Cheap train tickets from Baltimore to Columbia

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Baltimore to Columbia. Traveling by train from Baltimore to Columbia usually takes 12 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 12 hours and 12 minutes.

Distance: 440 mi (708 km)
Fastest train: 12h 12m
Lowest price: MX$1,688.70
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Baltimore to Columbia Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

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

There is usually 1 daily bus trip available from Baltimore to Columbia.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceMX$2,567.76	Avg. PriceMX$2,439.23Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips2	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration12h 38m	Duration10h 20mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from Baltimore to Columbia:

Amtrak tickets: MX$1,689 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Baltimore to Columbia was MX$1,867. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 24 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around MX$1,944.44 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Baltimore to Columbia by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Baltimore to Columbia will cost between MX$1,764 and MX$2,871. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Baltimore to Columbia by month

Ticket prices for the train from Baltimore to Columbia often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only MX$2,439. If you're thinking of traveling from Baltimore to Columbia during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of MX$3,115 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Baltimore to Columbia on Wanderu at least 24 days ahead of time, you can save about MX$1,944.44 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Baltimore to Columbia?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Baltimore to Columbia. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	12h 38m	MX$2,567.74

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 Baltimore to Columbia every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from MX$1,688.70.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Baltimore to Columbia

Trains leave the station in Baltimore twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. 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 change 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 Columbia to Baltimore. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Baltimore to Columbia for MX$2,439.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Baltimore and Columbia is approximately 440 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 12 hours and 38 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 12 hours and 12 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)

440

Distance (km)

708

The earliest train departs Baltimore at 11:06 AM while the last train of the day leaves at 12:13 PM. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

First train

11:06am

Last train

12:13pm

Trains from Baltimore 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Sunday

Least crowded

Monday

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

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?

Main departure station: Penn Station

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?

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 Baltimore?

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