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 3 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, Glenwood's - Stanford Grill: Columbia (8900 Stanford Boulevard) and The Food Market - Columbia (10480 Little Patuxent Pkwy) are great picks.

When to visit Columbia

Columbia in August
Estimated hotel price
$134
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in August
Estimated hotel price
$134
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 10 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Columbia departs from Atlanta and takes around 1h 45m.

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 Turo and Drive Tri-State, among others, in New York.

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 Atlanta and takes around 1h 45m.

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 Turo and Drive Tri-State, among others, in New York.

Airports near Columbia

FDKFrederick
FMEFort Meade Tipton

Airlines serving Columbia

KLM
Good (1,539 reviews)
British Airways
Good (8,118 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,447 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,471 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,254 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,627 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,993 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,743 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,626 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,882 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,211 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (11,344 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,420 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,479 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,413 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,338 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Good (12,657 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (3,008 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (228 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (313 reviews)
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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
Holiday Inn Baltimore BWI Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.9, 1122 reviews)
$118+
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Merriweather Lakehouse, Autograph Collection
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, 116 reviews)
$311+
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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Columbia
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 718 reviews)
$147+
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Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia South
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 602 reviews)
$120+
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Hampton Inn Columbia
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 678 reviews)
$102+
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La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Baltimore Bwi Airport
3 stars
Good (7.9, 1168 reviews)
$82+
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Renting a car in Columbia

Renting a car in Columbia costs $59 per day, on average, or $178 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $4.13 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 $49.51 and $66.02. Compact (Nissan Sentra or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Columbia, while also 63% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Columbia costs $59 per day, on average, or $178 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $4.13 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 $49.51 and $66.02. Compact (Nissan Sentra or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Columbia, while also 63% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Columbia

Full-size

5 Adults, 2 Bags

$49/day

Full-size

SUV

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$58/day

SUV
Find car rentals in Columbia