BlaakLane.com runs chauffeur service in Norfolk, Virginia, for Norfolk International (ORF) airport transfers, cruise passengers at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center, trips to Naval Station Norfolk, ship crew changes at the Port of Virginia terminals, and cars across Hampton Roads to Virginia Beach and Williamsburg. The booking engine shows a fixed fare before you confirm. A vetted local affiliate drives, and the confirmation names the operator and chauffeur.
Booking a chauffeur in Norfolk
Put the pickup in the engine on this page or at /book/: a flight number for ORF, a ship name and sailing date for the cruise terminal, or an address. Choose the vehicle and the price appears; it covers the chauffeur, fuel and included waiting, with no meter and no surge. Our Toronto desk runs 24/7 and passes the trip to a vetted Hampton Roads affiliate working to the BlaakLane.com written standard. Crew changes for several ships, a naval change-of-command guest list or a wedding across Norfolk and Virginia Beach are planned by a coordinator and confirmed in writing.
Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
ORF sits on the north-east edge of the city, about 7 miles from downtown, next to the Norfolk Botanical Garden. It has one terminal with two concourses, A and B, and a shared baggage claim on the lower level. Standard pickup is at the ground transportation area outside the lower-level arrivals doors, where pre-arranged commercial vehicles load; the curb is for active loading only, so the chauffeur texts when pulling in. A greeting inside baggage claim with a name board is the meet and greet add-on, and add-ons are only available in selected locations. Flight tracking is standard; waiting included is 30 minutes after a domestic landing, 60 minutes after an international one and 15 minutes on other pickups. Details of the terminal are on flyorf.com.
Some travellers use Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF) across the harbour instead, about 25 miles from downtown Norfolk through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.
Cruise passengers at the Half Moone terminal
The Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center is on the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk, beside Nauticus and the battleship Wisconsin. Sailings from Norfolk are concentrated from spring to autumn, with some winter departures, and itineraries typically include Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. On embarkation day the terminal has a dedicated drop-off lane; give the ship and sailing time when you book and the chauffeur brings you to the lane and helps with bags to the porters. On return, passengers clear US Customs and Border Protection inside the terminal before walking out to the pickup area, so we time the car to the disembarkation window rather than the docking time. Current schedules are on Cruise Norfolk. Our cruise line and port page explains how larger cruise groups are handled.
Naval Station Norfolk and the military community
Naval Station Norfolk, on Sewells Point about 8 miles north of downtown and 15 to 20 minutes from the airport, is the largest naval base in the world by many measures. Base access requires Department of Defense credentials or sponsorship, and commercial vehicles must follow the gate procedures in force on the day. Most drops are made at a visitor gate or at the pass office unless the traveller's sponsor has arranged vehicle access. Guests at ceremonies, contractors and visiting officials often book through our government and diplomatic desk so the vehicle, driver details and timing are submitted in advance.
Ship crew changes at the Port of Virginia
The Port of Virginia's Norfolk International Terminals, and the terminals across the river in Portsmouth, handle container ships whose crews sign on and off in Hampton Roads. Crew transfers between ORF and a terminal gate, or between a hotel and the ship, need port access paperwork and flexible timing when berthing changes. These moves are planned by a coordinator and confirmed in writing; see shipping and crew change.
Downtown Norfolk, Ghent and the neighbourhoods
Downtown runs along the Elizabeth River: the Waterside District, Town Point Park, Nauticus, the MacArthur Memorial and the Scope arena, with Chrysler Hall next door. Harbor Park, the minor-league ballpark, is by the Amtrak station at the eastern end. Ghent, just north-west, has the Chrysler Museum of Art and a row of restaurants on Colley Avenue, and Old Dominion University is further north. Ocean View faces the Chesapeake Bay. Hotels used by business visitors include The Main, the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, the Glass Light Hotel and the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside.
Norfolk events calendar
- Spring: the Virginia Arts Festival, with performances across Hampton Roads, and the Norfolk NATO Festival, usually in April.
- June: Harborfest on the downtown waterfront, with tall ships, fireworks and road closures around Town Point Park.
- Summer: peak cruise season and beach traffic toward Virginia Beach.
- Autumn: ODU football and conventions downtown.
- December: holiday events along the waterfront and at the Botanical Garden.
The city tourism office, Visit Norfolk, has current dates. For groups, see event transportation.
Routes across Hampton Roads
| Route | Distance | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| ORF to downtown Norfolk | 7 miles | 15-20 min |
| ORF to Naval Station Norfolk | 8 miles | 15-20 min |
| Downtown Norfolk to Virginia Beach Oceanfront | 18 miles | 25-35 min |
| Downtown Norfolk to Colonial Williamsburg | 45 miles | 50-70 min |
| Downtown Norfolk to Richmond | 95 miles | 1 h 45 min-2 h 15 min |
| Downtown Norfolk to the Outer Banks (Kitty Hawk) | 85 miles | 1 h 30 min-2 h |
| Downtown Norfolk to the Eastern Shore (via the Bay Bridge-Tunnel) | 30 miles | 35-45 min |
Times depend heavily on the tunnels. A queue at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel can add 30 minutes or more.
Tunnels, tolls and driving in Hampton Roads
Driving is on the right. Hampton Roads is divided by water, and most routes use a bridge or a tunnel. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel on I-64 links Norfolk with Hampton and Williamsburg and has been under a long expansion programme; lane closures are frequent. The Downtown and Midtown tunnels to Portsmouth are tolled, as are the I-64 Express Lanes in Norfolk at certain hours and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel to the Eastern Shore. Norfolk also sees tidal flooding on low streets during storms and very high tides, especially in Ghent and near the Hague, so routes sometimes change on the day.
Richmond, Washington and Williamsburg transfers
For trips beyond Hampton Roads, clients book one-way cars to Richmond, to Washington, D.C. (typically 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes) and south into North Carolina toward Raleigh. Norfolk's Amtrak station, by Harbor Park, has daily Northeast Regional trains to Washington and New York; give the train number and the chauffeur meets it. Details on longer trips are on intercity transfers.
Vehicles for Norfolk trips
A Standard Sedan suits one or two travellers from ORF. An executive SUV takes a cruise couple with large suitcases, and a Standard Black SUV or Sprinter Van carries a family group or a ship's crew. Weddings use partner stretch limousines, and coaches handle conventions and cruise groups. See the fleet and rates. Child seats are free on request.
Cancellation
More than 72 hours before pickup: free. 72 hours or less: 10%. 48 hours or less: 50%. 24 hours or less or no-show: 100%.
