Columbia travel guide

Columbia Tourism | Columbia Guide

You're Going to Love Columbia

With a population of 99 615, Columbia is a must-see destination in Maryland, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Columbia has to offer.

Where to Eat in Columbia

If you’re looking for affordable options, Maggiano's - Columbia (10300 Little Patuxent Parkway) and Uncle Julio's - Columbia (10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Ste 2530) are great picks.

Most popular restaurants in Columbia

Contemporary American
Wonderful (541 reviews)
American
Wonderful (312 reviews)
Contemporary American
Wonderful (273 reviews)
Unspecified
Very good (195 reviews)
International
Wonderful (118 reviews)
Contemporary American
Very good (83 reviews)
Contemporary American
Wonderful (541 reviews)
American
Wonderful (312 reviews)
Contemporary American
Wonderful (273 reviews)
Unspecified
Very good (195 reviews)
International
Wonderful (118 reviews)
Contemporary American
Very good (83 reviews)

When to visit Columbia

Columbia in December
Estimated hotel price
$103
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in December
Estimated hotel price
$103
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Columbia

Plane

When flying to Columbia, you’ll arrive at Baltimore/Washington Airport (BWI), which is located 17 km from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Columbia departs from Atlanta and takes around 1h 50m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Columbia. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 28m and costs around $5 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $10 for a 1h 56m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Columbia is to pick up a car rental from New York, which is about 298 km from Columbia. You’ll find branches of Ace and Kyte, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Megabus, Bus and CoachRun. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Columbia takes 282 km and will cost you around $12. From New York, the ticket costs about $12 for a journey of 443 km. Columbia’s bus station is located 4 km from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Columbia, you’ll arrive at Baltimore/Washington Airport (BWI), which is located 17 km from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Columbia departs from Atlanta and takes around 1h 50m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Columbia. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 28m and costs around $5 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $10 for a 1h 56m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Columbia is to pick up a car rental from New York, which is about 298 km from Columbia. You’ll find branches of Ace and Kyte, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Megabus, Bus and CoachRun. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Columbia takes 282 km and will cost you around $12. From New York, the ticket costs about $12 for a journey of 443 km. Columbia’s bus station is located 4 km from the city center.

Airports near Columbia

Airlines serving Columbia

KLM
Good (848 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,452 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,599 reviews)
Air France
Good (973 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,549 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,929 reviews)
Emirates
Good (2,125 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,478 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,729 reviews)
Finnair
Good (878 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (832 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,160 reviews)
LOT
Good (682 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (911 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,516 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (708 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (487 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,607 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (180 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of Columbia

Most booked hotels in Columbia

Live! Casino And Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 528 reviews)
$215+
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 449 reviews)
$160+
Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia South
2 stars
Excellent (8.5, 506 reviews)
$120+
Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1178 reviews)
$158+
Hampton Inn Columbia, MD
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 328 reviews)
$124+
Staybridge Suites Columbia - Baltimore, An IHG Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 780 reviews)
$122+

Renting a car in Columbia

Renting a car in Columbia costs $50 per day, on average, or $149 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Columbia (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Full-size (Jeep Compass or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Premium rental cars (Chevrolet Impala or similar) are, on average, 52% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Columbia costs $50 per day, on average, or $149 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Columbia (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Full-size (Jeep Compass or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Premium rental cars (Chevrolet Impala or similar) are, on average, 52% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.