Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting 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. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Columbia deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

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
C$ 180
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in December
Estimated hotel price
C$ 180
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 Canada departs from Toronto and takes around 1h 29m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 28m and costs around C$ 8 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about C$ 15 for a 2h 06m trip.

Car

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

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Peter Pan Bus Lines, Bus and Greyhound. From Baltimore, the bus ride to Columbia takes 45 miles and will cost you around C$ 28. From Baltimore, the ticket costs about C$ 24 for a journey of 60 miles. Columbia’s bus station is located 3 miles from the downtown.

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 Canada departs from Toronto and takes around 1h 29m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Columbia, followed by Acela. The train journey from Columbia to Baltimore takes 0h 28m and costs around C$ 8 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about C$ 15 for a 2h 06m trip.

Car

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

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Peter Pan Bus Lines, Bus and Greyhound. From Baltimore, the bus ride to Columbia takes 45 miles and will cost you around C$ 28. From Baltimore, the ticket costs about C$ 24 for a journey of 60 miles. Columbia’s bus station is located 3 miles from the downtown.

Airports near Columbia

FDKFrederick
FMEFort Meade Tipton

Airlines serving Columbia

KLM
Good (1,409 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,002 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,505 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,035 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,014 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,007 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,661 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,405 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,486 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,429 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,288 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,568 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,055 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,335 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,135 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,254 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,055 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (279 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,908 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (3,111 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

See all
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Columbia
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
C$ 176+
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Staybridge Suites Columbia - Baltimore By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
C$ 154+
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Hampton Inn Columbia
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
C$ 121+
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Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia South
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
C$ 157+
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Embassy Suites by Hilton Baltimore at BWI Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
C$ 162+
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Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Baltimore Air
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
C$ 103+
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Renting a car in Columbia

Expect to pay C$ 1.27 per litre in Columbia (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between C$ 15.17 and C$ 20.23. Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Columbia, while also 39% cheaper than other types, on average.

Expect to pay C$ 1.27 per litre in Columbia (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between C$ 15.17 and C$ 20.23. Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Columbia, while also 39% cheaper than other types, on average.