Which place is cheaper, Washington or Alexandria?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Alexandria or Washington?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alexandria and Washington can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Alexandria or Washington?
Alexandria
There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.
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 Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Alexandria Prices
Egypt PricesWashington Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlexandria $20Washington $226
The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $20, 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 Alexandria and Washington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlexandria $7.57Washington $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlexandria $15Washington $226
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Washington
Looking for a hotel in Alexandria 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: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Washington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alexandria $2.36Washington $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:
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Taxi to Train Station$0.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:
- Private transfer from Alexandria to Luxor: $269
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Cruise Port to Cairo City Hotels: $220
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $220
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo in Egypt or vice versa: $134
- Private Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria To Cairo: $130
- Private Transfer Alexandria Hotel to Cairo Airport : $70
- Alexandria Airport (HBE)to Alexandria-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $69
- Alexandria Hotel to Sphinx Airport Private Transfer: $66
- Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $55
- Private Pickup Transfer From A Hotel In Alexandria To Borg Al Arab Airport: $50
- Private Transfer from Alexandria City hotels to Alexandria Port : $41
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria City Hotels: $41
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:
- Arrival Private Transfer: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury Car: $192
- Arrival Private Transfer: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury SUV: $154
- Baltimore Airport (BWI) to Washington Round-Trip Private Transfer: $291
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Business Car: $126
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury Car: $220
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury Van: $164
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to National Airport DCA in Business Car: $139
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to National Airport DCA in Luxury Car: $192
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to National Airport DCA in Luxury Van: $178
- Nation’s Capital Guided Tours and Airport Transfers : $280
- Private Airport Transfer: Washington to Baltimore Airport BWI in Luxury SUV: $196
- Private Airport Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury SUV: $154
Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Washington?
Prices for flights to both Washington and Alexandria 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 dayAlexandria $11Washington $66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.
- Private Half Day Food Tour in Alexandria Egypt : $20
- Private Full-Day Food Tour of Alexandria with Hotel Pick Up: $33
- Private Food Tour To The Famous Restaurant In Alexandria : $45
- Alexandria food Tour taste the Egyptian traditional food: $60
- From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94
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:
- Sweet and Savory Scandalous White House walking Food Tour: $60
- DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $64
- Little Ethiopia Food Tour: $71
- DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $78
- Dupont Circle Food Tour: $84
- 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: $103
- Washington DC Signature Dinner Cruise: $128
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
- Washington DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $146
- Washington DC Premier Dinner Cruise: $152
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alexandria $3.31Washington $24
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour to Alamein and Alexandria: $169
- Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria: $16
- 10-Hour Historical Pyramids Tour from Alexandria Port: $130
- 6-Hour Day Tour in Alexandria: $95
- 6-Hour Day Tour to Alexandria Attractions with Pickup Included: $88
- ALL inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids Sakkara from Alexandria Port: $135
- Alamein and Alexandria Private Day Tour with Lunch: $200
- Alexandria By Night Private Free Walking Tours & Horse Carriage Ride: $75
- Alexandria By Night Private Tour By Horse Carriage Ride And Free Walking Tour: $55
- Alexandria Day Tour: $105
- Alexandria Day Tour Visit the Tob attractions of Alexandria City: $40
- Alexandria Day Tour from Alexandria: $38
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- House of Cards Quest Experience in Washington DC: $8.82
- The National Mall's Monuments: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Virtual Tour of Martin Luther King Memorial: $10
- National Mall Democracy Quest Experience in Washington DC: $11
- Explore Washington DC: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Washington DC Embassy Row: At your leisure & pace. Downloadable audiovisual tour: $15
- Washington DC Monuments Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Arlington National Cemetery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $20
- Washington DC: Arlington Nat. Cemetery Ticket & Tram Tour: $20
- Washington, D.C.: Capitol Hill App-Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Self Guided 4 Hours Walking Tour of Downtown Washington DC: $20
- Run the Washington DC Monuments with a Local: Group Running Tour: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlexandria $1.28Washington $19
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
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures: $36
- LGBTQ Bar Crawl with a Local DC Bartender: $40
- Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C.: $59
- Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $59
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Washington, we can see that Washington is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alexandria 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 Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Washington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Washington?
Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Washington. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria 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.
When is the best time to visit Alexandria or Washington?
Washington has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Alexandria experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Alexandria or Washington in the Summer?
Both Washington and Alexandria during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Alexandria because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Washington this time of year.
In the summer, Alexandria is around the same temperature as Washington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alexandria in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Washington averages at about 79°F (26°C).
Alexandria usually gets less rain in July than Washington. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Washington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlexandria 26°C (79°F)Washington 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Alexandria or Washington in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Washington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round. Also, many travelers come to Washington for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than Washington. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 22°C (72°F), and Washington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).
In October, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Washington. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlexandria 22°C (72°F)Washington 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Alexandria or Washington in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Washington. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Washington in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Washington can get quite cold in the winter. Alexandria is much warmer than Washington in the winter. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Washington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).
Alexandria usually gets less rain in January than Washington. Alexandria gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlexandria 13°C (55°F)Washington 35°F (1°C)
Should I visit Alexandria or Washington in the Spring?
Both Washington and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Washington for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Alexandria is a little warmer than Washington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alexandria in April average around 19°C (66°F), and Washington averages at about 56°F (14°C).
In April, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Washington. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlexandria 19°C (66°F)Washington 56°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Washington and Alexandria
| Alexandria | Washington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
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.