The 3 Closest Airports to william and mary college
The 3 Closest Airports to William and Mary College
Planning a trip to visit the historic campus of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia? Knowing the best airport to fly into can save you time and hassle. Here’s a look at the three airports closest to the university.
1. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF)
This is the absolute closest airport to William & Mary, located just a short drive away. However, it’s a very small airport with extremely limited flight options.
- Distance to William and Mary College: Approximately 17 miles (usually a 25-30 minute drive)
- Address: 900 Bland Blvd, Newport News, VA 23602
- Pros: Very short drive, minimal traffic, easy navigation.
- Cons: Very few airlines and destinations, flights can be more expensive due to lack of competition.
- Airlines: Limited service, primarily served by budget carriers like Avelo Airlines (Check current service as airlines frequently change at PHF).
- Car Rental: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National/Alamo available.
- Official Website: flyphf.com
- Phone: (757) 877-0221
- Rating: ~4.0/5 (via Google Reviews – reflects convenience vs. limited options)
2. Richmond International Airport (RIC)
Often considered the closest major airport offering a wide range of flights, Richmond International is a popular choice for visitors to Williamsburg. The drive is straightforward, primarily via I-64 E.
- Distance to William and Mary College: Approximately 47 miles (usually a 50-60 minute drive)
- Address: 1 Richard E Byrd Terminal Dr, Richmond, VA 23250
- Pros: Many major airlines, frequent flights, competitive pricing, relatively easy highway drive.
- Cons: Further drive than PHF, potential for traffic around Richmond during peak hours.
- Airlines: Serves major carriers (American, Delta, United, Southwest) and others (JetBlue, Spirit, Allegiant, etc.).
- Car Rental: All major agencies available (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty).
- Official Website: flyrichmond.com
- Phone: (804) 226-3000
- Rating: ~4.4/5 (via Google Reviews)
3. Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
Similar in distance to Richmond, Norfolk International serves the large Hampton Roads metropolitan area. It offers a good selection of flights but the drive can sometimes be impacted by tunnel traffic.
- Distance to William and Mary College: Approximately 45 miles (usually a 50-65 minute drive, potentially longer with traffic)
- Address: 2200 Norview Ave, Norfolk, VA 23518
- Pros: Good selection of airlines and destinations, serves a major metro area.
- Cons: Drive involves potential tunnel traffic (Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel or Monitor-Merrimac), making travel time less predictable than RIC.
- Airlines: Serves major carriers (American, Delta, United, Southwest) and others (Allegiant, Breeze, Spirit, Frontier).
- Car Rental: All major agencies available (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty).
- Official Website: norfolkairport.com
- Phone: (757) 857-3351
- Rating: ~4.3/5 (via Google Reviews)
Conclusion:
The closest airport to William & Mary is Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF). However, due to its limited flight options, most travelers find Richmond International Airport (RIC) to be the closest major airport offering a better balance of convenience, flight availability, and competitive fares. Norfolk International (ORF) is a viable alternative, similar in distance to RIC, but with the potential for more variable drive times due to tunnel traffic.