Getting to Columbus

Reaching and leaving Columbus is relatively straight-forward. Most visitors arrive by plane at Port Columbus International Airport, from where it's a 10-minute drive to the city. America also has a good bus network and Columbus can be reached from many cities in the country. Driving is another viable option and car hire is cheap and simple to organise. Note that there is no Amtrak train service to Columbus or any metropolitan rail transport.

By car

Columbus sits in the centre of Ohio State and there are two major interstate highways that intersect near downtown: I-70, which runs east-west, and I-71, which runs north-south. They combine for about one mile in an area known as ‘The Split’, which often sees major traffic congestion during rush hours. Interstate 670 connects the airport to downtown and then continues to the west side. Interstate 270 is a ring road around the outer boundaries of the city.

Car hire is a good option, as most towns in Ohio can be reached in less than 2 hours by car thanks to the number of roads and the city's central location. Driving in Columbus is easy as the street plan follows a grid model, although heavy traffic can make journeys slow.

By air

Port Columbus International Airport handles all international and domestic flights. There are buses and taxis for the short transfer to the city centre, and car hire is easily arranged at the terminal. The airport is served by 23 passenger airlines, providing more than 350 departures and arrivals daily.

By train

Amtrak provides rail service to a number of other cities in Ohio: Akron, Alliance, Bryan, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Elyria, Fostoria, Hamilton, Sandusky, Toledo and Youngstown. You will then have to take a bus to reach Columbus.

By bus

Greyhound is the main long-distance bus operator in America and it has an extensive network covering destinations throughout the country. All Greyhound buses are equipped with air conditioning, an on-board restroom, reclining seats with headrests, footrests and tinted windows. Reservations are not necessary, but you should arrive at the terminal at least an hour before departure to purchase your ticket. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and advance purchase tickets do not guarantee a seat. Buses arrive and depart from East Town and Third Streets.

Port Columbus International Airport

Airport facilities include ATMs, a bureaux de change, postal centre and wireless internet. There are a selection of fast-food outlets at the food court in the heart of Gateway Plaza as well as a golf-themed full service restaurant and bar on Concourse C. The airport also has a number of other restaurants, cafés, bars and snack bars. Newsagents and gift shops are located on each of the concourses. There are golf, book, gift and souvenir shops; a men’s fashion outlet and a toiletries shop on the ticketing level. The airport is easily accessible to disabled passengers and fitted with ramps, lifts, Braille signs and well-signposted TDD telephones throughout the terminal.

Columbus airport transportation

The airport is located just 10 miles from the centre of the city and there are buses and taxis available for the short transfer. Taxis can be found outside the Baggage Claim level of the terminal walkway. They are all electronically metered and have an initial charge which covers loading time and the first mile. There is a surcharge for trips originating at the airport. A cheaper alternative is to take the Capital City Flyer bus, run by the Central Ohio Transit Authority. Arch Express and Urban Express Transportation are two private companies that run shuttles from the airport to various parts of the city.