Layover in Columbus (CMH)
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH). Here's how much of a layover you can really use, and what fits in it.
About Columbus
Columbus is the capital of the American state of Ohio and is located centrally within the state as the core of the Greater Columbus area. Sited in an area where the Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Farm Belt meet, Columbus is a fusion of many different parts of America. It is the home of the Ohio State University. The combination of Ohio Government and the Ohio State University has fueled amazing growth both financially and physically in Columbus. It has created a business and research environment that has provided substantial employment opportunities to the diverse ethnic and local graduates of the Ohio State University, and other academic institutions in Columbus. The Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC), is projected to be one of the top 50 supercomputers in the world and among the top 10 supercomputing academic centers. It also ranked number 1 on About.com's list of the United States' Most Underrated Gay Cities.
From Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA.
How much time can you use?
After getting off the plane, immigration for international arrivals, the trip into town and back, and security.
| Layover | Domestic arrival | International arrival |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | About 1h 55m in the city | Head straight to your gate |
| 6 hours | About 3h 55m in the city | About 2h 20m in the city |
| 8 hours | About 5h 55m in the city | About 4h 20m in the city |
| 12 hours | About 9h 55m in the city | About 8h 20m in the city |
Getting into Columbus
About 15m each way by train, bus or taxi to the center. This is an estimate based on distance; the planner checks real transit times for your exact flight.
Questions
Can I leave the airport on a layover in Columbus?
On a domestic connection, you need roughly 4 hours or more to get into Columbus and back with time to enjoy it. If you're arriving internationally and must clear immigration, plan on about 6 hours or more.
How do I get from CMH to central Columbus?
Allow about 15m each way by train, bus or taxi to the center.
How early should I head back to CMH?
Be back through security about 1h 20m before a domestic departure and 2h 10m before an international one, plus the ride back.
Build a plan for your exact flight
Guide data from OurAirports, © OpenStreetMap contributors and Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA). Times are estimates for planning; check transit schedules and airline rules before you leave the airport.