Cheap train tickets from Lakeland to Columbia
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Lakeland to Columbia?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Lakeland to Columbia.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price€242.46 | Avg. Price€85.08 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration1d 0h 31m | Duration11h 23m |
Trip Summary
You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Lakeland and Columbia. The average train journey from Lakeland to Columbia takes 11 hours and 30 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 10 hours and 43 minutes.
| Distance | 415 mi (669 km) |
| Fastest train | 10h 43m |
| Lowest price | €51.14 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Lakeland to Columbia?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Lakeland and Columbia cost €65.68, on average. Booking your trip at least 15 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around €40.56 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Lakeland to Columbia?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Lakeland to Columbia. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 11h 31m | €90.66 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from Lakeland to Columbia every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €51.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Lakeland to Columbia
The distance between Lakeland and Columbia is approximately 415 miles, or 669 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 30 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 10 hours and 43 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 Lakeland to Columbia are the most crowded on Sunday. 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 Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Lakeland at 4:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. 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 Lakeland 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 Lakeland.
City Information
Lakeland
Image credit: Dave Ouellette
Link to image attributionLakeland is a city between Tampa and Orlando. It is known for its rich history and architectural sites, especially the Florida Southern College, which has buildings designed by the renowned Frank Lloyd Wright. History and art lovers in Lakeland can visit the Polk Museum of Art and check out the collection of artifacts and contemporary paintings. The Munn Park Historic District in Lakeland is another city highlight, boasting early 1900s architecture and a wide range of antique shops.
Downtown Lakeland offers explosive nightlife with a wide range of breweries and taprooms. If you're interested in something new, the city has seen a massive growth of kava bars in its area. The city is also known for its annual Lakeland Festival of Light, where you can join people to light up the mountain.
It is easy to visit Lakeland from other cities by train and bus. Amtrak and FlixBus US provide daily trips from tens of other cities to the town. The Lakeland Area Mass Transit District provides public transportation within 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 is the train station in Lakeland?
Main departure station: 924 W Robson St
There are two stations in Lakeland where you can board the train to Columbia.
All train stations in Lakeland:
924 W Robson St
600 E Main St
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
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Columbia to Lakeland?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Lakeland
- Train from Lakeland to Washington D.C.
€156+
- Train from Lakeland to DeLand
€19+
- Lakeland to Delray Beach
€30+
- Train from Lakeland to Fort Lauderdale
€33+
- Lakeland to Kissimmee Train
€12+
- Train from Lakeland to Miami
€30+
- Lakeland to Orlando Train
€13+
- Train from Lakeland to Palatka
€32+
- Lakeland to West Palm Beach Train
€30+
Continue by train from Columbia
- Train from Columbia to Charlotte
€61+
- Train from Columbia to Greensboro
€46+
- Columbia to Raleigh
€35+
- Train from Columbia to New York
€218+
- Columbia to Greenville
€101+
- Train from Columbia to North Charleston
€53+
- Train from Columbia to Alexandria
€115+
- Columbia to Norfolk Train
€95+
- Train from Columbia to Richmond
€89+
Check out these popular routes
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.