Virginia Beach is a sprawling city — the largest by area on the East Coast — and a car is genuinely useful for exploring beyond the resort strip. The oceanfront area itself is walkable: the boardwalk runs three miles and most of the resort hotels, restaurants, and bars are within easy reach on foot or by bicycle. Bike rentals are available throughout the resort area, and the boardwalk's width accommodates cyclists without conflict. The parallel Atlantic Avenue, one block inland, is the main traffic corridor of the resort strip.
During summer, the Wave Transit system operates resort trolleys along Atlantic Avenue and connecting routes to parking areas off the beach. These are practical for reducing the parking frustration during peak season — parking near the oceanfront in July or August ranges from expensive to unavailable. The trolleys run frequently enough to be genuinely useful rather than just a novelty.
For reaching First Landing State Park, the Virginia Aquarium, the Cape Henry Lighthouses, or the Town Center district, a car or rideshare is effectively required. The distances involved and the lack of direct public transit connections make cycling impractical for most visitors except as a leisure activity on the boardwalk and dedicated trails. The Cape Henry Lighthouses at Fort Story require a car in any case, as pedestrian access to the military base is not available.
The Hampton Roads Transit system (HRT) connects Virginia Beach to Norfolk and the broader metro area by bus, with some routes running infrequently enough to require careful planning. For day trips to Norfolk — which has strong restaurant and arts scenes that complement Virginia Beach's beach focus — a rideshare or driving is usually faster than transit.