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Budget Inn Express - Columbia

2.5 star property
Hotel in Columbia with free parking

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Exterior
Property grounds
Exterior

Reviews

4.4 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Parking included
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
1601 Sunset Dr, Columbia, SC, 29203
  • Place, Palmetto Health Heart Hospital
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Palmetto Health Richland Hospital
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Benedict College
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Columbia, SC (CAE-Columbia Metropolitan)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Room options

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  • Parking included
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Total with taxes and fees
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About the neighborhood

Columbia

Budget Inn Express - Columbia places you next to Palmetto Health Heart Hospital and within a 10-minute walk of Earlewood Park. This 39-room hotel welcomes guests with conveniences like free in-room WiFi, free self parking, and a 24-hour front desk.

What's nearby

  • Palmetto Health Heart Hospital - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Earlewood Park - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Palmetto Health Richland Hospital - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Segra Park - 1 min drive - 1.1 miles
  • Benedict College - 3 min drive - 1.9 miles

Getting around

  • Columbia Station - 14 min drive
  • Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Burger King - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Church's Texas Chicken - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Publico at BullStreet - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Hotspot - ‬17 min walk

About this property

Budget Inn Express - Columbia

Hotel in Columbia with free parking
Guests of Budget Inn Express - Columbia enjoy features like free WiFi in public areas. Free parking is included with your stay. The 24-hour front desk has staff always at the ready.
Guests can expect to find free WiFi. Refrigerators, microwaves, and phones are also standard. Housekeeping is not available.

Similar properties

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Red Roof Inn Columbia, SC Airport
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
6.2 out of 10, 464 reviews
$75 nightly
The price is $81
Jan 1 - Jan 2, 2026
Total with taxes and fees
Red Roof Inn Columbia, SC Airport

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk

Guest services

  • No housekeeping service

More

  • 2 floors
  • Built in 2008

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Cable/satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 1 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

These fees and deposits will be charged at check-in, check-out, or the time of service.

  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge

This list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits might not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards
  • Check-in: 1 PM
  • Check-out: 11 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 21
The front desk is open 24 hours a day. Driving? This property offers free parking.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • This property accepts credit cards.
  • The credit card used at check-in for incidentals must be in the name of the primary guest who made the reservation.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • No cribs or infant beds are available.
  • No rollaway or extra beds are available.

Property is also known as

Budget Express-columbia
Budget Inn Express-columbia
Budget Inn Express columbia
Budget Inn Express Columbia
Budget Inn Express - Columbia Hotel
Budget Inn Express - Columbia Columbia
Budget Inn Express - Columbia Hotel Columbia

Frequently asked questions

Are free cancellation options available at Budget Inn Express - Columbia?

Budget Inn Express - Columbia provides free cancellation on some room rates. For more details, review the cancellation policy on our site.

What can I see around Budget Inn Express - Columbia?

This hotel is located in Columbia within a short 9-minute walk of Earlewood Park. You'll also find Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and Township Auditorium within a short drive.

Is parking available on site at Budget Inn Express - Columbia?

Yes, self parking is offered for free at the hotel.

Does Budget Inn Express - Columbia feature a casino at the property?

No, Budget Inn Express - Columbia doesn't have a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at Budget Inn Express - Columbia?

No, there is no indoor pool at this hotel.

Does Budget Inn Express - Columbia have a hot tub?

No, this hotel doesn't have a spa tub.

Does Budget Inn Express - Columbia feature a restaurant that includes a breakfast menu?

No, Budget Inn Express - Columbia doesn't have a restaurant that serves breakfast.

Will Budget Inn Express - Columbia allow pets to stay for free?

No, pets aren't allowed at Budget Inn Express - Columbia.

Does Budget Inn Express - Columbia have connecting rooms?

No, this hotel doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

Where is the closest airport to Budget Inn Express - Columbia?

The closest major airport to Budget Inn Express - Columbia is Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), which is 13.4 mi away (24 minutes by car).

Are there rooms with balconies at Budget Inn Express - Columbia?

No, at Budget Inn Express - Columbia, there aren't any guestrooms that list a balcony.

Reviews

Budget Inn Express - Columbia Reviews

4.4

4.8/10

Cleanliness

5.2/10

Staff & service

5.2/10

Amenities

4.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

5.8/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 8 out of 66 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 66 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 9 out of 66 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 14 out of 66 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 30 out of 66 reviews

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Thaddeus

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

BARF! Not even worth $50/night!

Smoke leaked into our ‘non-smoking’ room from above; no TP; no soap or shampoo, dirty room; phone number disconnected; google maps says hotel is permanently closed… it should be condemned!
That’s it…
Smelled of marijuana in the curtains
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness
Good price and close to several fast food restaurants. The beds, shower and internet were all fine. The cleanliness needs some work though. When I arrived I found a pair of dirty socks underneath the table where the TV is (I was looking for a socket) and one of the drawers also had another guests old clothes in it. The other guests were not very friendly, and there are a lot of cars blaring music going by day/night. I was also awakened at 5am by the fire alarm going off. Be careful of the people in the neighborhood. There was a homeless person sleeping under a bench, also I was asked for money by a man on the street and I was yelled at by two men for walking up behind them and not announcing my presence (They were walking very slowly). Overall, I assume it is a very low income neighborhood, so don't go outside after dark. Also there is no laundry, and the front desk does not print documents or offer too many benefits. Good price and not a bad hotel, but not many services offered and be careful of the other hotel residents as well as the people in the neighborhood.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
If you are expecting to pay $44 and receive more than what this place has to offer, then the problem is you. The person at the front desk was friendly, personable, and accommodating. Did the room smell like stale weed? Yes. Did the top comforter have crusty stains on it? Of course. But no matter where you stay, you never use the top comforter anyway. Did I sleep like a baby knowing that I wasn't spending upwards of $100 just to sleep and leave in the morning? You bet your ass I did. If you need more than a soft bed and hot a shower, then stay somewhere else. If you only want to spend $44 then don't expect The Ritz-Carlton. Although I can say that The Budget Inn Express in Columbia, South Carolina was The Ritz-Carlton of run-down motels. I stayed two nights, slept like the dead, and felt safe. What more does one need? 5/5 stars.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

6/10 Okay

Tanda

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021

2/10 Terrible

Clint waldun

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

4/10 Poor

Isreal

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Stay at your own risk!

When I checked in I had to wait for a long time & then was almost overcharged more than my Reservation....when my reservation price was way too much to stay there. The place is extremely old, run down, the doors were not secure, noisy & I had to fight Roaches! The only thing positive I can say about this property is at least you're not sleeping outside in the cold or heat.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

John

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Cool

Great little spot
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Good for the money

It was not fancy but good for the price. The location was also safe.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021

6/10 Okay

Shannon

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Very nice owner, safe place, room was clean, took care of us very fast
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2021

2/10 Terrible

Jeremy

Traveled with group
Disliked: Staff & service

Never again

They wouldn’t even let us check in. The reservation price was $44 they told us we had to pay $75. This should be illegal.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

It's ok

It could use a mirror in the bathroom area and there where a few pests but overall not bat for what i needed it for.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020

2/10 Terrible

LaB30

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I opened the door and the first thing I see is a roach running across the floor and then roaches in the fridge. The towels and the pillow covers were not clean. Then there was soap from the previous guess in the shower. Luckily I was there just for the night for a football game a left right after.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

2/10 Terrible

John

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Never again

You should not recommend this hotel to anyone, it is filthy, the bathroom tub showed mold, no place to hang clothing. Although I went ahead and paid the fees, after entering the room, there was no way that I would stay there overnight, truly disgusting
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I didnt !ike anything about the place. It was seedy. No microwave in the room. Although promised in ads.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is what it is. Basic but clean and comfortable for a good nights sleep along the way
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property manager was very rude and i did not want to stay there. Not to mention the facility look nasty
Stayed 5 nights in May 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was a horrific experience. I seen a roach in the first room I originally checked in to. I went back downstairs to ask for a new room. When I got into the second room i seen another roach in the bathroom as I was showering. The entire time I could not sleep because I was scared a roach was gonna crawl on me or something. TERRIBLE. HAVE TO DO BETTER
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Did not like the area or neighborhood where it was located. Did not feel safe or comfortable leaving my car outside
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I will never know because they do not answer the phone when you are going to arrive late . Called 5 different times over a 3 hour period and the phone rang , rang, rang. Then I got a call from them @ 11:54 pm, saying my room would be given away at midnight if I didn’t respond. Spent 15 minutes of ringing with no answer. Called back a minute later & they said my room had been given away. How can you give my room away when you don’t answer your phone. I expect a full refund!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Shearenthea

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019

2/10 Terrible

D.Kay, Columbia, SC

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I checked out a whole day early when I found another place. This place was very dirty, it smelled of urine. Thank God I am a nurse and had gloves with me. I did not touch anything. When I asked about not being charged because the place was so dirty they said I had to speak with the owner. I never saw that person. I was only there because it was right beside the hospital I was having orientation at.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

2/10 Terrible

David, Columbia CT

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
* The desk clerk insisted upon full payment for six days even though I showed Expedia confirmation showing 1st night deposit payment. I had either to pay twice for the extra night or to abandon the deposit by going someplace else. *The toilet leaked--apparently the wax ring had failed. *There were only three electrical outlets in the room. The GFI by the sinks was defective. It was replaced after three days. Phone, toothbrush, and hearing aid charging was accomplished by unplugging the TV when it was time to sleep. *The light switch by the door did not turn on the lights but turned the TV off and on instead. *The TV remote did not work. Four attempts to re-program the remote. The TV set needed examination by that time. The TV worked but we had to get out of bed to operate it. *The fridge was unplugged each day. Why have it then? * Plaster repairs were not repainted. *The sheets were stained but they did appear clean. * The carpet was grungy and didn't appear to be vacuumed. * There were dim lights over the bed but no lights suitable for reading...none that illuminated the desk. *It was impossible to close the door to the toilet quietly. It was not fitted in the jamb properly--important in the wee hours. * No provision for hanging clothes. ********* Comfortable mattress. Sink/vanity was clean and new. Effective A/C. Clean shower with hot water. Good bath towel service. Quiet neighborhood. Hotel has potential but it needs work that can be done by handyman.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2018

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