We're planning a family trip to Williamsburg this fall (October), can someone recommend the closest or best airport to fly into? Also if anyone has recommendations on where to stay (2 kids ages 12 and 8) that would be appreciated too!

There is a regional airport very near Willimasburg, Just north of the Hampton, Newport News area. Also check prices into Richmond and Norfolk. All are pretty close.
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Williamsburg/Newport News Airport (PHF) is 1/2 hr from Wmsbg. Richmond (RIC) and Norfolk (ORF) are larger and about 45-60 minutes away. If you fly into Norfolk you are more likely to hit traffic at the Hampton Roads tunnel or on 64 on the peninsula. Every hotel chain is represented here. Most are clustered together on a strip of Richmond Rd. Others are on Bypass Rd. A few are on Rt. 60 near Busch Gardens. Some have highly recommended The Woodlands at the Colonial Williamsburg visitor center.

We vacationed in Williamsburg in June and flew into Richmond Airport. It was a very easy drive to Williamsburg. We took a day trip to Norfolk and I was glad we flew into Richmond -- traffic was terrible around Norfolk.

We stayed at The Kingsmill Resort. We had a lovely one bedroom villa. It was quite large. Full kitchen, washer & dryer, Kingsize bed in bedroom with sofa sleeper in the living room. Kingsmill is the closest hotel to Busch Gardens, which is great fun and about a five minute drive to Colonial Williamsburg. The resort has restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, three golf courses, tennis courts, bike rental, marina, game room, spa. It is a great place to stay and I highly recommend it.

Let me know if you have any other questions. We were there for a week in June.

If you live on the east coast, consider taking Amtrak. It has a station right in Williamsburg with a car-rental agency (Colonial) in the station. Amtrak gives discounts for AAA members, and kids go half-price.

It's much more comfortable than flying, less hassle, and now that you have to show up at the airport so early, Amtrak doesn't even take that much longer, especially if you factor-in transport times to and from the airports.

We liked the Embassy Suites. It's set back from the highway (sort of behind a K-Mart) and of course you get all the ES benefits -- big breakfast, two rooms, minikitchen, two TVs, pool, etc.

I visit Wburg several times a year, and have driven, taken Amtrak, and flown into RIC, ORF, and PHF.

NewportNews/Williamsburg (PHF) is a somewhat quiet airport and very easy checking in, dealing with security, and of course, closest to Wburg. AirTran flys into PHF with some very bargain rates. However, I find the auto rental deals not so good at PHF.

I love Amtrak! You could find accomodations walking distance from the train station (eg: Governors Inn or Hospitality House) or take taxi, and not even need a car. However, since I can take Southwest Airlines from Albany to Norfolk (ORF) for much less than Amtrak and be there in a few hours (vs 15), I've been less inclined to take the train.

As mentioned above, Southwest serves Norfolk, a well planned out airport that seems smaller and friendlier than many other airports it's size, and EXCELLENT fares can often be found into that city, as well as car rentals (if made in advance). However keep in mind the traffic situation, both in the tunnel and also that I-64 from near Rt 258 (Mercury Blvd) to Rt 143 (Jefferson Ave/NN Airport) seems to be permanently under construction.

Richmond (RIC) isn't a bad choice either, close to the interstate, on the east (Wburg) side of Richmond.

So, use the city you can get the best fares on. The first Sunday in October enjoy "An Occasion for the Arts" around the Merchant's Square/W&M College area.
(remove the x in my eddress & write me for more info)

The closest airport is Newport News, which is about 25 miles. The Richmond airport is about 50 miles.

In my opinion, Norfolk and Richmond are equidistant from Wiliamsburg. However, you have to watch out for tunnel traffic when considering the Norfolk airport. During the warm months the traffic to/from the beach can be horrendous. When I travel to Williamsburg, people prefer to pick me up at either NEwport NEws airport (PHF) or Richmond (RIC).

Susan-

Richmond will have the higher airfare,unless USAIR has a special going on ( which they do until Sept20).

Williamsburg is only 30 min from the Richmond airport-

Newport News is also close to Williamsburg,as another airport choice.