Cheap flights to Richmond, VA

It’s said only 250 people lived in Richmond when it became a town in 1742. Clearly, there was something special about this Virginia settlement because today, more than 1 million people call Richmond home. The city’s location to colonial Williamsburg, historic Washington, DC, and the Atlantic coastline make booking flights to Richmond an easy choice for all types of travelers.

If there’s one thing for certain about Richmond, it’s loaded with history. Richmond was named the capital of Virginia in 1780 and was known as the Capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Fly back in time to Richmond’s battlefields, cemeteries, monuments and museums that pay tribute to the Robert E. Lee and Union days. But Richmond isn’t stuck in the past. Boasting an urban nightlife to rival other cities, and offering many modern attractions including chic restaurants, open-air bars and plenty of open green space, there’s something for everyone in Richmond.

Richmond, VA climate

Richmond has a pleasant climate with four distinct seasons. Spring arrives in April with mild days and cool nights, and by late May things have warmed up considerably to herald warm summer days. Summer temperatures are comfortable, and the days are dampened by gentle showers of rain. July is the wettest month. Days stay warm to mild through to October, when fall is marked by nights once again becoming very chilly. December and January are the coldest months. Light snowfalls occur from the end of November, but most snow falls in January. Average yearly snowfall is 14 inches.

Best Time to Fly to Richmond, VA

Peak Season:

Richmond sees high tourism traffic during the summer and fall months. Summers are warm but rain is common, usually cooling off the hot days. Fall brings changing colors and cool nights. Book flights to Richmond in the spring and avoid the summer travel rush. The weather is comfortable, the colors are bold and the air is crisp.

Off Season:

Winter is cold and can bring a bitter chill to the area. However, this is also the best time to book cheap flights to Richmond and get discounted hotel rates, as tourism is down and there is not a lot of action in the city.

Getting around Richmond, VA

You’ll need exact change to ride the Greater Richmond Transit Company’s public buses. The buses run all over Richmond’s metropolitan area every day. Between June and September the city also runs a shuttle service connecting the area’s cultural attractions. Orange buses run between Chimborazo Park and the Science Museum of Virginia, and blue line buses run from the science museum to Maymount. Fares are cheap and you can hop on or hop off at any of the attractions along the way. There are plenty of taxis all over the city, with taxi stands found outside the airport, Amtrak and Greyhound terminals and most hotels. It’s easy to navigate the compact city on foot and there are many walking tours offered. You don’t need a car if you’re just staying in town, but if you’d like explore beyond the city limits, renting a car is a good idea. Parking is easy to find in Richmond and traffic is usually easy to manage. 

Richmond, VA Travel Information

Take a break from U.S. history and visit the museum dedicated to one of America’s most revered authors, Edgar Allan Poe. Poe didn’t live in Richmond, but he was part of the junior honor guard that escorted General Lafayette here in 1824. Today, the museum consists of four buildings depicting the largest collection of Poe artifacts and publications. Guided tours are a must, but you can explore the Enchanted Garden on your own.

Just a short drive from Richmond is Fort Lee, home to the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps and its Quartermaster Museum. View the uniforms and equipment from all of America’s wars.

Take a trip through the U.S. Army Women’s Museum, the only facility dedicated to the women who served in the army. Today, this museum holds a special significance now that women are serving alongside men in Iraq.

Richmond, VA airport overview

Richmond International Airport (RIC) is located five miles (8km) east of Richmond. The primary airport for central Virginia, Richmond handles about 200 daily flights and nearly 4 million passengers each year.

Flights to Richmond International Airport are available from most cities in the eastern half of the US, but direct connections can be made from Minneapolis, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Detroit, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Orlando, Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Charlotte, Washington DC, New York and Boston. The only direct international route is to Toronto, operated by Air Canada.

The stylish airport is beloved for its small size and stylish look, making it easy to navigate and pleasant to fly through. The atrium has an airy feeling thanks to the glass roof and large windows, avoiding the claustrophobic stuffiness of many other small airports.