Make it a trip · Washington DC, United States
What Washington DC costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Downtown and the National Mall.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Dorm bed, three cheap meals, getting around, a coffee, two beers and water.
Arriving
-
ESTA travel authorisation Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, IE, NL, DE, FR, SG passports.
Rose to $40.62 on 16 October 2026. Valid two years. Apply only on the official CBP site or app.
Sources: VisasNews, ESTA fee rise (2026-10), Buch dein Visum, ESTA fee (2026-10)
US$41 -
Metrorail from the airport to downtown Range
Fare depends on distance and time. Dulles is on the Silver Line; Reagan National is much closer. Ride hail from Dulles runs about $57.
Sources: WMATA, cost to ride (2026-10), Radical Storage, Dulles to downtown DC (2025-03)
US$2.30 to US$6.80 Book an airport pickup -
No visa or ESTA needed Fixed
For CA passports.
Canadian citizens visit visa free with a passport.
Source: Layla, US ESTA guide (2026)
Free -
Free
Getting around
-
Metrobus ride Fixed
Regular routes. Metrorail trips cost $2.25 to $6.75 by distance and time.
Source: WMATA, cost to ride (2026-10)
US$2.30 -
Metro 1-Day Unlimited Pass Fixed
Covers Metrorail and Metrobus. Load it on a SmarTrip card or phone wallet.
Sources: WMATA, visitors guide (2026), WMATA, Tariff 49 (2026-07)
US$13.50
Eating and drinking
-
Lunch menu at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Washington DC (2026-06)
US$23 -
US$12
-
Dinner for two at a restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Washington DC (2026-06)
US$101 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Washington DC (2026-06)
US$6.10 -
Beer at a pub, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Washington DC (2026-06)
US$8.70
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1 litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Washington DC (2026-06)
US$1.70 -
Coca-Cola at a restaurant, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Washington DC (2026-06)
US$3.40 -
Beer from a shop, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Washington DC (2026-06)
US$4.50
Doing
-
Washington Monument ticket Fixed
Entry is free. The $1 is the advance booking charge; free same day tickets go early.
Source: National Park Service, Washington Monument fees (2026)
US$1 Get tickets
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed Range
Middle half of 8 central hostels on Hostelworld, 30 Oct 2026. The cheapest bed was 30 USD. Weekends and peak season cost more.
Source: Hostelworld, Washington DC hostels (2026-10)
US$34 to US$42 Find a hostel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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