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.
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Columbia to Petersburg. Traveling by train from Columbia to Petersburg usually takes 8 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Silver Service train can make the trip in 7 hours and 40 minutes.
| Distance | 302 mi (486 km) |
| Fastest train | 7h 40m |
| Lowest price | $65.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Silver Service |
| Train lines | 2 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Columbia to Petersburg?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Columbia to Petersburg was $76.00. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 20 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $24.00 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Columbia to Petersburg?
2 train services operate from Columbia to Petersburg. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 14h 44m | $190.33 |
| Amtrak Silver Service | 1 | 7h 40m | $90.04 |
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 Columbia to Petersburg every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $177.
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 Columbia to Petersburg start from $65 and the average train journey lasts about 7 hours and 40 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Columbia and Petersburg is approximately 302 miles, or 486 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 27 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 40 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 Columbia to Petersburg are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Columbia at 4:00am and arrives in Petersburg around 7 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Petersburg 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 Petersburg to Columbia.
City Information
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.
Petersburg
Petersburg has a population of 30,791 people and is a suburb of Richmond. There are numerous parks in Petersburg, perfect for the families who live there and visitors looking for some time outdoors.
Petersburg National Battle Park is one of the must-see destinations, with guided tours through the park complete with stories and facts about the area's history. The tour guide will drive you through the park, making stops to tell the tales of what happened at that specific stop. You can also walk through the park yourself or swing by the museum for more info.
Most locals take buses from Charlotte to Petersburg, but bus lines are also available from San Marcos, Dallas, and Los Angeles. Amtrak also has several lines to the city, including the Silver Service, Northeast Regional, Carolinian, and Palmetto, which come to Petersburg from cities such as Richmond, Washington D.C., Lincoln, and Philadelphia.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Columbia?
Image credit: Hikki Nagasaki
Main departure 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
Where is the train station in Petersburg?
Main arrival station: Amtrak Station - 3516 South St
Petersburg has one train station.
All train stations in Petersburg:
Amtrak Station - 3516 South St
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Petersburg to Columbia?
Search Train Tickets
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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more