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 January
Estimated hotel price
$203
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in January
Estimated hotel price
$203
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 34h 21m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 33m and costs around $10 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $18 for a 1h 56m 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 Dollar and Ace, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Washington Deluxe, Peter Pan Bus Lines and Bus. From Richmond, the bus ride to Columbia takes 217 km and will cost you around $83. From Philadelphia, the ticket costs about $42 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 34h 21m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 33m and costs around $10 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $18 for a 1h 56m 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 Dollar and Ace, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Washington Deluxe, Peter Pan Bus Lines and Bus. From Richmond, the bus ride to Columbia takes 217 km and will cost you around $83. From Philadelphia, the ticket costs about $42 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 (1,448 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,711 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,133 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,209 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,101 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,231 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,729 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,531 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,495 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,676 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,676 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,178 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,380 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,357 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,155 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,831 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,133 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,892 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (192 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (290 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)
$185+
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DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Baltimore - BWI Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
$133+
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Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$185+
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La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Baltimore Bwi Airport
3 stars
Good (7.7, Good reviews)
$116+
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Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport
3 stars
Good (7.4, Good reviews)
$149+
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Hiring a car in Columbia

Expect to pay $1.39 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 $16.58 and $22.10. Compact (Nissan Versa or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Columbia, while also 67% cheaper than other types, on average.

Expect to pay $1.39 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 $16.58 and $22.10. Compact (Nissan Versa or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Columbia, while also 67% cheaper than other types, on average.