Ohio public rail transit

[JackP]

Does anyone have any ideas about whether train service is available from Cleveland to Columbus, Ohio?

I have to go there in October, and I can only find Amtrak running from New York to Cleveland. No intrastate service seems to be available.

Any ideas or suggestions? I've tried calling Ohio Travel Information Centers but there are just messages that they are out to lunch or unavailable because of vacations!!!

[daveklepper]

Currnetly, zero rail passenger service on the trip you wish.   There are plans to reinstate such service sometime in the future with funds appropriated for planning by Ohio.

[kevin1978]

Hi there, unfortunatly not.  There is a group called All Aboard Ohio which is promoting passenger rail in Ohio if you are interested in this - www.allaboardohio.org

For the time being there are a few options to get there.  You may either take Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited (assuming you are traveling from New York) direct to Cleveland or take the Capitol Limited from Washington DC.  Once in Cleveland there is a regular coach service to Columbus OH operated by Greyhound or Lake Front Trailways, both are bookable on the Greyhound website.  There are about 8 buses a day and it only takes 2-3 hours.

The other option is to travel to Cincinnati on the Cardinal and then take either Greyhound, Lake Front Trailways or Megabus to Columbus.  The Megabus schedule seems to fit nicely with the Cardinal - probably just a coincidence.  All journeys are under the two hours so not long.  

Some of these journeys involve very late / early transfers which you might not like.  In that case you may prefer to take the day train from New York to Pittsburgh PA, stay overnight and then take the short 4 hour journey by Greyhound bus to Columbus.  

Hope that helps,

Kevin
 

[eltraino]

Yes...there is Amtrak can book you from Chicago or any other city to Columbus with a direct Greyhound conncetion at the Amtrak Station in Cleveland