Below you will find directions to get yourself safely to your vacation rental and to whatever adventures lie in store for you once you arrive. So how do you get here?

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Flying To The Outer Banks

The maps below shows directions from ORF airport as well as two of the local private airports to the Carolina Designs office, however it is not necessary to check-in at our office. You will receive an email confirmation prior to your arrival with full entry instructions.

From Norfolk (ORF) The Closest Airport To The Outer Banks

If you’ll be flying to the Outer Banks, then the closest airport is the Norfolk International Airport (ORF). From there you’ll need to:

• Get on the I-64 E from Norview Ave.
• After 12.2 miles take exit 291B merging onto I-464/VA-168 S towards US-17 S.
• Continue onto Va-168 S for 63.5 miles (it will have turned into US-158 E about half way through).
• Transportation from the Norfolk International Airport is available: Outer Banks Transportation Services, Island Limousine, Horseless Carriage Limousine, Uber, and Lyft are a few we recommend to our guests.

In addition, there are two private airports that guests can fly into. They are:

Currituck County Regional Airport

Dare County Regional Airport

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Driving To The Outer Banks

Traffic to the Outer Banks is often challenging during the busy summer season, especially on Saturdays from noon until 6:00pm. Those guests reserving homes in the towns of Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills should consider taking an alternate route. Although longer in miles, these options my actually save you time due to less traffic congestion, and you get to discover the unique beauty of our Inner Banks.

Check the maps below for alternate route options to the Outer Banks:

From or thru Richmond, VA – (Alternate 1): 4 hours and 2 minutes – 237 miles of mixed road types, some scenic and rural:

From or thru Richmond, VA – (Alternate 2): 4 hours and 20 minutes, 275 miles of mostly large roads and Interstate:

From or thru Virginia’s Easter Shore or Hampton Roads – (Alternate): 2 hours and 42 minutes, 149 miles of mixed road types, some scenic and rural:

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Ferrying To The Outer Banks

Schedules and Rates

Hatteras-Ocracoke Free Ferry

This free ferry service links the Outer Banks islands of Hatteras and Ocracoke with a relaxing 60-minute trip. During the summer, the wait may be long. Reservations are not accepted.

Hatteras to Ocracoke

May 1 – Oct. 29

Departures at 5am, 6am and 7am; departures every 30 minutes from 7:30am to 7:00pm and at 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm and midnight.

Oct. 30 – April 30

Departs every hour, 5am – midnight.

Ocracoke to Hatteras

May 1 – Oct. 29

Departures at 5am, 6am, 7am and 8am; departures every 30 minutes from 8:30am through 7:00pm and at 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm and midnight.

Oct. 30 – April 30

Departs every hour, 5am – midnight.

Cedar Island/Swan Quarter Toll Ferries

Reservations, recommended for the Ocracoke ferries to and from Cedar Island (2 1/4 hours) and Swan Quarter (2 1/2 hours); may be made in person at the terminal or by phone, preferably 1 or 2 days in advance. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance and must be claimed at least 30 minutes prior to departure.

• Ocracoke (800) 345-1665
• Cedar Island (800) 856-0343
• Swan Quarter (800) 773-1094

Cost

• $1/pedestrians
• $3/bicycles
• $10/motorcycles
• $15/vehicles and/or combinations less than 20′
• $30/vehicle and/or combination 20′ to 40′
• $45/vehicle and/or combination up to 65′

The Cedar Island and Swan Quarter ferries have limited departure times.

For information about North Carolina ferries, call 1-800-BY-FERRY.

However you plan on getting to the Outer Banks, we look forward to having you!