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, 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
$216
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in December
Estimated hotel price
$216
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 45h 17m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Philadelphia takes 2h 06m and costs around $18 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Newark, expect to pay about $36 for a 3h 16m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Columbia is to pick up a car hire from New York, which is about 298 km from Columbia. You’ll find branches of Avis and Dollar, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Bus, OurBus and Peter Pan Bus Lines. From Richmond, the bus ride to Columbia takes 177 km and will cost you around $81. From Philadelphia, the ticket costs about $41 for a journey of 225 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 45h 17m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Philadelphia takes 2h 06m and costs around $18 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Newark, expect to pay about $36 for a 3h 16m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Columbia is to pick up a car hire from New York, which is about 298 km from Columbia. You’ll find branches of Avis and Dollar, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Bus, OurBus and Peter Pan Bus Lines. From Richmond, the bus ride to Columbia takes 177 km and will cost you around $81. From Philadelphia, the ticket costs about $41 for a journey of 225 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 (1,363 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,078 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,970 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,813 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,845 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,463 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,282 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,588 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,657 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,410 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,093 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,333 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,304 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,220 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,907 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,318 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (921 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (997 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,911 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (265 reviews)
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Where to stay in Columbia

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia South and Extended Stay America Select Suites - Columbia - Gateway Drive.

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)
$222+
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DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Baltimore - BWI Airport
4 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$166+
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Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Baltimore Air
3 stars
Good (7.7, Good reviews)
$166+
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Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport
4 stars
Good (7.7, Good reviews)
$237+
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Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham Bwi Airport Baltimore
2 stars
Okay (5.7, Okay reviews)
$138+
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Hiring a car in Columbia

Expect to pay $1.55 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 $18.58 and $24.78. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Full-size (Nissan Pathfinder or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Standard car hire (Class Commercial Truck or similar) is, on average, 71% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Expect to pay $1.55 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 $18.58 and $24.78. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Full-size (Nissan Pathfinder or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Standard car hire (Class Commercial Truck or similar) is, on average, 71% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Columbia Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Columbia city guide for the best Columbia travel tips. To help you organise 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.