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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Champaign to Columbia. Traveling by bus from Champaign to Columbia usually takes around 40 hours and 10 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
| Distance | 580 mi (933 km) |
| Shortest duration | 40h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $207.00 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Tornado Bus |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Champaign to Columbia?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Champaign to Columbia. Tornado Bus 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado Bus | 2 | 1d 16h 10m | $207.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 40 hours and 10 minutes to cover the 580 miles from Champaign to Columbia. 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.
The first bus leaves at 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00am. To see the times for all buses from Champaign to Columbia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Champaign
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
A significant hub for the Silicone Prairie, Champaign is a stunning city with many exciting landmarks to visit. The downtown area of Champaign is perhaps its busiest area, with over 40 different bars, art galleries, and boutique shops for you to enjoy. To enjoy arthouse films or independent productions, head over to the Art Theater, which also hosts special screenings. The campustown area near the University of Illinois hosts not only cheap eateries but also fine dining spots. The area tends to get crowded at night since students will be out on the street to enjoy the hopping nightlife.
As a busy college town, Champaign naturally has a very vibrant food scene with many excellent dining options. Radio Maria is a unique Spanish establishment with very colorful Spanish decorations and amazing tapas dishes. Those who want something more exotic and exciting could check out DESTIHL, which offers unique home-cooked dishes and great artisan beers.
The Illinois Terminal is Champaign's primary bus and train station, served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, and Greyhound. From Champaign, you can continue your journey and visit some of the other top destinations in Illinois.
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 Champaign?
Main departure station: Pilot Travel center
Tornado bus service stops at the Pilot Travel Center located at 4910 Market Street, slightly north of downtown Champaign. The gas station is open 24 hours a day, all day. It is a stop-over plaza for trucks and buses to refuel, so there is not a separate bus station building. You can, however, wait for the bus inside the gas station or head to the onsite McDonald’s to grab a bite. The place remains busy throughout the day, but overall the facilities are clean and comfortable for travelers.
All bus stations in Champaign:
Pilot Travel center
Where does the bus arrive in Columbia?
Main arrival station: 7400 Wilson Blvd
All buses from Champaign arrive at one main station in Columbia.
All bus stations in Columbia:
7400 Wilson Blvd
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