Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport

Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (IATA code: CHO) serves Albemarle County and Central Virginia with domestic flights connecting to major hubs across the eastern and midwestern United States.

Official Website: gocho.com

Phone: +1 (434) 973-8342

Social Media:

Terminals

The airport features a single two-level passenger terminal building spanning approximately 60,000 square feet. The public area of the terminal remains open 24 hours a day, while the TSA security checkpoint opens daily at 4:00 a.m.

Annual Passenger Traffic (2024): 699,000 passengers.

Information Desks

There is no dedicated 24-hour information desk; in-person assistance is provided by airline personnel at their ticket counters during flight operational hours and by airport administrative staff during regular business hours.

The airport is situated 8 miles (13 km) north of Charlottesville, with an estimated travel time by road of 20 to 25 minutes to downtown and the University of Virginia campus.

Taxis

A designated taxi stand is located on the departures curb outside the terminal. Taxis operate on metered rates and are provided by authorized local companies, including Yellow Cab, Elite Fleet Taxi, Mario's Cab, and Star Taxi.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft operate at the terminal for passenger drop-offs and pick-ups. Ride requests must be placed via their mobile apps after collecting baggage.

Private Transfers & Hotel Shuttles

Monticello Coach Co. provides private and executive car services. In addition, several regional hotels provide complimentary shuttle services, accessible via a direct-dial courtesy phone board located in the baggage claim area.

Public Transit

There are no direct Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) public bus routes or passenger rail stations serving the airport grounds.

Rental car counters are located on the ground floor of the terminal inside the Baggage Claim area. Vehicle pick-up and return take place in the lots directly adjacent to the terminal building.

Available Agencies

• Alamo: daily from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
• Avis: Sunday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.; Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Budget: Sunday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.; Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Dollar: Sunday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.; Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Enterprise: daily from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
• Hertz: Sunday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.; Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• National: daily from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
• Payless: Sunday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.; Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Thrifty: Sunday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.; Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport provides open-air, automated parking facilities for short-term and extended stays:

Parking Lots

• Short-Term Lot: located directly in front of the terminal. First 30 minutes free; 31 to 60 minutes: USD 2.00; each additional 30 minutes: USD 1.00; daily maximum: USD 13.00. This lot accommodates all reserved accessible parking spaces.
• Long-Term Lot: first 30 minutes free; daily maximum: USD 13.00. Connected to the terminal via walkways and an elevator.
• Economy Lots: first 30 minutes free; daily maximum: USD 9.00. The most cost-effective option for long-term travel.

Important Considerations

Grace Period: the first 30 minutes are complimentary across all public parking lots, accommodating quick drop-offs and passenger pick-ups.

Payment Methods: exit gates are fully automated and accept credit cards only. Cash payments must be made at the Pay-On-Foot station located in the Baggage Claim area prior to returning to your vehicle.

Additional Services

The complimentary CHO Connector shuttle bus operates continuously between remote parking stops and the terminal, running from prior to the first morning flight through the arrival of the final evening flight.

The airport offers infrastructure and special assistance services designed for passengers with disabilities or specific travel requirements:

Special Assistance Requests

Wheelchair assistance and boarding support are available upon request. Travelers should coordinate these services directly with their airline at least 48 hours in advance of departure.

Physical Accessibility

The terminal features two elevators: one in the long-term parking lot providing easy access to the terminal, and a second past security connecting the lower level with upper-level gates. Additionally, all designated accessible parking stalls are centralized in the Short-Term Lot.

Lactation & Family Restrooms

A private Nursing Mother’s Room is located past security on the upper level. Family and gender-neutral restrooms are also available both before and after the security checkpoint.

Unaccompanied Minors

Supervision and travel services for unaccompanied minors are administered in accordance with individual airline policies for American Airlines, Delta, or United at the time of booking.