<p>What is the best airport to fly into when I visit? Also where should I stay? I dont need anything fancy...just clean, safe and inexpensive.</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>Columbia Metropolitan airport is the airport in town. If you’re visiting other schools in the region, you can also fly into Charlotte, NC, Greenville, or Charleston - all about 1.5 hours away. Atlanta is more like 4. It may be cheaper depending on flights to fly into another town…Charlotte has more flights and then Greenville and I think Charleston have Southwestern which columbia doesn’t. There are several good hotels close to edge of campus and in Vista. Check the visitor page of USC since I’m having trouble thinking of which ones they are.</p>
<p>Greenville also has Southwestern.</p>
<p>If you’re flying into town and won’t have a car, then Columbia is probably the way to go.</p>
<p>There are a lot of hotels practically on campus, but those may be a bit more expensive.</p>
<p>Colombia is about 90 miles from Charlotte, 110 miles from Charleston, and 100 or so from Greenville.</p>
<p>I have found it most convenient to fly into Charlotte. I can fly there non-stop from where I am (Boston area) for 1/3-1/2 the price of flying to either Charleston, Greenville, or Columbia, all of which have to go through Charlotte anyway. You have to rent a car though.</p>
<p>Hotels - I’ve stayed at the Marriot Courtyard on the east side of campus, the Clarion on the north side of campus, and the Inn at USC which is on campus.</p>
<p>Price: Clarion < Marriot < Inn at USC
Niceness: Inn at USC > Marriot > Clarion</p>
<p>If you visit during a big school event or a weekend when there is a football game, these hotels (and probably most hotels within walking distance or easy driving distance) double or triple their rates.</p>
<p>Thank you for all your advice</p>
<p>Tip: You may get a better rate if you call instead of book online and mention you are on a college tour. We stayed at USC Inn and it was $30 less when we called.</p>
<p>You will probably want to rent a car because Columbia is somewhat car-centric outside of the campus, but if you would prefer not to you can take a shuttle from Charlotte Airport to downtown Columbia.</p>
<p>We stayed at the Hampton Inn Columbia Downtown Historic District and it worked perfect for us. It is a nice, centrally located hotel with breakfast and Wi-Fi included.</p>
<p>^socialgal
Do you know if the Hampton Inn Columbia Downtown Historic District is a good location if we do not rent a car?<br>
Does anyone know best hotel locations close to campus if we fly in and do not rent a car?</p>
<p>Though more expensive, we have stayed twice at the Inn at USC and loved it. Without a car it woud be a perfect choice because you are right on campus. I think they offered a discount if you were visiting campus, maybe check their website?</p>
<p>The three closest are the Inn at USC, the Clarion, and the Marriott Courtyard. All three are either on or right next to campus.</p>
<p>The Hampton Inn, Sheraton, and Hilton are 1/2-1 mile from campus or so.</p>
<p>This link shows the hotels near campus:</p>
<p><a href=“https://maps.google.com/maps?q=hotels&hl=en&sll=33.985147,-81.028633&sspn=0.05053,0.071411&hq=hotels&t=m&z=14[/url]”>https://maps.google.com/maps?q=hotels&hl=en&sll=33.985147,-81.028633&sspn=0.05053,0.071411&hq=hotels&t=m&z=14</a></p>
<p>We stayed at the Hilton because of a substantial discount we had (can’t beat free). However, I would have loved to stay at the Inn at USC because it was not only in the perfect location, but cost was very competitive with the others around at the time of our stay - had we not had the discount at the Hilton.</p>
<p>I’ll second the Inn at USC – stayed there many times: clean, safe, convenient and an included buffet breakfast with bacon, eggs, waffles, biscuits, gravy, cereal, fruit! Really good food.</p>
<p>With that breakfast menu I will definitely have to stay at the Inn!</p>
<p>We are taking the campus tour on Monday and staying at The Inn at USC. We arrive mid-day Sunday. Any suggestions for dinner or shopping within walking distance, or close? We’re driving, so we have a car. But, would like to stay close to campus to get a feel for restaurants and shops that students frequent. Thanks.</p>
<p>The Five Points area is about 15 minutes’ walk from the Inn at USC. There are lots of quirky and fun little shops, although I don’t know how many would be open on Sunday.</p>
<p>There are tons of restaurants, I like Pawley’s Front Porch - really good burgers, they were featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.</p>
<p>In 5 points I would say Yesterdays (American, little bit of everything) which has been around forever and is pretty casual. Garibaldi’s or Saluda’s if you want fancy. For sandwhichs, Andy’s deli or Grouchos are institutions. If you go to Vista area, Blue Marlin is excellent and local, plus others like Mellow Mushroom, Carolina Ribs, etc. People at Inn can probably direct you and clue you in if not open on Sunday. Don’t think many of shops in 5 points open on Sunday but Yogurt place and starbucks if want to walk down there and wander.</p>
<p>We’ve always had very good experiences at Harpers in Five Points. Close enough to get a feel but a nice place.</p>
<p>Here are my suggestions:</p>
<p>Go to Five Points during the day. There are lots of great restaurants and boutiques down there. It’s walking distance. It’s the main college hang-out at USC. Yesterday’s is a personal favorite of mine as far as restaurants go. But you pretty much can’t go wrong with the stuff down there. If you like music, I’d check out Papa Jazz. There are some cool hippy stores. Some greek stores. Pretty much something for everyone. There’s all types of foods and the Starbucks in Five Points is really good. Although if you like coffee, Cool Beans across the street from the Horseshoe is really good. And Beezers on Sumter St across from the shoe is a popular sandwich shop. All within walking distance.</p>
<p>Oh. And if you like frozen yogurt, there’s Yoghut on Main Street near the Strom which is a personal favorite.</p>
<p>We love The Blue Marlin and Pearlz (I believe that is the Vista area)…and I think we ate at a restaurant called Saludo?? or something like that. It was upstairs and had a nice balcony overlooking a pretty fountain. I’m not 100% sure but I think that might be near the Five Points area. Both were within walking distance.</p>