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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Jacksonville to Columbia. Traveling by bus from Jacksonville to Columbia usually takes around 6 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 6 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 256 mi (412 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 25m |
| Cheapest price | $51.81 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Jacksonville to Columbia?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Jacksonville to Columbia. Greyhound is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhound | 2 | 6h 43m | $55.47 |
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 2 bus trips from Jacksonville to Columbia every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 43 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbia usually start from $52.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 43 minutes to cover the 256 miles from Jacksonville to Columbia. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours and 25 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Columbia, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 4:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Jacksonville to Columbia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Jacksonville to Columbia. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Jacksonville, FL to Columbia, SC; ticket prices start at $49.00.
City Information
Jacksonville
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Jacksonville, or simply "Jax," is the largest city by area in the continental United States. Located in the northeastern corner of Florida, this sunny city along the St Johns River also boasts 22 miles of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, coastal cuisine, and many historic neighborhoods to explore.
Natural beauty is king in Jacksonville, and where better to soak in some of the Sunshine State's outdoor wonders than the beach? Try Little Talbot Island for beachcombing or fishing, Big Talbot Island for exploring wetlands and marshes, and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park for surfing. If you don't have the patience for birdwatching in the wild, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will let you get up-close and personal with over 2,400 animals.
To take a break from the sun's rays, head indoors to one of Jacksonville's many eclectic museums. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens combines European-inspired gardens with an impressive collection of fine art, while the Museum of Science and History is worth a stop for its planetarium alone. On Saturdays, you wouldn’t want to miss the Riverside Arts Market where artisans and farmers set up stalls along the river, and you can catch live music, food trucks and even free yoga.
Jacksonville is easily accessed by air, train, or bus, and connects Florida to locations throughout the South. Amtrak's Jacksonville train station is located in the northern outskirts of the city, and most bus service in and out of Jacksonville conveniently departs from the JTA Intercity Bus Terminal in the heart of downtown.
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 does the bus leave from in Jacksonville?
Image credit: 5ivecanons Advertising Agency
Link to image attributionMain departure station: JTA Intercity Bus Terminal
The modern, light-filled Intercity Bus Terminal at 1111 W Forsyth Street in Jacksonville helps travelers reach destinations throughout Florida and the Southern United States. Bus service to and from Jacksonville’s primary station is operated by Red Coach, Greyhound, and Jefferson Lines. The station is located in the downtown business district and, as the city’s central transportation hub, includes connections to the Skyway monorail as well as rental bike services and taxi services. You’ll find a cafe and grill onsite so you can grab a meal or take snacks to go.
All bus stations in Jacksonville:
JTA Intercity Bus Terminal
Where does the bus arrive in Columbia?
Main arrival station: Bus Terminal - 710-A Buckner Rd
The Bus Terminal on 710-A Buckner Road is the main intercity bus station in Columbia and is served by several bus companies, including Greyhound and Southeastern Stages. The terminal offers an indoor waiting area with benches, vending machines, and restrooms. Buses leave from this station daily to destinations like Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Baltimore, and Orlando. Transport throughout Columbia is also convenient, as the Comet, a public transit bus service, connects the Columbia Bus Terminal with the Amtrak Station and Columbia's airport.
All bus stations in Columbia:
Bus Terminal - 710-A Buckner Rd
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