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Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Wilmington to Columbia. Traveling by train from Wilmington to Columbia usually takes 13 hours and 18 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Silver Service train can make the trip in 12 hours and 36 minutes.
Distance | 499 mi (803 km) |
Fastest train | 12h 36m |
Lowest price | $104.00 |
Trains per day | 1 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak Silver Service |
Train lines | 2 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Wilmington to Columbia?
The average price for a train ticket from Wilmington to Columbia is $142.50, Tickets are generally pricier for this train route, which is to be expected given the long distance. By booking your trip at least 17 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $65.50 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Wilmington to Columbia?
2 train services operate from Wilmington to Columbia. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 1 | 14h 28m | $219.13 |
Amtrak Silver Service | 1 | 12h 36m | $166.62 |
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 Wilmington to Columbia every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $181.
The Silver Service is an Amtrak train line that runs from New York City to Miami, connecting the largest cities in the Mid-Atlantic region with key destinations in the South and many places across the Sunshine State. Two trains, the Silver Meteor and Silver Star, collectively comprise the Silver Service. The trains come equipped with a variety of sleeper cars that travelers taking an overnight train can choose from, as well as a variety of amenities like free WiFi, power outlets, and a café car. One-way train tickets for the Silver Service from Wilmington to Columbia start from $104 and the average train journey lasts about 12 hours and 36 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Wilmington and Columbia is approximately 499 miles, or 803 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 13 hours and 18 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 12 hours and 36 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 from Wilmington to Columbia are the most crowded on Wednesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Wilmington at 11:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 1:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Wilmington twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. One of these is a direct train, which will typically get you to Columbia faster. While it might still have stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Columbia to Wilmington.
City Information
Wilmington
Wilmington is a major city in Delaware, established at the site of the first Swedish settlement in North America. The charming city, at the confluence of the Brandywine River and Christina River, offers easy connections to the lush countryside of Brandywine Valley. Thanks to the venerable du Pont family, who established the DuPont Company in Wilmington in 1802, the city is filled with grand estates and magnificent gardens for visitors to enjoy. The Hagley Museum & Library is the ultimate example. The expansive complex includes the first home of the du Pont family, powder yards from the company's initial gunpowder mill, and a Renaissance-style garden complete with terraces.
To dive deeper into the city's history, check out the Fort Christina State Park, the site of Wilmington's original Swedish settlement over 400 years ago. Other popular attractions include the Delaware Art Museum and Brandywine Zoo.
Wilmington is easy to access from most of the mid-Atlantic region and is located between Philadelphia and Washington. In 2011, the city's Amtrak train station was renamed the Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Railroad Station in honor of rail enthusiast Joe Biden, who often commuted via Amtrak from Wilmington to Washington during his time as a Senator. Buses from Wilmington also connect to cities like New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Since the regional Wilmington Airport does not offer civilian flights, travelers can easily take a bus to the airport in Philadelphia for any air travel out of the area.
Columbia
Image credit: Brandon Dolley
Link to image attributionAs 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 is the train station in Wilmington?
Main departure station: Amtrak/SEPTA Station
There is one train station in Wilmington.
All train stations in Wilmington:
Amtrak/SEPTA Station
Where is the train station in Columbia?
Image credit: Hikki Nagasaki
Main arrival station: 850 Pulaski St
The Columbia Amtrak Station at 850 Pulaski St is the only train station in Columbia, SC. The station is served by the Amtrak Silver Star train, which travels from New York City to Miami. Built in 1991, the Columbia Station is a steel structure located three miles from the city's downtown area and not far from the University of South Carolina campus. It offers an indoor waiting area, an information kiosk, and restrooms. The station was moved to the current Pulaski Street site from Gervais Street, where the former red-brick Seaboard Air Line and Amtrak station stood.
All train stations in Columbia:
850 Pulaski St
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