How much does it cost to travel to Virginia Beach?
You should plan to spend around $126 per day on your vacation in Virginia Beach. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $30 on meals
- $39 on local transportation
- $142 on hotels
A one week trip to Virginia Beach for two people costs, on average, $1,757. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Virginia Beach has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Virginia Beach expensive to visit?
Prices in Virginia Beach are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Virginia Beach is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Vernon, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Virginia Beach Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Virginia Beach?
The average Virginia Beach trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Virginia Beach travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$142
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$39
|
Food 2
|
$30
|
Entertainment 1
|
$21
|
Alcohol 2
|
$5 -
16
|
Accommodation Budget in Virginia Beach
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Virginia Beach is $71. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Virginia Beach is $142. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Virginia Beach? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Virginia Beach
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Virginia Beach is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $39 per person, per day, on local transportation in Virginia Beach.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$39
How much does it cost to go to Virginia Beach? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Virginia Beach will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Virginia Beach are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Virginia Beach, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in Virginia Beach
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Virginia Beach can vary, the average cost of food in Virginia Beach is $30 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Virginia Beach should cost around $12 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Virginia Beach is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$30
Entertainment Budget in Virginia Beach
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Virginia Beach typically cost an average of $21 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$21
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Virginia Beach
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Virginia Beach is $225, as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$225
Alcohol Budget in Virginia Beach
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $11 on alcoholic beverages in Virginia Beach per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$11
Virginia Beach On a Budget
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It's a popular beach destination and has many of the characteristics of most southeastern beach towns. There are many activities that you can enjoy and there's a concrete boardwalk that runs parallel to the water for about three miles. The boardwalk is a fun place to walk or bicycle. The beach itself is wide and sandy and is a great place to soak up some sun. During the summer months and school holidays it can get quite crowded and you might struggle to find a place for your towel and beach chairs. There are also many beach side resorts that line the water front. Most have pools and hot tubs where you can relax and some hotels have indoor pools as well, which can be nice during the cool winter months.
The weather in Virginia Beach is comfortable and mild most of the year. Like the rest of the southeastern United States, it can get quite hot during the summer months, but if you stay on the beach you can expect a cool breeze to help you stay comfortable. It does get colder during the winter month, but fall and spring remain pleasant. Don't be surprised if the water is warm enough to swim well into October.
Sights
In addition to spending time on the beach, there are plenty of sights and activities that you can enjoy in the Virginia Beach area. The area has several historical sights of interest. First Landing Cross is the location where English settlers originally hit land in 1607. The Military Aviation Museum has the world's largest private collection of World War I and World War II aircraft. For natural and environmental attractions consider visiting the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, which has art and artifacts relating to migratory wildfowl that are native to the area. The Old Coast Guard Station now has a museum with old rescue equipment and a history of shipwrecks in the area. The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center has various aquariums and live animals which you can see. Also consider visiting the State Parks and National Wildlife Refuge which has over 18,000 acres of state owned land. It is also worth checking out the Virginia Beach Farmer's Market, which is a rural outdoor market that has local produce, dairy products, and meat, as well as handmade gifts and souvenirs. There's a restaurant on site as well.
Neighborhoods
Virginia Beach can be divided into seven boroughs. These include Bayside, Blackwater, Kempsville, Lynnhaven, Princess Anne, Pungo, and Virginia Beach. Within Virginia Beach proper there are many unique neighborhoods including Alanton, Bay Colony, Bayside, Cape Henry, Chesapeake Beach, Croatan Beach, Great Neck Point, Green Run, Kempsville, Lago Mar, London Bridge, Lynnhaven, Newtown, Oceana, Ocean Park, Pembroke Manor, Princess Anne, Pungo, Red Mill Commons, Sandbridge, Thalia, and Thoroughgood.
Activities
Virginia Beach is a great vacation destination for families as there are many activities that children can enjoy. There are evening dolphin tours that take you out on the water and give you a chance to glimpse these fun animals. There are also some good state parks and some great places for hiking and kayaking if you're looking to get away from the tourist crowds and experience a little more nature.
Food and Dining
There are plenty of seafood restaurants in Virginia Beach that range from casual to fine dining. Many restaurants offer an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. The quality of the food can vary somewhat, but it is a good way to sample everything that is available in a large scale. There are also plenty of diners, cafes, and bars in the area. A filling pancake breakfast is a great way to start your morning. Other options around town include Mexican, burgers, sandwiches, and pizza.
Transportation
For most visitors, a car is essential to travel around Virginia beach. There is a light rail line that runs between Virginia Beach and Norfolk and buses travel around parts of the city, but they are not particularly efficient. If you're not leaving the beach area, it's possible to travel by either bus or trolley, but to go anywhere else a car is a must. For a schedule of bus routes, research Hampton Roads Transit.
Norfolk International Airport is the largest airport in the area. Rental car agencies are available at the airport and around town.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.