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Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from Richmond to Columbia. Traveling by bus from Richmond to Columbia usually takes around 9 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest Wanda Coach bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 40 minutes.
| Distance | 317 mi (510 km) |
| Shortest duration | 7h 40m |
| Cheapest price | $39.13 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Richmond to Columbia?
Bus tickets for a trip from Richmond to Columbia cost $70.77 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.
Average prices by travel date
Bus tickets from Richmond to Columbia are expected to cost between $73 and $80 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Columbia within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $73. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.
Monthly average 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 $40.85 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Richmond to Columbia?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Richmond to Columbia that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 4 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhound | 4 | 12h 8m | $55.85 |
| Wanda Coach | 2 | 7h 41m | $100.00 |
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 4 bus trips from Richmond to Columbia every day, with the average journey taking around 12 hours and 8 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbia usually start from $37.
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 $100 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 Richmond and Columbia.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 53 minutes to cover the 317 miles from Richmond to Columbia. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 40 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Richmond to Columbia for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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.
The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Richmond to Columbia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from Richmond to Columbia every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 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 Richmond to Columbia; ticket prices start at $85.00.
City Information
Richmond
As one of the most historically significant cities in the U.S., Richmond is a top-tier destination for not just fans of history but also culturally-inclined travelers. The premier tourist attraction of the city is the Virginia State Capitol, which features a unique architecture partially designed by Thomas Jefferson himself. For those who want to enjoy a cultural experience, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is worth checking out, as it houses five exquisitely beautiful Fabergé eggs, along with works by Degas, Cézanne, and Renoir. If you wish to retreat from the concrete jungle, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a great alternative.
Richmond’s diverse community has had a huge influence on its food scene. Croaker's Spot is a famous restaurant that serves some of the best seafood around. Richmond is also the home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, and there are as many as 30 brands in the city. Some of the local favorites include Hardywood, The Veil Brewing Co., and The Answer Brewpub.
Richmond is a major hub for bus travel, and visitors can catch buses that go to cities like Washington, D.C., New York and Raleigh on a daily basis. The city boasts two Amtrak train stations that provide regular service to Washington, D.C., New York City and beyond. The principal one is the Main Street Station, which is located right in the heart of downtown Richmond. The main airport is the Richmond International Airport, 7 miles southeast of 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 Richmond?
Main departure station: 2910 N Arthur Ashe Blvd
Richmond has two bus stations with service to Columbia.
All bus stations in Richmond:
2910 N Arthur Ashe Blvd
5221 Brook Rd
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
1729 Broad River Rd
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