Columbia Metropolitan Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Columbia Airport is southwest of the city: downtown, along Main Street, remains the most practical base for most travelers, 15-20 minutes by car. Anyone arriving or departing at awkward hours finds in Harbison, on I-26, the closest area to the terminal among those with verifiable properties, about 12 minutes away. Anyone visiting a recruit at Fort Jackson or working in the district to the northeast of the city instead finds it more convenient to stay on that side, even though it means getting a bit farther from both the airport and Main Street.

Harbison (airport area, on I-26)

Airport area · About 12 minutes by car from the terminal along I-26; downtown Columbia is another 10-15 minutes.

Best for: Anyone with a dawn flight or a short stopover who wants the closest area to the terminal among those in this guide.

Pros

The closest to the terminal among the areas in this guide
Columbiana Centre and the area's restaurants just minutes away

Cons

An area of shopping centers, with little connection to the historic downtown
You'll still need a car or a taxi to get around

Recommended hotels in this area

Hilton Garden Inn Columbia/Harbison: A mile from the Columbiana Centre, with an indoor pool and the Garden Grille & Bar restaurant for anyone arriving after mealtimes.

See more hotels in this area →

Downtown and Main Street

City centre · 15-20 minutes by car or taxi from the airport; there's no direct bus, so you'll need a taxi or rideshare.

Best for: Anyone who wants the Main Street Historic District, the South Carolina State House, and downtown bars within walking distance.

Pros

The Main Street Historic District and the South Carolina State House within walking distance
A range of price points, from boutique to grand historic hotel

Cons

Parking is almost always paid
The area is quieter on weekends when university students are away

Recommended hotels in this area

Hotel Trundle: Three restored historic buildings on Taylor Street, with local beer or wine offered at check-in and artisanal breakfast included.
Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel: A 1912 building on Main Street, a 5-minute walk from the State House and the Columbia Museum of Art.

See more hotels in this area →

Fort Jackson and the northeast district

Neighbourhood · 25-30 minutes by car or taxi from the airport, on the opposite side of the city from the terminal; there's no direct bus.

Best for: Anyone visiting a recruit at Fort Jackson or working in the city's northeast economic district.

Pros

A few minutes from Fort Jackson, handy for ceremonies and recruit visits
Generally lower prices than downtown

Cons

The farthest from the airport among the areas in this guide
An area of highway interchanges, with little to do on foot in the evening

Recommended hotels in this area

Hilton Garden Inn Columbia/Northeast: On Farrow Road near exit 19 off I-77, a few minutes from Fort Jackson, with a heated indoor pool.
Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Northeast/Fort Jackson Area: A lounge-style lobby designed for business travel, with an outdoor pool and an in-house restaurant in the evening.

See more hotels in this area →