Budget Calculator
Washington, D.C. can be surprisingly affordable thanks to its free Smithsonian museums and free monuments, but costs vary a lot depending on how you travel. Use this calculator to get a rough daily budget in USD based on your travel style, trip length, and planned activities. Sales tax is added at checkout and is not included.
Your estimated budget
Daily cost 332 USD ≈ 305 EUR
Total trip cost 2,321 USD ≈ 2135 EUR
Daily breakdown
Accommodation 165 USD per day 3-star hotel in or near the city center, around CHF 220/night. ≈ 152 EUR per day
Food 70 USD per day Casual restaurants plus one nicer meal every couple of days, about CHF 75/day. ≈ 64 EUR per day
Transport 16 USD per day Metro most days with the occasional MARC or Amtrak trip to Baltimore or Annapolis, plus tips at restaurants. ≈ 15 EUR per day
Activities 45 USD per day A paid site like Mount Vernon, a timed-entry museum pass, and a sit-down dinner with an 18-20% tip. ≈ 41 EUR per day
Extras 20 USD per day Souvenirs, chocolate and incidentals, around CHF 30/day. ≈ 18 EUR per day
Planned activities 16 USD per day Monuments and memorials, Museums and galleries ≈ 14 EUR per day
These figures are indicative daily estimates in USD per person, based on typical 2026 prices. Sales tax (roughly 6-7% in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, higher on restaurants and hotels) is added at the till and is not included above. Tipping 18-20% at restaurants and bars, and 15-20% for taxis and rideshare, is expected and can add noticeably to the total.