Major city · United States
Washington, D.C.
Give D.C. 3 nights: the Smithsonian museums and monuments are free, so the city is cheap to see and easy to pair with New York by train.
Washington, D.C. is the US capital and the seat of all three branches of government, built around the two-mile National Mall. Almost every headline sight — the Smithsonian museums, the monuments, the Capitol and the White House grounds — is free to enter, which makes it one of the cheapest big-city stops in the country. Three nights covers the Mall, one museum day and one neighbourhood; add a night for Arlington or a day trip. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October) are the best months; July and August are hot and humid.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid)
- Airports
- DCA · IAD · BWI
- Nights
- 3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Washington, D.C.911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Washington, D.C., one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyD.C. is generally safe for tourists around the Mall and downtown, but some neighbourhoods east of the Anacostia River and pockets of Southeast have…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire and ambulance · 311 Non-emergency police
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (Closest to the centre; Metro Blue/Yellow line to downtown.).
- Getting aroundThe Metrorail subway covers the Mall, downtown and most neighbourhoods; a SmarTrip card or contactless tap works on Metro and buses.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, main course$20–40
- Street or quick mealCasual lunch (sandwich or bowl)$12–20
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shop$7–10$2–4
- Metro or bus rideMetro ride$2–6
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryFree at the Smithsonian; others $15–25
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$450
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$150 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (Closest to the centre; Metro Blue/Yellow line to downtown.) · IAD Washington Dulles International (About 26 miles west; Silver Line Metro or bus to the centre.) · BWI Baltimore/Washington International (About 30 miles northeast; MARC or Amtrak train plus Metro.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Washington, D.C.: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The Metrorail subway covers the Mall, downtown and most neighbourhoods; a SmarTrip card or contactless tap works on Metro and buses. The Mall itself is walkable end to end (about 2 miles), and Capital Bikeshare docks are everywhere. Taxis and rideshare fill the gaps after the last trains, which run around midnight (check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Arlington National Cemetery
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Metro Blue line to Arlington Cemetery station
Across the Potomac in Virginia; free entry, allow half a day.
Alexandria, Virginia
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Metro Yellow line to King Street, then the free trolley
Historic Old Town waterfront; good for an afternoon and dinner.
Mount Vernon
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Metro to Huntington, then Fairfax Connector bus 101
George Washington's estate; check the bus timetable before you go.
Baltimore
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
MARC train from Union Station, or Amtrak
Inner Harbor and the waterfront; a full day or an overnight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown and Southwest
The National Mall, East End, West End and Waterfront: closest to the sights and the main theatre district.
North Central
Dupont Circle, Shaw and Adams Morgan-Columbia Heights: densest, most diverse neighbourhoods, live music and restaurants.
Northwest
Georgetown and Upper Northwest: historic streets, high-end shopping, the National Zoo and the National Cathedral.
Northeast and Southeast
Capitol Hill, Near Northeast, Brookland-Petworth-Takoma and Anacostia: quieter, with Union Station and the National Arboretum.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 3 nights × US$220 | US$660 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$150 | US$900 |
| Metro from DCA to downtown, one way2 × US$3 | US$6 |
| Metro one-day pass2 × US$13 | US$26 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$162 |
| Trip total≈ US$297 per person per day, bed included | US$1,784 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Casual lunch (sandwich or bowl) | $12–20 |
| Sit-down dinner, main course | $20–40 |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a shop | $7–10 / $2–4 |
| Metro ride | $2–6 |
| Museum entry | Free at the Smithsonian; others $15–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity: carry water and plan museum time for the middle of the day.
- Some Smithsonian museums and the Washington Monument need free timed-entry passes in peak season: check the official sites.
- The White House and Capitol tours must be booked in advance through official channels: check.
- Metro closes overnight; check the last train before a late dinner.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 911
- Non-emergency police
- 311
Pocket card
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Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance911
- Non-emergency police311
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DCA → downtown, Metro: about $3, 15–20 min
- IAD → downtown, Metro Silver Line: about $6, 45–60 min
- Taxi downtown → Georgetown: $15–25
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Washington, D.C.. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DCA, IAD and BWI: last Metro and train departures field-checked, taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the National Mall, Downtown and Southwest, North Central, and Northwest.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Smithsonian museums, the Capitol, the Washington Monument, Arlington) and eat pages with last orders.
- Cherry-blossom and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.