Getting around Columbus, Georgia is easiest to plan around the downtown core, METRA buses and your choice of car or rideshare.
From SureStay Hotel by Best Western Columbus Downtown, the city centre is about 8 minutes on foot or 2 minutes by car, while the National Civil War Naval Museum is about 33 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by car.
- METRA operates buses Monday through Saturday.
- Fixed routes connect with a downtown transfer center.
- Columbus Metropolitan Airport is about 18 minutes by car from the hotel.
- The airport offers short-term and long-term parking.
The layout of Columbus for visitors
METRA’s downtown transfer center and Uptown’s parking enforcement area are two useful points to keep in mind when planning city-centre trips. From the hotel, A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium is about 24 minutes on foot or 4 minutes by car, and the Columbus Civic Center is about 26 minutes on foot or 6 minutes by car.
If you are arriving by air, Columbus Metropolitan Airport is about 114 minutes on foot or 18 minutes by car from the hotel. The airport-to-downtown trip has its own set of choices, including the METRA bus, rideshare, taxis and rental cars; the details are in this guide to getting from Columbus Metropolitan Airport to downtown.
Walking around downtown
Walking works for some downtown journeys, but the supplied travel times show that attractions beyond the city centre can take longer on foot. From the hotel, the city centre takes about 8 minutes on foot, while the Naval Museum takes about 33 minutes.
For trips to A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium or the Civic Center, compare the walking times with a drive before setting out: each takes less than half an hour by car from the hotel. The museum’s location and visitor details are covered in the National Civil War Naval Museum guide.
How do you use Columbus GA public transportation?
METRA is Columbus, Georgia’s public transit system. Its buses run Monday through Saturday from 4:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; individual route schedules vary.
The system map shows the METRA Transfer Center in its downtown inset. For route-specific details, call the Transfer Center at (706) 225-4673. Before relying on a particular route or departure, check the official site before you go.
All METRA routes have wheelchair-accessible buses with wheelchair tie-downs. Dial-A-Ride offers curb-to-curb service for eligible disabled people who cannot use fixed-route service.
Driving, parking and rideshare
Driving gives you a quicker option for the listed trips to the stadium, Civic Center and Naval Museum. Columbus Airport offers Uber and Lyft, with pickup at the east entrance of the main terminal, and taxi service at the east end of the terminal past baggage claim.
At the airport, short-term and long-term lots connect to the terminal by walkway, and both have disability and veteran parking spaces. Short-term parking costs $2 for 0–30 minutes, $3 for 31–60 minutes, $2 for each additional hour and $10 daily.
Long-term parking costs $3 for 0–60 minutes, $2 for each additional hour and $9 daily. A new parking day begins at 1:00 a.m.; pay by debit or credit card at exit, or use an indoor kiosk if paying cash.
In Uptown, the parking enforcement area covers 9th Street to 14th Street and Bay Avenue to 3rd Avenue, with restrictions set by individual streets.
Broadway parking is limited to two hours per day on any given block; moving to another block restarts the two-hour period. City-operated options include the RiverCenter Garage, City Services Center Garage and Bay Avenue Garage, as well as two surface lots.
Reaching major attractions and venues
From the hotel, the Civic Center takes about 6 minutes by car, A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium about 4 minutes, and the National Civil War Naval Museum about 5 minutes. The corresponding walks take about 26, 24 and 33 minutes.
Choose between walking and driving based on the destination and your schedule.
FAQs
Does Columbus have public transportation?
Yes. METRA operates buses Monday through Saturday.
How late do METRA buses run?
METRA buses operate from 4:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Individual route schedules vary.
Are METRA buses wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Buses on all routes are wheelchair accessible and have wheelchair tie-downs. Eligible disabled people who cannot use fixed-route service may qualify for curb-to-curb Dial-A-Ride.
Can you park at Columbus Metropolitan Airport?
Yes. The airport has short-term and long-term parking lots connected to the terminal by walkway. Both lots include disability and veteran parking spaces.