Should you visit Arlington or Hershey?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Hershey, 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.
Hershey
Often called "Chocolatetown, USA" and "The Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey, Pennsylvania is most known for being home to the famous Hershey's chocolates. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, and has grown to sell products in over sixty countries worldwide. Before the town was named Hershey, it was called Derry Church and was the hometown of the chocolatier. While there are now manufacturing plants in many locations, Hershey, PA, remains the location that draws the crowds. It is the place where the Hershey Company originated and is home to attractions like Hershey Park, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey's Chocolate World.
Which city is cheaper, Hershey 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 Hershey is $170. 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 Hershey 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.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $91. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Hershey the cost is $182 on average.
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.
While meal prices in Hershey can vary, the average travelers spends about $49 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Hershey should cost around $20 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Hershey is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Arlington $64
Hershey $49
Typical Food prices in Hershey
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hershey:
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Frozen Hot Chocolate
$4.19
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Plain and Fancy Farm
$46
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Homemade Apple Butter
$7.98
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.
The cost of a taxi ride in Hershey is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $39 per person, per day, on local transportation in Hershey.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington
Also for Arlington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Arrival Private Transfer Ronald Reagan Airport DCA to Washington DC by SUV:
$104
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Arrival Private Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Business Car:
$72
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Arrival Private Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury SUV:
$78
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Arrival Private Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury Van:
$78
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Private Airport Transfer: Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Washington:
$40
-
Private Arrival Transfer DCA Ronald Regan Washington Airport to Washington City:
$46
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Private Arrival Transfer from Washington Reagan Airport DCA:
$29
-
Private Transfer Ronald Reagan Airport DCA to Washington DC by Business Car:
$75
-
Private Transfer from Washington Reagan Airport to Washington DC by Luxury SUV:
$154
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Private Washington DC Transfer: DCA Airport to Hotel:
$103
-
Private transfer from DCA airport to Washington DC:
$250
-
Private transfer from or to IAD, DCA, JFK, LGA, EWR airports, MD, WDC, and NY:
$700
Is it cheaper to fly into Arlington or Hershey?
Prices for flights to both Hershey 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.
Entertainment and activities in Hershey typically cost an average of $43 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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
Typical Entertainment prices in Hershey
Here are a few typical costs in Hershey for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Hershey
Here are a few actual costs in Hershey for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Skip the Line: AACA Museum Admission Ticket:
$13
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Arlington spend on average $13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Hershey may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $22 per day on alcoholic beverages.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arlington and Hershey, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Hershey much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hershey would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hershey 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 Hershey.
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