Columbus

Columbus is the dynamic capital of Ohio, located in the heart of the Midwest USA. The city is a modern metropolis with developed infrastructure, where business districts sit alongside cosy historic neighbourhoods and expansive parks. Getting here is easy: the region is served by major airports and connected to neighbouring cities by a network of high-quality highways.

The main air gateway to the region is John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), which receives most scheduled flights and features convenient connections to the city. Also functioning is Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK), serving charter destinations, and the small local airport Golden Triangle.

If direct flights are unavailable, travellers often choose flights to neighbouring Dayton or use the airports of Lima and Parkersburg as alternative arrival points.

Currently, there is no passenger railway station in the city of Columbus itself, so getting here directly by train is not possible. The nearest major Amtrak stations are located in Cincinnati and Cleveland, situated at a significant distance.

Travellers preferring rail travel will need to plan a multi-leg route. After arriving by train at neighbouring major hubs, the remaining part of the journey to the Ohio capital must be covered by intercity bus or rental car.

Bus services connect the Ohio capital with many towns and cities in the region, offering a budget-friendly travel option. One of the fastest and most popular routes is the trip from the city of Dayton: covering the distance of 125 km takes on average 2.2 hours.

There are also regular trips from the city of Lima. Although some complex routes may take a long time due to transfers, direct or optimised bus connections allow you to reach your destination with reasonable comfort.

Travelling by car is one of the most convenient ways to get to Columbus, thanks to excellent roads. The shortest route runs from the city of Dayton: the distance of 113 km can be covered in just 1.1 hours.

The road from the city of Lima (145 km) will take the driver approximately 1.6 hours, and the journey from the city of Parkersburg spanning about 180 km will require around 1.9 hours of travel time.

To ensure your trip to Columbus is as comfortable and smooth as possible, it is worth familiarising yourself with local features in advance. Here is a list of useful recommendations for tourists:

1. Clothing and Essentials. The climate here is continental with distinct seasons. In summer, it is advisable to bring light clothing made of natural fabrics due to humidity, while in winter, a warm jacket, hat, and waterproof shoes are mandatory.
2. Transport. The city centre is convenient for walking, but for trips to outlying districts, it is better to use a rental car or the COTA bus network.
3. Finance. The official currency is the US Dollar. Bank cards are accepted almost everywhere, but keeping some cash (small notes) is useful for gratuities.
4. Health and Safety. Healthcare in the USA is high-quality but expensive, so having insurance is mandatory. The single emergency number is 911.
5. Communication. The main language of communication is English. Locals are friendly, and basic knowledge of the language will be sufficient for solving everyday matters.
6. Local Etiquette. It is customary to leave a tip of 15–20% of the bill in restaurants and cafes, as well as to thank taxi drivers and hotel service staff.
7. What to Avoid. It is not recommended to walk alone in poorly lit areas at night or to leave valuables in plain sight in a parked car.
8. Additional Tip. If you plan a trip on days of home matches for the university team Ohio State Buckeyes, be prepared for traffic jams and fully booked hotels — the city literally lives for American football.

Following these simple rules will help you enjoy the city's atmosphere and gain only positive impressions from your trip.