There are 5 ways to get from Columbia to Independence by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, or bus
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 Columbia
best- Fly from Columbia (CAE) to Kansas City (MCI)plane CAE - MCI
9h 20m$122–652Bus
- Take the bus from Columbia, SC to Camdenbus
- Take the bus from Camden to Atlanta Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Atlanta Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Kansas City Bus Stationbus
27h 36m$190–312Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Columbia Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain Floridian
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Independence Stationtrain Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner
40h 44m$446–1,091Drive 981.8 mi
- Drive from Columbia to Independencecar 981.8 mi
16h 33m$180–259Bus to Augusta Regional Airport At Bush Field, fly
- Take the bus from Columbia, SC to Augustabus
- Fly from Augusta Regional Airport At Bush Field (AGS) to Kansas City (MCI)plane AGS - MCI
11h 51m$182–736
Columbia to Independence by train (Amtrak)
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Columbia to Independence is to drive which costs $170 - $260 and takes 16h 33m.
The fastest way to get from Columbia to Independence is to fly which takes 9h 20m and costs $120 - $650.
No, there is no direct bus from Columbia to Independence. However, there are services departing from Sumter Laurel South and arriving at On White Oak At Osage Eb via Columbia, SC, Camden, Atlanta Bus Station, St Louis Bus Station and East Village - Bay A. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 27h 36m.
No, there is no direct train from Columbia station to Independence station. However, there are services departing from Columbia Station and arriving at Independence Station via Chicago Union Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 40h 44m.
The distance between Columbia and Independence is 889 miles. The road distance is 987.5 miles.
The best way to get from Columbia to Independence without a car is to bus which takes 27h 36m and costs $190 - $320.
It takes approximately 9h 20m to get from Columbia to Independence, including transfers.
Columbia to Independence bus services, operated by Wanda Coach, depart from Columbia, SC station.
Columbia to Independence train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Columbia Station.
The best way to get from Columbia to Independence is to fly which takes 9h 20m and costs $120 - $650. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $190 - $320 and takes 27h 36m, you could also train, which costs $440 - $1,100 and takes 40h 44m.
What companies run services between Columbia, SC, USA and Independence, MO, USA?
Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines fly from Columbia (CAE) to Kansas City (MCI) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Sumter Laurel South to On White Oak At Osage Eb via Broad Marley North, Columbia, SC, Camden, Atlanta Bus Station, St Louis Bus Station, Kansas City Bus Station, and East Village - Bay A in around 27h 36m.
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Columbia to Kansas City via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 6m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–650
Flights from Columbia to Kansas City via New York La Guardia
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $200–900
Flights from Augusta Regional Airport At Bush Field to Kansas City via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–650
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Columbia Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 29h 23m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $310–800
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Independence Station
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 21m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $130–330
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 646-630-7186
- [email protected]
- Website
- Wanda Coach
Bus from Columbia, SC to Camden
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $28–40
- Website
- Wanda Coach
- Book at
- GotoBus.com
- Adult One Way
- $28–40
Bus from Columbia, SC to Augusta
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 34m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–45
- Website
- Wanda Coach
- Book at
- GotoBus.com
- Adult One Way
- $30–45
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Booking & Getting There
Columbia to Independence bus services, operated by Wanda Coach, arrive at Camden station.
Independence is 1h behind Columbia. It is currently 5:14 AM in Columbia and 4:14 AM in Independence.
Columbia to Independence train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Chicago Union Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Columbia to Independence is 988 miles. It takes approximately 16h 33m to drive from Columbia to Independence.
Book your Columbia to Independence train tickets online with Omio.
There are 381+ hotels available in Independence.



