Flying from Philadelphia to Columbus: what you need to know
Your next great adventure starts at one of Philadelphia's main airports, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) or Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN). Explore the options for booking a flight from Philadelphia to Columbus setting off from either of these.
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) and Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) are the major arrival points in Columbus.
The average length of a direct Philadelphia to Columbus flight is 1 hour 45 minutes.
Philadelphia and Columbus are in the same timezone, UTC-4.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 35 flights a week to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from Philadelphia to Columbus is with American Airlines at 21:30. Opt for the first PHL to CMH departure operated by American Airlines at 08:14 to make the most of your first day in Columbus.
Give yourself plenty of time to make your Philadelphia to Columbus flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You can expect longer queues in popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia to Columbus
$57 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Philadelphia to Columbus. Return flights start at $114. These prices may change based on demand.
Book two months before you want to fly. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Philadelphia to Columbus flights.
The best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Philadelphia to Columbus is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.
You don't need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available on cheap flights from Philadelphia to Columbus.
Save on your Philadelphia to Columbus flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Depart from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) on a nonstop flight from Philadelphia to Columbus. From PHL, you can fly directly into John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH).
Keep an eye out for promotions with American Airlines. This carrier offers direct Philadelphia to Columbus plane tickets out of PHL.
The journey from central Philadelphia to PHL takes about 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 11 kilometers in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
After an easy start to your trip? Stay near Philadelphia International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Philadelphia to Columbus or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are ideal:
78.93% of flights that depart Philadelphia International Airport land at their destination on schedule.
You'll find PHL at 8500 Essington Ave.
Arriving in Columbus
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) to central Columbus takes around 10 minutes to reach by car. The center is roughly 10 kilometers away.
It typically takes 1 hour 5 minutes to get there when traveling by public transport.
Book a hotel close to CMH if you're coming in on a late flight from Philadelphia to Columbus. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a John Glenn Columbus International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Alamo, Budget or Avis and explore beyond Columbus's main sights.
To get the best possible deal, reserve your vehicle from John Glenn Columbus International Airport at least a couple of weeks ahead. Rates typically rise closer to your travel date.
You'll find CMH at 4600 International Gateway.
Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK)
The center of Columbus is about 16 kilometers from Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK). As soon as your flight from Philadelphia to Columbus has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 25 minutes.
If you're traveling on public transport, it'll take approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
Best time to go to Columbus
July is the busiest month for flights from Philadelphia to Columbus. To travel when it's less crowded, go to Columbus in April.
The warmest month in Columbus is July, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC (59ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your Philadelphia to Columbus ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January sees average temperatures of between -11ºC (12ºF) and 6ºC (43ºF). Look for cheap flights from Philadelphia to Columbus around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Columbus
Start your Columbus trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Philadelphia to Columbus, browse our selection of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Statehouse and German Village are major attractions which should be on any well-planned Columbus itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Chicago is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Columbus. Around 451 kilometers to the north-west, popular attractions include Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier.
Around 274 kilometers west of Columbus, Indianapolis is another essential stop in United States. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo.