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 129,272, Columbia is the largest city in South Carolina, United States by the number of inhabitants. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Columbia deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

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Where to Eat in Columbia

If you’re looking for affordable options, Motor Supply Company Bistro (920 Gervais St.) and Solstice Kitchen (841-4 Sparkleberry Lane) are great picks.

When to visit Columbia

Columbia in December
Estimated hotel price
$106
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in December
Estimated hotel price
$106
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Columbia in July, when the average temperature is 82.4 °F, and the highest can go up to 93.2 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 33.8 °F, with an average temperature of 44.6 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in July, when precipitation is around 5.5″. In contrast, April is usually the driest month of the year in Columbia, with an average rainfall of 2.6″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Columbia

Plane

When flying to Columbia, you’ll arrive at Columbia Metropolitan (CAE), which is located 6 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Columbia include American Airlines, Delta and WestJet. The shortest domestic flight to Columbia departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 1h 43m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Columbia. The train journey from Columbia to Cary takes 4h 09m and costs around $26 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Orlando, expect to pay about $53 for a 9h 14m trip. The train station in Columbia is called Columbia, and is located 0.5 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Columbia is to pick up a car rental from Atlanta, which is about 193 miles from Columbia. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Turo, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

The most popular bus station is Columbia 1729 Broad River Rd, located 4 miles from downtown Columbia. Columbia CMRTA Bus Station is also a commonly used station, and is 2 miles from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Columbia, you’ll arrive at Columbia Metropolitan (CAE), which is located 6 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Columbia include American Airlines, Delta and WestJet. The shortest domestic flight to Columbia departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 1h 43m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Columbia. The train journey from Columbia to Cary takes 4h 09m and costs around $26 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Orlando, expect to pay about $53 for a 9h 14m trip. The train station in Columbia is called Columbia, and is located 0.5 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Columbia is to pick up a car rental from Atlanta, which is about 193 miles from Columbia. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Turo, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

The most popular bus station is Columbia 1729 Broad River Rd, located 4 miles from downtown Columbia. Columbia CMRTA Bus Station is also a commonly used station, and is 2 miles from the city center.

Airports near Columbia

CAEColumbia Metropolitan
CLTCharlotte Douglas
CHSCharleston

Airlines serving Columbia

Lufthansa
Good (7,064 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,338 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,875 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,946 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,591 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,796 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,717 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,449 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (785 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,719 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,224 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,567 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,292 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,353 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (346 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,006 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,276 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,863 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,206 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (971 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Columbia

Where to stay in Columbia

Average rates range from around $173 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $235 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Candlewood Suites Columbia-Fort Jackson, An IHG Hotel and Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia Southeast Ft. Jackson. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Columbia, with prices from $57 to $510 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Columbia are about 50% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Most popular hotel in Columbia by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Columbia

Most booked hotels in Columbia

See all
Cambria Hotel Columbia Downtown, The Vista
3 stars
Excellent (9.1, 513 reviews)
$143+
View
Graduate by Hilton Columbia, S.C.
4 stars
Excellent (9, 930 reviews)
$145+
View
Hyatt Place Columbia Harbison
3 stars
Good (7.7, 1408 reviews)
$95+
View
Doubletree By Hilton Columbia, Sc
4 stars
Good (7.4, 506 reviews)
$130+
View
Super 8 by Wyndham Harbison/Parkridge Hospital
2 stars
Good (6.2, 1027 reviews)
$78+
View
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Columbia Airport
2 stars
Okay (5.4, 222 reviews)
$81+
View

Renting a car in Columbia

Renting a car in Columbia costs $74 per day, on average, or $149 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 2% 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. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Full-size (Chevrolet Tahoe or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Nissan Sentra or similar) are, on average, 38% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Columbia costs $74 per day, on average, or $149 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 2% 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. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Full-size (Chevrolet Tahoe or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Nissan Sentra or similar) are, on average, 38% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Columbia

Mini

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$38/day

Mini

Compact

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$43/day

Compact
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.