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How to get from Richmond Airport to Charlottesville

Olivia De Santos

January 26, 2024

Charlottesville is a charming city located in Virginia. It’s home to the University of Virginia and the former estate of founding father Thomas Jefferson. For that reason, Charlottesville draws visitors intrigued by American history.

If you want to visit Charlottesville, the nearest airport is Richmond Airport, which is 128 km from the city. The only viable way of making the journey is by taxi or private transfer. It shouldn’t take longer than 1 hour and 15 minutes in light traffic conditions. You can expect it to cost around $200 (€180).

While public transport from the airport does exist, there is no direct shuttle. In fact, transportation from Richmond Airport to Charlottesville is extremely complicated and time-consuming. You would need to take at least three buses and one train, totalling around 6-7 hours of travel time.

This is because there are no direct routes from Richmond to Charlottesville like there are to neighbouring cities like Williamsburg and Fredericksburg. You can only get trains or coaches to Charlottesville from Washington DC. Transport from Richmond to Washington is also limited. With this in mind, we can’t recommend any public transportation routes to shuttle you from Richmond Airport to Charlottesville. A private transfer, however, is a great solution.

If you’d like the comfort of a handpicked vehicle, 24/7 customer service, and professional door-to-door service all at unbeatable prices, consider booking your private transfer with Welcome Pickups.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Richmond at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€181	75min	24/7

How to get from Richmond VA Airport to Charlottesville VA by taxi

Taxi is the best and only viable way of getting from Richmond Airport to Charlottesville. Since public transport is so limited, many tourists resort to local taxis or private Richmond Airport to Charlottesville shuttle companies. Local taxis are available according to the flight schedule at the airport. So whenever you land, you should be able to find taxis lined up at the designated taxi stands.

The journey to Charlottesville takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes in light traffic. That said, traffic around both Richmond and Charlottesville can delay your trip depending on the time of day. The worst-case scenario is that your travel time climbs to 1 hour and 50 minutes. The trip rarely takes 2 hours.

How much does it cost to get a taxi from Richmond VA Airport to Charlottesville VA?

Most Richmond taxi drivers calculate their fares using a taximeter. The distance travelled, number of passengers, and time of day are all contributing factors to your final fare. However, some drivers may agree to a set rate to Charlottesville because the journey is over 100 km. This is at the driver’s discretion and tips will not be included in that fare estimate.

As a rough guide, you can expect to spend $200 (€180) to get from Richmond Airport to Charlottesville. Each additional passenger costs $1 (€0.90). You’ll also need to set aside around $20-40 (€18-36) for tipping.

To secure a competitive set-rate fare in advance, you can arrange your Richmond Airport to Charlottesville shuttle with a professional transfer company like Welcome Pickups. Our top-rated, personalised service and excellent 24/7 customer care will ensure you get to your destination in Charlottesville as relaxed as possible.

Cost

$200 (€180)

Trip Duration

1 Hr. 15 Min.

*Prices vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis are available according to the flight schedule at Richmond International Airport (RIC).

Where do I get the taxi from?

You can get a taxi from the lower curbside taxi stands by the north and south parking garages at Richmond Airport. There are signs leading up to the designated taxi space. If you book a taxi via a ride-share app, you’ll need to find the pickup area specifically for ride-share taxis.

If you pre-book a private Richmond Airport to Charlottesville shuttle, your driver will meet you at the Arrivals Hall and guide you to your vehicle.

Convenience

Since there is no viable public transportation from Richmond Airport to Charlottesville, taking a taxi is the best option. You’ll receive an efficient door-to-door service in a comfortable, private vehicle. The airport taxi service runs from first flight departure to last flight arrival so whenever you need a taxi, you should be able to find one.

One potential inconvenience is finding a taxi that is willing to take you as far as Charlottesville on demand. Because the journey is over 100 km away, some local taxis may be hesitant. To guarantee transport, we recommend booking a private transfer in advance.

Editor’s Note

Taxis in Richmond are considered very safe. However, you should still ensure that the taximeter is reset before you travel. Moreover, if your taxi driver wishes to negotiate a set rate fare to Charlottesville, be mindful of overcharging.

Useful Tips

Taxis accept both cash and credit/debit card payments in USD.

In Richmond, tips are expected. A good tip rate is 10-20% of the final fare.

Children under six years old travel for free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Charlottesville from Richmond Airport?

Charlottesville is 128 km away from Richmond Airport. The journey takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes by taxi or private transfer.

How do I get from Richmond Airport to Charlottesville?

Taxi or private transfer is the best option. Unfortunately, public transportation from Richmond Airport to Charlottesville is extremely limited. There are no direct routes. You can only catch coaches and trains to Charlottesville from Washington DC. Therefore, to get from Richmond Airport to Charlottesville, you must first take a coach to Washington DC and change there. This could mean travelling for 6-7 hours depending on the day you decide to travel. Therefore, we recommend taking a taxi to make the journey smoother. It should cost around $200 (€180) and take 1 hour and 15 minutes in normal traffic.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Richmond Airport to Charlottesville?

Local taxis do not operate with fixed-rate fares. They use a taximeter to calculate the final cost. However, you can expect to pay $200 (€180) to get from Richmond Airport to Charlottesville.

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How to get from Richmond Airport to Charlottesville

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

How to get from Richmond VA Airport to Charlottesville VA by taxi