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There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Washington to Columbia.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceRON 429.19 | Avg. PriceRON 476.63 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration9h 23m | Duration10h 37m |
There is one daily bus from Washington DC to Columbia. Traveling by bus from Washington DC to Columbia usually takes around 9 hours and 29 minutes, but the fastest TransportAzumah bus can make the trip in 8 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 405 mi (652 km) |
| Shortest duration | 8h 15m |
| Cheapest price | RON 286.57 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Wanda Coach |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Average score for buses from Washington to Columbia
(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: The cleanliness of the bus. Cons: Having toilet paper in the bathroom for the women... I'm a woman. Tips: If U're a lady bring a roll of toilet paper.
5.0
Pros: The fact that they let you know how long you have left til you get off is great. Cons: The bathroom smells bad.
4.0
I didn’t like having to wait for people from another bus.
Bus tickets for a trip from Washington DC to Columbia cost RON 436.06 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
If you're planning to travel by bus from Washington DC to Columbia in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from RON 436 to RON 441. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 26, 2025.
If you’re looking to travel to Columbia this week, bus tickets are available starting at RON 441.
The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 21 days in advance to save RON 4.81 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Washington DC to Columbia that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| TransportAzumah | 1 | 8h 15m | RON 286.57 |
| Wanda Coach | 1 | 9h 29m | RON 440.87 |
Book TransportAzumah from Washington to Columbia from RON 287. Typically there is one TransportAzumah schedule per day from Washington DC to Columbia and you can expect on average to pay for a TransportAzumah ticket to Columbia. In Washington, TransportAzumah departs to Columbia from Union Station . In Columbia, TransportAzumah arrives at Columbia SC .
An average trip on TransportAzumah from Washington to Columbia takes 8 hours and 15 minutes .
On weekends, TransportAzumah offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Columbia.
Wanda Coach is one of the leading Chinatown bus carriers in the U.S. The company offers 1 daily bus trips to and from more than 70 cities across the East Coast and the Midwest. With bus ticket prices starting from RON 441 and convenient pick-up and drop-off locations, Wanda Coach is one of the preferred bus carriers for passengers looking to travel between the Chinatown districts of Washington and Columbia.
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 29 minutes to cover the 405 miles from Washington DC to Columbia. However, the fastest bus only takes 8 hours and 15 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. 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.
Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Columbia. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
There is usually only one bus per day from Washington DC to Columbia. It leaves the station in Washington DC at 12:00am each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
There is usually only one bus per day from Washington DC to Columbia. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Washington DC to Columbia, SC; ticket prices start at RON 299.79.
Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.
D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.
Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.
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.
Washington has two bus stations with service to Columbia.
2230 New York Ave NE
Union Station
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Columbia.
1729 Broad River Rd
Columbia SC
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With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
