Columbia city centre is about an 11-minute drive from American Inn Columbia, and COMET buses connect downtown districts and several visitor destinations. Driving is useful for reaching sights around the city, while COMET’s fixed routes, downtown circulators and on-demand service offer public transportation options.
- City centre: about 11 minutes by car from the motel.
- COMET: fixed routes, downtown connectors and ReFlex on-demand service.
- Downtown circulators: the Soda Cap Connector and The Orbit (Soda Cap 4).
- Parking decks: city visitor rates include a free first hour at four gated decks.
Choosing how to travel around Columbia
Driving and COMET buses are the main documented ways to connect the motel with Columbia’s centre and visitor destinations. For downtown, you can combine a drive or bus ride with one of the circulators; for destinations farther out, check the route map and schedule that fits your trip.
The COMET offers fixed routes, downtown connectors and ReFlex on-demand services, with maps and schedules available on its official routes page. The Soda Cap Connector and The Orbit link destinations in the Vista, Main Street district, Cayce and West Columbia, the University of South Carolina campus and Segra Park.
If you’re planning a campus visit, the University of South Carolina campus tour can help you choose a destination before you check transit connections. University transit routes operate on a different schedule from COMET routes.
Driving and parking for visitor attractions
Downtown Columbia has city-operated visitor parking decks, and some attractions identify nearby parking of their own. Check the facility details before you set out, since payment methods and parking rules vary by location.
At the gated Lady Street, Lincoln Street, Park Street and Sumter Street visitor decks, the rate is $0 for the first hour, $3.00 for the second hour, $1.00 for each additional hour and a $15.00 daily maximum. The city’s parking map lets you select “Recreation and Transportation,” then “Public Parking,” and enter a location to find a public facility.
The Columbia Museum of Art is at 1515 Main Street, at Main and Hampton Streets. The museum identifies PJ Cannon Garage at 1227 Taylor Street as nearby, with a pedestrian path to Main Street; it also says parking there is free on Saturdays and Sundays.
Nearby street parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays, and Main Street parking stations accept credit cards and the Passport app.
For a park visit, Finlay Park sits between Assembly, Gadsden, Laurel and Taylor Streets. The Laurel Street lot is generally available to park visitors, but closes to the general public for service access on special-event days; designated ADA parking is available for all events held at the park.
Using COMET buses and the transit center
COMET’s downtown circulators connect several central districts and destinations, while Route 801 links downtown with Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College. The Soda Cap Connector is also a way to reach multiple downtown attractions.
Route 801 travels from Downtown Columbia via Broad River Road and Harbison Walmart to Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, with service described as seven days a week. Check the route schedule for the service that matches your plans.
COMET accepts a $2.00 fare, a $1.00 discounted fare, or a COMET Card or COMET 1-Day, 7-Day or 31-Day Pass. Fare details can change, so check the official site before you go.
For a food and shopping stop along Main Street, the Soda City Market guide offers planning details to pair with your route search.
Getting from the motel to downtown and major sights
Driving is the quickest documented way to reach the city centre and several named sights from American Inn. The city centre is about an 11-minute drive away; Riverbanks Zoo is about 9 minutes by car, and the South Carolina State Museum is about 10 minutes by car.
Other drive times include about 10 minutes to Finlay Park, 12 minutes to Segra Park, 14 minutes to the Benjamin Franklin Randolph Monument and 9 minutes to the Lace House.
Walking times are considerably longer for these destinations: for example, Riverbanks Zoo is about 64 minutes on foot from the motel, while the city centre is about 104 minutes on foot.
If Riverbanks Zoo is on your itinerary, the Riverbanks Zoo visit-planning guide covers tickets and hours. For Finlay Park, the city describes a four-minute walk from the corner of Main and Blanding Streets to the park.
Airport trips from American Inn
From American Inn, Columbia Metropolitan Airport is about 28 minutes by car, and Jim Hamilton L.B. Owens Airport is about 24 minutes away by car. Shaw Air Force Base is about 58 minutes by car, while Mc Entire Joint National Guard Base is about 39 minutes by car.
These are drive times, so allow for your own schedule and check current travel conditions before leaving. For rail arrivals, verify station and onward-transport details through the relevant operator before you travel.
FAQs
Does Columbia have public transportation?
Yes. COMET operates fixed routes, downtown connectors and ReFlex on-demand services. The Soda Cap Connector and The Orbit serve destinations across several central districts and nearby areas.
How much does a COMET ride cost?
COMET accepts a $2.00 fare and a $1.00 discounted fare, as well as fare-card and multi-day pass options. Check the official site before travel for current fare details.
Where can you park near the Columbia Museum of Art?
The museum identifies PJ Cannon Garage at 1227 Taylor Street as nearby and says it has a pedestrian path to Main Street. The museum also describes free weekend parking there and nearby on-street parking.