Daily costs per person in USD. Washington D.C. is the best budget city in America — 21 free Smithsonian museums, free monuments, and free tours mean your wallet barely opens.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: USD ($) (1 EUR ≈ $1.08)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $35–70 | $120–200 | $300+ | Hostels → boutique hotels → luxury hotels |
| Food | $20–35 | $45–80 | $120+ | Food trucks & delis → casual restaurants → Jose Andres empire |
| Transport | $5–12 | $15–25 | $40+ | Metro + bikeshare → Metro + Uber → Uber everywhere |
| Activities | $0 | $10–30 | $60+ | Free Smithsonians → Spy Museum + paid tours → VIP experiences |
| Drinks | $8–15 | $20–35 | $50+ | Happy hour specials → craft cocktails → rooftop bars |
| Daily Total | $68–132 | $210–370 | $570+ | Budget → comfortable → luxury |
Money-saving tips
Everything is free
All 21 Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery, National Zoo, monuments, memorials, Capitol tours, Library of Congress, and most attractions are completely free.
Half-smoke at Ben's
Ben's Chili Bowl's half-smoke ($7.50) is DC's signature food. The U Street institution has fed presidents and protesters since 1958. It's a proper meal for under $10.
Metro everywhere
Get a SmarTrip card ($2, available at any Metro station). Fares: $2–6 depending on distance and time. The system connects all major sites, airports, and neighborhoods efficiently.
Food truck culture
DC has some of America's best food trucks — they cluster around the Mall, Farragut Square, and L'Enfant Plaza. Full lunches for $8–12 from Korean BBQ to Ethiopian to empanadas.
Free tours
Free walking tours of the monuments, Capitol, and neighborhoods are abundant. Free DC Tours (tip-based) runs excellent daily walks. Congressional offices give free Capitol and White House tour passes.
Capital Bikeshare
A day pass is $8 for unlimited 30-minute rides. Perfect for covering the long Mall and connecting neighborhoods. Stations are everywhere — 700+ across the city.
