A comprehensive guide to Richmond International Airport (RIC)
Quick insights
- There are two daily/hourly parking garages and two economy parking lots at Richmond International Airport (RIC).
- Security screening is located on the second level of the terminal, with separate security checkpoints for Concourse A and Concourse B.
- Airport guidance recommends arriving approximately 90 minutes prior to your flight’s departure time and at least 2 hours prior during peak travel times.
The Richmond International AirportOpens overlay is about 7 miles southeast of downtown Richmond, VA. It is the busiest airport in central Virginia, with millions of travelers per year, and the third busiest in the state behind Washington Reagan and Washington Dulles.
RIC offers daily flights to domestic and international destinations and is a connecting airport to various destinations. Read on to learn more about how to get to and around RIC.
Navigating to and from RIC
RIC is centrally located in the state of Virginia and can be accessed via Airport Drive, not far from I-64 and I-295. The airport offers several ground transportation options to get you to and from the airport, including:
- Rental cars: Rental car counters are located near the central entrance of the terminal building Opens overlayon the lower level.
- Rideshare: Passengers arriving at RIC have two locations to meet their rideshare driver. There is a rideshare pick-up location on the lower level near baggage claim. The second level also has a rideshare pick up area, which can sometimes be less congested than the lower level location.
- Taxis: Taxi services are in the center section of the lower-level, adjacent to the North and South parking garages. Taxi service runs from first flight departure to last flight arrival.
- Public transit: The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) provides public bus serviceOpens overlay to and from RIC, as well as other Richmond locations. Call GRTC for service and schedules.
Parking at RIC
There are four on-site parking options at RIC. They range from complimentary, short-term parking to valet service and long-term stays:
- Daily/hourly garages: There are two daily/hourly garages just outside the terminal with nearly 7,000 spaces. Hourly parking is on the first level of both garages, and those who are in the garage for less than 60 minutes are typically not charged.
- Economy: Economy parking is half a mile from the terminal and located just beyond the daily/hourly garages. There is a complimentary airport shuttle that runs 24/7 approximately every 10-15 minutes to take passengers from the two economy lots to the terminal.
- Valet: For a premium parking experience, the valet service is just outside the terminal on the lower level. It’s available from 4:00 a.m. to midnight daily (hours subject to change). Valet service will park your car for you and have it available when you arrive.
- Cell phone lot: The cell phone waiting lot is just off Terminal Drive between the daily/hourly garage and economy lots. This lot is complimentary and located close to the airport.
View a map of all parking locationsOpens overlay at RIC.
Frequent travelers of RIC may want to explore the FlyEZ RIC program. Travelers enrolled in this program will sync their parking to an E-ZPass transponder. When using the appropriate FlyEZ RIC entry and exit lanes, the gate will open automatically, your account will be charged and a receipt will be provided to your preferred email.
RIC terminals and map
RIC has a two-level terminal with two concourses: Concourse A and B. On the first level, passengers will find baggage claim, ground transportation, rental car counters and valet services. Ticketing, security and all gates are on the second level.
The airport mapOpens overlay may help you get the lay of the land before arriving at RIC.
Security at RIC
There are two security screening areas in the main terminal. One provides screening for Concourse A and the other for Concourse B. They are located on opposite sides of the atrium just beyond the ticketing counters on level two.
Security screening checkpoints open at 4:00 a.m. daily. Airport guidance generally recommends arriving at the terminal approximately 90 minutes prior to departure during non-peak travel periods. If you’re traveling during a peak travel period—which may include weekends and holiday periods—passengers are encouraged to arrive at least 2 hours before your domestic flight.
Getting through airport security faster
Customs and TSA wait times can vary, but there are Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs) that may help expedite the security and passport screening processes.
TSA PreCheck® allows members to use designated lanes at airport security checkpoints. Passengers in those lanes typically do not need to remove light jackets, shoes, belts or jewelry during screening.
Global Entry allows members to bypass the standard customs line and use a designated kiosk to scan their passport, provide fingerprints and complete a customs declaration. Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck benefits.
Some credit cards offer reimbursement for TTP application fees when the cardmember uses their eligible card to pay the fee.
Airport amenities at RIC
There are more than a dozen shopping and dining options throughout the terminal. RIC also has complimentary Wi-Fi throughout and nursing rooms in both concourses. Other amenities include:
- Business center: The RIC business center is on the second level just beyond the ticketing counters. It has two small conference rooms, with seating for four and six people, that can be rented by the hour.
- Pet relief areas: There are two grassy areas between the parking garage and the terminal serving traveling pets. The areas include waste bags, trash cans and benches.
- United Service Organizations (USO) Center: RIC has a USO Center for active duty and retired military personnel, National Guard members, reservists, merchant marines and their dependents. The USO Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily (hours subject to change), and military ID is required for entry.
- Interfaith chapel: The Inter-Faith Chapel at RIC offers a quiet space away from the airport’s hustle and bustle. Located on the lower level, the chapel is open 24/7, and open to all airport visitors.
- Visitor Information Center: The RIC Visitor Information Center provides information about what the Greater Richmond Region has to offer. It is on the lower level of the terminal building and operated by Richmond Region Tourism.
In summary
RIC is a regional airport serving central Virginia. With numerous daily flights, the airport provides service to many U.S. cities and select international destinations. The airport has one terminal with two levels. Ticketing, security and all gates are on the second level. Baggage claim, rental car counters and ground transportation on the lower level.
There are four parking lots at RIC, including two daily/hourly garages within walking distance of the terminal and two economy lots that are served by a complimentary airport shuttle. There is also a cell phone waiting lot less than a minute from the terminal.
