Hampton Boulevard on a busy event night in Norfolk has exactly one speed — slow. Every car headed to Chartway Arena at the Ted Constant Convocation Center funnels down the same corridor, whether it originated in Virginia Beach on I-264, on the Peninsula via I-64 through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, or from downtown Norfolk heading north on Granby Street. The two Constant Center parking garages — one on the 43rd Street side, one on the 45th Street side, combined 2,200 spaces between them — are the designated event lots, and the arena is straightforward about what happens when you wait too long to plan: parking passes purchased on-site cost more than passes bought in advance, and the garages fill.
One charter bus or party bus from a large network of bus companies serving Norfolk changes the entire equation — one drop at the designated 45th Street entrance, everyone through the doors together, and pickup arranged before the first note plays or the first ball tips. Below is everything that makes that trip work: exact drop-off logistics, parking realities, approach roads, event-by-event demand spikes, and how to find the right vehicle for your group.
Why a Norfolk Charter Bus or Party Bus Beats Parking at Chartway Arena
Chartway Arena (4320 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23529) sits inside Old Dominion University's campus — which means parking follows university rules: paid, permit-required, and capped by the capacity of the two adjacent Constant Center garages. On a sold-out night, those garages fill. On graduation weekend, when multiple Hampton Roads school districts run ceremonies across a concentrated two-to-three week stretch, they fill before some families have finished parking.
The arena's FAQ is direct: advance purchase is strongly encouraged because on-site passes cost more and availability is not guaranteed.
For a group of 20 people arriving in separate cars, that translates to 20 individual passes, 20 separate navigation routes up Hampton Boulevard, and 20 post-event exits from the same garage levels when the whole crowd is leaving at once. A Norfolk party bus rental or charter bus rental solves every one of those problems at the root. One vehicle, one pickup location, one drop at the north-side curbside zone, and one post-event pickup arranged before the group ever enters the building.
For graduation season runs — when families are driving in from across Hampton Roads for a two-hour ceremony — that simplicity is worth more than the parking pass savings alone.
Partybusnorfolk.net makes it fast to compare options from a large network of bus companies serving Norfolk: call 757-524-8568 or fill out the online form and rates come back in under 30 seconds. No account needed, no obligation.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Door-to-door | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private charter or party bus | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Best — 45th Street entrance, steps from doors | 15–56 |
| Driving & parking yourself | Per-car pass (advance) + gas per car | No — caravans split on Hampton Blvd | Varies — upper garage levels, then walk to entrance | 1–2 cars |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Per-car fare each way + post-event surge | No — multiple cars, multiple ETAs | Curbside drop, but post-event surge and wait | 1–4 per car |
For one or two people, driving or rideshare can be the right call — no reason to charter a bus for a pair. But the moment your party grows past a few cars' worth of people, the coordination cost of separate vehicles tips decisively toward one bus. That's the group this guide is written for.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Chartway Arena
The designated curbside drop-off zone at Chartway Arena is on 45th Street at the building entrance, on the north side of the arena. This is also where the VIP entrance is located — at the corner of 45th Street and Hampton Boulevard — and there is an elevator at this entrance that carries guests up to the concourse and VIP levels. For most groups arriving by charter bus or party bus, this is the practical approach point: it places everyone at the main north entrance rather than at the 43rd Street side, which is used primarily for the arena's Big Blue Room events and certain non-arena-floor gatherings.
Groups with accessible needs should call the arena's guest services line at (757) 683-5762 before arrival — the 45th Street drop-off is the accessible entrance, and staff can arrange wheelchair assistance from that point. Contact them in advance, especially for sold-out concerts or graduation-weekend ceremonies, when foot traffic at the north entrance is at its highest.
Charter Bus Staging During the Event
Because Chartway Arena sits inside the ODU campus, where a commercial-length coach stages during the event depends on current university event-day procedures — the Constant Center garages are built for passenger vehicles, not 45-foot coaches. Groups coordinating a multi-hour staging arrangement should contact ODU Transportation & Parking Services at (757) 683-4004 or parking@odu.edu before your event date to confirm current staging locations and any campus access restrictions. The arena's own logistics line can direct you to the right contact for your specific event.
One call before the trip — not at the campus entrance on event night — keeps that sorted in advance.
The 45th Street entrance is the designated drop-off zone and the VIP entrance — curbside access and an elevator to the concourse in one spot. For staging a full-size coach during the event, confirm current procedures with ODU Parking Services before your date. That one call is all it takes.
Chartway Arena Parking: The Constant Center Garages and Overflow
Event parking for Chartway Arena is designated in the Constant Center 43rd Street Garage (south side) and the Constant Center 45th Street Garage (north side), with accessible spaces in both decks near the elevators. The arena consistently recommends purchasing passes in advance through the official Chartway Arena directions and parking page — on-site purchases are priced higher, and on big nights the garages fill before the event starts. For ODU basketball games specifically, ODU's event parking guidelines note that upper levels of the Constant Center garages offer free general parking, with reserved VIP sections occupying the lower levels; enforcement on game days begins at 4:30 PM.
For general campus visits, ODU charges $1 per 30 minutes via MobilePay, and daily permits are available at $10.
When both Constant Center garages reach capacity — which happens routinely during graduation season and sold-out concerts — overflow parking is in the 43rd Street and Elkhorn Avenue Garage, one block from the facility. During major events like ODU's spring commencement, the university runs four shuttles on the same loop approximately every five minutes, with stops at the arena's 43rd Street side and at Lot 38 near the Elkhorn garage. That's the backup plan for late arrivals — and it works, but it adds time to the arrival that a bus drop-off on the 45th Street curb doesn't.
Here's the math for a group of 20: 20 separate passes, 20 cars navigating Hampton Boulevard, and 20 people sorting out the post-event garage exit when the whole crowd is heading out at once. One bus for that same 20 people means one arrangement, one curbside drop, and one pickup already coordinated. The arithmetic is straightforward.
Getting to Chartway Arena: Hampton Boulevard from I-264 and I-64
Both major interstates funnel into Hampton Boulevard, and that corridor is the final common stretch for every vehicle headed to the arena regardless of starting point. From I-264 — the approach for groups coming from Virginia Beach and the eastern metro — the route follows downtown Norfolk exits toward Granby Street or Brambleton Avenue, where Hampton Blvd/ODU signage directs traffic north to campus. Groups approaching from Portsmouth via the Downtown Tunnel follow St. Paul's Boulevard, then bear left onto Brambleton Avenue to Hampton Boulevard.
From I-64 — for groups from the Peninsula via the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel or coming west from Richmond — the standard approach exits at Exit 276 (Naval Base/Terminal Blvd), transitions to I-564, takes the Terminal Boulevard exit, goes straight through two lights, and turns left onto Hampton Boulevard for approximately three miles to the 43rd and 45th Street arena end.
As of mid-2026, there's an added layer: VDOT's Hampton Roads Express Lanes Norfolk Segment project has long-term traffic pattern shifts on I-64 between Tidewater Drive and Patrol Road, with lanes shifted and reduced on Granby Street, Tidewater Drive, and Little Creek Road through late summer 2026. Groups traveling via I-64 from the Peninsula should factor in additional travel time and check VDOT's project page for current conditions before your event date.
A charter bus to Chartway Arena handles the Hampton Boulevard approach so your group doesn't have to. The route accounts for current lane shifts, the bus arrives at the 45th Street curbside zone, and everyone walks straight in — while the I-264 traffic is still sorting out on Brambleton.
Rent a Bus to Chartway Arena: Which Vehicle Fits Your Group?
Chartway Arena holds 8,600 fixed seats — with capacity reaching about 10,000 for floor-seating events and approximately 9,520 for concerts — which means the groups heading there range from a handful of suite guests to 50-person fan sections to full family convoys for graduation. Partybusnorfolk.net connects you to a wide range of options from the network, so you ride right-sized and are never paying for seats you don't need. Here is how the full vehicle lineup breaks down for a Chartway Arena run.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Luggage / gear | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo / Sprinter van | Up to 14 | Modest — garment bags, a few duffels | Suite holders, small VIP groups, court-side guests | Premium leather, USB charging at every seat, tinted privacy windows |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | ~15–50 | Onboard, lighter | Fan groups, birthday celebrations, concert nights | Color-changing LED lighting, premium Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs, perimeter seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | ~15–35 | Overhead bins plus some underfloor | Graduation families, mid-size corporate groups, hotel-to-arena shuttles | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats, overhead storage — easy to maneuver on campus streets |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Excellent — deep undercarriage bays | Large fan groups, corporate outings, multi-hotel graduation convoys | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, undercarriage bays |
For graduation ceremonies and family events, a 15- to 35-passenger minibus is often the right fit — it carries the family group comfortably, threads campus streets easily, and gets the whole party to the 45th Street entrance in one shot. For fan groups who want the energy to build on the ride in, a 15- to 50-passenger party bus has color-changing LEDs, Bluetooth sound, and the kind of setup that makes Hampton Boulevard feel like the beginning of the event. For large corporate outings or full fan sections, a 56-seat charter bus handles the whole group in one vehicle with deep undercarriage bays for any gear and an onboard restroom for longer runs from Virginia Beach or the Peninsula.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — just mention the need when requesting your quote.
When Chartway Arena Fills Up: Basketball, Concerts, and Graduation Season
ODU Monarchs basketball anchors the arena from November through February, with both the men's and women's teams playing full home schedules. The biggest transportation and parking demand comes on rivalry nights — the men's home game against James Madison (the TowneBank Royal Rivalry, typically in December) and the early-season Norfolk State matchup (November) consistently bring the largest local crowds. Sun Belt Conference home games run through January and February, and the Monarchs' long home record at Chartway Arena — .763 through 2018-19 — reflects an environment where the student section is loud and the garages fill on the way in.
For groups traveling from Virginia Beach or the Peninsula for a Tuesday or Wednesday-night game, a charter bus to Chartway Arena removes the Hampton Boulevard congestion question entirely.
Concert nights are the second demand spike. At approximately 9,520-seat concert configuration, Chartway Arena has hosted Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Elton John, and Green Day — earning the No. 1 ranking on a college campus and No. 7 worldwide for arenas under 10,000 capacity in Pollstar Magazine. A sold-out concert night on Hampton Boulevard clears out slowly, rideshare surge pricing kicks in after the encore, and getting 25 people home in separate cars from the same garage exit at the same time is a coordination exercise nobody wants after two hours of live music.
The fall 2026 concert calendar at Chartway Arena includes upcoming shows by Josh Groban (with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra), Meek Mill, and an AEW Dynamite wrestling event — high-demand nights where the Constant Center garages will be spoken for well in advance. Locking in a Norfolk party bus rental to Chartway Arena early for concert nights is the smarter move.
Graduation season is when demand peaks hardest. From mid-May through mid-June, the arena runs ODU's spring commencement, followed by graduation ceremonies for Norfolk Public Schools, Portsmouth Public Schools, Suffolk Public Schools, and Chesapeake Public Schools — multiple ceremony dates spread across a concentrated three-week stretch. Each district brings families in from across Hampton Roads, the Constant Center garages fill early, and the overflow Elkhorn shuttle starts cycling before the ceremony starts.
For a family group of 12 driving from three different starting points, a charter bus to Chartway Arena puts everyone at the 45th Street entrance together — before the main garages go to overflow.
For graduation season (May–June) and sold-out concerts: lock in your bus early. The Norfolk network's vehicles get committed quickly during the multi-week graduation window and on high-demand concert dates. Waiting until a week before a graduation ceremony when multiple school districts are all using Chartway Arena in the same stretch is when you run out of options at your preferred price.
Norfolk Party Bus and Charter Bus Rental Prices for Chartway Arena
To give you a planning sense: a 15- to 35-passenger minibus in Norfolk runs roughly $200–$250/hour on weekdays and $200–$275/hour on weekends, with per-day options starting around $1,100. A 25-passenger party bus runs approximately $250–$350/hour on weekdays and $275–$375 on weekends. A full-size 40- to 56-passenger charter bus comes in around $200–$350/hour across both weekdays and weekends, making it among the most efficient per-seat options once the group is large.
These ranges move with your specific date, vehicle, total hours booked, and how far the bus is traveling from pickup to Chartway Arena. Your quote for this itinerary takes about a minute to pull — call 757-524-8568 or use Partybusnorfolk.net's online form and quotes from the network come back fast. The Norfolk party bus prices page has a fuller breakdown of what shapes the rate.
A Sample Chartway Arena Run
To put a number on it: a 28-person group from Virginia Beach heads to an ODU home basketball game on a Wednesday night. Pickup at 5:45 PM, drop-off at the Chartway Arena 45th Street curbside entrance at 6:50 PM — 40 minutes before a 7:30 tip-off. The bus stages during the game and picks the group up at 10:30 PM after the final whistle.
At roughly five hours on a weekday, a 28-passenger party bus at the $250–$350/hour planning range comes to around $1,250–$1,750 total — approximately $45–$63 per person, with the parking pass math, the post-game garage wait, and the late-night Hampton Boulevard crawl all replaced by one flat number and a bus waiting at the door.
Flying In for the Event? Norfolk Airport to Chartway Arena
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) sits about 12 to 15 minutes from Chartway Arena — one of the shorter airport-to-venue runs in the mid-Atlantic. For families flying in from other cities for an ODU graduation ceremony, fan groups traveling down from DC or Richmond for a sold-out arena show, or corporate groups connecting through Norfolk for a suite event, one bus pickup at ORF's arrivals level cuts the coordination problem before it starts. One vehicle collects the group at baggage claim and heads straight up to Hampton Boulevard — no one splits into four separate rideshares on the sidewalk with luggage, and no one misses a ceremony start because their rideshare was surge-priced and running late.
The Norfolk airport transportation page covers the ORF pickup procedure for groups — the right arrivals-level approach and how to coordinate the bus window when your party's flights land at different times. For groups with staggered arrival times, that detail is worth reading before you finalize the itinerary. The Norfolk International Airport ORF shuttle guide goes through the full ground transportation logistics, including how commercial ground vehicles stage at ORF and which exits work best for group pickup.
For out-of-town groups needing a hotel near the arena, the SpringHill Suites Norfolk Old Dominion University (4500 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23508) is the only property immediately adjacent to Chartway Arena — essentially next door on Hampton Boulevard. Downtown Norfolk partner hotels including the Norfolk Waterside Marriott (235 East Main Street), Sheraton Norfolk Waterside (777 Waterside Drive), and Residence Inn Norfolk Downtown (227 West Brambleton Avenue) are a short ride up Hampton Boulevard and make natural consolidation pickup points for a bus collecting guests from multiple properties before an event.
Tips for Visiting Chartway Arena
A few things every group should know before an event at Chartway Arena, based on the venue's published policies in the official Chartway Arena A-Z Guide:
- Doors open one hour before showtime for most events. Plan your bus pickup to arrive at the 45th Street entrance 60 to 90 minutes before doors — that gives the group time to clear security, find seats, and settle in without rushing.
- No re-entry is permitted. Chartway Arena enforces a strict no re-entry policy. Unused tickets are required for re-admission, so make sure everyone has what they need before the group enters through the turnstiles.
- Large bags are not permitted inside. Large purses, backpacks, and oversized bags are prohibited. Exceptions are made for medically necessary items and diaper bags, both of which are subject to search at entry. Check the A-Z Guide for the current bag rules before your visit — policies are reviewed ahead of each event season.
- Concessions are entirely cashless. All concession transactions at Chartway Arena are cashless, so plan accordingly before the group enters.
- Strollers are not permitted in the seating areas but can be checked at Guest Services near the entrance.
- Accessible seating is available online — look for the blue wheelchair symbol during checkout — and at the box office: (757) 683-4444. Each accessible seat permits one companion plus up to three additional guests.
- Wheelchair assistance at the 45th Street accessible drop-off zone: call the arena guest services line at (757) 683-5762 in advance. Staff will make sure guests needing extra time or assistance reach their seats without difficulty.
- Buy parking in advance for any group members driving separately. On-site passes cost more than advance purchases, and on sold-out nights the main garages fill — overflow means the Elkhorn shuttle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charter Bus & Party Bus Rentals to Chartway Arena
Where exactly does a bus drop off at Chartway Arena?
The designated curbside drop-off zone is on 45th Street at the building entrance, on the north side of the arena. This is also the VIP and accessible entrance — there's an elevator here to the concourse and VIP levels. The 43rd Street side (the Big Blue Room entrance) is used primarily for certain non-arena-floor events.
For most basketball games, concerts, and graduation ceremonies, the 45th Street curbside is the right approach for buses. For groups with accessible needs, call the arena's guest services line in advance to arrange wheelchair assistance from this same drop-off zone.
Where do charter buses park or stage during events at Chartway Arena?
The Constant Center garages are built for passenger vehicles, so commercial-length coaches staging during the event need to coordinate directly with ODU Transportation & Parking Services at (757) 683-4004 (or parking@odu.edu) before your event date to confirm current staging areas and any campus access restrictions. The arena's guest services line can also direct you to the right contact for your specific event. Getting that confirmation ahead of time — not at the campus entrance on event night — is all it takes to keep the staging clean.
How much does parking cost at Chartway Arena?
The arena strongly recommends buying passes in advance through the official parking page — on-site is more expensive. For ODU basketball games, upper levels of the Constant Center garages offer free general parking, with lower levels reserved for VIP; enforcement starts at 4:30 PM on game days. General campus hourly parking runs $1 per 30 minutes via MobilePay, and daily permits are $10.
When the main garages fill, overflow is in the Elkhorn Avenue garage one block away, with shuttle service running to the arena during major events.
What are the best approach routes to Chartway Arena?
From I-264 (coming from Virginia Beach or downtown Norfolk), follow downtown Norfolk exits toward Granby Street or Brambleton Avenue, where Hampton Blvd/ODU signage directs traffic north onto Hampton Boulevard to the arena. Groups approaching from Portsmouth via the Downtown Tunnel follow St. Paul's Boulevard, then Brambleton Avenue, then Hampton Boulevard north. From I-64 (coming from the Peninsula via the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel or from the west), exit at Exit 276 (Naval Base/Terminal Blvd), stay right to I-564, take the Terminal Boulevard exit, go straight through two lights, turn left onto Hampton Boulevard, and follow it approximately three miles to the 43rd and 45th Street end of campus.
Note that as of mid-2026, the VDOT I-64 Express Lanes project has long-term traffic shifts near Tidewater Drive — check the VDOT project page for current lane conditions before your event date.
What events happen at Chartway Arena?
Chartway Arena is a full-calendar multi-event venue. ODU Monarchs men's and women's basketball anchor November through February; the arena also hosts major concerts at up to approximately 9,520 capacity — its concert history includes Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Elton John, and Green Day, and the venue has been ranked No. 1 on a college campus by Pollstar Magazine for arenas under 10,000. Graduation season (mid-May through mid-June) brings ODU commencement plus ceremonies for Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Chesapeake public school systems in a concentrated window.
The arena also hosts family shows, wrestling events, career fairs, and corporate gatherings year-round. See the official Chartway Arena website for the current event calendar and the ODU Athletics Chartway Arena page for sports programming details.
How far is Norfolk International Airport from Chartway Arena?
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is approximately 12 to 15 minutes from Chartway Arena under normal traffic conditions — one of the shortest airport-to-venue runs in the Hampton Roads region. One bus pickup at ORF's arrivals curb and a direct run to Hampton Boulevard means no staggered rideshares, no luggage pile on the sidewalk, and no group members getting separated between terminals. The ORF shuttle guide covers the full group ground-transportation logistics at the airport.
How much does a bus rental to Chartway Arena cost?
Planning ranges from the Norfolk network: a 15- to 35-passenger minibus runs roughly $200–$275/hour; a 25-passenger party bus runs approximately $250–$375/hour depending on weekday versus weekend; a 40- to 56-passenger charter bus comes in around $200–$350/hour. These ranges shift with your date, vehicle type, total hours booked, and pickup location. Your exact quote for the itinerary takes about a minute — call 757-524-8568 or use Partybusnorfolk.net's online quote form.
The Norfolk party bus prices page has the full range breakdown.
When should I book a bus for graduation at Chartway Arena?
As early as your ceremony date is confirmed. Graduation season at Chartway Arena runs from mid-May through mid-June, and the Norfolk network's vehicles commit quickly because multiple school districts and ODU use the venue within the same concentrated window. Waiting until two or three weeks before a graduation ceremony — when every family in Hampton Roads is arranging group transportation for the same dates — is when you end up with fewer options at higher prices.
For most other events, two to four weeks of lead time is workable, but the earlier you call, the more the network has available.
Are ADA-accessible buses available for Chartway Arena trips?
Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network. Mention your accessibility needs when requesting your quote and the right vehicle can be arranged. At the arena, the accessible drop-off zone and wheelchair assistance are at the 45th Street entrance on the north side, with an elevator to the concourse and VIP levels.
Coordinate wheelchair assistance in advance by calling the arena's guest services line. Accessible seating is available online (look for the blue wheelchair symbol) or at the box office: (757) 683-4444.
What is the bag policy at Chartway Arena?
Large purses, backpacks, and oversized bags are not permitted inside Chartway Arena. Medically necessary items and diaper bags are exceptions and will be subject to search at entry. Strollers are not permitted in the seating areas but can be checked at Guest Services.
All concession transactions are cashless. For the complete and current list of prohibited items, consult the official Chartway Arena A-Z Guide or call the box office — policies are reviewed before each event season.
What hotels are closest to Chartway Arena?
The SpringHill Suites Norfolk Old Dominion University (4500 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23508) is the only hotel immediately adjacent to the arena — essentially next door on Hampton Boulevard. Downtown Norfolk options include the Norfolk Waterside Marriott (235 East Main Street), the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside (777 Waterside Drive), and the Residence Inn Norfolk Downtown (227 West Brambleton Avenue) — all a short ride north on Hampton Boulevard and convenient consolidation pickup points for a group bus collecting guests from multiple properties before a game or concert.
Get Your Chartway Arena Bus Quote Today
Whether it's a Sun Belt rivalry night for the ODU Monarchs, a sold-out arena concert, or a graduation ceremony bringing family in from across Hampton Roads, Partybusnorfolk.net makes it easy to compare party bus and charter bus options from a large network serving Norfolk. Fill out the online form once or call 757-524-8568 any time — quotes come back in under 30 seconds, no account required, and no obligation. Your group drops at the 45th Street entrance together, and the post-event pickup is already arranged when the final buzzer sounds.
Also heading to ODU football at SB Ballard Stadium or an event at the Norfolk Scope? The SB Ballard Stadium transportation guide and the Norfolk Scope Arena guide cover the drop-off and parking logistics for both venues — each with its own campus access setup. For a broader look at group transportation across the region, the Norfolk group transportation services page covers the full picture.
