Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

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 4 days in order to fully appreciate everything Columbia has to offer.

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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

Columbia in December
Estimated hotel price
$128
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in December
Estimated hotel price
$128
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 38m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 28m and costs around $6 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Richmond, expect to pay about $19 for a 1h 59m 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 Turo and Drive Tri-State, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Bus, OurBus and Peter Pan Bus Lines. From Baltimore, the bus ride to Columbia takes 97 km and will cost you around $33. From Philadelphia, the ticket costs about $50 for a journey of 225 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 38m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 28m and costs around $6 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Richmond, expect to pay about $19 for a 1h 59m 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 Turo and Drive Tri-State, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Bus, OurBus and Peter Pan Bus Lines. From Baltimore, the bus ride to Columbia takes 97 km and will cost you around $33. From Philadelphia, the ticket costs about $50 for a journey of 225 km. Columbia’s bus station is located 4 km from the city center.

Airports near Columbia

FDKFrederick
FMEFort Meade Tipton

Airlines serving Columbia

KLM
Good (1,405 reviews)
Delta
Good (7,981 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,468 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,997 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,992 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,477 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,383 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,655 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,346 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,535 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,282 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,134 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,156 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,333 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,036 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,030 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,908 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (278 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (3,127 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (173 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Columbia

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Extended Stay America Select Suites - Columbia - Gateway Drive and Extended Stay America Suites - Columbia - Columbia Corporate Park.

Where to stay in popular areas of Columbia

Most booked hotels in Columbia

See all
Merriweather Lakehouse, Autograph Collection
4 stars
Excellent (9.2, 109 reviews)
$202+
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Live! Casino And Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 542 reviews)
$195+
View
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Columbia
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 687 reviews)
$129+
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Staybridge Suites Columbia - Baltimore By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1087 reviews)
$110+
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Hampton Inn Columbia
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 648 reviews)
$91+
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Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia South
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 584 reviews)
$109+
View

Renting a car in Columbia

Renting a car in Columbia costs $58 per day, on average, or $234 if you want to rent if for 4 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 1% cheaper than airport locations in Columbia.

Expect to pay $3.48 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 $41.79 and $55.72. Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Columbia, while also 41% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Columbia costs $58 per day, on average, or $234 if you want to rent if for 4 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 1% cheaper than airport locations in Columbia.

Expect to pay $3.48 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 $41.79 and $55.72. Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Columbia, while also 41% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Columbia

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$32/day

Intermediate

Full-size

5 Adults, 2 Bags

$32/day

Full-size
Find car rentals in Columbia

Columbia Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Columbia city guide for the best Columbia travel tips. To help you organize your Columbia trip ideas, this Columbia visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.