Home › Washington › Costs
Is Washington expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Washington, D.C. is expensive for hotels and dining, similar to Boston and a little below New York, but it is one of the cheapest major cities for sightseeing because the Smithsonian museums and monuments are free. A budget day is about US$110 per person and a mid-range day about US$250. Almost all the money goes on accommodation (with about 15% hotel tax) and food.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| 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.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee | about $4–6 |
| Half-smoke at a hot-dog stand or Ben's Chili Bowl | about $8–12 |
| Metro ride | about $2.25–6.75 depending on distance and time |
| Smithsonian museums, National Gallery, monuments | free |
| International Spy Museum | about $30–35 |
| Craft beer in a bar | about $8–10 |
| Mid-range dinner for two | $90–150 with drinks |
| 3★ double room downtown | roughly $200–350 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Hotels are the main cost, highest during the cherry blossom season (late March–early April), around 4 July, during big conferences and when Congress is in session. Food is next, with a wide range from food trucks and food halls to expensive restaurants. Sightseeing costs very little: all Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art, the National Zoo and the monuments are free, and only a few private museums charge.
When it is cheaper
Hotel rates are usually lowest in January–February, in August (when Congress is in recess and the city is hot) and on weekends, when business travellers leave.
How to spend less
- Plan your days around the free Smithsonian museums and monuments.
- Book free timed passes online for popular museums such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- Stay near a Metro line outside downtown, in Arlington or Crystal City.
- Eat at food trucks near the Mall and at food halls such as Union Market.
- Walk the Mall and use a Metro day pass if you will make several trips in a day.
- Visit on weekends, when hotel prices often drop.
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
Is Washington, D.C. expensive?
Hotels and food are, but sightseeing is mostly free. Allow about $110 a day on a budget and about $250 mid-range.
Are the museums really free?
Yes: all Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art and the monuments are free. Some popular ones need free timed passes.
When are hotels cheapest?
In January–February, in August and on weekends.