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Journey Information
There are 5 intercity buses per day from Raleigh to Columbia. Traveling by bus from Raleigh to Columbia usually takes around 5 hours and 10 minutes, but the fastest Wanda Coach bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 183 mi (295 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 35m |
| Cheapest price | $28.47 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Wanda Coach |
| Bus lines | 3 |
How much is a bus ticket from Raleigh to Columbia?
Bus tickets for a trip from Raleigh to Columbia cost $37.71 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average prices by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Raleigh to Columbia in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $38 to $44. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 27, 2024.
If you’re looking to travel to Columbia this week, bus tickets are available starting at $39.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 20 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $21.37 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Raleigh to Columbia?
There are 3 bus lines from Raleigh to Columbia available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. Wanda Coach offers the most choice in regards to departure times, with a couple of different times on its daily bus schedule.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhound | 1 | 6h 41m | $43.33 |
| Southeastern Stages | 2 | 6h 6m | $79.59 |
| Wanda Coach | 2 | 4h 36m | $40.00 |
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 1 bus trips from Raleigh to Columbia every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 41 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbia usually start from $27.
Book Southeastern Stages from Raleigh to Columbia from $74. There are 2 trips per day offered by Southeastern Stages from Raleigh to Columbia and you can expect on average to pay for a Southeastern Stages ticket to Columbia. In Raleigh, Southeastern Stages departs to Columbia from Raleigh . In Columbia, Southeastern Stages arrives at Columbia .
An average trip on Southeastern Stages from Raleigh to Columbia takes 6 hours and 6 minutes , while the fastest available Southeastern Stages trip will get you to Columbia in 4 hours and 35 minutes .
On weekends, Southeastern Stages offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Columbia.
Wanda Coach is one of the leading Chinatown bus carriers in the U.S. The company offers 2 daily bus trips to and from more than 70 cities across the East Coast and the Midwest. With bus ticket prices starting from $40 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 Raleigh and Columbia.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 10 minutes to cover the 183 miles from Raleigh to Columbia. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 35 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.
Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus 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, 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 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00am. To see the times for all buses from Raleigh to Columbia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Raleigh to Columbia every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 3 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Raleigh to Columbia; ticket prices start at $35.00.
City Information
Raleigh
As an up-and-coming smart city, Raleigh has a wide range of activities that will satisfy all kinds of travelers. One of the most famous destinations in the city is the Neuse River Trail, which boasts 28 miles of a scenic path running through Wake Forest. It goes through not only forests but also wetlands, allowing walkers and cyclists to take a breather from the concrete jungle and be one with nature. Raleigh is also a famous research city, so it makes sense to visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. With a permanent collection that attracts all ages, including whale skeletons and seahorse diorama, the museum is a great spot that you should not miss out on. If you wish to go shopping the old-fashioned way, the Raleigh City Market, which opened more than a century ago, allows you to meander through various small boutiques.
Raleigh’s reputation as a foodie haven is on a steady rise, and it currently houses five different establishments by chef Ashley Christensen, of which Poole’s Diner is particularly noteworthy. If you are looking for authentic North Carolina-style barbecues, Clyde Cooper’s stands among the most popular choices.
Raleigh’s main bus station is located outside of the city center at 2210 Capital Blvd. The city’s Amtrak station is one of the busiest in the country, and there are daily trains running from Raleigh to New York City, Charlotte and Miami, among other places. The principal airport in the region is the Raleigh–Durham International Airport, which is northwest of Downtown.
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 Raleigh?
Main departure station: 1298 Buck Jones Rd (Citgo Gas Station)
Buses to Columbia leave from 3 stations in Raleigh.
All bus stations in Raleigh:
1298 Buck Jones Rd (Citgo Gas Station)
Bus Terminal - 2210 Capital Blvd
Raleigh
Where does the bus arrive in Columbia?
Main arrival station: 1729 Broad River Rd
Buses arrive in Columbia at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Columbia:
1729 Broad River Rd
Bus Terminal - 710-A Buckner Rd
Columbia
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