Top 101 Cheap Hotels in Columbus, 2026. Rooms from US$41/night

Good to know

Columbus, Off the Usual Route

Square-Cut Pizza
Columbus-style pizza arrives on a thin, crisp crust cut into small squares, with toppings often spread to the edge. Compare Donatos' edge-to-edge pepperoni with Massey's Columbus-style pies; Tommy's Pizza is another hometown name for a classic slice. The tiny corner pieces stay crunchy, while sweet tomato sauce and salty provolone give each bite its familiar balance.
Free Art and Tours
Topiary Park turns Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte into a free outdoor scene: 54 clipped figures, eight boats, a dog and a monkey stand in Old Deaf School Park. The Ohio Statehouse also offers free guided tours, with marble halls and the rotunda on the route. Pair the two for art and architecture without an admission ticket.
The Airport Bus
John Glenn Columbus International Airport is connected to downtown by COTA Route 7, the regular Mount Vernon bus rather than a dedicated airport express. Use the Transit app to follow live COTA arrivals and buy a mobile fare; Route 7 serves the airport terminal's ground-transportation area. It's the budget route into town, not a door-to-door shuttle.
Prairie to River Bluffs
At Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, bison graze on restored prairie beside the Big Darby Creek valley, with a viewing area near the Nature Center. North of town, Highbanks Metro Park has about 11 miles of trails, including overlooks above the Olentangy River's shale bluffs. Bring binoculars for prairie birds at Darby, then trade open grassland for wooded ravines at Highbanks.

LOW-SEASON DEALS
- January
- February
January and February are usually cheapest: post-holiday demand fades, while cold weather limits leisure trips. Expect average rooms around $90-$140 nightly; check dates around major conventions.
MILD MONTHS
- April
- October
April and October bring mild days and fewer summer visitors, with spring showers and crisp fall evenings. Rates often run $120-$190 nightly, balancing outdoor comfort with lighter crowds.
EVENT SPIKES
- Ohio State home football weekends
- Arnold Sports Festival (March)
Ohio State home football weekends and the Arnold Sports Festival draw visitors; major game dates can push rates sharply higher. Book early or stay outside downtown to avoid the biggest surges.

Price range for hotels in Columbus

Cheap hotels in cities across the world — search by destination, filter by price, and book the stay that fits your trip.

⬆️ The highest price

USD 488

⬇️ The lowest price

USD 41

💸 Average price for

4-star hotels

USD 106

3-star hotels

USD 118

Apartments

USD 159

Cheap hotels in Columbus worth considering

Based on guest reviews over the last 12 months

Cultural Heartbeat Hub:

Drury Plaza Hotel Columbus Downtown

Convenient Airport Access:

Tru By Hilton Columbus Airport

Family Friendly Comfort:

Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Polaris

Business Traveler's Oasis:

Cambria Hotel Columbus - Polaris

Unique Neighborhood Escape:

Aloft Columbus

Stylish Extended Stays:

Homewood Suites Columbus - Airport

Budget-Friendly Retreat:

Motel 6-Columbus, Oh - Osu

University Proximity Stay:

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Ohio State University- Osu Medical Center By Ihg

Modern Luxury Experience:

Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus-Easton Area

How to get to Columbus

Transport options from nearby airports and stations

Airports

John Glenn Columbus International (CMH)

Rickenbacker International (LCK)

FAQs about hotels in Columbus

The main things you should know before booking a hotel

Which hotels in Columbus are family-friendly?

Family-friendly options include Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Polaris and Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Ohio State University. These hotels offer amenities like pools and spacious rooms suitable for families.

What are the best hotels near popular landmarks in Columbus?

For proximity to downtown attractions, consider Courtyard Columbus Downtown and Holiday Inn Columbus Dwtn-Capitol Square, both located within 2 kilometers of the Ohio Statehouse and other landmarks.

What are the cheapest hotel options available in Columbus?

Cheapest options include Days Inn By Wyndham Columbus Airport and Red Roof Inn Columbus, with rates starting around $60 per night, especially in the off-peak season.

Which hotels in Columbus are highly rated by guests?

Top-rated properties based on guest reviews include Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Polaris and Hilton Garden Inn Columbus Easton with scores above 9.0 on booking platforms for their service and amenities.

Essential Hotel Insights for Columbus Visitors

This guide evaluates over 100 hotel properties in Columbus, providing essential insights to help travelers choose the right accommodation based on key facts and figures about pricing and location.

Typical nightly rates range from $100 to $250.

Visitors can find over 100 hotel properties in the city.

Peak travel seasons are spring and fall, especially during local festivals.

Local taxes average 17%, including lodging and sales taxes.

Key attractions like the Columbus Zoo are about 24 km from downtown hotels.