Which place is cheaper, Washington or Addis Ababa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $33Washington $198
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $33, while the average daily cost in Washington is $198. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $22Washington $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $44Washington $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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $3.88Washington $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $113
- Addis Ababa Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $82
- Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
- City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $26
- City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa: $26
- Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $23
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $22
- Addis Shuttles: On-Time & Reliable, Airport Transfers: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
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Metro Day Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Washington, DC Airport Transfer Service DCA: $350
- Private Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) transfer Round trip: $300
- Private Transfer from Washington DC to DCA Airport or vice versa : $280
- Private Departure Transfer: Washington DC (any accommodation) to Dulles Airport: $226
- Private Transfer in Washington Dulles Airport to Washington: $220
- Round trip transfer in private minivan from-to Dulles Airport in Washington: $210
- Private Transfer to or from Springfield VA and Dulles Airport: $208
- Private transfer Service to or from Washington, DC and IAD: $208
- Washington City to LaGuardia Airport Departure Private Transfer: $206
- Round trip transfer in private vehicle from-to Dulles Airport in Washington: $201
- Private transfer to or form Vienna and Dulles International Airport: $200
- Private transfer to or from Vienna and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $195
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
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Food Meals for one dayAddis Ababa $8.67Washington $38
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
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Slice of Cake$0.06
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:
- Dinner Cultural shows and best Nightlife : $21
- Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
- Mom's cooking class: $60
- Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
- Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $70
- Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $75
- Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $88
- Ethiopian cooking class: $95
- Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95
- Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $114
- Unique Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis Ababa: $116
- Private Ethiopian Home Cooking Class in Addis Ababa with Transfer: $124
Typical Food Prices in Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water$2.00
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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: Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Spirit: $60
- Little Ethiopia Food Tour: $67
- Eastern Market Small-Group Food Tour with 5 Food Stop and Dessert: $69
- Eastern Market Eats Food Tour (5 Food Stops + Dessert): $69
- Adams Morgan Food Tour: $74
- DC: Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $74
- Washington D.C: Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $85
- Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $102
- Washington,DC: Union Market Private Food Tour: $125
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
- Washington DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $140
- Washington DC Premier Dinner Cruise: $144
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $4.00Washington $24
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- Addis Ababa City Tours Full-Day Tours : $113
- Airport Layover Tour | Addis highlights, National Palace, Coffee Ceremony: $200
- VIP Tour to The Unity Park, National Museum Palaces, Garden, Zoo: $95
- 2 Days Awash National Park Safari Tours: $295
- 2 Days guided Tour in Addis Abeba: $68
- 2-Day Sof Omar Cave and Sheik Hussein Shrine Tour: $450
- 3 Day Private Meskel Festival, Addis Ababa City and Debre Libanos Monastery Tour: $300
- 3 Days Meskel Festival Package-Addis Ababa City Tour/Debre Libanos Monastery: $256
- 3 Days Visiting Harar and Dire Dawa Tours: $480
- 4 Hour Addis Cuisine Tasting Tour: $85
- 4 Hours Addis Ababa highlights city tour from Bole airport: $75
- 5 Days Visiting Tigray Churches Tours: $1,200
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
- "Drunk Shakespeare" Live Show Ticket at DC's Sage Theatre: $49
- "Women of the Cold War" Guided Walking Tour in Georgetown: $25
- 1.5 Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour with Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: $40
- 2 For 1! DC Highlights & Arlington Cemetery Tour Bundle: $84
- 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour : $75
- 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Morning Guided Walking Tour: $50
- 2.5-Hour Sunset Cruise on Chesapeake Bay: $116
- 3 Hour Washington DC Guided Sightseeing Tour : $144
- African American History Private Tour w/ Museum Entry: $450
- African American History Tour with Museum Admission: $89
- African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $3.30Washington $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
- Pub crawl Addis Ababa: $69
Sample the Local Flavors in Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
- DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures: $35
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $59
- DC Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
- Cyber Wine Tours: $125
- From Washington DC: Seneca Creek Region Wine Tour with Lunch: $175
- Private Washington DC Virginia Winery Wine Tasting Tour -Spirited: $255
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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.