Get around coastal Virginia without a car and enjoy doing so by renting a bike, riding a trolley, or crossing a river on a ferry.
So you’re visiting coastal Virginia but don’t have a car, or don’t want to deal with the hassle of parking? You’re in luck because having a car isn’t a requirement for having fun in the easternmost part of the Commonwealth.
From bike and kayak rentals to public trolleys and ferries, here’s your guide to getting around coastal Virginia without a car.
Bike & kayak rentals
Coastal Virginia has plenty of bike rental options, as well as some kayak options to help you get out on the water.
Cherie’s Bicycle & Beach Rentals
Locations: 11 locations along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Cherie’s Bicycle & Beach Rentals has been helping people get around Virginia Beach without a car since 1984. Cherie’s has an impressive 11 locations along the Boardwalk, ranging from 5th Street to 35th Street.
Available bikes include large family bikes, small family bikes, beach cruisers, tandems, and three-wheelers. A cruiser costs $12 for an hour or $45 for 24 hours. If you’re planning to ride with your whole family, the large family bike rents for $40 per hour or $95 for a half-day.
Ocean Rentals
Location: 577 Sandbridge Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23456
If you’re near Sandbridge Beach, which offers 4.5 miles of secluded beaches, rent a bike or kayak for easy transportation from Ocean Rentals.
Beach cruisers can be rented for $24 a day or $59 a week. The fat-tire bikes, which rent for $50 a day and $150 a week, are better suited if you plan to ride along the shoreline.
Kayaks are $40 a day or $90 a week. If you have a partner, go for a double kayak.
Coastal Eventure
Location: 3713 Sandpiper Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23456
If you’d prefer to meander through Sandbridge without having to put in too much effort, consider an e-bike from Coastal Eventure. The company delivers and picks up the bikes to ensure maximum convenience.
Rentals for the Lextric XP Lite and helmet start at $95 per day.
Chincoteague Bike Shop
Location: 6450 Maddox Blvd., Chincoteague, VA 23336
You can easily explore Chincoteague and Assateague Islands without a car by renting a bike from the Chincoteague Bike Shop.
Bike through Chincoteague to notable attractions, including the Frank Matthews House, Island Manor House, and the Carnival Grounds. Biking is also the easiest way to access the Chincoteague Pony Swim every July. Assateague’s Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is perfect for biking with 15 miles of trails.
Pricing for cruisers ranges from $10 for two hours up to $95 for seven days. E-bike rentals start at $20 for an hour and go up to $395 for seven days. All rentals come with a helmet. Be sure to ask the staff for advice and guidance on navigating the islands.
SouthEast Expeditions
Location: 7 Strawberry St., Cape Charles, VA 23310
Once you’ve made it to Cape Charles, explore the sleepy beach town by bike after renting from SouthEast Expeditions. It offers beach-style cruiser bikes for adults and children. Both hand- and pedal-brake bikes are available.
Pricing ranges from $20 for a full day, $55 for a weekend (Friday through Sunday), and $75 for a week. Rentals of a day or more include free delivery and pickup.
You can also explore the Eastern Shore via a kayak or paddleboard, which SouthEast Expeditions also offers.
Poseidon Watersports
Location: 11 Marina Rd., Cape Charles, VA 23310
Poseidon Watersports also offers bicycle and kayak/paddleboard rentals in Cape Charles.
They offer universal beach cruisers, with free delivery in town. Bikes are $25 a day or $80 a week.
You can conveniently pick up kayaks and paddleboards at Cape Charles Harbor. Kayaks and paddleboards rent for $40 per day or $90 per week.
Public transit
The Hampton Roads Transit offers easy access to the area’s most popular destinations through the VB Wave Trolley and Bayfront Shuttle. It operates routes in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Norfolk, Newport News, and Portsmouth.
Enjoy a nostalgic flair while getting around the city in one of the VB Wave Trolleys. With the design aesthetic of early 1900s passenger cable cars but with plenty of modern comforts, the trolleys run seven days a week from May through September. The routes connect riders to many major area attractions.
The Atlantic Avenue Shuttle runs up and down Atlantic Avenue, where many oceanfront attractions, like the King Neptune Statue and the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum, along with well-known restaurants, are located. Once you’re at the oceanfront, you can easily explore the popular tourist hub on foot. The route runs every 15 minutes and is ideal for those looking to take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean or cast a line from the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier.
The Aquarium and Campground Shuttle goes from Atlantic Park to Rudee Loop, then south to the Virginia Aquarium and on to the campgrounds and parks along General Booth Boulevard. Service runs every 20 minutes.
The Bayfront Shuttle serves as the connector for the Bayfront and the Oceanfront on Shore Drive. Running every 30 minutes, it stops at the Brock Environmental Center, First Landing State Park, North End, and ViBe Creative District.
The best routes for exploring the area include 109, 921, and 45. If you’re in Hampton, take Route 109 from downtown to visit Buckroe Beach for a quieter stretch of clean Chesapeake Bay, perfect for swimming and picnicking.
Save gas money if you’re heading to Williamsburg by taking Route 921 from Newport News. Explore Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake by taking Route 45 from downtown Norfolk.
Fare for VB Wave and Bayfront Bus routes is $2 one-way or $4.50 for all-day riding. Children 17 and under ride for free with a paying adult.
Ferrys
Elizabeth River Ferry
A trip to coastal Virginia wouldn’t be complete without some time on the water, so consider going for a ferry ride.
The Elizabeth River Ferry is a 150-passenger vessel that goes between Norfolk’s Waterside District in downtown and Portsmouth’s North Landing and High Street on the Elizabeth River. It offers a great way to take in views of the cities from the river’s unique vantage point.
It operates every 30 minutes, with 15-minute service offered on weekends during summer months. The ferry also services Harbor Park when the Norfolk Tides have home games.
Because Hampton Roads Transit operates it, fares are the same as the trolleys and shuttles. You can even bring your bicycle with you on the ferry.
Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
Venture a bit further out by taking the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry, which crosses the James River from James City County to Surry County. The 20-minute ride offers a peaceful sightseeing experience.
The fleet is made up of four ferries, including the Pocahontas, which was built in 1995 and can carry 70 cars; the Powhatan, which was built in 2019 and can also carry 70 cars; the Surry, which was built in 1970 and can carry 50 cars; and the Williamsburg, which was built in 1983 and can also carry 50 cars.
The ferry has a long, storied history, dating back to 1925, when the first ferry, a 60-foot vessel, began transporting 16 Model-T Fords across the river at a time.
Amazingly, the ferry is free and operates 24 hours a day. It transports roughly 800,000 vehicles annually.
From the ferry drop-off, you can easily make your way to nearby historic sites like Historic Jamestowne, Bacon’s Castle, and Smith’s Fort.
