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If you prefer to fly directly into Columbia, MO (COU) - it is a very small airport and only has American Airlines flights. However, it is very convenient and if necessary you could travel around the city with only Uber/Lyft.
Flight
If you prefer to fly into Kansas City, MO (MCI) - it is a medium-sized airport with security that is quick and easy. It is approximately 2 hours away from Columbia. There are two options for transportation to Columbia 1) Rental car 2) Shuttle transportation: 5 Guys Transportation is a shuttle for up to 5 people at a time with a set price per trip. https://www.5guystransportation.com/reservations/
Flight
If you prefer to fly into St. Louis, MO (STL) - it is a larger airport, typically with greater flexibility of flights. It is a little less than 2 hours away from Columbia. There are several options for transportation: 1) Rental Car 2) Greyhound & Metro St. Louis - Greyhound is approx $20-30 per person from Columbia to St. Louis, then take the Metro Link from Civic Center westbound on the Red Line to Lambert Eaton Terminal #1 https://www.greyhound.com/en/ecommerce/schedule 3) MO-X shuttle - MO-X/Doc & Norm Direct provides drop-off service from STL to the Columbia Regional Airport. The cost is $100 a person. This shuttle does not travel back from Columbia to STL though. https://www.moexpress.com/mox_ml/home.aspx?L=EN