Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring 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.

Article

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
$232
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in August
Estimated hotel price
$232
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 centre. The shortest flight to Columbia from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 18h 54m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Philadelphia takes 2h 00m and costs around $19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Charlottesville, expect to pay about $34 for a 2h 06m trip.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including OurBus, Washington Deluxe and Peter Pan Bus Lines. From Richmond, the bus ride to Columbia takes 110 miles and will cost you around $39. From New York, the ticket costs about $81 for a journey of 260 miles. Columbia’s bus station is located 3 miles from the city centre.

Plane

When flying to Columbia, you’ll arrive at Baltimore/Washington Airport (BWI), which is located 10 miles from the city centre. The shortest flight to Columbia from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 18h 54m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Philadelphia takes 2h 00m and costs around $19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Charlottesville, expect to pay about $34 for a 2h 06m trip.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including OurBus, Washington Deluxe and Peter Pan Bus Lines. From Richmond, the bus ride to Columbia takes 110 miles and will cost you around $39. From New York, the ticket costs about $81 for a journey of 260 miles. Columbia’s bus station is located 3 miles from the city centre.

Airports near Columbia

FDKFrederick
FMEFort Meade Tipton

Airlines serving Columbia

KLM
Good (1,477 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,813 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,319 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,273 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,147 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,547 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,462 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,541 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,722 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,732 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,835 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,182 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,374 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,429 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,173 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,224 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Good (12,098 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,908 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (198 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (297 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

Embassy Suites by Hilton Baltimore at BWI Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
$204+
View
Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
$194+
View
La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Baltimore Bwi Airport
3 stars
Good (7.7, Good reviews)
$136+
View
Hyatt Place Baltimore BWI Airport
3 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
$181+
View
Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport
3 stars
Good (7.4, Good reviews)
$165+
View

Hiring a car in Columbia

Expect to pay $1.86 per litre in Columbia (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $22.22 and $29.63. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Full-size (Toyota Camry or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Nissan Sentra or similar) is, on average, 60% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Expect to pay $1.86 per litre in Columbia (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $22.22 and $29.63. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Full-size (Toyota Camry or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Nissan Sentra or similar) is, on average, 60% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.