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How Much to Budget for Washington DC

I visited Washington DC three times in 2022 and while I think it’s a great place for solo female travelers that has way more to offer than memorials and monuments… boof is it expensive. How do you know how much to budget for Washington DC travel? Below are my penny for penny budget breakdowns for each trip I took, including a 3-day Washington DC itinerary and a 5-day Washington DC itinerary.

Quick note: You can spend much, much less than I do in Washington DC! As a resident of Virginia, I am not allowed to stay in the city’s hostels, but they do exist and cost as little as $40 per night.

Cherry blossoms at the Washington Monument | Washington DC Travel Budget

Table of Contents

April 2022 3-Day Budget for Washington DC

Transportation

$28 round trip train

$30 Metro card

Total Transportation Budget: $58

Accommodations 

$372 two nights at Sonder near Navy Yard

Navy Yard has developed in the last few years to be a great off-the-beaten-path and affordable neighborhood for solo female travelers in Washington DC | Washington DC Travel Budget

Dining 

$14 dinner at District Winery

$22.23 groceries at Harris Teeter

$60 dinner at Gatsby

$20.10 lunch Pret a Manger

$15.28 lunch at Tatte

$4.15 tea at Nicoletta

$15.33 lunch at Tynan

Total Dining Budget $151.09

solo female traveler drinking wine in barrel room at District Winery | Washington DC Travel Budget

Attractions  

$49.50 District Winery tasting event

$34.65 Artechouse

$9.02 Dumbarton Oaks

Total Attractions Budget $93.17

Total: $674.26 or about $225 per day

Library of Congress | Washington DC Travel Budget

 

June 2022 3-Day Budget for Washington DC

Transportation

$22 round trip train

$18 train trip protection

$17 round trip train to Fredericksburg

$30 Metro card

Transportation Budget Total: $87

Accommodations 

$329 two nights at The Architect Hotel

Zaytinya restaurant | Washington DC Travel Budget

Dining 

$13.86 lunch at Bagel Uprising

$45 dinner Zaytinya

$6.34 coffee Hyperion

$10.13 breakfast at Peets

$4.38 coffee at St Elmos Coffee

$6.55 coffee at Starbucks

$57.20 dinner at Pitchers Bar (treated a friend to their meal)

$29.90 brunch at Unconventional Diner

$12.47 lunch at Capital Ale House

$14.55 breakfast at Blue Bottle Coffee

Total Dining Budget $200.38

Other Costs 

$30.29 birthday gift for my sister at Union Kitchen

Total: $646.67 or about $215 per day

Dupont Circle in Washington DC is a very safe neighborhood for solo female travelers | Washington DC Travel Budget

June 2022 5-Day Budget for Washington DC

Transportation 

$43 one-way train

$50 Metro card

Total Transportation Budget: $93

Accommodations 

$629 four nights at Sonder in Dupont Circle

Oki Bowl Ramen in Georgetown Washington DC | Washington DC Travel Budget

Dining 

$29 dinner at Oki Bowl

$13.51 lunch at Pret a Manger

$29.07 groceries at Trader Joes

$25.81 groceries at Whole Foods (stocking up for road trip farther north!)

$33 dinner at Pisco y Nazca

$37.70 brunch at Dukes

$8.47 breakfast at Firehook

$20.01 lunch at Union Market

$52.80 dinner at Flight Wine Bar

$7.43 gelato at Dolcezza

$7 beer at Capitol City Brewery

Total Dining Budget $263.80

loose leaf teas at Tea Mansion in Dupont Circle Washington DC | Washington DC travel budget

Attractions 

$28 community theater play (and a glass of wine, maybe two)

$11.66 Dupont Underground

Total Attractions Budget $39.66

Other Costs 

$90.40 like two years’ worth of loose leaf tea at Tea Mansion

Total: $1115.86 or about $225 per day

Capitol building in summertime | Washington DC Travel Budget

So how much does it cost to enjoy a budget to mid-range trip in Washington DC?

Between $200 and $250 per day. This will get you basically unlimited transportation around the city, a private hotel room or apartment-style rental in a safe neighborhood, at least one higher end restaurant meal, and at least one paid tour, event or attraction. If you can book a hostel dorm instead, your Washington DC travel budget is more likely to cost $125 to $175 per day.

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7 Comments

  1. I have never been to Washington but would love to do this is going to help so much with planning when I get around to it. Thanks so much for the great tips!

  2. I am also from VA and currently live in DC, and I always get a kick out of reading posts like this! It’s a great guide though. I had no idea Virginians couldn’t stay in hostels here! It makes sense, just not something I’ve ever looked into.

  3. I always find it fascinating to see the breakdown of costs per trip. You inspire me to keep better track of my spending on future travels. I start off strong and usually lose my way 1/2 way through. What is your best tip for keeping track of all details your entire trip?

    1. For these trips, it was pretty easy as all my expenses went through a card. When I’m traveling with cash, I just keep a small notepad in my day bag and jot everything down as I go.

    1. The thing about DC is there are so many free things to do. It’s really easy to keep an attractions budget low!

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