A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Arlington vs. Lancaster for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Arlington or Lancaster?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Lancaster, 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: Arlington or Lancaster?

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.

Lancaster

The largest city in Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Lancaster is surrounded by scenic landscape and a unique culture. The area is predominately agricultural in nature and you will find lush farms growing crops and produce most seasons. The Amish communities are spread throughout the area and although they remain relatively isolated, they are acknowledged by fellow community members and their customs are respected. The Amish community prides themselves on minimalist living. They do not use electricity and travel around in horse and buggy, a sight which you will grow accustomed to while you're in the area. They are excellent farmers and craftsmen and you can find shops that proudly sell Amish made goods. Their close are old fashion in nature. Women generally wear long dresses and bonnets while men wear black suits and hats. The Amish community has their own churches and their own schools. There are a handful of places where you can learn more about the Amish community in the area. The Amish Experience F/X Theater offers shows and the People's Place Quilt Museum shows some handicrafts. It is possible to take an Amish Country tour or visit the Mennonite Information Center for more information.

Which place is cheaper, Lancaster or Arlington?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Arlington is $264, while the average daily cost in Lancaster is $183. 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 Arlington and Lancaster in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arlington $131
    Lancaster $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arlington $262
    Lancaster $182
Compare Hotels in Arlington and Lancaster

Looking for a hotel in Arlington or Lancaster? 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 Arlington


Hotels in Lancaster


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: Arlington Hotel Prices and Lancaster Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arlington $49
    Lancaster $69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington

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

  • Ronald Reagan DCA Airport Transfers: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Arlington or Lancaster?

Prices for flights to both Lancaster 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Arlington $81
    Lancaster $53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lancaster

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

  • Red Rose Walking Food Tour in Lancaster: $65
  • International Food Tour Lancaster, Pennsylvania: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arlington $11
    Lancaster $19

Tours and Activities in Lancaster

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

  • 45-Minute Private Guided Historic Walking Tour in Lititz: $12
  • Amish Experience SuperSaver Package: $47
  • Authentic Tour & Meal with the Amish!: $79
  • Farm Animal Fun Tour : $22
  • From Philadelphia: Lancaster County Amish Community Tour: $179
  • Guided Ghost Tour of Lititz: $12
  • Guided Tour of the 1792 Johannes Mueller House: $10
  • Historic Lancaster Photo Shoot Tour: $100
  • Lancaster County: Amish Farmlands, Museum Tour, Farm Visit: $35
  • Lancaster County: Tour and Meal with an Amish Family: $79
  • Lancaster Electric Bicycle Tour: $130
  • Lancaster History and Breakfast Walking Tour: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arlington $17
    Lancaster $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Lancaster

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lancaster:

  • Lancaster City: The Ultimate Walking Craft Brewery Tour: $20
  • Guided Brewery Walking Tour in Lancaster City: $79


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arlington and Lancaster, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Lancaster much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lancaster would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lancaster 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 Lancaster.

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Lancaster?

Arlington is bigger, and its population is about 3.4 times larger than the population of Lancaster. When comparing the population of Arlington vs. Lancaster, 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Arlington or Lancaster?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Arlington or Lancaster in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Lancaster.

Arlington is around the same temperature as Lancaster in the summer. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Lancaster fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lancaster this time of the year. In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arlington usually receives less sunshine than Lancaster during summer. Arlington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Arlington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lancaster. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Arlington 79°F (26°C) 
    Lancaster 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Arlington or Lancaster in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Lancaster.

In the autumn, Arlington is a little warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Arlington in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Lancaster averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In the autumn, Arlington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. Arlington gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun.

Arlington usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Lancaster. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Arlington 60°F (15°C) 
    Lancaster 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Arlington or Lancaster in the Winter?

Both Lancaster and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Lancaster can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Arlington. In January, Arlington is generally much warmer than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 35°F (1°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

Arlington usually receives less sunshine than Lancaster during winter. Arlington gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Arlington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lancaster. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Arlington 35°F (1°C) 
    Lancaster 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Arlington or Lancaster in the Spring?

Both Lancaster and Arlington during the spring are popular places to visit.

Arlington is a little warmer than Lancaster in the spring. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Lancaster fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Lancaster, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Arlington. In the spring, Arlington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. Arlington gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun.

Arlington usually gets less rain in April than Lancaster. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Arlington 56°F (14°C) 
    Lancaster 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Arlington

Arlington Lancaster
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 35°F (2°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.
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Arlington vs. Lancaster Travel Comparison

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