litchfield

I will be in DC for a few days with my kids in April, but would like to take a one-night overnight's trip to Williamsburg. It would be great to also get a train ride in and then fly out from the Williamsburg area. Is that feasible and what airport is closest to Williamsburg?

vjpblovesitaly

Train to Williamsburg. I think there is one each day on Amtrak. You can check at www.amtrak.com

I would imagine the closest airport to Williamsburg would be Richmond but this can be found out by googling.

bardo1

A 2-day car round-trip rental will be MUCH cheaper (and more convenient) than four one-way train tickets.

The closest airport is to Williamsburg is Richmond (RIC) but, again, flying out of Richmond will be double or more than flying out of a competitive market like the DC area.

So, yes, it's feasible but not at all advisable.

JanetKMR

I would rent a car to go from DC to Williamsburg. It's about a 3 hour drive (depending on traffic...which is a huge variable).

Dukey1

The closest airport, mileage-wise, to Williamsburg is the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF), not Richmond.

nytraveler

Train to Wiliamsburg is not practical - one a day each way and often late - sometimes by hours.

Much better to do the trip by car and fly in and out of DC.

Sassafrass

Consider Norfolk as an airport to fly out of also. Which to use just depends on flights available. Not much out of Newport News - very tiny airport.

Try to give yourself at least a whole day in Williamsburg.

Agree it would be easier to rent a car, perhaps even one-way, and drop it off at the airport in Richmond or Norfolk.

NewbE

Agree that Norfolk is a much more likely airport--bigger, more flights, usually lower fares, although we did fly in and out of Newport News once when we lived in Yorktown. But the least expensive option will surely be to rent a car round-trip from DC and fly in and out of DC.

Dukey1

If you are using DELTA, then you could consider PHF; if you are using USAirways, United, etc., Norfolk might be more convenient.

Ackislander

Richmond has all the majors, and blessedly JetBlue, the country's most wonderful airline, if you are flying anywhere on the East Coat or Bay Area or . . . Unlimited cashews, first bag free, fabulous crews.

Birdie

If you are renting and driving, you need to factor in traffic. It can turn a simple trip to the airport into a nightmare. Been there, done that. But if you don't have a car in Williamsburg, you'll be limited as to what you can do.

FrankS

I dont know what the calender looks like for Williamsburg in April, but if you have children Jamestown is a must. If you can make an extra day fit in, Yorktown then Manassas or Mt Vernon on your way back to DC if you dont return via Richmond

obxgirl

There is some misinformation on this thread.

Airports:

Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF) is a 40 minute drive from Williamsburg proper. Use it if one of your preferred airlines (US Air, Delta, limited Frontier) has a flight. It's a simple drive to a small regional airport with easy check in and no waits for security. It's worth checking fares -- I've purchased r/t to London Gatwick for $350, r/t to SF and Denver for under $250.

Richmond International (RIC) is a one hour drive from Williamsburg, a straight shot on I64 W a direction that rarely has traffic issues.

Norfolk International (ORF) is an hour drive from Williamsburg on I64E transiting through a heavily congested area of traffic and the Hampton bridge/tunnel. I rarely use ORF and work hard to find flights elsewhere. Add at least an extra hour drive time.

RIC and ORF are the same size. Again, depends on your preferred airline. Southwest flies out of Norfolk but not the other two.

Trains:

It is perfectly practical to take Amtrak from DC to Williamsburg. People do it everyday. There are 3 trains a day to Williamsburg during the work week (morning, afternoon & evening) and two on weekends (morning & evening).

You might want to rent a car in Williamsburg especially if you are considering going to near by Jamestown or Yorktown. Enterprise will pick you up at the train station and allow you to drop off at the airport.

I agree with Birdie that driving from DC to Williamsburg can be a nightmare depending on the time of day. If you leave DC before 2 in the afternoon during the week, the earlier the better, you'll probably be fine. Weekends can be a crapshoot but in April you won't have beach traffic. Again, early departure is better, before 9 am.

NewbE

I don't see misinformation, I see differences of opinion.

Ackislander

Nope. Misinformation on train schedules, some on traffic, and some on airports.

Not really serious misinformation, but obxgirl's amplification and correction is worthwhile.

NewbE

Corrected before her post.

obxgirl

The OP will do whatever works best for them.

Geez, Newbe, it almost feels personal.

I'm comfortable that I've offered an informed opinion. I've lived in Williamsburg for 15 years, work part time in DC using the trains & highways to transit, and I travel frequently out of the area using airports discussed here.

Where do you live?