(NORFOLK) Hampton Roads Transit still does not run a public bus that goes into the Norfolk airport terminal, and officials say the main barrier is a persistent shortage of bus operators.
As of August 29, 2025, there is no direct public bus service to Norfolk International Airport (ORF), and there is no announced timeline to add one. The closest city routes stop outside the airport grounds, leaving travelers and airport workers to rely on shuttles, taxis, rideshare, or rental cars instead. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the gap remains despite repeated calls for better airport access and reflects the same driver shortages HRT has cited across the region.
HRT leaders have acknowledged the need for an airport link but say they must first stabilize staffing and protect core service. The agency’s most recent service updates do not include an airport route, and city leaders have not funded new airport-specific transit in the latest budget cycle. The airport’s official guidance also confirms the gap and directs passengers to private and for-hire options.
Current options for reaching the terminal
While no HRT bus enters the airport, several routes pass near the perimeter. HRT lists Routes 2, 25, 45, and 6 as the closest options. Riders using these lines would still need to walk a long distance or arrange a second ride from the nearest stop to reach the terminal.
For route maps, schedules, and service notices, visit the official HRT site at gohrt.com.
Travelers can choose from several paid alternatives:
- Private shuttle
- James River Transportation and SuperShuttle serve the terminal.
- These services require advance booking and are not part of public transit.
- Typical one-way fares start around $27+.
- Reservations: supershuttle.com or call James River Transportation at 1-866-823-4626.
- Taxi
- Multiple companies serve curbside.
- Typical one-way fares run about $26–$31, depending on distance and traffic.
- Rideshare
- Uber and Lyft pick up in marked zones outside arrivals.
- Prices vary by time and demand.
- Rental car
- Agencies operate on site in the arrivals hall; rates vary by company and date.
The airport confirms these choices on its official site, which lists rideshare, taxi, shuttle, and rental details along with pickup locations and hours. For ground transport guidance, see norfolkairport.com.
Fares and connections
HRT’s base adult fare remains $2 for a local bus ride, but that fare does not help at the airport today, since no bus route serves the terminal.
There is also no direct public transit link between the airport and the closest Greyhound or Amtrak stations; passengers must arrange a shuttle, taxi, or rideshare for that leg.
Who is most affected
The lack of an airport bus affects different groups in different ways:
- Travelers arriving late at night may find a taxi or rideshare is the only practical option.
- Airport workers starting early shifts face costly commutes — $26–$31 each way can add up for regular travel.
- Families and price-sensitive travelers miss the affordability of a $2 ride that would be available if a bus reached the terminal.
Why service remains on hold
HRT officials point first to staffing. The agency says a shortage of qualified operators continues to limit service growth.
- The staffing strain began during the pandemic, when retirements and turnover spiked.
- Recovery has taken time; with limited drivers, HRT has prioritized core routes that carry the most daily riders and connect major job centers.
- Under that plan, airport service remains a lower priority until HRT can recruit, train, and retain more operators.
Funding is the second constraint.
- The City of Norfolk has voiced support for better airport access but has not added money or resources this budget year to launch a new airport route.
- Without extra funding, HRT must work within its current operations plan and labor pool.
- Agency leaders say they will revisit airport access as staffing improves and budgets allow, but there is no date on the books.
HRT has never run a bus that drives onto the airport grounds, even before COVID-19. Past routes came closer than they do today, but service never entered the terminal area because of cost and logistics. The pandemic made hiring harder, pushed service cuts, and slowed recovery. Those effects still shape the 2025 network.
Local advocacy and planning
- Airport officials have pressed for stronger links, saying easier access would help travelers and employees.
- Community groups and some local leaders argue that a terminal bus would boost fairness and regional mobility.
- Planners and advocates say the current gap makes the region look less connected than peer metro areas.
HRT’s public statements and service notices continue to stress the hiring challenge. The agency provides updates and contact options on its official site, gohrt.com, and by phone at 757-222-6100. The airport posts ground travel information, service alerts, and airline notices at norfolkairport.com.
Regional planners say they will keep airport access in long-term studies. HRT has indicated that if recruitment improves and funding becomes available, airport service could be reconsidered in a future planning cycle, possibly in 2026 or later. For now, immediate change looks unlikely without new resources or a sharp increase in available drivers.
Practical steps for travelers
For people planning trips through the Norfolk airport, the practical steps are:
- Check HRT’s route map to see how close Routes 2, 25, 45, or 6 come to your origin or destination.
- Decide whether a long walk from the nearest stop is realistic with luggage or children.
- Price out the private options in advance: shuttles (book ahead), taxis, or rideshare.
- If you need a car for several stops, compare a rental with return times and fuel costs.
- Build a buffer for traffic and pickups, especially during peak flight times.
Bottom line / key takeaways
There is no direct public bus service to the Norfolk airport. HRT cites driver shortages and budget limits, and there is no announced timeline for an airport route.
Travelers can find official updates at gohrt.com and confirmed ground transport options at norfolkairport.com. VisaVerge.com reports that service gaps like this often matter most to price-sensitive travelers and airport workers — a point echoed in official notices that stress cost and access.
This Article in a Nutshell
There is no direct HRT bus service to Norfolk International Airport as of August 29, 2025. HRT attributes the lack of an airport route to persistent driver shortages that began during the pandemic and to limited funding; city leaders did not allocate resources for a dedicated airport connection in the most recent budget. Closest public options are Routes 2, 25, 45 and 6, which stop outside the airport perimeter, forcing travelers to walk or use private transfer options. Paid alternatives include James River Transportation and SuperShuttle (shuttle fares from about $27+), taxis (approximately $26–$31), rideshare services, and on-site rental cars. There is no direct public transit link to Greyhound or Amtrak stations. HRT says it will reconsider an airport route if hiring improves and funding becomes available, possibly in a 2026 planning cycle, but no timeline currently exists. Travelers should plan ahead and consult gohrt.com and norfolkairport.com for updates and ground-transport details.
