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.
Activities & attractions in Columbia
Where to Eat in Columbia
If you’re looking for affordable options, Uncle Julio's - Columbia (10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Ste 2530) and Corner Stable - Columbia (8630 Guilford Road) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Cazbar - Columbia (9400 Snowden River Pkwy Ste 122) and Homeslyce - Columbia (9400 Snowden River Pkwy) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Columbia.
When to visit Columbia
How to Get to Columbia
Plane
When flying to Columbia, you’ll arrive at Baltimore/Washington Airport (BWI), which is located 10 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Columbia departs from Boston and takes around 1h 28m.
Train
Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Columbia. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 27m and costs around $11 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $11 for a 1h 53m trip.
Car
Another option to get to Columbia is to pick up a car rental from New York, which is about 185 miles from Columbia. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Hertz, among others, in New York.
Bus
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Washington Deluxe, Peter Pan Bus Lines and Greyhound. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Columbia takes 160 miles and will cost you around $20. From New York, the ticket costs about $20 for a journey of 195 miles. Columbia’s bus station is located 3 miles from the city center.
Airports near Columbia
Airlines serving Columbia
Where to stay in popular areas of Columbia
Most booked hotels in Columbia
Renting a car in Columbia
Renting a car in Columbia costs $48 per day, on average, or $144 if you want to rent if for 3 days.
It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 26% cheaper than airport locations in Columbia.
Expect to pay $3.52 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 $42.25 and $56.33. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Intermediate (Chevrolet Bolt EUV or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Full-size rental cars (Volkswagen Jetta or similar) are, on average, 61% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.