How to get to and from Columbus airport (CMH): bus, train, taxi and transfers

Ground transportation options

Public transportation, licensed taxis and ride-hailing apps, private transfers and car rental at Columbus airport (CMH), 10 km from Columbus. See also the airport guide for general information.

The airport is located about 10-15 minutes by road from downtown Columbus.

Ride-sharing Apps

Uber and Lyft vehicles pick up passengers on ground level 1 (arrivals), across the roadway in the designated Ground Transportation island, between marked pillars on the right.

Public and Regional Buses

The COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) metropolitan bus network connects the airport with downtown Columbus and suburban hubs via regular routes and paratransit services (Mainstream). The bus stop is situated in the outer ground transportation area. Regional coach operator GoBus connects the terminal with southeast Ohio destinations such as Lancaster, Logan, Nelsonville, Athens, and Marietta.

Taxis

Metered taxis are available around the clock directly outside the baggage claim doors on level 1. Standard fares to downtown Columbus range from USD 25.00 to USD 30.00. For on-site assistance and dispatch inquiries: Taxi Management at +1 614 239 8294.

Shuttles and Private Transfers

Designated bays in the ground transportation center accommodate complimentary hotel shuttles and pre-booked private charter coaches.

Private bus operators:

All-Ways Charter Bus (Tel +1 419 281 0511)
Anderson Coach & Travel (Tel +1 724 588 8310)
Arch Express Transportation (Tel +1 614 252 2277)
Barons Bus (Tel +1 440 882 3703)
Blackhawk Charters (Tel +1 740 804 7382)
Blue Grass Tours (Tel +1 859 233 2152)
Brewster Travel (Tel +1 800 386 9693)
Buckeye Charters (Tel +1 937 879 3000)
Cardinal Transportation (Tel +1 614 274 2500)
Carson Travel (Tel +1 419 884 7440)
Cavalier Tours (Tel +1 740 927 7779)
Coach Quarters (Tel +1 614 738 8889)
Croswell of Williamsburg (Tel +1 513 724 2206)
Crown Charter (Tel +1 812 577 0219)
Executive Charter (Tel +1 859 261 8841)
Fun Bus (Tel +1 740 653 4600)
Getaway Tours (Tel +1 734 994 6666)
Kingdom Travel & Coach (Tel +1 419 884 1011)
Lakefront Lines (Tel +1 614 476 1113)
Miller Transportation (Tel +1 380 799 1975)
Petermann Bus (Tel +1 614 837 8525)
Pioneer Trails (Tel +1 330 674 1234)
Queen City Transportation (Tel +1 513 941 8700)
Spring Valley Charter (Tel +1 304 733 4074)
The BEAT (Tel +1 614 237 4216)
Urban Express Charter (Tel +1 614 253 7000)
VAT (Tel +1 614 252 5060)

More information

Book ahead

Private transfer from CMH Rent a car at CMH

Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Tips for getting to and from CMH

Going to the airport

Leave earlier than you think you need to: Columbus airport is 10 km from Columbus. Allow for rush-hour traffic, strikes or events, and check the local news before you go.
On public transportation, check the schedule (weekends and holidays usually have fewer services), whether you need to change lines and how to pay: transit card, contactless or cash.
If you booked a shared shuttle, keep the company's phone number at hand in case the pickup is late.
Returning a rental car? Follow the signs to the rental car return area. If you drive your own car, check parking at CMH.

Leaving the airport

After baggage claim and customs, follow the ground transportation signs. The arrivals page has a step-by-step guide.
Arriving late at night? Not every bus or train runs 24 hours: check the last departure in advance. Ride-hailing apps usually pick up at a designated zone, not at the curb.
With a private transfer, the driver usually waits in the arrivals hall with a sign with your name.
Looking for the taxi rank, the train station or the rental desks, or meeting someone? See the CMH airport map and share a meeting point.
Renting a car? Booking ahead gives you better rates; see car rental at CMH.
Staying near the airport? See hotels and overnight stay or hotels near CMH.

Content written by German Giudici

Creator of the Aeropuertos del Mundo website network since 2007.

Getting to and from Columbus airport