Cheap train tickets from Birmingham to Columbus
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Trip Summary
There is usually just one train option from Birmingham to Columbus per day. The average train journey from Birmingham to Columbus takes 45 hours and 51 minutes, though some trains might be a few minutes slower or faster.
Distance | 492 mi (792 km) |
Fastest train | 45h 51m |
Lowest price | $407.00 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Birmingham to Columbus?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Birmingham to Columbus. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 1 | 1d 21h 51m | $407.00 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 1 Amtrak trains from Birmingham to Columbus every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $407.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Birmingham to Columbus
The distance between Birmingham and Columbus is approximately 492 miles, or 792 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 45 hours and 51 minutes,
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Trains departing from Birmingham to Columbus tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Friday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Birmingham at 5:00pm and arrives in Columbus around 45 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Columbus to Birmingham.
City Information
Birmingham
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Birmingham may not be the capital of Alabama, but it does hold the crown as both the cultural and entertainment capital of the Cotton State. The second-most populous city, Birmingham was founded during the Reconstruction Period, which followed the American Civil War.
Quietly going about its business as an industrial powerhouse, producing much of America's iron and steel, Birmingham didn't enter the world's consciousness until the Civil Rights Movement one hundred years later. It’s one of the 8 iconic cities on our Martin Luther King, Jr. road trip, as it’s the city where Dr. King wrote his famous “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” When visiting, be sure to stop at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to learn more about the city’s civil rights history.
Today known as America's 'Magic City,' new life has been blown into downtown Birmingham in recent years. Its streets have been cleaned up, allowing the city's historical gems such as the Alabama Theater to shine once more both by day and by night.
The Birmingham Museum of Art contains the most extensive collection of artworks in the southeastern United States. It's connected to the nightlife districts of Five Points South, Lakeview, and Uptown by a series of charming tree-lined public squares. Close by Five Points South also lies Red Mountain's Vulcan Park, home to the world's largest cast-iron statue. It was made for the St. Louis World Fair of 1904.
Birmingham is an important regional hub linking the Deep South, the Appalachian Mountains, and Piedmont. Travelers can easily reach other noteworthy destinations in the U.S., including Dallas, Phoenix, and Montgomery, thanks to the hundreds of bus and train routes to and from Birmingham.
Columbus
Brimming with life and cultural events, Columbus is the affordable destination of your dreams! Featuring a budding art scene, Columbus attracts art lovers through the exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Arts where children and adults alike can indulge in thought-provoking artworks. Fans of sports should not miss out on a baseball game at Huntington Park, which offers reasonably-priced tickets; it is also rarely crowded. For those who simply want to stroll about, the German Village offers a quaint and scenic view rarely seen elsewhere.
As the sun goes down, dig deeper into the German heritage of Columbus by enjoying a traditional schnitzel dish at the Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus. When you are looking for a quick snack, Bodega serves some of the best sandwiches in town, and there are up to 47 varieties of craft beers for you to choose from.
Columbus’ busiest bus station is located on E Town St., and it offers intercity bus trips to Cleveland, Chicago, New York and many other cities. The Columbus Union Station was the first union station ever built, and it’s served by Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited train lines. The local airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located on the east side of the city, 6 miles east of Downtown. It provides access to 31 other airports.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Birmingham?
Image credit: Birmingham Photographer J.g.
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Intermodal Facility
Birmingham's Intermodal Facility is a modern station right in the heart of downtown. It is near the McWane Science Center and only a 10-minute walk to the University of Alabama. The Intermodal Facility is a hub for Amtrak trains, intercity buses, and MAX transit throughout Birmingham, so it's easy to transfer between travel modes all within the same station. Birmingham is a stop on Amtrak's Crescent Line, which runs from New York to New Orleans. The station has an onsite cafe, plus amenities like restrooms, seating, and vending machines.
All train stations in Birmingham:
Intermodal Facility
Where is the train station in Columbus?
Image credit: Antony-22
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Columbus, OH (Bus Station)
The Bus Terminal at 111 E Town St is Columbus’ hub for intercity bus service on a variety of carriers including Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Miller Transportation, Barons Bus Lines, and Amtrak Thruway. Conveniently located in downtown Columbus, the station’s area features several parking lots, hotels, and fast food restaurants. The waiting area within the station building includes restrooms, vending machines, and even arcade-style games if you’re prone to boredom while waiting for the bus. From this station, you can travel to destinations including Cincinnati, Chicago, and New York.
All train stations in Columbus:
Columbus, OH (Bus Station)
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Need a return trip from Columbus to Birmingham?
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