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Boston - Columbia Train Timetable
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Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Boston to Columbia. Traveling by train from Boston to Columbia usually takes around 19 hours and 23 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 19 hours and 1 minute.
| Distance | 791 mi (1273 km) |
| Fastest train | 19h 1m |
| Lowest price | £167.68 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Boston to Columbia?
In the last month, £167.68 was the average price of a train ticket from Boston to Columbia. Given how far apart Boston and Columbia are from each other, there's no getting around the fact that most train tickets are on the pricier side. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 15 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £183.45 more than that for a same-day booking.
Monthly average prices
Ticket prices for the train from Boston to Columbia often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in August when the average ticket price is only £140,
If you're thinking of traveling from Boston to Columbia during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £182 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.
Which train should you take from Boston to Columbia?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Boston to Columbia. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 19h 23m | £275.76 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad 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 restroom, 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 are 1 Amtrak trains from Boston to Columbia every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £168.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Boston and Columbia is approximately 791 miles, or 1273 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 19 hours and 23 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 19 hours and 1 minute.
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.
Tuesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Boston to Columbia. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Tuesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Boston at 06:00 and arrives in Columbia around 19 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Columbia to Boston.
City Information
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest cities in the country, but it is kept young and fresh with the help of over 150,000 students who flock to the city’s prestigious universities every year. Beantown’s many sights and activities celebrate American history, prolific sports teams, and New England seafood. So let's spill the tea (into the harbor, if you will):
Boston's Freedom Trail is the best way to see the city on foot and visit some of the most iconic landmarks of the American Revolution: from Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution to the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall. The Freedom Trail officially begins in Boston Common, the oldest public park in the U.S. and a beautiful spot for walking, picnicking, or ice skating in the winter. Foodies will love tasting the Italian cuisine in the North End and the modern eateries of South End, while sports fans can tour Fenway Park, and art lovers can explore the expansive Museum of Fine Arts.
From Boston, travelers can easily get to the beachy summer destination of Cape Cod, or surrounding states like New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island. With four main train stations and several bus stops in the city, as well as Boston Logan Airport (which, by the way, has some excellent airport food), Boston is a central hub for travel throughout New England and beyond.
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 is the train station in Boston?
Main departure station: Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St
There are two stations in Boston where you can board the train to Columbia.
All train stations in Boston:
Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St
South Station
Where is the train station in Columbia?
Image credit: Hikki Nagasaki
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 restrooms. 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.
Train stations in Columbia:
850 Pulaski St
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Need a return trip from Columbia to Boston?
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