Cheap train tickets from Columbia to Richmond
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Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Columbia to Richmond. Traveling by train from Columbia to Richmond usually takes 10 hours and 1 minute, but the fastest Amtrak Floridian train can make the trip in 8 hours and 21 minutes.
| Distance | 317 mi (510 km) |
| Fastest train | 8h 21m |
| Lowest price | $75.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Floridian |
| Train lines | 2 |
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Columbia to Richmond Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Columbia to Richmond?
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Columbia to Richmond.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$120.51 | Avg. Price$100.00Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration10h 1m | Duration8h 15mFaster |
There are several train options that can take you from Columbia to Richmond:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Columbia to Richmond?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Columbia to Richmond was $75.00. 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 $81.40 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Columbia to Richmond by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Columbia to Richmond will cost between $72 and $117. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Columbia to Richmond by month
Ticket prices for the train from Columbia to Richmond often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only $85. If you're thinking of traveling from Columbia to Richmond during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $142 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Columbia to Richmond on Wanderu at least 24 days ahead of time, you can save about $81.40 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Columbia to Richmond?
There are multiple trains that travel from Columbia to Richmond, including Amtrak Floridian, Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Floridian | 1 | 8h 21m | $118.17 |
| Amtrak | 1 | 15h 33m | $128.25 |
Amtrak Floridian train tickets from Columbia to Richmond start from $73, and on average cost $118.17. Daily there are 1 Amtrak Floridian schedules to Richmond. Amtrak Floridian in Columbia leaves from 850 Pulaski St. And in Richmond trains arrive at 7519 Staples Mill Rd.
From Columbia to Richmond train travel on Amtrak Floridian takes 8 hours and 21 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Richmond on a weekend there is typically one Amtrak Floridian scheduled trip per day, which will cost $73 for a one-way weekend reservation from Columbia.
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 Richmond every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $86.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Columbia to Richmond
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Richmond 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 Richmond to Columbia. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Columbia to Richmond for $100.
TRIPS PER DAY
1
DIRECT TRIPS
1
The distance between Columbia and Richmond is approximately 317 miles, or 510 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 1 minute, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 21 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)
317
DISTANCE (KM)
510
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Columbia at 4:22am and arrives in Richmond around 8 hours later.
EARLIEST TRAIN
4:22am
LATEST TRAIN
4:22am
Trains from Columbia to Richmond 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Sunday
LEAST CROWDED
Wednesday
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.
Richmond
As one of the most historically significant cities in the U.S., Richmond is a top-tier destination for not just fans of history but also culturally-inclined travelers. The premier tourist attraction of the city is the Virginia State Capitol, which features a unique architecture partially designed by Thomas Jefferson himself. For those who want to enjoy a cultural experience, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is worth checking out, as it houses five exquisitely beautiful Fabergé eggs, along with works by Degas, Cézanne, and Renoir. If you wish to retreat from the concrete jungle, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a great alternative.
Richmond’s diverse community has had a huge influence on its food scene. Croaker's Spot is a famous restaurant that serves some of the best seafood around. Richmond is also the home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, and there are as many as 30 brands in the city. Some of the local favorites include Hardywood, The Veil Brewing Co., and The Answer Brewpub.
Richmond is a major hub for bus travel, and visitors can catch buses that go to cities like Washington, D.C., New York and Raleigh on a daily basis. The city boasts two Amtrak train stations that provide regular service to Washington, D.C., New York City and beyond. The principal one is the Main Street Station, which is located right in the heart of downtown Richmond. The main airport is the Richmond International Airport, 7 miles southeast of the city.
Station Information
Where does the train leave from in Columbia?
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 does the train arrive in Richmond?
Main arrival station: 7519 Staples Mill Rd
Located around 5 miles north of Richmond’s city center, the Amtrak Station on Staples Mill Road is Amtrak’s busiest transport hub in the Southeast Region. The station was built in 1975 to replace the downtown Main Street Station. It now serves as an important terminal for routes traveling up and down the American East. Passengers can venture north onboard the Northeast Regional service—Amtrak’s busiest route—to Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. Richmond’s Amtrak Station also offers several southward connections to vacation destinations along the East Coast in [South Carolina(/train-tickets/us-sc/), Georgia, and Florida. In addition, the GRTC bus service is available from the station for transport into downtown Richmond.
All train stations in Richmond:
- 7519 Staples Mill Rd
- 1500 E Main St
Need a return trip from Richmond to Columbia?
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