VIRGINIA BEACH — One of the appeals of Coastal Virginia is its proximity to the white sandy beaches. And, with spring on the way, it’s almost time to hang up the coats and trade them in for swimsuits. But for those visiting or living on the Southside, getting to and from the Oceanfront is sometimes easier said than done.
Although driving to the Oceanfront might seem like the easiest option for Hampton Roads residents, the cost and availability of parking poses a challenge.
If beach-goers opt to drive themselves, they will find metered street parking that accept coins, as well as pay stations that accept credit cards. People can even pay by phone using the GoPassport website or app, according to the city’s parking management website. The city offers several fixed and variable-rate parking garages at the Oceanfront as well.
Aside from driving a personal vehicle to the Oceanfront, there are a few options, including taking a bus.
Hampton Roads Transit is the region’s public transportation system. Passengers looking for routes to the Oceanfront using HRT buses have some options. If taking an HRT bus from Norfolk, Route 20 offers a line from the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center to the various stops at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront; however, the route has nine stops along the way and takes almost two hours, according to the HRT route map.
Lyft and Uber offer rides on demand — to the Oceanfront or anywhere else — through a smartphone app; however, an 18-mile ride from Downtown Norfolk to the Oceanfront will cost between $19 and $25, depending on traffic and time of day. The apps may also surcharge the price for rides if there is a big event happening in the area, according to the Lyft and Uber websites.
Once you get to the Oceanfront, the VB Wave trolley system offers multiple routes to destinations up and down the beach strip, Shore Drive or to the Virginia Aquarium and campground areas along General Booth Boulevard. For information on where to buy VB Wave shuttle passes at the Oceanfront, visit the GoHRT website.
Looking for more information on busing to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront? Visit HRT’s website. For information about parking at the Oceanfront, readers can contact the city’s customer service line at 423-693-0389.
