There are 4 ways to get from Great Falls to Columbia Falls by bus, train, car, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Great Falls Transfer Center to Shelby Amtrak Stationbus Green Route
- Take the bus from Shelby Amtrak Station to North Valley Hospital - Whitefishbus Red Route
5h 59m$22–27Bus, train
- Take the bus from Great Falls Transfer Center to Shelby Amtrak Stationbus Green Route
- Take the train from Shelby Amtrak Station to Whitefish Amtrak Stationtrain Empire Builder
6h 48m$73–135Drive 208.4 mi
- Drive from Great Falls to Columbia Fallscar 208.4 mi
3h 37m$38–55Fly
- Fly from Great Falls International Airport (GTF) to Glacier Park International Airport (FCA)plane GTF - FCA
4h 39m$202–858
Great Falls International Airport (GTF) to Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Great Falls to Columbia Falls is to bus which costs $22 - $27 and takes 5h 59m.
The fastest way to get from Great Falls to Columbia Falls is to drive which takes 3h 37m and costs $35 - $55.
No, there is no direct bus from Great Falls to Columbia Falls. However, there are services departing from Great Falls Transfer Center and arriving at North Valley Hospital - Whitefish via Shelby Amtrak Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 59m.
The distance between Great Falls and Columbia Falls is 246 miles. The road distance is 209.6 miles.
The best way to get from Great Falls to Columbia Falls without a car is to bus which takes 5h 59m and costs $22 - $27.
It takes approximately 5h 59m to get from Great Falls to Columbia Falls, including transfers.
Great Falls to Columbia Falls bus services, operated by Northern Transit Interlocal, depart from Great Falls Transfer Center station.
The best way to get from Great Falls to Columbia Falls is to bus which takes 5h 59m and costs $22 - $27. Alternatively, you can fly, which costs $200 - $900 and takes 4h 39m.
Great Falls to Columbia Falls bus services, operated by Northern Transit Interlocal, arrive at Shelby Amtrak Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Great Falls to Columbia Falls is 210 miles. It takes approximately 3h 37m to drive from Great Falls to Columbia Falls.
What companies run services between Great Falls, MT, USA and Columbia Falls, MT, USA?
You can take a bus from Great Falls Transfer Center to Columbia Falls via Shelby Amtrak Station and North Valley Hospital - Whitefish in around 5h 59m. Alternatively, Delta, Alaska Airlines, Inc., and United Airlines fly from Great Falls International Airport (GTF) to Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) 5 times a day.
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Great Falls International Airport to Glacier Park International Airport via Salt Lake City
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–850
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Great Falls International Airport to Glacier Park International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–1,000
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Great Falls International Airport to Glacier Park International Airport via Seattle
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $370–1,800
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Shelby Amtrak Station to Whitefish Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $45–100
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 406-470-0727
- [email protected]
- Website
- northern.rural-transit.com
Bus from Great Falls Transfer Center to Shelby Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Schedules at
- northern.rural-transit.com
Bus from Shelby Amtrak Station to North Valley Hospital - Whitefish
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Schedules at
- northern.rural-transit.com
Bus from Great Falls Transfer Center to Shelby Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Schedules at
- northern.rural-transit.com
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.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
There are 347+ hotels available in Columbia Falls.








