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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Charlottesville to Columbia. Traveling by bus from Charlottesville to Columbia usually takes around 18 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 16 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 313 mi (504 km) |
| Shortest duration | 16h 25m |
| Cheapest price | $74.00 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Charlottesville to Columbia?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Charlottesville to Columbia. Greyhound 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhound | 2 | 18h 24m | $69.89 |
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 2 bus trips from Charlottesville to Columbia every day, with the average journey taking around 18 hours and 24 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbia usually start from $58.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 18 hours and 24 minutes to cover the 313 miles from Charlottesville to Columbia. However, the fastest bus only takes 16 hours and 25 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Columbia at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00am. To see the times for all buses from Charlottesville to Columbia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Charlottesville to Columbia. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Charlottesville to Columbia; ticket prices start at $151.00.
City Information
Charlottesville
Lovingly called Mr. Jefferson’s City by locals, Charlottesville is one of Virginia's best destinations with plenty of interesting attractions to draw in not only fans of history but also of arts and culture. The prime attraction of the city is the famous estate of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello. This 5000-acre mansion is an architectural masterpiece that combines Parisian and Italian elements, giving you a day’s worth of exploration. For those looking for a more idyllic landscape, try Carter Mountain Orchard, which offers apple-picking sessions as well. The University of Charlottesville is also a must-not-miss destination. As the only university in the U.S. to be designated a World Heritage Site, it offers interesting insights into the history of education of the country.
Charlottesville’s wines are famous around the country, and the Monticello Wine Trail is perfect for trying out the best wines that the region has to offer. For an amazing dinner experience, C & O Restaurant, which has been in business since 1976, will be a great choice.
The city’s busiest bus stop is the Greyhound bus stop located downtown at 310 W Main St. For trains, head over to the nearby Amtrak train station, also on W Main St. Charlottesville is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal, Crescent and Northeast Regional lines. The city’s main airport is the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, 8 miles from 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 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 Charlottesville?
Main departure station: Bus Station - 810 W Main St
The bus station at 105 Ridge Street serves Greyhound and Jefferson Lines buses which travel through Charlottesville. Bus service is available to travel to cities like Richmond, Washington, DC, and New York. Inside the station, amenities include restrooms and vending machines for convenient snacks before your trip. Within a few minutes’ walk, though, you can grab a fresh meal from one of the many restaurants and cafes on Main Street. The station is ideally located between downtown Charlottesville and the University of Virginia campus a few blocks to the west. The Amtrak train station is also a short 10-minute walk from the bus station, so it is easy to transfer to continued travels by train.
All bus stations in Charlottesville:
Bus Station - 810 W Main St
Where does the bus arrive in Columbia?
Main arrival station: Bus Terminal - 710-A Buckner Rd
The Bus Terminal on 710-A Buckner Road is the main intercity bus station in Columbia and is served by several bus companies, including Greyhound and Southeastern Stages. The terminal offers an indoor waiting area with benches, vending machines, and restrooms. Buses leave from this station daily to destinations like Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Baltimore, and Orlando. Transport throughout Columbia is also convenient, as the Comet, a public transit bus service, connects the Columbia Bus Terminal with the Amtrak Station and Columbia's airport.
All bus stations in Columbia:
Bus Terminal - 710-A Buckner Rd
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