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
$131
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in December
Estimated hotel price
$131
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 Charlotte and takes around 1h 25m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 27m and costs around $6 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Richmond, expect to pay about $19 for a 1h 51m 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 Peter Pan Bus Lines, Bus and Washington Deluxe. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Columbia takes 160 miles and will cost you around $25. From New York, the ticket costs about $46 for a journey of 240 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 Charlotte and takes around 1h 25m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 27m and costs around $6 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Richmond, expect to pay about $19 for a 1h 51m 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 Peter Pan Bus Lines, Bus and Washington Deluxe. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Columbia takes 160 miles and will cost you around $25. From New York, the ticket costs about $46 for a journey of 240 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 (1,386 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,363 reviews)
Delta
Good (7,957 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,924 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,924 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,468 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,336 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,624 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,145 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,486 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,114 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,250 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,894 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,324 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (994 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,365 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,975 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,914 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (278 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (3,174 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, 104 reviews)
$267+
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Live! Casino And Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 541 reviews)
$195+
View
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 682 reviews)
$149+
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Staybridge Suites Columbia - Baltimore By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1080 reviews)
$111+
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Hampton Inn Columbia
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 639 reviews)
$112+
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Sonesta Select Columbia
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 848 reviews)
$86+
View

Renting a car in Columbia

Renting a car in Columbia costs $47 per day, on average, or $188 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 16% cheaper than airport locations in Columbia.

Expect to pay $3.56 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 $42.70 and $56.93. Full-size (Kia Optima or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Columbia, while also 67% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Columbia costs $47 per day, on average, or $188 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 16% cheaper than airport locations in Columbia.

Expect to pay $3.56 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 $42.70 and $56.93. Full-size (Kia Optima or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Columbia, while also 67% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Columbia

Standard

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$37/day

Standard

Standard SUV

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$45/day

Standard SUV
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.