EN
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Finding a car rental in Williamsburg is simple with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of brands around Virginia with no booking fees. Pick up a car at Newport News/Williamsburg Airport or an in-town branch and be on Colonial Parkway in minutes. An affordable Williamsburg car rental lets you hop between Jamestown, Yorktown and Busch Gardens on your own schedule.
| Location | Pros | Cons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport News/Williamsburg Airport (PHF) |
|
|
|
| Williamsburg City Locations |
|
|
|
| Norfolk (ORF) or Richmond (RIC) Airports |
|
|
|
On average, car rentals in Williamsburg (VA) cost around $73 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $26 per day.
Compare PHF vs. in-town pickups: Airport counters add ~10 % concession fee. If you're already in Williamsburg, grab a city branch car and skip that surcharge.
Check ORF & RIC rates: Flying through Norfolk or Richmond? Their bigger fleets often beat PHF prices, even after the 45-60 min drive. Run a side-by-side search before you lock anything in.
Shift your calendar by a day: Weekly deals kick in around the 5–7 day mark and weekend promos start Friday. Tweaking pick-up/return times can drop the total by double digits.
Peak vs. off-peak strategy: Summer and October fill fast—book 3–4 weeks out for choice and price. Winter is quiet and cheap, so last-minute rentals rarely spike.
Avoid extra driver/age fees: Let the 25-plus traveler be the main driver and keep the second driver count low to dodge $13–30 daily add-ons.
Leverage free parking zones: Park at Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center or the outlet malls (both free) and save the $2+/hr downtown garage fees.
| Location | Rates | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|
| Colonial Williamsburg | Visitor Center: Free Prince George Garage: Paid hourly and daily rates |
Visitor Center offers free shuttle to historic area |
| Busch Gardens/Water Country | Daily fee | Large lots with tram service to entrance |
| Merchant's Square | Metered street spots and paid lots | Prince George Garage nearby for longer visits |
| Outlet Malls | Free | Plenty of space available |
| New Town & High Street | Free in lots and garages | Mixed-use shopping areas |
Speed limits:
Get a rental car so you can easily:
Jamestown – museum, archaeological site
Yorktown – battlefield, waterfront village
Busch Gardens and Water Country USA – theme parks, rides
Colonial Parkway – river views, pullouts
Virginia Beach – boardwalk, oceanfront
Richmond – museums, dining
Do I need a car if I'm staying in Colonial Williamsburg? If you're only visiting the historic area, you can get by without a car. However, you'll need a car to visit Jamestown, Yorktown, theme parks and shopping centers that are too far to walk to.
Where should I park to visit Colonial Williamsburg? The Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center offers free parking and a shuttle service to the historic area. Or, the Prince George Garage downtown has paid parking that's closer to Merchants Square.
Is driving difficult in the historic areas? You can't drive in most of Colonial Williamsburg's historic area. You'll need to park your car and then walk or use the shuttles. Yorktown and Jamestown have parking lots near their historic sites.
What's the best route for seeing all three historic sites (Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown)? The Colonial Parkway is a scenic 23-mile drive that connects all three sites. It's a National Park Service road, so you'll get great river views and won't see any commercial traffic.
Can I drive to Busch Gardens or do I need to take a shuttle? Driving your own car to Busch Gardens is the easiest way to get there. The park has large parking lots, and a tram takes you to the entrance. Some hotels offer shuttles, but they don't run very often.
Is the Colonial Parkway worth driving? Yes, definitely. It's a scenic road that connects the historic triangle and gives you beautiful views of the York and James Rivers. The road is in great shape, and the 45 mph speed limit lets you enjoy a slow, relaxing drive.
How far in advance should I book a rental car for summer visits? For a trip during the busy summer season (June–August), you should book your car at least 3 to 4 weeks early. If you're coming for a holiday weekend or a special event, try booking 1 to 2 months ahead so you can get the car you want at a better price.
Popular Countries
24/7 Support