Should you visit Arlington or Berkeley?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Berkeley, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Arlington
Located just across the Potomac River from Washington DC, capital of the United States, Arlington is a city that also has many government sites and monuments that commemorate the nation's past. Two of its most famous features include Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon-the largest office building in the world.
Berkeley
Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").
Which city is cheaper, Berkeley or Arlington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Arlington is $211, while the average daily cost in Berkeley is $152. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Arlington and Berkeley in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Arlington can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $105, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $210.
A hotel room in Berkeley is about $210 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
Food in Arlington costs travelers about $64 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The price of a meal in Berkeley can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $29 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $12 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Arlington $64
Berkeley $29
Typical Food prices in Berkeley
Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.
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Learn to Make New Orleans-Style Gumbo in a Private Berkeley Cooking Class:
$66
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Best of North Berkeley Food Tour:
$110
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North 3-Hour Food Tour:
$116
Local Transportation
Arlington's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $39 per person, per day on transportation in Arlington.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $24 per day to get around in Berkeley.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington
Also for Arlington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Arrival Transfer from Washington Reagan Airport DCA:
$29
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Private Airport Transfer: Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Washington:
$40
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Private Arrival Transfer DCA Ronald Regan Washington Airport to Washington City:
$46
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Washington - Ronald Reagan National Airport One Way Transfer:
$48
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Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer:
$61
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Transfer in private car from Washington Ronald Reagan Airport to Washington City:
$64
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Washington Airport Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Business Car:
$68
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Arrival Private Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Business Car:
$72
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Private Transfer Ronald Reagan Airport DCA to Washington DC by Business Car:
$75
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Arrival Private Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury Van:
$78
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Arrival Private Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury SUV:
$78
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Transfer in private minivan from Washington Ronald Reagan Airport to City:
$80
Is it cheaper to fly into Arlington or Berkeley?
Prices for flights to both Berkeley and Arlington 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Arlington can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $8.50 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $24 per person, per day in Berkeley. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Arlington
For Arlington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Tasting & Tour:
$8.78
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Arlington National Cemetery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour:
$15
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Arlington National Cemetery Guided Walking Tour:
$36
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Arlington National Cemetery Guided Walking Tour - 8ppl Max:
$73
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Arlington National Cemetery Guided Walking Tour - Private Tour:
$73
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Arlington Cemetery & American History Museum Guided Tour - 8ppl Max:
$143
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Arlington Cemetery & American History Museum Guided Combo Tour - Private Tour:
$143
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Arlington Cemetery Private Tour:
$359
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Arlington National Cemetery Private Walking Tour:
$360
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4 Hours Private Chauffeured DC Sight Seeing Tour / SUV & Sedan:
$428
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Stuck at the Airport Washington DC Tour:
$450
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Arlington spend on average $13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $10 on alcoholic beverages in Berkeley per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arlington and Berkeley, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Berkeley much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Berkeley would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Berkeley 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Berkeley.
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