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Washington on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, Washington is one of the best US cities on a budget for sightseeing, thanks to its free museums. Allow about US$110 a day per person for a hostel, simple meals and Metro rides.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$70 | US$150 | US$350 |
| Food & drink | US$35 | US$70 | US$150 |
| Sights & tickets | US$0 | US$15 | US$80 |
| Local transport | US$5 | US$12 | US$40 |
| Per person, per day | US$110 | US$247 | US$620 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Washington day-cost table.
Free things to do
- The Smithsonian museums, including Air and Space and Natural History
- The National Gallery of Art
- The Lincoln Memorial and the monuments of the National Mall
- The Capitol tour (book online)
- The National Zoo
- The Library of Congress
Cheap eats
- Food truck lunch on the Mall: about $10–15
- Half-smoke: about $8–12
- Ethiopian food on U Street: about $15–25
- Food hall meal at Union Market: about $12–20
- Pupusas in Columbia Heights: about $3–5 each
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels near Dupont Circle, Chinatown and Adams Morgan, with dorm beds roughly $40–70.
Getting around cheaply
Use the Metro and buses with a SmarTrip card or contactless payment. From Reagan National Airport, the Metro reaches downtown in about 20 minutes. From Dulles, the Silver Line Metro is cheapest.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Smithsonian Natural History Museum (free)
- Lunch: food truck on the Mall, about $12
- Afternoon: monuments and the Lincoln Memorial on foot (free)
- Evening: Ethiopian dinner on U Street, about $20
- Total: about $110 including a hostel bed and Metro rides
More ways to save
- Carry a refillable water bottle; there are fountains on the Mall.
- Book the Capitol and Washington Monument tickets online in advance (small fee for some bookings).
- Take the Metro Silver Line from Dulles instead of a taxi.
- Visit in winter for the lowest hostel rates.
- Look for happy hours in Penn Quarter and U Street.
- Rent a Capital Bikeshare bike for the Mall's long distances.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
How much do I need per day?
About $110 per person: $70 for a bed, $35 for food and $5 for transport, with most sights free.
What is free in Washington?
The Smithsonian museums, National Gallery of Art, monuments, National Zoo, Library of Congress and Capitol tours.
How do I get from the airport cheaply?
From Reagan National, take the Metro; from Dulles, the Silver Line Metro.