A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Addis Ababa vs. Washington for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Washington?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Washington, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Addis Ababa or Washington?

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.

Washington

Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Washington or Addis Ababa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Addis Ababa Prices
    Ethiopia Prices
    Washington Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Addis Ababa $32
    Washington $226

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $32, while the average daily cost in Washington is $226. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Addis Ababa and Washington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $17
    Washington $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $34
    Washington $226
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Washington

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Washington? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Addis Ababa


Hotels in Washington


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and Washington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $3.10
    Washington $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 4 Hours Addis Airport Transfer with Ethiopian Cultural Tour: $299
  • Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $154
  • Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
  • Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
  • City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $40
  • Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
  • Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $23
  • Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $23

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:


  • Metro Day Pass
    $9.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington

Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Washington DC to Dulles or vice versa : $300
  • Private Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) transfer Round trip: $300
  • Nation’s Capital Guided Tours and Airport Transfers : $280
  • Washington Airport (IAD) to Washington RoundTrip Private Transfer: $260
  • Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury Car: $231
  • Private transfer to or form Arlington and Dulles International Airport: $230
  • Transfer from Washington DC to Dulles International Airport: $225
  • Private Transfer from Washington DC to Dulles or Vice Versa: $216
  • Private Transfer To or From Lorton and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $205
  • Private transfer to or from Herndon and Dulles International Airport: $205
  • Departure Private Transfer: Washington to National Airport DCA in Luxury Car: $202
  • Private Transfer from Dulles IAD Airport ⇄ Washington Dc: $199

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Washington?

Prices for flights to both Washington and Addis Ababa change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Addis Ababa $12
    Washington $66
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:


  • Slice of Cake
    $0.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $54
  • Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
  • Flavors of Ethiopia Explore Traditional Cooking Class : $67
  • Addis Ababa Ethiopian cooking class Airport & hotel pick up: $68
  • Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $70
  • Half Day Food Tour Addis Ababa With Airport pickUp And Drop-Off: $75
  • Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $76
  • Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner: $77
  • Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $90
  • Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95
  • Nightlife Tour with Dinner and Live Music: $99

Typical Food Prices in Washington

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:


  • Water
    $2.00
  • Snacks on Monuments Tour
    $6.15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington

For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $60
  • Washington DC Holiday Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $70
  • DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $71
  • Little Ethiopia Food Tour: $71
  • Adams Morgan Food Tour: $78
  • Dupont Circle Food Tour: $84
  • Cobblestones & Croissants: A Morning Food Tour in Georgetown, DC: $85
  • Washington D.C: Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $95
  • DC: Eastern Market Eats Food Tour (5 Food Stops + Dessert): $99
  • Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $104
  • City Cruises Washington DC: Signature Dinner Cruise: $121
  • Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $3.20
    Washington $24

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.

  • "Awash National Park Safari Experience": $280
  • 1-Day Tour Old Bridge, Monastery,WaterFalls Wildlife,Birds, : $128
  • 2 Days Awash National Park Safari Tours: $315
  • 2 Days Gheralta Tour Hidden Churches in Northern Ethiopia: $300
  • 2-Night 3-Day Danakil Depression Tour without Flights: $300
  • 3 Days Meskel Festival Package-Addis Ababa City Tour/Debre Libanos Monastery: $256
  • 3 Days Rock Hewn Churches Cultural Tour in Lalibela: $300
  • 3-Day Wild Wonders and Nature, Awash National Park Tour: $490
  • 4 Hour Addis Cuisine Tasting Tour: $65
  • 4 Hours Addis Ababa Cultural Discovery Tour: $42
  • 5 hours Addis Ababa Layover city tour: $36
  • 8 Hours Tour to Taste the Authentic Flavours of Ethiopia: $200

Tours and Activities in Washington

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.

  • See DC In A Day: Guided Small Group Ultimate Day Tour : $99
  • Washington DC LGBTQ Pride History Walking Tour : $69
  • "Drunk Shakespeare" Live Show Ticket at DC's Sage Theatre: $49
  • 2 Hour Guided Bike Tour of Capitol Hill: $52
  • 2 Hours Book Store Tour in Capitol Hill: $80
  • 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour : $75
  • 3-Hour Small Group Memorial Tour in Washington, D.C.: $59
  • Admission & Guided Tour of Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria: $99
  • African American Night tour of Washington DC/tickets to MAAHC: $100
  • African American Tour Of Annapolis From Washington DC: $180
  • African-American Heritage Walking Tour of U Street in DC: $90
  • Air & Space Museum Semi-Private Tour with Reserved Tickets: $103

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $2.64
    Washington $19

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:

  • Pub-crawl Tour ( locally crafted beer and wine tasting ): $58
  • Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $65

Sample the Local Flavors in Washington

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:

  • Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
  • DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures: $29
  • Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $56
  • Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C.: $59
  • DC Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
  • DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Washington, we can see that Washington is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Addis Ababa is in Africa and Washington is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Addis Ababa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Addis Ababa and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Washington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Washington than you might in Addis Ababa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Washington Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Washington?

Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Washington. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Washington, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.