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Cheap train tickets from Baltimore to Columbia

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Baltimore to Columbia Train Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Baltimore to Columbia?

There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Baltimore to Columbia.

Bus
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

$100.00

Avg. Price

$139.12

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

2

Daily Trips

1

Duration

Duration

10h 19m

Duration

13h 4m

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Trip Summary

On most days, there is one scheduled train that travels from Baltimore to Columbia. The train trip from Baltimore to Columbia is usually about 12 hours and 19 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Silver Service train can get you there in as little as 11 hours and 43 minutes.

Distance440 mi (708 km)
Fastest train11h 43m
Lowest price$78.00
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

What is the price of a train ticket from Baltimore to Columbia?

The average price for a train ticket from Baltimore to Columbia is $79.83, By booking your trip at least 27 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 $216.60 more.

Monthly avg. prices

$175$140$105$70$35DJFMAMJJASON
Mark your calendar for September if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Baltimore to Columbia. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of $116. If you're planning a trip from Baltimore to Columbia during November, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about $158 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.

Prices as travel date approaches

$275$220$165$110$553020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Baltimore to Columbia, book online with Wanderu at least 27 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $216.60 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Baltimore to Columbia?

2 train services operate from Baltimore to Columbia. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak113h 7m$127.16
Amtrak Silver Service111h 46m$164.12
  • 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 Baltimore to Columbia every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $78.

  • 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 Baltimore to Columbia start from $105 and the average train journey lasts about 11 hours and 46 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Baltimore to Columbia

The distance between Baltimore and Columbia is approximately 440 miles, or 708 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 12 hours and 19 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 11 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.

Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Baltimore to Columbia. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Tuesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Baltimore at 10:00am and arrives in Columbia around 11 hours later.

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Columbia with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Columbia to Baltimore.

City Information

Baltimore

Baltimore is a seaport in Maryland best known for its crab cakes and baseball legend, Babe Ruth. As there is plenty to see in Charm City, you'll be singing "Good Morning, Baltimore'' as soon as you experience all of the sights and activities this quirky town has to offer.

Some of Baltimore's most impressive attractions are centered in and around Inner Harbor. This scenic waterfront is filled with historic ships, dating as far back as the Civil War in the case of the USS Constellation. Alongside shops and restaurants, Inner Harbor also hosts the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, and several entertainment venues where you can catch live music. Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the harbor from atop Federal Hill Park, or if you prefer the view that inspired "The Star Spangled Banner," head out to Fort McHenry, known for its role in the War of 1812.

Baltimore is one of the stops on Wanderu's recommended East Coast wine tour, but don't worry about racking up a hefty tab; luckily, Baltimore is also one of the cheapest drinking cities in the U.S., with the cheapest bottle of beer going for just $1.42. Enjoy your wine or beer along the Avenue in Hampden, a neighborhood known for its hipster bars, restaurants, and boutiques.

Ready to plan your Baltimore adventure? Numerous bus and train options make Baltimore affordably accessible by ground transportation, and Baltimore-Washington International Airport not only offers hundreds of daily flights, it also is one of the best airports for food in the U.S.

Columbia

Columbia, SC

Image credit: Brandon Dolley

Link to image attribution

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 Baltimore?

Baltimore, MD - Penn Station - BALAMT-0

Image credit: Irteagle102704

Main departure station: Penn Station - 1500 N Charles St

Pennsylvania Station, commonly referred to as just Penn Station, is the main train station in Baltimore. Owned and operated by Amtrak, the station serves as a regional hub for all of the train carrier’s nine services that pass through Baltimore, including the Acela, the Northeast Regional, the Crescent, and the Palmetto. Conveniently located near Baltimore’s downtown and Inner Harbor, Penn Station is accessible from all parts of the city via several transit bus lines and two commuter rail services. The Johns Hopkins and Baltimore Collegetown shuttles also serve Penn Station, allowing students to travel easily between the train station and campus.

All train stations in Baltimore:

  • Penn Station - 1500 N Charles St

  • Amtrak - MARC Station (BWI)

Where is the train station in Columbia?

850 Pulaski St - CAEAMT-0

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

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