Cheap flights to Columbus
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Quick summary
State
Ohio
Continent
North America
Airport
CMH
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-5
Opportunities already detected to Columbus
Real flight examples spotted by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Identity
Ohio's capital, between two rivers
Columbus was founded in 1812 where the Scioto and Olentangy rivers meet, to serve as Ohio's new state capital, and for a long time it stayed in the shadow of Cincinnati and Cleveland. It has been Ohio's most populous city since the early 1990s: 905,748 residents at the 2020 census, in a metropolitan area of about 2.1 million (Wikipedia EN). State government, insurance, finance and one of the country's largest public universities anchor its economy.
Downtown is compact enough to cover on foot: according to Wikivoyage, most downtown attractions are within about a 20-minute walk of each other. Outside downtown, however, the city is built around the car.
To discover
German Village, the Short North and the Scioto riverfront
German Village, laid out from 1814 just south of downtown, is a historic district of brick houses and brick sidewalks inherited from the German immigrants of the 19th century, one of the most walkable corners of the city. To the north, the Short North Arts District runs along High Street between downtown and the campus, with nearly twenty independent galleries in a reclaimed industrial area; its streetcar arches were rebuilt in 2002, according to Wikipedia EN.
The Scioto Mile strings together nine parks on both banks of the Scioto (Wikipedia EN): paths, lawns and views of the skyline. It is also where the Columbus Arts Festival and the Jazz & Rib Fest take place, according to Wikivoyage.
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Museums
Art, science and gardens: five places to know
Columbus Museum of Art. Founded in 1878, the museum has occupied a Beaux-Arts building downtown since 1931, expanded in 2015. Its collections cover European and American art up to early modernism and contemporary art, with a major holding of work by the city-born painter George Bellows.
Wexner Center for the Arts. A contemporary art centre run by Ohio State University, opened in 1989 in a building designed by Peter Eisenman (Wikipedia FR)
COSI. The Center of Science and Industry, housed in the former Central High School, has more than 300 hands-on exhibits and a planetarium: allow at least half a day with children.
Franklin Park Conservatory. A botanical garden opened in 1895, with a Victorian glasshouse, more than 400 plant species and a major collection of Dale Chihuly glass.
Ohio History Center and zoo. The Ohio History Center, about 4 miles north of downtown (Wikipedia EN), tells the state's story; the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is the other big family outing.
Landmarks
Statehouse, LeVeque Tower and historic districts
Ohio Statehouse. The state capitol opened to the public on 7 January 1857 after construction that began in 1839 (Wikipedia EN, ES). It can be visited downtown.
LeVeque Tower and St. Joseph Cathedral. The LeVeque Tower, the city's second-tallest skyscraper, dominates the skyline; the Gothic Revival St. Joseph Cathedral stands not far from the centre.
Four historic districts. Wikivoyage names German Village, Italian Village, Victorian Village and the Brewery District, along with more than 170 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Park of Roses, called one of the world's largest rose gardens by Wikipedia FR, and the Ohio Theatre round out a landmark list with no long queues.
Food and drink
North Market, square-cut pizza and local beer
North Market. It is the only surviving public market of the city's original four (Wikipedia EN). Open since 1876, it gathers more than 30 independent vendors under one roof: cheese, craft beer and prepared dishes.
Columbus-style pizza. Wikipedia EN describes Columbus-style pizza: thin crust, slightly sweet tomato sauce, cut into squares. Several regional chains began in the area, including Donatos, Bob Evans, White Castle and Wendy's.
Beer and festivals. The city has many microbreweries and pubs (Wikipedia EN), notably in the Brewery District. Among events, ComFest takes place on the last weekend of June at Goodale Park and Restaurant Week is held twice a year. German Village's Oktoberfest is held in September.
In the Short North and around the campus, bars, restaurants and sandwich shops follow one another (Wikipedia ES). Tipping is customary in the United States.
University and sport
Ohio State University, the Buckeyes and the Crew
Ohio State University, founded in 1870, has more than 60,000 students on its Columbus campus, one of the country's largest. Ohio Stadium, the horseshoe-shaped stadium built in 1922 and renovated for more than $194 million in 2001, seats 104,944 according to Wikipedia DE and fills for the Ohio State Buckeyes, one of the most-watched college football programmes in the country.
The Columbus Crew soccer club won the MLS title in 2008, 2020 and 2023 (Wikipedia DE). Tickets for match days sell quickly in both cases: check the calendar before booking your flight.
In pictures
Columbus in pictures
By length of stay
What to do in Columbus by length of stay
The essentials
German Village, the North Market, the Short North Arts District and a walk along the Scioto.
Go deeper
Add the Columbus Museum of Art, COSI or the Franklin Park Conservatory and, if the schedule allows, a Buckeyes game.
Ohio
Extend to Cincinnati or Cleveland, about 1 h 45 and 2 h 15 by road (Wikivoyage).
Columbus airport
Arriving in Columbus and reaching downtown
John Glenn Columbus International
The airport of Ohio's capital, named after the astronaut from the state, is on the east side of the city (Wikipedia EN). Wikivoyage gives about 20 minutes by taxi to downtown depending on traffic, for roughly $20 to $50 depending on the mode (ride-hailing at the low end); these amounts should be checked.
Price data for Columbus is still limited: SniperAir has been tracking this route only recently.
Direct flights from Europe are rare or absent: most journeys involve at least one connection, whose length varies. Check current routes before booking. Wikivoyage points out that departing from Dayton, about an hour's drive away, can be cheaper.
By public transport, Wikivoyage names route 7 or AirConnect from the COTA bus company to downtown.
Getting around
COTA buses, bikes, car and distances
| Destination | Road distance (Wikivoyage) |
|---|---|
| Cincinnati | about 1 h 45 south on I-71 |
| Cleveland | about 2 h 15 north on I-71 |
| Indianapolis | about 2 h 30 west |
| Pittsburgh | about 3 h east |
| Dayton | about 1 h west on I-70 |
Locally, COTA runs the buses: Wikivoyage lists $2.00 for a local route and $2.75 for an express route, to be checked. The CoGo bike-share offers a 24-hour pass according to Wikivoyage. Downtown is walkable; outside it, a car remains the simplest option. There is no passenger train: Union Station was demolished in the late 1970s (Wikipedia ES). The I-70 and I-71 highways and the I-270 ring road serve the city (Wikipedia EN).
When to go
When to visit Columbus?
Spring
Mild temperatures and a lively campus: a pleasant time to visit.
Summer
Humid heat: highs of about 29.7 C in July (Wikipedia EN). A busy festival calendar: ComFest in June, July 4 fireworks on the Scioto, the Ohio State Fair in late July and early August.
Autumn
Strong fall colours and a college football atmosphere.
Winter
Cold and snowy: January averages about -1.4 C and the city gets about 72 cm of snow a year.
A humid continental climate (Koppen Dfa) with about 1,056 mm of precipitation a year according to Wikipedia EN. Tornadoes are possible in the warm months according to Wikivoyage. There is no reversed southern season: Columbus is in the northern hemisphere. Best time: April to June and September to October.
Budget and precautions
A mid-range budget, with a car to plan for
Price level. Columbus is a large Midwest city: a mid-range budget (our estimate; we publish no prices because they are not cross-checked). The North Market and the parks are modest costs; lodging, food and a rental car weigh more.
Flights and alerts. The flight is the most variable cost. SniperAir watches prices to CMH, compares them with the route's history and alerts you; it does not sell or book tickets.
Precautions. As in any big city, keep your belongings with you and check your own country's travel advice before you go. In winter, check the weather before driving.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Columbus
What is Columbus's airport and how do I get downtown?
John Glenn Columbus International (CMH), on the east side of the city. Wikivoyage gives about 20 minutes by taxi to downtown, or bus route 7 / AirConnect.
When is the best time to visit Columbus?
April to June and September to October. Summer is hot and humid, winter cold with about 72 cm of snow a year.
How much does a trip to Columbus cost?
A mid-range budget, with no precise prices published here. A rental car, lodging and meals weigh most; the flight is the most variable cost.
How many days should I plan in Columbus?
Two or three days cover German Village, the North Market, the museums and the Franklin Park Conservatory; add a trip to Cincinnati or Cleveland if you have more time.
How do I get around Columbus?
On foot downtown, by COTA bus or bike share, and by car for outlying districts. There is no passenger train.
What should I eat in Columbus?
Produce at the North Market, thin-crust Columbus-style pizza cut in squares, and beers from the Brewery District's microbreweries.
What is the Franklin Park Conservatory?
A botanical garden opened in 1895, with a Victorian glasshouse, more than 400 plant species and a Dale Chihuly glass collection.
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