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Cheap train tickets from Alexandria to Columbia

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Alexandria to Columbia Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Alexandria to Columbia. Traveling by train from Alexandria to Columbia usually takes 10 hours and 18 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 10 hours and 16 minutes.

Distance399 mi (642 km)
Fastest train10h 16m
Lowest price$64.00
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Silver Service
Train lines2

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

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Alexandria to Columbia was $68.57. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Columbia if you book your train tickets at least 26 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $126.03.

Average train ticket prices from Alexandria to Columbia by travel date

$150$100$50NovNov

The average cost of a one-way train trip from Alexandria to Columbia is expected to fluctuate between $64 and $148 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Columbia in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Alexandria is $64.

Average train ticket prices from Alexandria to Columbia by month

$150$120$90$60$30DJFMAMJJASON
You can find the lowest prices on this route during February. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Alexandria to Columbia, with the average price at just $94. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in July, when the average price goes up to $142. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$225$180$135$90$453020100

By booking your train trip from Alexandria to Columbia on Wanderu at least 26 days ahead of time, you can save about $126.03 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Alexandria to Columbia?

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

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak110h 16m$71.43
Amtrak Silver Service110h 20m$120.73
  • 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 Alexandria to Columbia every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $64.

  • 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 Alexandria to Columbia start from $96 and the average train journey lasts about 10 hours and 20 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Alexandria to Columbia

The distance between Alexandria and Columbia is approximately 399 miles, or 642 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 18 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 10 hours and 16 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.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Alexandria to Columbia on Monday. Tickets for Monday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Friday. Friday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Alexandria at 2:00pm and arrives in Columbia around 10 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 Alexandria.

City Information

Alexandria

Alexandria is a charming, historic city in Virginia, located just a few miles south of Washington, D.C., on the Potomac River. Alexandria's Old Town entrances visitors with its preserved brick sidewalks and 18th-century homes and buildings; you'll feel transported to the era of the city's founding in 1749. This quarter, especially along King Street, features boutiques, restaurants, and antique shops in quaint, intimate settings.

Thanks to its vicinity to the capital, Alexandria boasts a unique food scene with many high-class restaurants for you to enjoy. The most popular local establishments include The Warehouse, Chart House, and Chadwicks. You can even dine in Gadsby's Tavern, a favorite of some of the nation's founders in the 1780s, and learn more about early American life in the adjacent Gadsby's Tavern Museum.

Washington, D.C. and all its travel connections are only a water taxi away, but the city is also well-served by transportation options directly out of Alexandria. Intercity Amtrak routes regularly arrive at Alexandria Union Station, including the Northeast Regional, Silver Service, Crescent, Cardinal, and Carolinian. The two nearest airports to the city are the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and the Washington Dulles International Airport.

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 Alexandria?

Main departure station: 110 Callahan Dr

There is one train station in Alexandria.

All train stations in Alexandria:

  • 110 Callahan Dr

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

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