City: Williamsburg, VA

Category: Getting Here, Getting Around

Telephone: (804) 226-3000

Address: 1 Richard East Byrd Terminal Dr.

Description: Richmond International Airport, exit 197A off I-64, is about 45 miles west of Williamsburg and offers nonstop flights to 22 destinations and connecting flights to worldwide destinations. The airport terminal and parking garages went through a $120 million project to replace the terminal, completed in 2007. The expansion solved a critical problem at the airport—all the gates were full, preventing low-cost carriers from entering the market and keeping airfares among the highest in the nation. Since the expansion, low-fare specialists like AirTran and JetBlue have started serving Richmond, and fares have moderated. The airport handles about 170 flights daily. Airlines serving Richmond International include American (800) 433-7300; Continental (800) 525-0280; Delta (800) 221-1212; JetBlue (800) 538-2583; Northwest (800) 225-2525 (note: Delta and Northwest should complete their merger in mid-2010, combining under the Delta name); United (800) 241-6522; U.S. Airways (800) 428-4322; and AirCanada (888) 247-2262. You’ll find the rental car companies adjacent to the baggage claim area. Companies that serve this airport include Alamo (877) 222-9075; Avis (800) 831-2847; Budget (800) 527-0700; Dollar (800) 800-3665; Enterprise (800) 261-7331; Hertz (800) 654-3131; National (800) 227-7368; and Thrifty (800) 367-2277. Ground transportation to Williamsburg from the Richmond airport includes several taxi services (fares to Williamsburg will run close to $100) and a ground shuttle by Groome Transportation at (800) 552-7911. The shuttle to Williamsburg leaves every hour on the hour and costs $44, or $27.50 per person for two or more. While reservations aren’t necessary if you’re traveling from the airport to Williamsburg, it is best to call a day or two in advance to make a reservation for a return trip from Williamsburg to the Richmond airport. (Round-trip service is $78 for one person if you buy it before leaving Richmond.)