The cheapest and fastest trains from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC
Cheapest price
$116
Average price
$187
Fastest journey
10 h 37 m
Average duration
10 h 37 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
651 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC will cost around $187 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $116.
Of the 2 trains that leave Washington, DC for Columbia, SC on Fri, Feb 06, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Feb 06 the direct trains cover the 651 km distance in an average of 10 h 37 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 10 h 37 m .
On Fri, Feb 06 the slowest trains will take 10 h 37 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Washington, DC to Columbia, SC
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €130. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 7m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €130, and a flight costs an average of €163.
Distance: 404 miles (651 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€197 Average price | €300 Average price | €130 Average price Cheapest |
11h 7m Average total duration 10h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 7m Average total duration Fastest 3h 7m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 12h 2m Average total duration 11h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Washington, DC to Columbia, SC train times
The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to Columbia, SC trains for today, Thursday, February 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:43 PM Washington, DC | 10h37 | 4:20 AM Columbia, SC | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:48 PM Washington, DC | 10h37 | 4:25 AM Columbia, SC | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Washington, DC to Columbia, SC by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Feb 06
Feb 07
Feb 08
Feb 09
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Feb 11
Feb 12
Journey information
Overview: Train from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC
Trains from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC run on average 1 times per day, taking around 10h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $79 (€63) if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:13, the last at 14:48. The fastest train covers the 404 miles (651 km) distance in 10h 37m.
Distance 404 miles (651 km) |
Average train duration 10h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price $79 (€63) |
Trains per day 1 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 10h 37m |
First train 04:13 |
Last train 14:48 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Washington, DC and Columbia, SC from $79 (€63). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Columbia, SC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC
- Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00
- Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00
- Free Wi-Fi in the station courtesy of Amtrak.
- Amtrak provides temporary luggage storage for $10 per bag for 24 hours for customers holding Amtrak tickets.
- Shake Shack
- McDonald’s
- Starbucks
- Potbelly Sandwich Shop
- Chopt Creative Salad Co.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Thunder Grill
- Johnny Rockets
- Jamba Juice
- Ladurée Union Station
- & many more
- Elevators, escalators, wheelchair access. Accessible facilities including restrooms, parking, platforms, ticket office, waiting room.
- Hyatt Recency Washington On Capitol Hill
- Phoenix Park Hotel
- Kimpton George Hotel
- Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00
- Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00
- Located on the train concourse of Level G near the Amtrak Waiting Area.
- Metro lines: Red
- Bus lines: D6, D8, 80, 96,
- Train lines: Acela, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Fredericksburg Line, MARC Brunswick, MARC Camden, MARC Penn, Manassas Line, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Service/Palmetto, Vermonter
- 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available at the station.
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- Free
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station has an enclosed waiting area.
- Bus: Several local bus lines available
Most popular train connections from Washington, DC
More options for your journey from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC
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