The best months to visit Washington D.C. are Mar – May, Sep – Nov. 15–25°C, cherry blossoms Mar–Apr.
Quick facts
Currency USD ($) 1 EUR ≈ $1.08
Language English Spanish also common
Timezone EST (UTC-5) EDT (UTC-4) Mar–Nov
Best Months Mar – May, Sep – Nov 15–25°C, cherry blossoms Mar–Apr
Daily Budget ~$90–140 Free museums cut costs hugely
Visa ESTA / B1-B2 VWP countries need ESTA ($21)
When to go
Where marble monuments to democracy line a two-mile lawn, and every museum worth visiting is free.
Getting Around in Washington D.C.
- DC Metro (Metrorail) covers all major areas. SmarTrip card ($2 at any station). Fares: $2–6 per ride. Runs 5am–midnight (1am Fri/Sat)
- Capital Bikeshare ($8 day pass) has 700+ stations. Perfect for the Mall, which is too long to walk end-to-end comfortably
- The Circulator bus ($1/ride) runs popular routes including Georgetown to Union Station and the National Mall
For itineraries, costs and practical travel advice, see the full Washington D.C. travel guide.
Timezone: EST (UTC-5) (EDT (UTC-4) Mar–Nov)
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Washington D.C.?
The best months to visit Washington D.C. are Mar – May, Sep – Nov (15–25°C, cherry blossoms Mar–Apr), which makes for the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing and getting around. For what a trip costs day to day, see the Washington D.C. budget breakdown.
