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 Elizabethtown. Traveling by train from Columbia to Elizabethtown usually takes 16 hours and 15 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 490 mi (789 km) |
| Fastest train | 16h 15m |
| Lowest price | $209.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Columbia to Elizabethtown?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Columbia to Elizabethtown. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 16h 15m | $229.00 |
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 Elizabethtown every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $209.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Columbia and Elizabethtown is approximately 490 miles, or 789 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 16 hours and 15 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 Elizabethtown 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 Sunday 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 Elizabethtown around 16 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. 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 transfer 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 Elizabethtown 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.
Elizabethtown
Image credit: Unsplash
Elizabethtown is a quaint borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The small town was mostly agricultural until the 1900s and is home to Elizabethtown College, which makes it popular among students. It's a fun destination for art, outdoor adventure, and community. Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy visiting the Conewago Recreation Trail and Old Trolly Line Park. The town is great for family-friendly activities, like a visit to the National Christmas Center Family Attraction & Museum and go-karts, arcades, and laser tags at Adventure Sports in Hershey. Elizabethtown is also home to the Winters Heritage House Museum, which holds the town's history.
Elizabethtown is known for having a vibrant wine scene, and you can enjoy wine tasting and vineyard tours at the Nissley Vineyards Winery & Estate and the Grandview Vineyard. Moo-Duck Brewery is also popular in the town. The city's agricultural roots have also helped evolve the Masonic Village Farm Market, Elizabethtown Fair Grounds, and Ironstone Ranch, which are excellent ways to find fresh produce and delicious food.
You can get to Elizabethtown when traveling by train from over 100 neighboring cities. Amtrak provides these at the Elizabethtown Train Station. The town offers bus routes for moving around and is walkable and bikeable.
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 Elizabethtown?
Main arrival station: 50 S Wilson Ave
Elizabethtown has one train station.
All train stations in Elizabethtown:
50 S Wilson Ave
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Elizabethtown 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