Getting There
By Plane--Port Columbus International Airport (tel. 614/239-4000; www.port-columbus.com) is about ten minutes east of downtown. Eight major car rental companies are located on the ground floor near the parking garage. It's an easy ten-minute drive into the city; take Route I-670 from the airport and follow signs for downtown.
If you're not renting, Arch Express (tel. 614/252-2277) and Urban Express Transportation (tel. 614/840-0411) are two companies that run shuttles from the airport to various parts of the city. Rates start at $12 per person for transport to hotels downtown. Reservations are recommended.
Taxis are available outside baggage claim level or the terminal walkway; expect the fare to run about $16-$18 into downtown.
By Train--There is currently no metropolitan area or other passenger rail service.
By Car--The principal highway routes into Columbus are east-west I-70 and two freeways, I-71 and State Rte 315, that run north-south. Additionally, the outerbelt I-270 circles the city, and I-670 connects the airport to downtown and continues to the west side.
Visitor Information
To receive visitor information on the greater Columbus area before your arrival, contact the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, 277 W Nationwide Blvd, Ste 125, Columbus, OH 43215 (tel. 866/EXP-COLS or 614/221-6623; www.experiencecolumbus.com). Another useful resource is the Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism (tel. 614/466-8844; www.discoverohio.com). There are other satellite locations at the Easton Town Center, on the first floor of the mall, behind the AMC Theaters, and at the Columbus City Center, Port Columbus International Airport and Columbus Convention Center.
Getting Around
For taxi service, call the Shamrock Taxi (tel. 614/784-8888); Bobcat Cab Service (tel. 614/481-0388); or Aarow Cab (tel. 614/866-6666). The meter starts at $2.00 and runs $.40 per additional 2/9 mile and .40 for each minute of waiting/traffic time. Public transportation is available through Central Ohio Transit Authority (tel. 614/228-1776; www.cota.com). Bus fare is $1.25, express fare $1.75 and transfers are just 10 cents.
Fast Facts
Emergency and urgent-care services are available at Grant Medical Center Urgent Care Hospital, 111 S Grant Ave. (tel. 614/566-1898) or Urgent Care Plus, 1430 S High St. (tel.614/542-0940). A 24-hour CVS Pharmacy is located at 4801 W. Broad St. (tel. 614/878-7565 and at 2100 East Dublin-Granville Rd. (tel. 614/891-1410). Sales tax is 6.75%; hotel tax is 10%.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
