Getting Around Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital city of Virginia, and it sits on I-95 less than two hours south of Washington, D.C. For a visitor, that means the practical question is how to move around a city that is laid out on a grid and is easiest to navigate by car, but which also has a bus system worth knowing about. The guidance below focuses on the modes you are most likely to use and how to plan around them.
By Car
Driving is the easiest way to get around Richmond. The city is laid out on a grid system and is easy to navigate, though many streets in the oldest parts of the city are very narrow and one-way.
- Roadside parking spaces are relatively easy to find, but watch for no-parking areas, particularly in the Fan District.
- I-64 runs east-west through the city, providing easy access to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Charlottesville.
- Other major roadways, such as the Powhite Parkway (Route 76), the Chippenham Parkway (Route 150), and Route 288, connect Richmond to areas such as Chesterfield and Midlothian.
By Bus
The Greater Richmond Transit Company, or GRTC, operates a bus service across the city and partially into neighboring Henrico and Chesterfield Counties. The system is best utilized if you are already downtown and need to travel throughout the city itself.
- GRTC's phone number is +1 804 358-4782.
- The bus system has been free to all users since March 19, 2020, and current grant funding will allow for free rides through July 2026.
- Many find it easiest to park at an all-day garage and use one of the multiple lines along Broad Street to avoid paying for more parking. This includes Pulse, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line.
By Train
Two Amtrak train stations serve Richmond, and which one you use depends on where you are headed.
- Staples Mill Road Station: Richmond's primary station, located in an older section of suburban Henrico County, is served by Northeast Corridor trains as well as several lines continuing south toward the Carolinas and Florida. Travelers heading downtown should plan on a $20-$25 taxi fare. Amtrak also offers a Thruway Bus connection to downtown.
- Richmond Main Street Station: The historic downtown station is served by the few Northeast Corridor trains terminating at Newport News, and the segment between Staples Mill and Main Street can be affected by delays as the train traverses CSX's ACCA rail yard, a major freight hub.
By Plane
Richmond International Airport (RIC) is in nearby Sandston, about a $20 taxi ride east of downtown, and is served by most major domestic carriers plus discounters JetBlue and Southwest. Chesterfield County Airport (FCI) to the south of the city and Hanover County Airport (OFP) to the north handle general aviation.
Intercity Buses
Several intercity bus lines serve Richmond, which makes it easy to reach other cities along the East Coast without a car.
- Greyhound Bus Lines has a large terminal located on Boulevard, about 4 miles (6 km) west of Downtown Richmond and 1 mile (2 km) north of the Museum District.
- Eastern Travel, a Chinatown bus line, picks up and drops off passengers at its station near the intersection of Boulevard and Broad Street. It is half the price of Greyhound, and while it only runs one departure and one arrival a day (at 7AM and 10PM) it is relatively reliable. It serves two destinations from Richmond: Washington, D.C. and New York City.
- Megabus offers service from Philadelphia, Newark, DE, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Hampton, Durham, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Columbia, Athens, and Atlanta. Buses arrive and depart at the Richmond Travel Plaza on E Main St across from Main St Station.
- FlixBus offers service from many cities such as New York City and Washington, D.C.
Practical Tips
- Plan on driving if you want the most flexibility; the grid layout makes the city easy to navigate.
- Watch for no-parking areas, especially in the Fan District, and for narrow one-way streets in the oldest parts of the city.
- Park at an all-day garage and ride a Broad Street bus line, including the Pulse BRT, to avoid paying for more parking.
- If you arrive by train at Staples Mill Road, budget $20-$25 for a taxi to downtown, or use the Amtrak Thruway Bus connection.