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 December
Estimated hotel price
$226
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in December
Estimated hotel price
$226
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 21h 02m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Philadelphia takes 1h 59m and costs around $30 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New York, expect to pay about $39 for a 3h 17m trip.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Peter Pan Bus Lines, Bus and OurBus. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Columbia takes 225 km and will cost you around $88. From Charlottesville, the ticket costs about $83 for a journey of 298 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 21h 02m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Philadelphia takes 1h 59m and costs around $30 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New York, expect to pay about $39 for a 3h 17m trip.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Peter Pan Bus Lines, Bus and OurBus. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Columbia takes 225 km and will cost you around $88. From Charlottesville, the ticket costs about $83 for a journey of 298 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 (1,411 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,007 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,521 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,043 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,017 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,012 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,662 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,409 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,487 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,450 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,296 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,575 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,058 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,334 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,134 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,287 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,059 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (281 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,907 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (3,109 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)
$199+
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DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Baltimore - BWI Airport
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$156+
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Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Baltimore Air
3 stars
Good (7.7, Good reviews)
$136+
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Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport
3 stars
Good (7.4, Good reviews)
$159+
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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 $19.08 and $25.43. 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 $19.08 and $25.43. 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.