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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Athens to Columbia. Traveling by bus from Athens to Columbia usually takes around 3 hours and 35 minutes, but the fastest Southeastern Stages bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 133 mi (214 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 25m |
| Cheapest price | $75.92 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Southeastern Stages |
| Bus lines | 1 |
Price trends for buses from Athens to Columbia
Monthly average prices
What bus companies travel from Athens to Columbia?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Athens to Columbia. Southeastern Stages is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Stages | 2 | 3h 35m | $75.92 |
Book Southeastern Stages from Athens to Columbia from $76. There are 2 Southeastern Stages schedules from Athens to Columbia and you can expect on average to pay for a Southeastern Stages ticket to Columbia. In Athens, Southeastern Stages departs to Columbia from 1590 Lexington Rd and no other station. In Columbia, Southeastern Stages arrives at Columbia and no other station.
An average trip on Southeastern Stages from Athens to Columbia takes 3 hours and 35 minutes , while the fastest available Southeastern Stages trip will get you to Columbia in 3 hours and 25 minutes .
On weekends, Southeastern Stages offers 2 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Columbia.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 35 minutes to cover the 214 kilometers from Athens to Columbia. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 25 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Columbia, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
The first bus leaves at 11:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Athens to Columbia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Columbia
As the capital city of South Carolina, Columbia offers plenty of historic attractions and exciting activities that will keep tourists of all ages satisfied. Sitting at the heart of the city is the South Carolina State Museum, which boasts the most impressive collection of permanent and changing exhibits in the state, as well as in the Southeast. One of the top highlights of the museum is its amazing planetarium that has a height of 55 feet. If you are traveling with kids, EdVenture should certainly be on your list. The museum’s prime attraction is a giant 10-year-old with his own fake digestive tracts and vertebrae, allowing kids to explore anatomy with ease. Nature lovers should not miss out on the chance to enjoy an outdoor day at Lake Murray, which features a vast range of activities such as boating, fishing, paddling, etc.
Columbia features an exciting food scene that is brimming with new talents. For an amazing lunch, The Gourmet Shop and their famous chicken salad will be a great choice. If you wish to enjoy a dinner with wine, Lula Drake is the place to be.
Columbia’s principal bus station is located 710-A Buckner Rd on the outskirts of the city. The main Amtrak train station is located on Pulaski St in the heart of downtown near the University of South Carolina campus. Columbia is served by Amtrak’s Silver Service line. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the main airport and it is located five miles southwest of the city.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Athens?
Main departure station: 1590 Lexington Rd
Most buses depart from the main station in Athens.
All bus stations in Athens:
1590 Lexington Rd
Where does the bus arrive in Columbia?
Main arrival station: Columbia
All buses from Athens arrive at one main station in Columbia.
Bus stations in Columbia:
Columbia
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