Cheap train tickets from New Orleans to Columbia
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from New Orleans to Columbia. Traveling by train from New Orleans to Columbia usually takes 45 hours and 40 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 38 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 599 mi (963 km) |
| Fastest train | 38h 15m |
| Lowest price | $205.00 |
| Trains per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
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:
Download our free app!
Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
4.8 Rating
5k Reviews
4.5 Rating
4.8k Reviews
New Orleans to Columbia Train Schedule
There are several train options that can take you from New Orleans to Columbia:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from New Orleans to Columbia?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from New Orleans to Columbia was $293.33. Considering the distance between New Orleans and Columbia, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $268.87 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from New Orleans to Columbia by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from New Orleans to Columbia will cost between $225 and $428. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from New Orleans to Columbia by month
Ticket prices for the train from New Orleans to Columbia often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only $306. If you're thinking of traveling from New Orleans to Columbia during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $546 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from New Orleans to Columbia on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $268.87 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from New Orleans to Columbia?
There are multiple trains that travel from New Orleans to Columbia, including Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 45h 40m | $392.77 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from New Orleans to Columbia every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $202.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from New Orleans to Columbia
The distance between New Orleans and Columbia is approximately 599 miles, or 963 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 45 hours and 40 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 38 hours and 15 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
599
DISTANCE (KM)
963
The earliest train departs New Orleans at 9:10am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:45am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
EARLIEST TRAIN
9:10am
LATEST TRAIN
11:45am
Trains from New Orleans to Columbia are the most crowded on Thursday. 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.
MOST CROWDED
Thursday
LEAST CROWDED
Saturday
City Information
New Orleans
New Orleans is the most populous city in the southern state of Louisiana and one of the most popular party destinations in the whole world. Known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is famous for its distinct French-Spanish architecture, Creole cuisine, and unique music. Around the globe, New Orleans is best known as the host city of Mardi Gras, a late-winter carnival known for flashy costumes and never-ending street parties. Because of that, NOLA is consistently among the preferred vacation destinations among spring breakers and post-grad travelers.
There’s a lot more to New Orleans than just partying, though. While you’re in town, connect with the artistic side of your personality with a visit to the famed New Orleans Museum of Art where you will find the South’s most impressive collection of French and American art. A visit to the Big Easy will not be complete without stopping by some of the city’s iconic cemeteries. Whether you take a guided tour or you explore on your own, you will learn a lot about the area’s history and urban legends.
New Orleans is one of the main economic and commercial centers of the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and as such it is easily accessible by all kinds of transportation. The airport is located not too far from the city center, while the city’s main bus and train station, the Union Passenger Terminal, is placed right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.
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 train leave from in New Orleans?
Main departure station: Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave
Opened in 1954 to replace the five depots spread throughout the city, the Union Passenger Terminal connects all of New Orleans’ passenger rail into one iconic building. To this day, it remains the largest transportation hub in New Orleans and is a key link for travel throughout the Southern United States. Three of Amtrak’s long distance train lines end their service at Union Passenger Terminal: the City of New Orleans line from Chicago, the Crescent line from New York City, and the Sunset Limited line from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Buses operated by Greyhound and Jefferson Lines also serve this station, as well as public transit which connects to New Orleans’ famous streetcars. At the station, there are shops, a game room, and food for purchase, and the city’s must-visit French Quarter is just a mile away.
All train stations in New Orleans:
- Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave
Where does the train arrive in Columbia?
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
Need a return trip from Columbia to New Orleans?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from New Orleans
- New Orleans to Greenwood Train$60+
- New Orleans to Cleveland Train$245+
- New Orleans to Birmingham Train$45+
- New Orleans to Champaign Train$135+
- New Orleans to Philadelphia Train$314+
- New Orleans to El Paso Train$248+
- New Orleans to Virginia Beach Train$216+
- New Orleans to Anniston Train$58+
- New Orleans to Laurel Train$31+
- New Orleans to Tuscaloosa Train$38+
- New Orleans to Houston Train$58+
- New Orleans to Memphis Train$72+
- New Orleans to Hattiesburg Train$28+
- New Orleans to Fort Worth Train$288+
- New Orleans to Mobile Train$33+
- New Orleans to St Louis Train$206+
- New Orleans to Springfield Train$197+
- New Orleans to Maricopa Train$542+
Continue by train from Columbia
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.