Columbia Metropolitan Airport Shuttle and Transport Options to Columbia

Columbia Metropolitan Airport is at 3250 Airport Boulevard in West Columbia, roughly six miles from downtown Columbia. The terminal is a single-concourse facility, and the airport identifies I-26, I-20, I-77 and nearby I-95 as routes providing access.

If you’re arranging a pickup, check which terminal level and area your driver should use before setting out. The upper-level public curb is for immediate pickup and drop-off only; vehicles left there longer than five minutes may receive an automatic ticket.

Driving is a direct option for reaching the Columbia area, with the trip from CAE to Budget Inn Express taking about 30 minutes by car. The airport’s road connections include I-26, I-20, I-77 and nearby I-95; the best route depends on your destination and conditions when you travel.

If someone is collecting you, arrange a meeting point rather than leaving a vehicle unattended at the terminal curb. The airport says vehicles cannot park in front of the terminal on either level: passengers must be actively loading or unloading, and unattended or illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed.

CAE has designated pickup areas for taxis and rideshare, while some Columbia-area hotels provide courtesy shuttles. Confirm shuttle availability directly with your hotel before relying on it.

Taxis pick up on the lower level in baggage claim, outside the doors to the left of the rental-car counters. The airport names Checker Yellow, Capital City, Blue Ribbon and Carolina Taxi as taxi operators. It lists metered service at $2.50 per mile plus a $2 starting fare, along with flat fares to Fort Jackson and McCrady Training Center.

Uber and Lyft serve CAE for pickup and drop-off. Their pickup area is on the lower level in baggage claim, in front of the parking garage. For hotel guests, Budget Inn Express, a hotel in Columbia, is about a 30-minute drive from the airport.

COMET provides airport service on Route 91, with service between the airport and COMET Central on weekdays and Saturdays. Check the official site before you go for current route and schedule details.

Rental-car counters are on the lower level in baggage claim. Emerald Club members and other executive-club members can go directly to the lower level of the parking garage to collect a vehicle. Rental companies serving CAE include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.

Choose your onward transport before landing: confirm a hotel shuttle with the hotel, arrange a taxi or rideshare pickup, or check COMET’s service pattern if you plan to take the bus. If you’re renting a car, note that the counters are in baggage claim, while eligible executive-club members can go to the parking garage.

If your dates are flexible, Columbia’s seasons and events offer context for planning when to travel.

Airport access and ground-transportation arrangements can change. Before you travel, check the official site for the latest pickup instructions, fares and transit details.