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Parking and Transportation

Parking and Transportation

Downtown Parking

To meet the needs of Downtown visitors, residents, workers, students and shoppers, the City of Norfolk's Division of Parking offers ample safe, convenient and affordable Downtown parking with more than 19,000 public parking spaces. For available parking locations, visit our SNAP MAP™.

Rates for each facility are posted at the entrance to the facility. Most facilities allow short-term and long-term parking. For additional information on parking rates by facility, click here.

Meters are priced in 15-minute increments with a two-hour limit on weekdays from 9am to 6pm. Parking is free at meters on Saturdays with a two-hour limit and is free on Sundays with no time limit.

Park Norfolk Mobile Pay makes it quick and easy to pay using your mobile phone. Sign up now for Passport Mobile Pay.  Download the free Park Norfolk app for iphone or android. After setting up your account, you can immediately start using the system from your mobile phone. Click here for more information.

If you are visiting the NEON District, there are several parking options you can consider.

Electric Car Charging Stations

Electric car chargers are available in the Waterside, MacArthur Center, Bank Street, and Town Point garages, thanks to a donation from electric car maker Tesla and reflecting the city’s commitment to providing environmentally-friendly transportation options. Chargers are both universal and Tesla-specific. Users are only charged the regular garage parking rate; once in the parking garage, there is no additional fee to use the chargers.

Maps, Directions & Public Transportation

Arriving By Land

From the Richmond, Washington D.C. and Points North & West

  • Follow I-95 South to I-64 East in Richmond.
  • Follow I-64 through Williamsburg, Newport News and Hampton into Norfolk.
  • Take Exit #284 onto I-264 West towards Downtown Norfolk.
  • Take Exit #9, Waterside Drive.

From New York, Philadelphia and Points North

  • Follow Route 13 through the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia.
  • Cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
  • Stay on Route 13, which will become North Hampton Blvd.
  • Take North Hampton Blvd. to I-64 East.
  • Take Exit #284 onto I-264 West towards Downtown Norfolk.
  • Take Exit #9, Waterside Drive.

From Raleigh and Points South

  • Take I-95 North to Route 58 East.
  • Exit onto I-664 East to I-264 East.
  • Follow through the Downtown Tunnel
  • Cross the Berkley Bridge and take Exit #9, Waterside Drive.

Arriving By Train

Amtrak train service originates in Norfolk, with new departures connecting passengers to destinations north of the city. Daily roundtrip service from Norfolk to Petersburg, Richmond, Washington DC and cities all the way to Boston.

  • Daily roundtrip travel originating from Norfolk
  • One-seat rides to cities like Petersburg, Richmond, Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York, and more
  • Early morning departures from Norfolk at 6:15am and 9:00am Mon-Fri and 6:15am Sat-Sun
  • Evening arrivals in Norfolk at 8:50pm Mon-Fri, 11:48pm Sat, and 8:48pm Sun
  • A new transportation option for military members traveling between Southside Hampton Roads, Fort Lee, Quantico and the Pentagon
  • A 10% fare discount for active-duty military and family - Visit amtrakvirginia.com for details
  • Easy online reservations and eTicketing at Amtrak download the Travel Smart app to your smartphone. No tickets are sold at the station.

Arriving By Sea

Downtown Norfolk and the Waterside Marina are located at ICW Mile 0, Buoy 36. As you approach from the south, Downtown’s buildings will be visible for several miles. From the north, tall buildings are also prominent, and the approach landmarks include Lambert’s Point coal piers, the Army Corps of Engineers and the USS Wisconsin Battleship.

Call 757-625-3625 or visit Waterside Marina for marina information and seasonal hours of operation for slip reservations.

Public Transportation

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) is the region's public transportation system, connecting the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News. Several convenient, well-marked shelters are located throughout Downtown Norfolk. For route schedules and general information, call 757-222-6100 or visit GoHRT.com.

Hampton Roads’ first light rail system, The Tide, connects travelers and commuters from Newtown Road to Eastern Virginia Medical School. With 10 stops, 5 of which are within the Downtown corridor, riders are sure to find the service relaxing and convenient.

Bike Transportation

With a dense, easily navigable network of streets, Downtown Norfolk is a great place to cycle. Bring your bike and follow one of the many paths and bike lanes leading into Downtown. The City of Norfolk has made significant strides to become a more bike-friendly city in the past decade. Plan a ride and by viewing the current Norfolk Bike Network map (PDF). The Elizabeth River Trail also makes for an easy ride to Downtown. The 10.5-mile urban biking and pedestrian trail offers users beautiful views and an exploration of our city's history. The trail runs from Norfolk Naval Base, located in the northern portion of the city, into downtown Norfolk, ending at Norfolk State University. Explore the trail online.

Scooter Transportation

Norfolk recently launched a year-long pilot program for electric scooters with Lime-S scooter share. Lime provides on-demand first- and last-mile transportation solutions that help people seamlessly move throughout their neighborhoods and across the community to meet their daily needs. Whether connecting to and from HRT’s Tide light rail, accessing Norfolk’s college campuses, or commuting to a Downtown workplace, Lime can be easily incorporated into daily or weekly travel routines.
 
To find a Lime near you, download and open the Lime app through Google Play or the Apple App Store. Lime pricing is $1.00 per ride to unlock a scooter and $0.15 per minute of use. For more information and to register, visit li.me. You must be 18+ to ride and helmets are strongly recommended.

Water Transportation

Water travel is available between Downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth by ferry service.

The HRT Elizabeth River Ferry travels from the Waterside Marina to two locations in Olde Towne Portsmouth every half hour: Mon-Fri, 5:45am-11:45pm, Sat, 10:15am-11:45pm, and Sun 10:15am-9:45pm.

In addition to the Ferry service, Squyres Marine Services, Inc. provides water taxi and launch services from the Norfolk and Portsmouth waterfronts. Hours are Friday-Saturday, 5pm-11pm. Extended hours during peak season and special events; seasonal. Please call 757-439-8294.

Need a ride? Call F.R.E.D.
Downtown Norfolk's Courtesy Shuttle

F.R.E.D., "Free Ride Every Day,” is available by calling the Downtown Norfolk Council at 757-478-7233. He is an on-demand courtesy shuttle driven by trained Public Service Ambassadors and provides a valuable level of service to our Downtown workers, residents and visitors at no cost. Due to DMV regulations, passengers on F.R.E.D. must be over 8 years of age.