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 neighbourhoods 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 neighbourhoods 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 neighbourhoods. Stations are everywhere, 700+ across the city.
