Washington DC on a Budget
When to go, what’s actually free, and where the costs actually are, so you’re not paying more than you need to.
Washington DC is genuinely one of the best value capital cities anywhere, all 19 Smithsonian museums and every monument on the National Mall cost nothing at all. Here’s how to keep the rest of the costs down without cutting the trip short.
Visit January-March, outside cherry blossom season
Winter, outside the holidays, brings noticeably lower hotel prices than the busy spring cherry blossom season and summer months. It’s cold, but the free Smithsonian museums and the monuments work just as well regardless of weather, and DC’s famous cherry blossoms aren’t the only reason to visit.
Washington DC has widely over 100 free attractions
All 19 Smithsonian museums offer free entry, a properly rare concentration of world-class collections without a ticket price anywhere else in the country. Every monument and memorial on the National Mall is free too, open 24 hours a day, and the National Zoo costs nothing to visit either.
Get a SmartTrip card and walk the Mall
The Metro is widely the cheapest way in from the airport and around the city, a reusable SmartTrip card beats paying per ride. The National Mall itself is entirely walkable, worth covering on foot rather than paying for transport within that stretch.
Eastern Market beats a Mall tourist meal
Eastern Market, running for over 136 years, offers widely good, affordable food and local produce, considerably cheaper than a sit-down restaurant right on the Mall. Food halls and neighbourhood spots in Dupont Circle and U Street hold a similarly strong value scene too.
Consider a Metro-accessible neighbourhood outside the centre
Hotels right on or near the Mall sit at the top of the price range given the location. Areas a short Metro ride out, still well connected, run noticeably cheaper while staying within easy reach of the main sights.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
