How expensive is Columbus? How much money do I need for Columbus?
How much does a trip to Columbus cost? Is Columbus expensive? The average Columbus trip cost is broken down by category here. All of these Columbus prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Accommodation Budget in Columbus
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price for one person for accommodation in Columbus is $58. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price for a hotel room in Columbus is $115.
How much do vacation rentals cost in Columbus? Prices vary by location, date, size of the place, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Food Budget in Columbus
Calculated from travelers like you
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While meal prices in Columbus can vary, the average cost of food in Columbus is $39 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Columbus should cost around $16 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Columbus is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$39
Transportation Budget in Columbus
Calculated from travelers like you
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The cost of a taxi ride in Columbus is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $40 per person, per day, on local transportation in Columbus.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$40
How much does it cost to go to Columbus? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Columbus will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Entertainment Budget in Columbus
Calculated from travelers like you
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Entertainment and activities in Columbus typically cost an average of $37 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$37
Alcohol Budget in Columbus
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $16 on alcoholic beverages in Columbus per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$16
Last Updated: May 21, 2021
Columbus On a Budget
Columbus, Ohio
The capital city of Ohio, Columbus sits at the meeting point of America's Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Plains. It is also home of Ohio State University, which is a major financial and economic force in the city. You'll likely need a car to navigate the city, although there is a bus system,
COTA, which can take you to some of Columbus' highlights.
Perhaps the more pedestrian friendly area in the city is High Street, which travels from the north near Clintonville to Merion Village in the south. You can also walk around much of the downtown area where you will find a large number of the city's attractions. If you're looking for a walking tour, consider the Columbus Landmarks Foundation which offers fairly comprehensive and informative tours of the area. For more ideas, check out this terrific guide covering
things to do in Columbus.
Columbus plays host to some great festivals throughout the year, and if you're lucky enough to be in town for a festival, it's a great way to experience the city. Some popular options are the Asian Festival, the
Columbus Arts Festival, the Columbus Jazz and Rib Fest, Festival Latino, the German Village Oktoberfest, and Good Guys Columbus.
As a large city, you'll find plenty of restaurants around town that cater to all budgets and tastes. If you're looking for something cheap your best options are likely burger joints, Chinese take out, and the limitless fast food chains around town. Mid range restaurants will offer a great variety and a higher quality of food. Some good options include Japanese, Ethiopian, Italian, and German. If you're looking to splurge, there are some great high end restaurants around town, but do note that many will require a reservation if you're planning to dine on a weekend night. There are some great bars in town as well, many of which are in the university area. If you're looking for a place to grab a beer or listen to some life music, you should easily find some good venues.
Transportation
While Columbus offers public transportation (COTA), renting a car is probably recommended if you're planning to get around the city. Parking is generally available, although in some downtown areas you must pay to park.
