RIC Airport Terminal Guide: Concourses, Security & Parking 2026

Richmond International Airport (RIC) is a single-terminal airport operated by the Capital Region Airport Commission, located about 7 miles southeast of downtown Richmond via Interstate 64. This RIC airport terminal guide covers everything you need to navigate the airport — from the layout of Concourses A and B, to the two security checkpoints, to how early you should arrive. Off-site parking near RIC starts at $5.20/day (as of November 2026) — compare RIC parking rates from $5.20/day on Triply before you read the terminal walkthrough below.

• Single terminal, two concourses: RIC has one Main Terminal with Concourse A and Concourse B — no inter-terminal transfers needed.
• Two security checkpoints: One checkpoint serves Concourse A, one serves Concourse B — both are inside the same building.
• Arrival time rule: Plan 90 minutes for domestic flights; 2 hours if you are parking off-site and need a hotel shuttle first.
• Checkpoint consolidation coming: RIC is planning a single mega-checkpoint with up to 14 lanes as part of a ~$253M project — construction timeline not yet announced.
• On-airport parking: Economy Lot $10/day, Daily Garage $15/day, Valet $30/day, Hourly Garage $40/day (effective July 1, 2025, per the Capital Region Airport Commission).
• Free transit option: GRTC Route 7A/7B runs fare-free between downtown Richmond and the airport until further notice.

What Is Richmond International Airport and Who Runs It?

Richmond International Airport is the primary commercial airport serving the Richmond, Virginia metro area. The Capital Region Airport Commission owns and operates RIC, which sits in the Sandston community of Henrico County. The airport's IATA code is RIC and its FAA identifier is KRIC. It was originally called Byrd Field, named after Virginia aviation pioneer Richard Evelyn Byrd, and operated as a military airfield before transitioning to commercial service.

According to FAA aviation statistics, RIC is classified as a medium-hub commercial service airport. American Airlines is the largest carrier at RIC by seat capacity, connecting Richmond to its hubs in Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Washington. Other carriers include Delta, Southwest, United, Spirit, and Frontier. The airport sits off Interstate 64 at Exit 197 (Airport Drive), with Interstate 295 providing a northern bypass route.

Travelers from across the Richmond region use RIC, including commuters from Downtown Richmond, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Midlothian, Mechanicsville, Highland Springs, and Varina. The Wikipedia entry for Richmond International Airport covers the airport's full history and infrastructure for readers who want deeper background.

RIC Airport Terminal Guide: Layout, Concourses, and Levels

RIC operates a single Main Terminal divided into two concourses — Concourse A and Concourse B. Both concourses are inside the same building, so you never need a shuttle or train to reach your gate. The terminal is laid out across two primary levels: Departures on the upper level and Arrivals on the lower level.

Departures Level (Upper Level)

The upper level is where you check in and clear security. Airline check-in counters line the main hall. After check-in, you proceed to either the Concourse A security checkpoint or the Concourse B security checkpoint, depending on your gate assignment. Concourse A gates are typically served by American Airlines and partners. Concourse B serves additional carriers including Southwest, Delta, and United. Always confirm your gate on your boarding pass or the departure boards — gate assignments can shift.

Once through security, the concourses branch from a central pre-security area. Each concourse has its own set of gates, dining options, and seating. The official RIC terminal map gives a visual overview of gate locations and amenities — bookmark it on your phone before you travel.

Arrivals Level (Lower Level)

After landing, you descend to the Arrivals level for baggage claim. Baggage carousels are located on this level and are signed by flight number on overhead displays. Valet parking is also accessed from the Arrivals level — the valet drop-off and pick-up area is at the terminal entrance on this level, priced at $30/day (effective July 1, 2025, per the Capital Region Airport Commission). Ground transportation — including rideshare, taxis, hotel shuttles, and rental cars — departs from the Arrivals level as well. Rideshare pickup for Uber and Lyft follows designated signage; the Uber RIC airport guide shows the exact pickup zone for that platform.

RIC Terminal Quick-Reference Table

How Do the Security Checkpoints Work at RIC?

RIC currently has two separate TSA security checkpoints — one for Concourse A and one for Concourse B. Both are on the Departures level. You must use the checkpoint that serves your assigned concourse. Review your boarding pass before you join a line.

Follow TSA's official screening rules to prepare — liquids in a quart-size bag, laptops and large electronics out of your bag, shoes and belts removed at standard lanes. If you have TSA PreCheck, you can keep your shoes on, your laptop in your bag, and your belt buckled. PreCheck lanes are available at RIC, and enrollment significantly cuts screening time — especially valuable at RIC, where both checkpoints feed a relatively compact facility and queues can build during morning bank departures.

For live security wait times before you leave home, check TSA Wait Times, which crowdsources real-time data from travelers. RIC's official TSA info and travel tips page also carries checkpoint guidance specific to the airport. Both sources are worth bookmarking for travel day.

RIC does not publish official checkpoint hours separately from terminal operations — the airport operates scheduled commercial service and the checkpoints open to match flight schedules. Do not assume a checkpoint is open for very early-morning or late-night departures without checking your flight's departure terminal assignment.

How Early Should You Arrive at RIC?

For most domestic flights, arriving 90 minutes before departure gives you enough time to park, check in, clear security, and reach your gate. If you are using an off-site hotel lot and need a shuttle ride, build in at least 2 hours from when you arrive at the lot.

Arrival Time by Traveler Type

• TSA PreCheck, carry-on only, Daily Garage or Valet: 75–90 minutes is realistic. The garages are a short walk to the terminal.
• Standard lanes, checked bag: 90 minutes minimum. Add buffer during morning peaks (6–9 AM) when multiple banks depart close together.
• Economy Lot with shuttle: Add 10–15 minutes for the shuttle cycle. The Economy Lot is about half a mile from the terminal off Ferncroft Road, and the free 24/7 shuttle runs continuously — but frequency is not published, so plan for a wait.
• Off-site hotel lot (Sheraton or DoubleTree): The Sheraton shuttle runs every 30 minutes starting at 4 AM. The DoubleTree shuttle runs every 30 minutes starting at 5 AM. If your flight departs at 6 AM, you need to be at the hotel lot by 4:30 AM at the latest to catch the first Sheraton run — or by 4:00 AM to allow for a possible wait.
• Holidays and peak travel days: Add 30 minutes above your normal buffer. See our Thanksgiving Airport Parking Price Index 2026 for peak-period planning tips across major airports including RIC.

One practical tip: check real-time traffic on Waze before you leave. The drive from downtown Richmond to RIC via I-64 is about 7 miles — fast in off-peak hours, but the Exit 197 ramp and Airport Drive can back up during rush hour.

RIC Arrival Time Quick Guide

RIC Airport Parking Options: What's Near Each Concourse?

Parking at RIC is split across on-airport facilities and off-site hotel lots. All on-airport options are within walking distance of the terminal or served by a free shuttle. Rates below are effective July 1, 2025, per the Capital Region Airport Commission.

The Economy Lot at $10/day is RIC's cheapest on-airport option and the most popular for multi-day trips. The Best Western Plus at $5.20/day is cheaper still, but it has no shuttle — you must arrange your own ride to and from the terminal, which can close the savings gap fast. For a full off-site comparison including booking steps, see Richmond Airport Parking Off Site: 3 Hotel Lots vs $10/Day Economy. For trips longer than a few days, the Richmond Airport long-term parking guide breaks down weekly costs and shuttle logistics in detail.

Getting to and From the Terminal: Ground Transportation at RIC

Ground transportation at RIC operates from the Arrivals level. Options include rideshare, taxi, rental car, hotel shuttles, and public transit. Each mode has a designated area — follow signs inside the terminal after baggage claim.

Public Transit: GRTC Routes 7A and 7B

GRTC Route 7A and 7B connect RIC to downtown Richmond via Nine Mile Road. Service is fare-free until further notice, per GRTC's published schedule. This makes it the lowest-cost ground transportation option for solo travelers heading downtown. The GRTC Route 7A schedule PDF shows current stop times. GRTC also offers an On-Demand Early Morning Airport Connection from 4–6 AM for travelers whose flights depart before regular Route 7A service starts.

Rental Cars

Rental car counters are accessible from the Arrivals level. Hertz is among the carriers with a presence at RIC. Vehicle staging and return areas are part of RIC's current expansion work — a rental car parking and staging expansion is underway as of 2026, which may affect lot locations. Check RIC's ground transportation page for current rental car locations before your trip.

Rideshare and Taxis

Uber and Lyft pick up passengers in a designated rideshare zone on the Arrivals level — follow the posted signage after you collect your bags. The Uber RIC page shows the exact pickup pin to share with your driver. Taxis are also available curbside on the Arrivals level.

Hotel Shuttles

Hotel shuttles depart from the Arrivals level as well. The Sheraton Richmond Airport (on Eubank Road) runs its shuttle from 4 AM to 1 AM every 30 minutes to the airport, and on demand from the airport — check in at the front desk when you land. The DoubleTree by Hilton Richmond Airport (on International Center Drive) runs from 5 AM to 12 AM every 30 minutes to the airport, and on demand from the airport — call 804-236-1111 or 804-892-6222 after you collect your luggage. Neither shuttle operates during their overnight blackout hours, so budget for a rideshare if you land after midnight.

What Is the RIC Checkpoint Consolidation Project?

RIC's two security checkpoints are being consolidated into a single, larger checkpoint as part of a major terminal renovation. The project is part of a ~$253M capital program reported in August 2026, which also includes new concessions and a proposed airside lounge.

The proposed single checkpoint would have up to 14 screening lanes, compared to the current two smaller checkpoints. The Capital Region Airport Commission issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a construction manager in September 2026. Enabling projects were expected from Q3 2026, with main construction estimated at about two years once fully funded. A specific construction start and completion date has not been announced as of November 2026.

For travelers, the transition period matters most. During construction phases, checkpoint access and pre-security concessions may shift. No parking facility closures have been identified as of October 16, 2026, per RIC's own updates — but check flyrichmond.com for current alerts before every trip. The same project includes a $2.16M garage LED lighting replacement in the North and South Garages, approved in 2026, and a conceptual plan for a new parking garage that would add roughly 5,500 spaces to the current ~10,500 public spaces.

RIC's CEO has signaled that incremental parking rate increases should be expected over the next few years as the airport funds these improvements. Locking in off-site parking rates now through Triply could protect your budget from future on-airport rate hikes.

RIC Airport Terminal Guide: Accessibility and Special Services

RIC provides accessibility services throughout the Main Terminal. Wheelchair assistance is available from airlines at check-in and from the Arrivals level after landing — request it at the time of booking or notify your airline at least 48 hours before departure. Accessible parking is available in the garages; for details on accessible parking locations and services, the official RIC accessibility page is the most current source.

All three off-site hotel lots bookable on Triply — the Best Western Plus Richmond Airport, DoubleTree by Hilton Richmond Airport, and Sheraton Richmond Airport — include wheelchair-accessible parking in their amenities. If mobility assistance is a factor in your parking choice, the DoubleTree and Sheraton are the better options because both offer shuttle service directly to the Arrivals level.

Dining, Retail, and Wi-Fi Inside the Terminal

Food, retail, and Wi-Fi are available inside the secured gate areas of both Concourse A and Concourse B. Because RIC is a medium-hub airport with a compact footprint, options are more limited than at a major hub — but the basics are covered. Dining and retail hours follow flight schedules and may not align with very early or very late departures. The RIC FAQs page lists current amenities and answers common questions about services inside the terminal.

The checkpoint consolidation project described above includes new concessions as a core component — so the dining landscape inside the terminal will change once construction begins. Plan for a modified food and retail environment during construction phases. For now, the current layout remains operational with no announced closures.

RIC Airport Terminal Guide: Key Facts at a Glance

Your Next Step: Book Parking Before You Head to the Terminal

This RIC airport terminal guide gives you a full picture of what to expect from the moment you pull off I-64 to the moment you reach your gate. The terminal is compact and straightforward — one building, two concourses, two checkpoints. The bigger variable is parking and how much time you build in for it.

Off-site parking near RIC starts at $5.20/day at the Best Western Plus (no shuttle) and $10.45/day at the DoubleTree (shuttle every 30 minutes from 5 AM). On-airport, the Economy Lot runs $10/day with a free 24/7 shuttle, and the Daily Garage is $15/day with a walk to the terminal — all per published Capital Region Airport Commission rates effective July 1, 2025. For a deeper look at all the numbers side by side, the Richmond Airport Parking Cost guide breaks down every facility by trip length. You can also start from the Complete RIC Airport Parking Guide for a full overview of every lot and policy.

Find and book RIC airport parking from $5.20/day on Triply — lock in your spot before rates change and your travel day gets busy.