virginia Beach |
| 960 (express) | Norfolk and Virginia Beach |
| 966, 967, 972 (express) | Virginia Beach and Newport News |
| 981 (express) | Downtown Norfolk Transit Center and Amazon Virginia Beach |
In season, Route 30 runs up and down Atlantic Avenue every 15 minutes, Route 31 runs from Atlantic Park and Rudee Loop to the Virginia Aquarium, campgrounds and General Booth Boulevard parks about every 20 minutes, and Route 35 links the Bayfront and the Oceanfront along Shore Drive, stopping at First Landing State Park and the ViBe Creative District, about every 30 minutes, the city says. Fares, passes and the mobile fare app are on HRT’s fares page.
The airport
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is at 2200 Norview Ave. in Norfolk. Limousine and courtesy vehicles pick up outside the Arrivals Terminal between Crosswalks 1 and 2, according to the airport’s ground transportation page. Parking garages and lots are listed on flyorf.com.
Bikes and trails
Virginia Beach has more than 300 miles of bikeways and trails, the city says. See our parks and trails guide and the city’s Bike, Walk and Roll page.
Parking at the Oceanfront
The Resort Area has three city garages, three city lots and metered street parking. Paid parking for meters and lots runs April 1 to Oct. 31. In 2026 the city switched to rates that rise the longer you stay. Every lot and meter takes mobile pay apps, text-to-pay and credit or debit cards.
| Garage | Address | Spaces | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th Street | 200 9th St. | 532 | 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. |
| 25th Street | 336 25th St. | 344 | 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. |
| 31st Street | 209 30th St. | 610 | 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. |
The garages page also says all three are open 24 hours, seven days a week; call the garage if you plan to arrive or leave late.
Meter rules, from the meters page:
- Enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week, April 1 to Oct. 31. The meters on 24 1/2 Street and the 300 block of 25th Street are enforced all year.
- Free from Nov. 1 to March 31 everywhere else.
- Free from 5 to 10 a.m. between 5th Street and Rudee Loop.
- No on-street parking after midnight. Towing starts at midnight on 1st to 4th streets and at 2:30 a.m. on 14th to 29th streets.
- One-hour minimum for credit card payments.
Fines: $20 for an expired meter, sidewalk or crosswalk parking and several other violations, $40 if not paid within 14 days; $35 for parking within 15 feet of a hydrant, blocking a driveway or double parking, per the enforcement page.
Deals: accessible parking is free for the first four hours at metered spaces with a disabled tag or plate. Residents can apply for a free $50 annual Resident Parking Voucher. A $100 seasonal permit covers unlimited re-entry to the seven city surface lots from April 1 to Oct. 31.
Town Center, Sandbridge and the Croatan area have their own rules on the city’s parking pages.
What this means for you
- From Nov. 1 most Oceanfront meters and lots are free until spring.
- Never leave a car on an Oceanfront street after midnight.
- Plan bus trips with HRT at 757-222-6100.
Related: road construction and closures, moving to Virginia Beach and Fourth of July fireworks.
Frequently asked questions
Is parking free at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront in winter?
Yes. On-street meters are free Nov. 1 to March 31, except on the 300 blocks of 24 1/2 and 25th streets, and municipal surface lots are free in the off-season except the 4th Street lot for oversized vehicles and daily parking at the 21st Street lot.
What bus serves the Virginia Beach Oceanfront?
Hampton Roads Transit’s Route 30 Atlantic Avenue Trolley runs every 15 minutes in season, Route 31 goes to the Virginia Aquarium and Route 35 links the Bayfront and the Oceanfront. Route 20 is an express between downtown Norfolk and the Oceanfront.
What is the closest airport to Virginia Beach?
Norfolk International Airport, 2200 Norview Ave. in Norfolk.
How much is a parking ticket in Virginia Beach?
$20 for an expired meter and several other violations, doubling to $40 if not paid within 14 days. Parking near a hydrant or blocking a driveway is $35.
Do Virginia Beach residents get free Oceanfront parking?
Residents can apply for the Resident Parking Voucher Plan, a $50 annual voucher for participating Resort Area garages, surface lots and designated metered spaces.
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