There are 5 ways to get from Chicago to Columbia by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), train (Amtrak), or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport
best- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Columbia (CAE)plane ORD - CAE
5h 16m$174–907Drive 762.6 mi
cheapest- Drive from Chicago to Columbiacar 762.6 mi
14h 10m$140–201Bus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Atlanta Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Atlanta to Camdenbus
- Take the bus from Camden to Columbia, SCbus Nyc
22h 46m$185–338Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Columbia Stationtrain Floridian
28h 45m$410–850Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Columbia (CAE)plane MDW - CAE
6h 57m$254–1,307
Chicago to Columbia by train (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Columbia is to drive which costs $130 - $210 and takes 14h 10m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Columbia is to fly which takes 5h 16m and costs $170 - $950.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago station to Columbia. However, there are services departing from Chicago Bus Station and arriving at Sumter Laurel South via Atlanta, Camden and Broad Marley South. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 22h 46m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Chicago Union Station station and arriving at Columbia Station station. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 28h 45m.
The distance between Chicago and Columbia is 697 miles. The road distance is 767 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Columbia without a car is to bus which takes 22h 46m and costs $180 - $340.
It takes approximately 5h 16m to get from Chicago to Columbia, including transfers.
Chicago to Columbia bus services, operated by FlixBus-us, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
Chicago to Columbia train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Columbia is to fly which takes 5h 16m and costs $170 - $950. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $180 - $340 and takes 22h 46m, you could also train, which costs $410 - $850 and takes 28h 45m.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Columbia, SC, USA?
American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Columbia (CAE) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago Bus Station to Sumter Laurel South via Atlanta, Camden, Columbia, SC, and Broad Marley South in around 22h 46m.
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Columbia via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190–1,000
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Columbia via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $250–1,300
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Columbia
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–900
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Columbia via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 21m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–900
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Columbia via Reagan Washington
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 50m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–1,100
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Columbia
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 13m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–900
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Columbia via Washington Dulles
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–1,100
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Chicago Union Station to Columbia Station
- Ave. Duration
- 28h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $410–850
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Atlanta Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 25m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Atlanta Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 5m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $110–220
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Atlanta to Camden
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $40–80
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Atlanta Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 30m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Schedules at
- greyhound.com
Bus from Atlanta to Camden
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Schedules at
- greyhound.com
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Atlanta Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 25m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $110–190
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Website
- example.com
Bus from Atlanta to Camden
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Schedules at
- example.com
- Phone
- +1 646-630-7186
- [email protected]
- Website
- wandacoach.com
Bus from Camden to Columbia, SC
- Ave. Duration
- 42 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $28–40
- Website
- https://www.wandacoach.com
- Book at
- https://www.gotobus.com/wanda-travel/
- Adult One Way
- $28–40
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Chicago to Columbia bus services, operated by FlixBus-us, arrive at Atlanta Bus Station.
Columbia is 1h ahead of Chicago. It is currently 1:50 PM in Chicago and 2:50 PM in Columbia.
Chicago to Columbia train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Columbia Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Columbia is 767 miles. It takes approximately 14h 10m to drive from Chicago to Columbia.
Book your Chicago to Columbia train tickets online with Omio.
There are 380+ hotels available in Columbia.






