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Trip Summary
There is usually just one train option from Portsmouth to Virginia Beach per day. The average train journey from Portsmouth to Virginia Beach takes 17 hours and 40 minutes, though some trains might be a few minutes slower or faster.
| Distance | 511 mi (822 km) |
| Fastest train | 17h 40m |
| Lowest price | US$159.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Portsmouth to Virginia Beach?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Portsmouth to Virginia Beach. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 17h 40m | US$159.00 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 1 Amtrak trains from Portsmouth to Virginia Beach every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from US$159.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Portsmouth and Virginia Beach is approximately 511 miles, or 822 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 17 hours and 40 minutes,
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Trains from Portsmouth to Virginia Beach are the most crowded on Tuesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Portsmouth at 7:00pm and arrives in Virginia Beach around 17 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Virginia Beach to Portsmouth.
City Information
Portsmouth
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
Once a bustling seaport and now a popular summer holiday destination, Portsmouth, New Hampshire is well worth visiting. Just an hour and a half north of Boston, Portsmouth offers an exciting mix of unique history and contemporary experience.
Discover Portsmouth's history at the Strawbery Banke Museum and enjoy 10 acres worth of outdoor exhibits, consisting of tours of historic houses and buildings on their original foundations. Costumed actors will regale you with stories about each location.
For those interested in naval history, Portsmouth offers tours of the USS Albacore, a retired U.S. Navy submarine, as well as a gift shop for all your souvenir needs. Portsmouth is also home to hundreds of restaurants and cafes where you can taste local delicacies or world cuisine to refuel after a day of exploring.
Portsmouth is easily accessible by air, rail, road, and bus. Portsmouth International Airport offers several direct flights from various airports, while Boston's Logan Airport is only an hour south of the town. Amtrak's Downeaster travels to Portsmouth, with a gorgeous route during leaf-peeping season. C&J Bus Lines provide regular stops from Logan Airport and other cities.
Virginia Beach
While boasting a suburban atmosphere that will make anyone jealous of an East Coast life, Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia by population and one of the state's best destinations. Positioned at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, its primary focus has always been its oceanfront location.
In the record books as having the longest pleasure beach in the world, the soft golden sands of Virginia Beach stretch for miles. One of the best ways to enjoy it is to take a stroll or bike along the three-mile boardwalk lined with cafés.
A block back, Atlantic Avenue plays host to Virginia Beach's dining scene, which incorporates everything from well-known names to family-run restaurants specializing in the bay's seafood.
But for all the glitz and glamour of Atlantic Avenue, it's Virginia Beach's natural splendors that will have you coming back again and again. As it twists with the coastline to become Shore Drive, you'll reach First Landing State Park. It preserves the spot at which English colonists first arrived on U.S. soil in 1607 after a five-month voyage. Meanwhile, out to sea, there's a chance to spot humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins.
The city’s central location on the Atlantic coastline means there are many destinations you can visit from Virginia Beach for very cheap. The busiest terminus in Virginia Beach is on Northampton Boulevard. It sees buses reach New York City in around eight hours. Head to Norfolk, and you can also jump on Amtrak's Northeast Regional train service to Boston.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Portsmouth?
Main departure station: Portsmouth Transp Ctr - 185 Grafton Rd
The Portsmouth Transportation Center, aka the Portsmouth C&J Bus Station, is on the western side of the city. The station has ample indoor seating, plus screens to display information on upcoming trips. If you head in either direction on I95, you'll find plenty of convenience stores, restaurants, and cafes if you're looking for some food. Walk just across the street to Pannaway Playground to stretch your legs on one of the many walking trails and green spaces.
All train stations in Portsmouth:
Portsmouth Transp Ctr - 185 Grafton Rd
Where is the train station in Virginia Beach?
Main arrival station: Park Avenue & 20th Street
Virginia Beach has one train station.
Train stations in Virginia Beach:
Park Avenue & 20th Street
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