No Amtrak in Columbus, Ohio — Nearest Station Is Cincinnati (113 Miles)

Columbus, Ohio (pop. 900K+) has no Amtrak service. It's the largest US metro without passenger rail.

Nearest Amtrak Station

• Cincinnati Union Terminal — 113 mi (182 km) southwest via I-71
• Drive time: 1h 45m – 2h 15m
• Service: Cardinal (NYC–CHI, 3×/week), Lake Shore Limited (does not stop Cincy)

Why No Amtrak in Columbus?

• 1971: Amtrak formed; Columbus lost service (National Limited truncated).
• 1990s: Three Rivers (Chicago–NYC via Columbus) cancelled 2005.
• Freight congestion (CSX/NS), funding gaps, political inertia.
• 2023: FRA Corridor ID Program selected Cleveland–Columbus–Cincinnati corridor for planning — first step toward restoration.

Alternatives for Columbus Travelers

• Drive to Cincy + Cardinal (overnight to DC/NYC or Chicago).
• Greyhound/Megabus to Pittsburgh (7h) → Capitol Limited/Pennsylvanian.
• Fly: CMH → major hubs (ORD, ATL, DTW, CLT) — often cheaper/time-competitive.

Advocacy: All Aboard Ohio, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission push for restoration. Federal infrastructure bill (IIJA) provides new funding pathways.