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.

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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
C$ 187
1 night at 3-star hotel
Columbia in August
Estimated hotel price
C$ 187
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 33m and costs around C$ 8 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about C$ 24 for a 2h 00m 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 Thrifty and Turo, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Washington Deluxe, OurBus and Peter Pan Bus Lines. From Richmond, the bus ride to Columbia takes 120 miles and will cost you around C$ 64. From Philadelphia, the ticket costs about C$ 72 for a journey of 175 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 33m and costs around C$ 8 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about C$ 24 for a 2h 00m 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 Thrifty and Turo, among others, in New York.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Columbia, including Washington Deluxe, OurBus and Peter Pan Bus Lines. From Richmond, the bus ride to Columbia takes 120 miles and will cost you around C$ 64. From Philadelphia, the ticket costs about C$ 72 for a journey of 175 miles. Columbia’s bus station is located 3 miles from the downtown.

Airports near Columbia

FDKFrederick
FMEFort Meade Tipton

Airlines serving Columbia

KLM
Good (1,496 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,881 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,407 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,306 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,178 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,566 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,581 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,748 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,557 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,728 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,919 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,189 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,386 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,202 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,429 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,275 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,931 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Good (12,230 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (202 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (305 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
Holiday Inn Baltimore BWI Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
C$ 160+
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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Columbia
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
C$ 166+
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Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia South
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
C$ 152+
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Hampton Inn Columbia
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
C$ 140+
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Embassy Suites by Hilton Baltimore at BWI Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
C$ 155+
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DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Baltimore - BWI Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
C$ 137+
View

Renting a car in Columbia

Expect to pay C$ 1.58 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$ 18.94 and C$ 25.25. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Nissan Sentra or similar) are, on average, 62% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Expect to pay C$ 1.58 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$ 18.94 and C$ 25.25. The most frequently booked car type in Columbia is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Nissan Sentra or similar) are, on average, 62% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.