Car-Light Living in Norfolk

Transit in and Around Norfolk

The Tide light rail

The Tide runs 7.4 miles with 11 stations, from EVMC/Fort Norfolk through downtown to Newtown Road, and opened in 2011. Stops serve downtown, the medical district, Harbor Park, Norfolk State University and Military Circle.

Buses and ferry

• Hampton Roads Transit runs the regional bus network, including 757 Express and Base Express routes, plus paratransit and OnDemand service.
• The Elizabeth River Ferry carries passengers, and bicycles, between Norfolk and Portsmouth on three 150-passenger boats.
• Since September 2026 the Norfolk ferry landing has temporarily moved from Waterside to Harbor Park during dock construction, with a shuttle and about 45 minutes between trips. Check HRT service alerts for the current landing.

Fares

A single adult trip is $2.00, riders 17 and under travel free, and seniors and Medicare cardholders pay $1.00. Day passes are $4.50, seven-day $22.00 and 30-day $70.00. Buy fares in HRT's GoMobile app or at a station; fareboxes do not make change. Fares as posted in September 2026 - check gohrt.com/fares.

Trails, Bikes and Leaving Town

On foot and by bike

• The Elizabeth River Trail runs 10.5 miles along the waterfront, with 11 sections and 11 trailheads between Norfolk State University and the port terminals.
• The city counts nearly 60 miles of bikeways, including shared-use paths, bike lanes and shared lanes.
• Norfolk runs a micromobility program with e-bikes and e-scooters and marked parking corrals; riders must be 18 to use an e-bike.

Travel beyond the region

• Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is about eight miles northeast of downtown, a mile off I-64 at Norview Avenue, with nonstop service to 40 or more cities on seven airlines (airport figures, August 2026).
• Amtrak leaves from 280 Park Avenue on the Northeast Regional, with connections to Richmond, Washington and Northeast cities, plus Thruway buses to Virginia Beach and Newport News.

House hunting with this in mind

If you want to drive less, look at how far a home sits from a Tide station, the ferry landing, a trail entrance or a bus route, and check those distances on foot before you commit.

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