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Car Hire In Norfolk, United States: Great Value, Easy Pickup, Smarter Driving

Compare competitive prices and use this practical, UK-focused guide to pick up at Norfolk International Airport or downtown, understand insurance and fees, and explore Virginia with confidence.

UK Traveller Essentials
Norfolk Car Hire Guide For UK Travellers
Hiring a car in Norfolk is one of the simplest ways to get around South-East Virginia: public transport is limited for beach trips, suburban areas and day outings, and rideshares can become expensive over multiple days. A rental car makes it straightforward to reach Virginia Beach, the Norfolk waterfront, military and port areas (where access may be restricted), and nearby cities like Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Hampton Roads. UK travellers should factor in right-hand traffic, automatic gearboxes as the norm, and local rules such as turning right on red where permitted (always stop first and check signage). Expect a credit-card deposit (often higher for premium cars), and remember that US ‘liability’ cover is a separate concept from damage waivers like LDW/CDW. Also watch for tolls: many routes use electronic tolling, and rental companies may charge a daily toll programme fee plus the tolls themselves.
Alamo
Avis
National
Dollar
Thrifty
Budget
+ more
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) – Rental Car Centre
Most visitors pick up at ORF for the broadest choice of vehicles and longest opening hours. Follow signs for ‘Ground Transportation’ and ‘Rental Cars’ after baggage reclaim. Airport counters typically offer quick access to SUVs and family cars, plus after-hours key return. Downsides can include airport surcharges/concession fees and busier queues at peak arrival times.
Downtown Norfolk / Waterside District
Good for travellers staying centrally who do not need a car immediately. Pros: often easier collection than the airport, potentially lower surcharges, and walkable access from hotels near the waterfront. Cons: shorter opening hours, limited weekend availability, and parking costs in central Norfolk can add up.
Ghent Neighbourhood (Near EVMS / Colley Avenue Area)
Handy if you are based in the Ghent area for museums, parks and local dining. Pros: calmer pickup experience and useful for local errands. Cons: smaller fleets (fewer large SUVs/people carriers) and you may need a taxi/rideshare to reach the branch with luggage.
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Norfolk Virginia: Find the Right Car for Every Road Trip

Hand-picked vehicles for coastal drives, city streets and summer escapes across Norfolk, Virginia. Browse our most popular cars for every kind of trip.

By Trip Type
Popular Makes

Coastal

SUV

Beach-Ready & Spacious
5
3
Auto

Norfolk's beaches — Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks — are an hour's drive away. An SUV offers generous boot space for coolers and beach gear, plus higher clearance for the occasional gravel access road. Air-con handles Virginia's humid summers, and auto transmission is ideal for relaxed coastal cruising.

Summer

Convertible

Top-Down Coastal Cruising
4
2
Auto

Virginia's hot summers beg for open-top driving along the Chesapeake Bay or down to Sandbridge. A convertible makes the most of Norfolk's mild coastal evenings and golden Atlantic sunsets. A classic American road-trip choice for couples wanting the full experience without a punishing price tag.

City

Medium

City-Smart & Fuel-Efficient
5
2
Auto

Downtown Norfolk's historic Freemason district has narrow lanes and tight car parks. A medium saloon balances comfort and manoeuvrability, with smooth handling for stop-start traffic. It's a sensible pick for day trips to Colonial Williamsburg, with good fuel economy for longer motorway stretches heading south.

Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Airport Pickup (ORF)
Downtown Pickup

Choose Airport Pickup For Convenience And The Widest Choice

Picking up at Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is ideal if you are flying in and want to be on the road quickly. You typically get longer operating hours, more vehicle categories (including larger SUVs for luggage), and easier returns timed to flights. The trade-off is that airport rentals often include extra concession/airport fees, and queues can be longer during busy arrival banks.

logo
City nipperSmall
Kia Soul

Kia Soul

BudgetIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
1
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$513.46 - $613.46
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
City nipperSmall
Kia Soul

Kia Soul

Budget2.2 mi
5
1
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
DepositLow deposit
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
City nipperSmall
Kia Soul

Kia Soul

AvisIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
1
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$532.87 - $632.87
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Motorway tourerLarge
Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

BudgetIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$520.48 - $620.48
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Motorway tourerLarge
Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

Budget2.2 mi
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
DepositLow deposit
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Motorway tourerLarge
Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

AvisIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$539.64 - $639.64
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
All-weather comfortSUV
Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V

BudgetIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$567.27 - $667.27
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
All-weather comfortSUV
Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V

AlamoIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$400.00 - $850.00
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
All-weather comfortSUV
Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V

EnterpriseIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$400.00 - $850.00
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates

ORF Norfolk Car Hire: Read Real Reviews Now

Genuine customer reviews for car rental providers at Norfolk International Airport and surrounding areas to help you choose with confidence.

Rental companyRatingAvg. Daily RatePickup Method/DistanceSecurity depositAccepts Debit CardsKey Advantages
SixtBest Overall
4.3
10,200+ reviews
$163In terminal, Walk to counter
$500 - $792
  • Friendly and professional staff
  • Quick and efficient service
  • Easy reservation process
Hertz
2.9
17000+ reviews
$94In terminal, Walk to counterLow deposit
  • Professional and friendly service
  • Transparent and competitive pricing
  • Efficient and fast process
National
2.9
57 reviews
$135In terminal, Walk to counter
$400
  • Emerald Club car selection
  • Quick airport pickup
  • Friendly professional staff
Alamo
1.8
3000+ reviews
$146In terminal, Walk to counter
$400
  • Professional staff assistance
  • Fast pickup and return
  • Friendly customer service
Enterprise
1.8
23,900+ reviews
$158In terminal, Walk to counter
$400
  • Smooth Pickup Process
  • Friendly Helpful Staff
  • Clean Well-Maintained Vehicles
Dollar
1.4
3300+ reviews
$88In terminal, Walk to counterLow deposit
  • Smooth pickup and return process
  • Professional and helpful staff
  • Easy reservation experience
Avis
1.2
99 reviews
$67In terminal, Walk to counter
$470 - $744
  • Great price booking online
  • Outstanding service at airport
  • No hidden extra charges
Budget
1.2
5691+ reviews
$876.2 mi from Norfolk DowntownLow deposit
  • Excellent roadside assistance
  • Friendly helpful staff
  • Smooth pick-up process

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental
Last updated: Jun. 20 2026
Essential Rental Hub
Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.
A Brit's Guide to Fueling Hire Cars in the USA
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A Brit's Guide to Fueling Your Rental Car in the USA
This guide helps UK travellers navigate American petrol stations and refuel their rental cars confidently, covering payment processes, fuel types, and essential tips.
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Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Airport rentals dominate with 26% higher costs than downtown; ORF saw 4.89M passengers in 2025, driving significant car rental demand at this location."

Booking Patterns

"Economy cars lead bookings at 36% share; SUVs/MPVs growing at 10.49% CAGR. Online bookings reached 70% share in 2024, up from 61% in 2018."

Customer Pain Points

"Hidden fees are the top complaint, with U.S. car rental companies collecting over $2 billion in optional add-on fees in 2024 alone."

Data Sources

  • QEEQ internal booking databse
  • RoadGenius - Norfolk (ORF) Airport Statistics 2025
  • Kentley Insights Car Rental Industry Report 2025
  • Enterprise Apps Today - Car Rental Statistics 2024
  • Mordor Intelligence - Car Rental Market Size & Share
  • CBT News - Car Rental Rip-off: Hidden Fees and Fake Damage Claims

Road Trips

One-way rental routes starting from Norfolk

Plan your ultimate road trip with these popular one-way routes departing from Norfolk

Drive Through Norfolk: Virginia's Naval Treasure

Explore the heart of Hampton Roads with essential driving tips, car rental insights, and local travel wisdom for your perfect coastal adventure

LANGUAGES

English

CURRENCY

USD

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+1

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$57 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

5 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

40-56 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

88-113 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.08%

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$0.88/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$0.85/L - $1.11/L

Norfolk Car Hire FAQs for UK Travellers

Practical answers on licences, tolls, speed limits, weather and airport pickup for self-driving around Norfolk, Virginia

Can I drive in Norfolk with my UK licence, and what is the biggest adjustment?
Your UK photocard driving licence is valid in Virginia for short tourist visits (typically under 90 days), with no International Driving Permit required. The biggest adjustment is switching to driving on the right-hand side of the road — Norfolk's one-way grid downtown can feel disorienting at first, so collect your hire car during daylight if possible. You must be at least 21 to hire a car, and drivers under 25 pay a young-driver surcharge of roughly USD 20–30 per day, depending on the rental company. Always carry your passport alongside your licence as photo ID.
How do I pay tolls on the Elizabeth River Tunnels and HRBT — do I need an E-ZPass?
An E-ZPass transponder is the cheapest and easiest option. The Elizabeth River Tunnels (Downtown and Midtown) and the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) on I-64 are all tolled, costing around USD 2.50–4 per crossing for a car. Most hire cars come fitted with an E-ZPass, billed at the end with a small daily service fee (USD 3–5) plus the tolls. Without one, the operator photographs your number plate and invoices the rental company, who then add an admin fee of USD 15–25 per toll — so the transponder works out noticeably cheaper.
What are the speed limits in Norfolk, and are there speed cameras?
Speed limits in Norfolk are 20–25 mph in residential and school zones, 30–35 mph on urban main roads, 45–55 mph on suburban arterials, and 65–70 mph on the interstates (I-64, I-264, I-464). Note the HRBT drops to 60 mph inside the tunnel sections. Fixed speed cameras are rare in Virginia — enforcement is mostly by Virginia State Police and Norfolk Police using radar and laser guns. Fines start at about USD 100 for moderate speeding and rise sharply (USD 250+) for 20+ mph over the limit, plus demerit points on your licence.
Will Norfolk's weather catch me out — hurricanes, summer storms or icy bridges?
Norfolk has a humid subtropical climate, so summer thunderstorms can be sudden and very heavy (June–September), and hurricane season (June–November) brings the real risk — check forecasts daily and obey any evacuation orders. Winters are usually mild (0–10°C), but the James River Bridge and HRBT can ice over before the rest of the road, leading to sudden closures with little warning. In a hire car, avoid driving during heavy rain, fog or wind warnings, never ignore a 'bridge closed' sign, and keep at least half a tank of fuel during storm watches.
Where do I pick up a hire car at Norfolk International Airport, and can I collect at any hour?
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) has on-site hire car desks for Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget and National in the arrivals hall of the main terminal. Most counters run from around 06:00 to midnight; Hertz and Enterprise offer extended hours but charge an after-hours fee. For genuine 24-hour collection, book in advance and confirm out-of-hours arrangements by phone. The airport is roughly 8 miles (about 15 minutes) from downtown Norfolk via I-64, so an off-peak daytime arrival is the smoothest way to start.

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