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 August
Estimated hotel price
$227
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in August
Estimated hotel price
$227
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 27h.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 32m and costs around $10 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $18 for a 1h 57m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Columbia is to pick up a car hire from New York, which is about 185 miles from Columbia. You’ll find branches of Dollar and Ace, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including OurBus, Washington Deluxe and Peter Pan Bus Lines. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Columbia takes 140 miles and will cost you around $42. From Charlottesville, the ticket costs about $82 for a journey of 185 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 27h.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 32m and costs around $10 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $18 for a 1h 57m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Columbia is to pick up a car hire from New York, which is about 185 miles from Columbia. You’ll find branches of Dollar and Ace, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including OurBus, Washington Deluxe and Peter Pan Bus Lines. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Columbia takes 140 miles and will cost you around $42. From Charlottesville, the ticket costs about $82 for a journey of 185 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 (1,460 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,762 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,238 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,234 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,123 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,344 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,537 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,742 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,533 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,699 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,742 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,181 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,416 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,369 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,179 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,948 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,149 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,900 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (196 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (293 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, Excellent reviews)
$194+
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DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Baltimore - BWI Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
$127+
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Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$169+
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La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Baltimore Bwi Airport
3 stars
Good (7.7, Good reviews)
$118+
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Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport
3 stars
Good (7.4, Good reviews)
$148+
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Hiring a car in Columbia

Expect to pay $1.44 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 $17.28 and $23.04. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Intermediate (Hyundai Elantra 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, 73% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Expect to pay $1.44 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 $17.28 and $23.04. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Intermediate (Hyundai Elantra 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, 73% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.