Cheap train tickets from Richmond to Columbia

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Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Richmond to Columbia. Travelling by train from Richmond to Columbia usually takes 9 hours and 52 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Floridian train can make the trip in 8 hours and 18 minutes.

Distance: 317 mi (510 km)
Fastest train: 8h 18m
Lowest price: CHF 51.78
Trains per day: 1
Most frequent service: Amtrak Floridian
Train lines: 2

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Richmond to Columbia Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Richmond to Columbia?

There is usually 1 daily bus trip available from Richmond to Columbia.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceCHF 116.19	Avg. PriceCHF 82.68Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips1	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration9h 52m	Duration7h 40mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from Richmond to Columbia:

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Richmond to Columbia?

In the last month, train tickets from Richmond to Columbia cost about CHF 63 when booked at the cheapest time. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 24 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CHF 133.21 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Richmond to Columbia by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Richmond to Columbia will cost between CHF 52 and CHF 196. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Richmond to Columbia by month

Ticket prices for the train from Richmond to Columbia often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only CHF 86. If you're thinking of travelling from Richmond to Columbia during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CHF 146 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Richmond to Columbia on Wanderu at least 24 days ahead of time, you can save about CHF 133.21 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Richmond to Columbia?

2 train services operate from Richmond to Columbia. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	12h 55m	CHF 152.51
Amtrak Floridian	1	8h 18m	CHF 97.62

Amtrak is the largest passenger railway service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned washroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there is 1 Amtrak train from Richmond to Columbia every day, as well as 1 trip on the weekends, with prices starting from CHF 106.06.
Amtrak Floridian train tickets from Richmond to Columbia start from CHF 51.78, and on average cost CHF 97.62. Daily, Amtrak Floridian runs one schedule to Columbia. Amtrak Floridian in Richmond leaves from 7519 Staples Mill Rd. And in Columbia trains arrive at 850 Pulaski St.
From Richmond to Columbia train travel on Amtrak Floridian takes 8 hours and 18 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Columbia on a weekend there is typically one Amtrak Floridian scheduled trip per day, which will cost CHF 51.78 for a one-way weekend reservation from Richmond.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Richmond to Columbia

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Richmond to Columbia. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Columbia with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains. You can also take a train for your return trip from Columbia to Richmond. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from Richmond to Columbia for CHF 83.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Richmond and Columbia is approximately 510 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 52 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 18 minutes. Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Distance (mi)

317

Distance (km)

510

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Richmond at 11:30 a.m. and arrives in Columbia around 8 hours later.

First train

11:30am

Last train

4:07pm

Trains from Richmond to Columbia are the most crowded on Friday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider travelling on Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Tuesday

City Information

Richmond

As one of the most historically significant cities in the U.S., Richmond is a top-tier destination for not just fans of history but also culturally-inclined travellers. The premier tourist attraction of the city is the Virginia State Capitol, which features a unique architecture partially designed by Thomas Jefferson himself. For those who want to enjoy a cultural experience, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is worth checking out, as it houses five exquisitely beautiful Fabergé eggs, along with works by Degas, Cézanne, and Renoir. If you wish to retreat from the concrete jungle, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a great alternative.

Richmond’s diverse community has had a huge influence on its food scene. Croaker's Spot is a famous restaurant that serves some of the best seafood around. Richmond is also the home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, and there are as many as 30 brands in the city. Some of the local favourites include Hardywood, The Veil Brewing Co., and The Answer Brewpub.

Richmond is a major hub for bus travel, and visitors can catch buses that go to cities like Washington, D.C., New York and Raleigh on a daily basis. The city boasts two Amtrak train stations that provide regular service to Washington, D.C., New York City and beyond. The principal one is the Main Street Station, which is located right in the heart of downtown Richmond. The main airport is the Richmond International Airport, 7 miles southeast of the city.

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 travelling 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 is the train station in Richmond?

Main departure station: 7519 Staples Mill Rd

Located around 5 miles north of Richmond’s city centre, the Amtrak Station on Staples Mill Road is Amtrak’s busiest transport hub in the Southeast Region. The station was built in 1975 to replace the downtown Main Street Station. It now serves as an important stop for routes travelling up and down the American East. Passengers can venture north onboard the Northeast Regional service—Amtrak’s busiest route—to Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. Richmond’s Amtrak Station also offers several southward connections to vacation destinations along the East Coast in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. In addition, the GRTC bus service is available from the station for transport into downtown Richmond.

All train stations in Richmond:

7519 Staples Mill Rd
Main Street Station

Where is the train station in Columbia?

Main arrival station: 850 Pulaski St

The Columbia Amtrak Station at 850 Pulaski St is the only train station in Columbia, SC. The station is served by the Amtrak Silver Star train, which travels from New York City to Miami. Built in 1991, the Columbia Station is a steel structure located three miles from the city's downtown area and not far from the University of South Carolina campus. It offers an indoor waiting area, an information kiosk, and washrooms. The station was moved to the current Pulaski Street site from Gervais Street, where the former red-brick Seaboard Air Line and Amtrak station stood.

All train stations in Columbia:

850 Pulaski St

Need a return trip from Columbia to Richmond?

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