Downtown Columbus lit at night above Broad Street from Franklinton
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Cheap hotels in Columbus

A lower room rate outside downtown may work if you are driving. For a Short North night, count the parking and ride back.

from $57/night710 hotels compared

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Lower-priced Columbus hotels

Cheapest night by star rating

710 hotels compared

2-star hotels
from $5858 hotels
3-star hotels
from $8389 hotels
4-star hotels
from $12016 hotels
5-star hotels
from $758 hotels

About Columbus

Downtown Columbus has the Ohio Statehouse and the Scioto riverfront. North along High Street are the Short North’s galleries and the Ohio State campus, and German Village’s brick streets are to the south. Stay downtown for museums and events. Away from High Street, many trips need a car or bus.

The Ohio Statehouse, theaters and Scioto Mile are downtown. Across the river, COSI and Franklinton add a science museum and arts spaces. The Arena District and North Market sit at the north edge of downtown, close to sports and concert venues.

The Short North follows High Street between downtown and the University District. Its galleries, shops and restaurants are an easy evening out. Ohio Stadium and the campus are farther north. German Village lies south of downtown, with the Book Loft, Schiller Park and small brick-lined streets.

Easton Town Center is a shopping and hotel area northeast of downtown, closer to John Glenn Columbus International Airport than to German Village or Ohio State. Stay here for shopping or to be near the airport. The city center is a ride away.

Late spring and early fall are comfortable for riverfront and neighborhood walks. July afternoons average about 85°F. Winter brings cold rain and some snow. Columbus has no urban rail, only COTA buses on the central corridors and to the airport, so look up the bus from your hotel to your main stop.

State
Ohio
Time zone
Eastern (ET)
Main airport
John Glenn Columbus International (CMH)
Downtown river
Scioto River
Campus
The Ohio State University
Airport bus
COTA Line 7
Scioto Mile path beside the river with COSI across the water
Scioto Mile and COSI
High Street storefronts beneath a Short North arch
Short North Arts District
Brick houses and cobblestone street in German Village
German Village
Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus on a summer day
Ohio Statehouse
Aerial view of Ohio Stadium and the surrounding Ohio State campus
Ohio Stadium
COSI science center building beside the Scioto River
COSI science center
Photo credits

Where to stay in Columbus

  • Downtown and Arena District

    • First visits
    • Conventions
    • Sports and concerts
    • Riverfront walks

    The Ohio Statehouse, theaters and Scioto Mile are in the downtown core. North Market, Nationwide Arena and the convention center are farther north in the Arena District. If you are here for a meeting or event, book close to its venue.

    Around here: Ohio Statehouse, Scioto Mile, North Market, Nationwide Arena

  • Short North

    • Dining
    • Galleries
    • Nightlife
    • Walkable evenings

    High Street’s arches run above galleries, boutiques and restaurants between downtown and Ohio State. Stay here for dinner and evening walks. Expect campus traffic on game days and street noise on weekends.

    Around here: High Street arches, Goodale Park, North Market

  • German Village and Brewery District

    • Historic streets
    • Bookshops
    • Quiet evenings
    • Long stays

    German Village, south of downtown, is a quiet area of brick homes around the Book Loft and Schiller Park. The Brewery District, on its western edge, has restaurants and performance spaces. Ohio State games and Easton shopping are a cross-town ride.

    Around here: The Book Loft, Schiller Park, Brewery District

  • University District

    • Ohio State visits
    • Football weekends
    • Campus events
    • Student families

    Ohio Stadium, the Ohio Union and the campus venues are north of the Short North. Campus is large and roads fill up on game days, so pick a hotel near the part of Ohio State you need. Downtown attractions are a separate bus or car trip.

    Around here: Ohio Stadium, Ohio Union, Wexner Center for the Arts

  • Easton and airport area

    • Airport arrivals
    • Shopping
    • Business trips
    • Car-based stays

    Easton Town Center has shopping, restaurants and hotels northeast of downtown. John Glenn airport is nearby, and COTA Line 7 runs through the Easton corridor. The Scioto Mile and German Village are not walkable from here.

    Around here: Easton Town Center, John Glenn Columbus International Airport

Best time to visit Columbus

May, June and September are good months to walk the Scioto Mile and the Short North. Summer is warm and humid, with July highs around 85°F. Winter lows often drop below freezing, so have indoor plans for cold or wet days.

Average high and low (°F)Days with rainDrier months
  1. Jan: average high 37 °F, low 22 °F, 14.7 days with rain. Cold and often damp
  2. Feb: average high 41 °F, low 24 °F, 11.8 days with rain. Winter continues
  3. Mar: average high 51 °F, low 32 °F, 12.5 days with rain. Early spring
  4. Apr: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F, 13.7 days with rain. Milder walks
  5. May: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F, 14 days with rain. Park season
  6. Jun: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F, 11.7 days with rain. Warm days
  7. Jul: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F, 10.9 days with rain. Warmest month
  8. Aug: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F, 9.5 days with rain. Late summer
  9. Sep: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F, 8.7 days with rain. Pleasant early fall
  10. Oct: average high 66 °F, low 45 °F, 10 days with rain. Fall color
  11. Nov: average high 52 °F, low 35 °F, 10.5 days with rain. Cooler days
  12. Dec: average high 42 °F, low 27 °F, 12.7 days with rain. Winter weather
Source: Wikipedia: Climate of Columbus, Ohio (John Glenn 1991–2020 normals, NOAA)

Getting to Columbus

John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is about 6 miles east of downtown. COTA Line 7 runs between the airport and downtown, and Easton is a short taxi or rideshare away. I-70 and I-71 meet near the center.

CMHJohn Glenn Columbus International Airport

6 mi from downtown

To Downtown
Take COTA Line 7 or a taxi. Check the timetable and traffic
To Easton
COTA Line 7 or a short car ride

COTA Line 7 serves the airport, downtown and the Easton corridor. Check its current branch and timetable for your arrival. Taxis and rideshares use I-670 toward downtown.

Other ways to arrive

Car
I-70 approaches from Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, and I-71 connects Cincinnati and Cleveland. Parking rules and charges vary by hotel, especially around downtown and the Short North.
COTA bus
COTA buses serve High Street, the airport and many neighborhoods. Check the route and schedule for trips beyond downtown.
Intercity bus
Intercity coaches run to Columbus from other Ohio and Midwest cities. Check where yours stops before you book a hotel near it.

Questions about Columbus

Where are lower-priced Columbus stays?

Near the airport, at Easton or around campus, rather than in the Short North. Pick the one closest to where you will spend most days.

Is an airport hotel practical for downtown visits?

Yes, if you have a car or a flight to catch. COTA Line 7 reaches downtown, but check its timetable before relying on it every evening.

How cheap are Columbus hotels?

$57 at the low end. A cheap address far from your plans can cost more once you add parking and bus fares.

Places near Columbus

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