About Columbus
Columbus is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. With a population of 905,748 at the 2020 census, it is the 14th-most populous city in the U.S., second-most populous city in the Midwest, and third-most populous U.S. state capital. The Columbus metropolitan area, with an estimated 2.23 million residents, is the largest metropolitan area entirely in Ohio and 32nd-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. Columbus is the county seat of Franklin County; it also extends into Delaware and Fairfield counties.
Cheap flights to Columbus
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $889 from Dublin, travelling 11 Nov – 18 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LHR London to Columbus9 Nov – 23 Nov · CMH from$930
- DUB Dublin to Columbus11 Nov – 18 Nov · CMH from$889
- MAN Manchester to Columbus29 Nov – 6 Dec · CMH from$1,012
- EDI Edinburgh to Columbus2 Nov – 6 Nov · CMH from$1,417
- CPH Copenhagen to Columbus29 Oct – 2 Dec · CMH from$986
- PRG Prague to Columbus15 Jan – 1 Apr · CMH from$1,283
- BHX Birmingham to Columbus25 Nov – 28 Nov · CMH from$1,356
- GLA Glasgow to Columbus4 Dec – 11 Dec · CMH from$1,384
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus, Finnair.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to ColumbusPlaces to visit in Columbus
-
German Village
NeighborhoodA preserved nineteenth-century neighborhood of brick streets and cottages just south of downtown. Wander the side lanes, browse the rambling Book Loft bookstore and stop at local bakeries and beer halls.
-
Short North Arts District
Neighborhood · 1 mi from centreA lively strip of High Street lined with galleries, boutiques and restaurants under illuminated arches. The monthly gallery hop evenings, when shops stay open late, are a good time to visit.
-
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Zoo · 15 mi from centreA large zoo north of the city with habitats organized by continent, a manatee exhibit, a sizable aquarium and an adjacent water park, making it an easy full-day outing for families.
-
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Park · 3 mi from centreA Victorian-style glasshouse with biome rooms ranging from desert to rainforest, plus outdoor gardens and a notable collection of Dale Chihuly glass artworks displayed among the plants.
-
COSI
MuseumColumbus's hands-on science center on the Scioto riverfront, with interactive exhibits on space, the ocean, energy and dinosaurs, along with a planetarium and live science demonstrations.
-
Columbus Museum of Art
MuseumA downtown museum with European and American paintings, a strong collection of works by local artist George Bellows, and interactive spaces that encourage visitors to create.
-
North Market
MarketA historic public market near the Short North where dozens of local vendors sell produce, baked goods, ice cream and international dishes, making it an ideal stop for a casual lunch.
-
Scioto Mile
ParkA chain of riverfront parks downtown with walking and cycling paths, a large interactive fountain popular with kids in summer, and views of the city skyline along the Scioto River.
Where to stay in Columbus
Popular hotels in Columbus, out of 219 properties you can book.
Wyndham Columbus
From $69 per night
Comfort Suites East Broad at 270
From $115 per night
Sheraton Columbus at Capitol Square
From $138 per night
Hilton Columbus Downtown
From $450 per night
Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus
From $153 per night
The Westin Great Southern Columbus
From $208 per night
Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus-Downtown
From $487 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Columbus-University Area
From $140 per night
Comfort Suites Columbus
From $83 per night
Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus Polaris
From $149 per night
Hampton Inn Heath-Newark
From $152 per night
Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus-Easton Area
From $133 per night
Best time to visit Columbus
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Columbus is August to October, when average daytime highs are around 67–83°F and rain falls on about 7 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Columbus weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 69° 39° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 69° 51° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 68° 51° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 70° 50° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 72° 53° 1%
- Mon 26 Oct 72° 55° 1%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Columbus
These are the airports closest to central Columbus. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- OSU Ohio State University Airport9 mi (15 km) from the city centre
- LCK Rickenbacker International Airport11 mi (18 km) from the city centre
- UBS Columbus-Lowndes County Airport539 mi (867 km) from the city centre
Getting around Columbus
The COTA bus service can take you to most important places in the city, which should be about 5 blocks away from any conceivable location you need to go to. This service costs $2.75 for an Express bus and $2.00 for a Local/Crosstown bus. Transfers for a Local/Crosstown bus are free, but transfers between bus types, such as from a Local to an Express route, are subject to an upcharge.
By foot
Most of High St (US Route 23) from Clintonville in the north to Merion Village in the south is pedestrian-friendly, and while areas between campus and the Short North had been fairly rough, gentrification and the growth of student housing, boutique shops, and restaurants has created a fairly continuous stretch of safe by-foot travel. Downtown Columbus is a walkable area with most attractions within a 20-minute walk of each other. The Columbus Landmarks Foundation conducts walking tours, too.
By car
Columbus is a car-centric city, with usage of a car required outside of the areas directly surrounding downtown. Parking is extensive (and reasonably priced) at almost all major destinations. There are many surface lots and garages around the city. There are only a few areas of the city, like the Short North, where parking can be hard to come by; those locations feature abundant valet parking at $5 per vehicle. U-turns are illegal citywide in Columbus.
Columbus travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Columbus?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Columbus is August to October, when average daytime highs are around 67–83°F and rain falls on about 7 days a month.
What is the weather like in Columbus?
July is usually the warmest month in Columbus, with average highs of 86°F (30°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 20°F (-7°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 168 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Columbus?
Ohio State University Airport (OSU) is the closest airport, about 9 miles (15 km) from the centre of Columbus. Other nearby airports include Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK, 11 mi) and Columbus-Lowndes County Airport (UBS, 539 mi).
How much are flights to Columbus?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Columbus in the last 30 days was $889 from Dublin, travelling 11 Nov – 18 Nov. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $889.
What time zone is Columbus in?
Columbus uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Columbus?
The COTA bus service can take you to most important places in the city, which should be about 5 blocks away from any conceivable location you need to go to. This service costs $2.75 for an Express bus and $2.00 for a Local/Crosstown bus.
What are the best places to visit in Columbus?
Top sights in Columbus include German Village, Short North Arts District, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. A preserved nineteenth-century neighborhood of brick streets and cottages just south of downtown. Wander the side lanes, browse the rambling Book Loft bookstore and stop at local bakeries and beer halls.
Where should I stay in Columbus?
Popular areas for hotels in Columbus include Columbus Area. Well-reviewed options include Wyndham Columbus and Comfort Suites East Broad at 270.
How many hotels can I book in Columbus?
Destina Holidays currently lists 219 properties in and around Columbus, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
