Arriving late and heading to a nearby hotel? Use the shuttles.
Richmond International Airport runs all passenger operations out of Terminal 1, and most nearby hotels send courtesy vans to this single pickup area. These hotel shuttles work best if your room is at an airport hotel along Airport Drive or at a chain property within a 5–10 minute drive of RIC. The ride itself usually runs under 10 minutes once your driver arrives.
All hotel shuttles use courtesy vans and pick up outside the baggage claim doors on the lower level of Terminal 1. After you clear security and collect bags from one of the numbered carousels, walk straight out to the commercial vehicle lanes marked for “Hotel Shuttles” and “Courtesy Vans.” You won’t pay the driver; the cost is baked into your room rate or resort/transport fee if the property charges one.
Hours vary by property, but many airport hotels around RIC advertise shuttle coverage from about 05:00 until around 23:00. Some chains near the airport only run every 30 minutes at :00 and :30, while a few operate shuttles on request only. For early flights before 06:00 or arrivals after 23:00, call your hotel at least 20–30 minutes ahead so they can confirm a pickup window.
To use a courtesy van, you normally call the hotel’s direct number printed on your confirmation or use the contact info shown in your booking app. Plan on 10–20 minutes from the time you call to the time a van reaches the Terminal 1 curb, depending on traffic on Airport Drive. If you don’t have a phone with service, stop at an information counter near baggage claim and ask about courtesy phone options.
Step-by-step from plane to hotel shuttle at RIC: 1) Deplane and walk to baggage claim on the lower level of Terminal 1. 2) Call your hotel and ask for the airport shuttle, giving them your airline and approximate door number. 3) Collect your bags from the correct carousel number shown on the TV screens. 4) Exit through the sliding doors signed “Ground Transportation” and walk to the marked hotel shuttle lane. 5) Look for your hotel logo on the courtesy van and confirm the driver is headed to your exact property before you load luggage.
One tip: when you book, ask the hotel front desk to note your flight number and scheduled arrival time, so on the day of travel they already expect your shuttle call and can estimate pickup within a 10–15 minute window.