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
$222
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in December
Estimated hotel price
$222
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 26h 08m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Philadelphia takes 1h 56m and costs around $19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Charlottesville, expect to pay about $35 for a 2h 27m trip.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Peter Pan Bus Lines, OurBus and Bus. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Columbia takes 290 km and will cost you around $73. From New York, the ticket costs about $63 for a journey of 426 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 26h 08m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Philadelphia takes 1h 56m and costs around $19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Charlottesville, expect to pay about $35 for a 2h 27m trip.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Peter Pan Bus Lines, OurBus and Bus. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Columbia takes 290 km and will cost you around $73. From New York, the ticket costs about $63 for a journey of 426 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 (1,434 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,659 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,032 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,154 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,079 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,142 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,702 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,463 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,519 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,603 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,361 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,637 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,126 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,169 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,346 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,672 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,111 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (289 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,892 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (187 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

DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Baltimore - BWI Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
$132+
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Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Baltimore Air
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$120+
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La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Baltimore Bwi Airport
3 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
$120+
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Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport
3 stars
Good (7.4, Good reviews)
$141+
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Red Roof PLUS+ Baltimore - Washington DC/BWI Airport
2 stars
Good (7, Good reviews)
$111+
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Hiring a car in Columbia

Expect to pay $1.46 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 $17.52 and $23.36. 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 $1.46 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 $17.52 and $23.36. 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.