A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bogota vs. Washington for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bogota or Washington?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Bogota 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: Bogota or Washington?

Bogota

Sprawling across a high altitude in the Columbian Andes region, Bogota is the capital city of Columbia. It is a mix of the old and new with century-old plazas and churches shadowed by towering skyscrapers, museums representing the history, art, and culture of the region, as well as a mix of distinct neighborhoods from quaint and historic to trendy and contemporary.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Washington or Bogota?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bogota is $52, 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 Bogota and Washington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bogota $26
    Washington $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bogota $52
    Washington $226
Compare Hotels in Bogota and Washington

Looking for a hotel in Bogota 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.

Hotels in Bogota


Hotels in Washington


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: Bogota Hotel Prices and Washington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bogota $8.61
    Washington $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bogota are as follows:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $7.42
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.39
  • 2 Bus Passes
    $0.87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota

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

  • Private Salt Cathedral and Nemocón Salt Mines + In & out Transfer + (8 hours): $242
  • Bogotá to or from Barichara or San Gil Private Transfer: $167
  • Arrival Private Transfer Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City in a Luxury Van: $134
  • Departure Private Transfer Bogota City to Bogota Airport BOG in Luxury Van: $134
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City by Minibus: $124
  • Bogotá Private Luxury Transfer - Airport Pick Up or Drop Off - SUV Mercedes Benz: $97
  • Bogotá to or from Villa de Leyva Private Transfer: $80
  • Bogotá Graffiti Bike Tour - No Transfers: $80
  • El Dorado International Airport (BOG) - Private Round trip transfer Bogota: $80
  • Bogota Airport BOG to Downtown Hotels Round Trip Private Transfer: $48
  • Salt Cathedral Zipaquira • Premium Private Transfer: $39
  • Andres Carne de Res Chia • Premium Private Transfer: $39

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:


  • 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 to/from DCA or IAD: $350
  • Washington to Washington Airport (IAD) Departure Private Transfer: $64
  • Washington to Newark Airport Departure Private Transfer: $187
  • Washington to NY Kennedy Airport(JFK)- Departure Private Transfer: $199
  • Washington to Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
  • Washington to Baltimore Airport (BWI) Departure Private Transfer: $75
  • Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA): Transfer to Washington: $174
  • Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
  • Washington DC: Private Transfer to Airports or Baltimore: $160
  • Washington DC: DCA Private Transfer from/to Downtown: $110
  • Washington DC: Bus transfer from/to Philadelphia: $5.74
  • Washington Airport (DCA) to Washington RoundTrip Private Transfer: $116

Is it cheaper to fly into Bogota or Washington?

Prices for flights to both Washington and Bogota 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
    Bogota $13
    Washington $38
Typical Food Prices in Bogota

For Bogota, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $1.54
  • Hot Dog
    $0.90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bogota

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

  • Bogota Local Food Tour in the City Center: $13
  • Viejo Bogota Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
  • PALOQUEMAO MARKET FOOD TOUR. EXOTIC FRUIT. LOCAL SNACKS. /Min 2 pax: $55
  • Bogota Food Tour • Private Car • Fruits Cacao Lunch Coffee Beer: $59
  • Private Colombian Cooking Class and Market Tour In Bogota: $90
  • Dinner and party at Andres Carne de Res DC: $100
  • Private Street Food Tour in Candelaria Bogota: $131

Typical Food Prices in Washington

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:


  • Water
    $2.00
  • 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: $69
  • Washington DC Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
  • DC: Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $74
  • Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $85
  • Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $98
  • Washington, DC: African American History Tour with Dinner: $108
  • 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
  • Washington DC: Personalized & Private Food Tour with a Local: $152
  • Private Traditional Filipino Cooking Class Near Washington DC : $154

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bogota $13
    Washington $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bogota's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Beer
    $1.29

Tours and Activities in Bogota

For Bogota, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Bogotá Architecture Private Tour (6 Hrs.): $149
  • Bogota Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Private Tour + Lunch: $80
  • La Candelaria and Monserrate Walking Half Day Tour: $234
  • Salt Cathedral Zipaquira - Group tour and daily departure: $80
  • *Private tour* to Guatavita sacred lagoon + Nemocon salt mine: $153
  • 3 days- private tour Chingaza-Guatavita Savannah Expedition: $60
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour and Musical Picnic in the Heart of Ibague: $23
  • 3h 30 -Hour StopOver—Walking Tour: Bogota Historical Center: $54
  • 4 Hours Private Tour to Monserrate from Bogotá: $69
  • 4-hour Paragliding Adventure from Bogota: $170
  • 5-hour Tour through Bogotá during the stopover. Includes round-trip from airport: $160
  • 6 hour Private City Tour through Bogotá (Con Monserrate): $134

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
  • 2 For 1! DC Highlights & Arlington Cemetery Tour Bundle: $84
  • 2 Hour Guided Bike Tour of Capitol Hill: $55
  • 2-Hour African American Heritage Tour in Washington DC: $25
  • 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour : $75
  • 2-Hour National Mall Walking Tour from Washington DC: $25
  • 4 Hours Washington Tour with Boat Cruise: $169
  • A 9D Salt Cave Experience: $95
  • A Self-Guided Tour of Washington DC's Monumental Marvels: $25
  • Admission & Guided Tour of Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria: $99
  • African American History Private Tour w/ Museum Entry: $450
  • African American History Tour with Museum Admission: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bogota $14
    Washington $19

Sample the Local Flavors in Bogota

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bogota:

  • Thursday Bar Crawl in Bogotá: $25
  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Bogotá : $25
  • Pub Crawl in Bogota - Ancient Brews : $103

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: $35
  • 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
  • From Washington DC: Seneca Creek Region Wine Tour with Lunch: $175
  • Full-Day Private Virginia Wine Tour Experience from Washington : $242
  • Private Washington DC Virginia Winery Wine Tasting Tour -Spirited: $255


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bogota Expensive? and Is Washington Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bogota or Washington?

Bogota has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Washington. When comparing the sizes of Bogota 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 Bogota or Washington?

Washington has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bogota experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bogota or Washington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bogota and Washington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bogota year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Washington because of the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bogota is much colder than Washington in the summer. The daily temperature in Bogota averages around 14°C (57°F) in July, and Washington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In July, Bogota usually receives less rain than Washington. Bogota gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Washington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bogota 14°C (57°F) 
    Washington 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Bogota or Washington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bogota as well as Washington. Bogota attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Washington this time of year.

In the autumn, Bogota is around the same temperature as Washington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bogota in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Washington averages at about 60°F (15°C).

Bogota receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bogota usually gets more rain in October than Washington. Bogota gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bogota 14°C (57°F) 
    Washington 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Bogota or Washington in the Winter?

Both Washington and Bogota are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bogota throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Washington for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Washington. In January, Bogota is generally much warmer than Washington. Daily temperatures in Bogota average around 14°C (57°F), and Washington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

In January, Bogota usually receives less rain than Washington. Bogota gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bogota 14°C (57°F) 
    Washington 35°F (1°C)

Should I visit Bogota or Washington in the Spring?

Both Washington and Bogota during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bogota because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Washington in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Bogota is a little warmer than Washington in the spring. The daily temperature in Bogota averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Washington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

Bogota usually gets more rain in April than Washington. Bogota gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bogota 15°C (59°F) 
    Washington 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Washington and Bogota

Bogota Washington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 30 mm (1.2 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 15°C (59°F) 50 mm (2 in) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 15°C (59°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jul 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Aug 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 14°C (57°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)