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.

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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
$225
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in December
Estimated hotel price
$225
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 17 km from the city centre. The shortest flight to Columbia from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 18h 57m.

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 $11 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Richmond, expect to pay about $33 for a 1h 54m trip.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including OurBus, Bus and Washington Deluxe. From Charlottesville, the bus ride to Columbia takes 298 km and will cost you around $95. From New York, the ticket costs about $102 for a journey of 338 km. Columbia’s bus station is located 4 km from the city centre.

Plane

When flying to Columbia, you’ll arrive at Baltimore/Washington Airport (BWI), which is located 17 km from the city centre. The shortest flight to Columbia from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 18h 57m.

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 $11 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Richmond, expect to pay about $33 for a 1h 54m trip.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including OurBus, Bus and Washington Deluxe. From Charlottesville, the bus ride to Columbia takes 298 km and will cost you around $95. From New York, the ticket costs about $102 for a journey of 338 km. Columbia’s bus station is located 4 km from the city centre.

Airports near Columbia

FDKFrederick
FMEFort Meade Tipton

Airlines serving Columbia

KLM
Good (1,422 reviews)
Delta
Good (7,998 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,539 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,059 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,675 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,034 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,046 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,421 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,497 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,476 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,312 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,589 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,068 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,334 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,140 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,354 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,074 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (281 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,905 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (3,099 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

Embassy Suites by Hilton Baltimore at BWI Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
$201+
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Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Baltimore Air
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$134+
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DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Baltimore - BWI Airport
4 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$145+
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Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport
3 stars
Good (7.4, Good reviews)
$158+
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Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham Baltimore Bwi Airport
2 stars
Good (6.3, Good reviews)
$102+
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Hiring a car in Columbia

Expect to pay $1.59 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 $19.01 and $25.34. Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Columbia, while also 39% cheaper than other types, on average.

Expect to pay $1.59 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 $19.01 and $25.34. Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Columbia, while also 39% cheaper than other types, on average.