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 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 10 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Columbia departs from Orlando and takes around 2h 15m.

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 $16 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $17 for a 1h 47m 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 Turo and Drive Tri-State, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Bus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. From Baltimore, the bus ride to Columbia takes 45 miles and will cost you around $20. From Baltimore, the ticket costs about $17 for a journey of 60 miles. Columbia’s bus station is located 3 miles from the city center.

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 Orlando and takes around 2h 15m.

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 $16 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $17 for a 1h 47m 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 Turo and Drive Tri-State, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Bus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. From Baltimore, the bus ride to Columbia takes 45 miles and will cost you around $20. From Baltimore, the ticket costs about $17 for a journey of 60 miles. Columbia’s bus station is located 3 miles from the city center.

Airports near Columbia

FDKFrederick
FMEFort Meade Tipton

Airlines serving Columbia

KLM
Good (1,405 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,001 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,500 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,032 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,007 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,007 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,402 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,661 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,484 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,416 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,285 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,564 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,247 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,055 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,133 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,335 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,047 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (279 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,907 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (3,115 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, 110 reviews)
$239+
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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Columbia
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 687 reviews)
$128+
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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, 651 reviews)
$88+
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Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia South
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 585 reviews)
$120+
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Sonesta Select Columbia
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 873 reviews)
$85+
View

Renting a car in Columbia

Renting a car in Columbia costs $52 per day, on average, or $156 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 17% cheaper than airport locations in Columbia.

Expect to pay $3.41 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 $40.88 and $54.51. Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Columbia, while also 39% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Columbia costs $52 per day, on average, or $156 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 17% cheaper than airport locations in Columbia.

Expect to pay $3.41 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 $40.88 and $54.51. Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Columbia, while also 39% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Columbia

Standard

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$36/day

Standard

Compact SUV

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$42/day

Compact SUV
Find car rentals in Columbia