Which place is cheaper, Washington or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Lisbon or Washington? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Lisbon is a picturesque, colorful, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.
Washington is a diverse, active, and monument-filled city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Lisbon than Washington, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lisbon is better known for its nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Washington is more popular for its theatre productions, hiking, and quaint atmosphere. Lisbon is well known for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. Also, Lisbon is famous for Castelo de São Jorge. Washington is well known for its reputation as the capital of the United States, but it's also known for its many monuments, memorials, and museums.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Washington and Lisbon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
You'll find a number of world-class museums and attractions in both Washington and Lisbon.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Lisbon has many famous sights for visitors. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Washington that are not to be missed. The city has world class museums that are often free. The Smithsonian Museums are arguably some of the most impressive museums in the United States. The city also has a large collection of monuments that are dedicated to past presidents or historical events. Many are best experienced at night when the sun sets and the lights come on.
Washington is a very popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Lisbon is not a theatre destination.
While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Washington. Theater is popular in the city. From major theaters like the Kennedy Center and Ford's Theater, to lesser known smaller venues, there are options for everyone.
Lisbon is not a theatre destination.
Dining out at restaurants in both Lisbon and Washington can be an enjoyable experience.
For foodies, Lisbon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are many local restaurants as well as food tours and cooking classes that you can enjoy. Make sure you try the local favorites like bacalhau à brás, frango no churrasco, and pastel de nata. Given the beautiful climate, outdoor seating is also popular. Head into the less touristy neighborhoods to try some local dishes or hit up a seafood market. There are also many cafes that offer great breakfasts with fresh ingredients.
Washington has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. This city is among the most diverse in the country, so you can find restaurants from almost any cuisine here. It's worth exploring and stepping out of your comfort zone. There are popular neighborhoods for Ethiopian, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese food, among many others.
Lisbon is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Washington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.
People head to Lisbon just to party. It is a bustling city with a lot of energy late into the night. There are countless bars, clubs, and music venues that cater to every personality type and style. Whether you want a more relaxed vibe or a raging party, there is likely an place for you.
Washington has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Many visitors head straight to the museums and the National Mall, and don't realize what a livable and fun city this is. Some of the best nightlife is found in Dupont Circle, U Street, and even Arlington, VA. The city's young population ensures that there's never a dull moment.
Lisbon is a world-class destination for live music. Also, Washington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its live music scene.
Lisbon is known as a music capital around the world. The local folk music, fado, is popular here, but there are also venues that host almost any other style of music as well. You'll also find several fado museums around town.
The music scene helps keep Washington active and fun. Notable live music venues include the 9:30 Club, the Anthem, and Union Stage.
Lisbon is very good for its beaches. However, Washington is not a beach destination.
Many people head to Lisbon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are often overlooked by visitors, but the coastline near the city is lined with beautiful sandy beaches that are arguably among the best in the area. If you want to get away from city life, head for the water.
Washington is not a beach destination.
Lisbon is a world-class destination for its historic old town. However, Washington does not have a historic old town.
The historic old town of Lisbon is revered around the world. The city is famous for the Alfama area, which is where you find the traditional buildings, cobblestoned streets, wandering alleyways, and steep hills. Make sure you take in the stunning view from various parts of town.
Washington does not have a historic old town.
Washington is a decent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Lisbon is not a hiking destination.
Hiking is a fun activity while in Washington. Just outside of Washington DC you'll find plenty of places to go hiking. There's also an elaborate bike and walking trail system in the city. To enjoy a bit of nature, head to Teddy Roosevelt Island.
Lisbon is not a hiking destination.
Lisbon is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Washington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.
People travel from around the world to go shopping in Lisbon. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.
Washington is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Georgetown and Dupont Circle for some of the city's best local shopping. There are name brand chains mixed in with local boutiques. You'll also find plenty of souvenir shops in the more touristy areas if you're looking to pick up some trinkets.
Washington is an unbeatable place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Lisbon does not offer Christmas activities.
Washington offers plenty of sights and activities around Christmas. With it's beautiful lights and holiday shows, Christmas is beautiful in the capital of the United States.
Lisbon does not offer Christmas activities.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Lisbon or Washington.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lisbon. Popular family-friendly activities include exploring Castelo Sao Jorge, visiting the aquarium, hanging out on the beach, and of course, taking the funiculars. Kids of all ages will appreciate the intricate maze of streets and lively atmosphere that this city offers. There's also the famous Livraria Lello & Irmão, which is a beautiful bookshop that is said to be an inspiration for Harry Potter. Don't expect to simply walk in, as there is often a long line to enter.
Washington is a very family-friendly place to visit. It is a fun and educational destination where kids can explore world class museums and try unique foods from all around the world. The city has nationally recognized landmarks, monuments, and memorials and it's also home to some of the best (free) museums in the United States including the world class Smithsonian Institutions. Many schools visit Washington DC as a field trip, particularly during the Spring months, so you'll kids groups in colorful t-shirts running around the National Mall.
With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Washington make for a great place to visit.
Lisbon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With it's colorful buildings and dramatic hills, this city offers a truly romantic setting for couples. There are many romantic viewpoints as well as world class restaurants that couples will enjoy.
Couples visit Washington frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city lights up at night, so couples will enjoy wandering by the monuments in the evening or taking in a dinner and show. During the Spring months you'll find couples wandering through the Cherry Blossoms or along the waterfront.
Lisbon is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Washington is not a good destination for backpackers.
Many backpackers frequent Lisbon. Hostels are abundant, and you'll have no trouble finding other backpackers to hang out with. Many hostels even organize activities and group meals for travelers. Prices are also reasonable for a large and vibrant city.
Washington is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it is an international travel destination, the city often isn't at the top of most backpacker's lists. There are some affordable accommodation options available though if you know where to look.
Washington is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Lisbon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.
Many students frequent Washington. International students come from around the world to study, learn, intern, and work in the capital of the United States. There are many internships available through the federal government as well as NGOs and nonprofits.
Lisbon is very popular with students. It's a lively city with a lot to see and do for international students.
Visitors will find world-class public transit in both Lisbon and Washington.
Visitors in Lisbon can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The metro has four lines that go around the city. There are also trams, buses, and the funiculars.
Washington has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The metro system and the bus system are reliable and efficient ways to explore the city.
Lisbon and Washington are world-class when it comes to walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Lisbon. There are many walkable areas that aren't too hilly like Baixa, a stretch along the Tagus River, and Belém.
Getting around Washington on foot is easy. Many neighborhoods around the city are easy to explore on foot. Most tourists spend a lot of time in the Mall area, which is very pedestrian friendly.
For even more information, also check out Is Lisbon Worth Visiting? and Is Washington Worth Visiting?.
Both Lisbon and Washington have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Lisbon has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Lisbon than Washington. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Lisbon than Washington. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lisbon, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Lisbon than Washington. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lisbon that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lisbon than Washington if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lisbon.
When visiting Lisbon, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the big city destination of Washington. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
When visiting Lisbon, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.
Washington is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Lisbon, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Washington. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Lisbon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the diverse big city of Washington. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is $143, 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 Lisbon and Washington in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Washington and Lisbon 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.
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Washington, we can see that Washington is more expensive. And not only is Lisbon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon is in Europe 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 Lisbon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lisbon 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 Lisbon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lisbon Expensive? and Is Washington Expensive?.
Washington has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Washington. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Washington for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Lisbon is cooler than Washington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lisbon in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Washington averages at about 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Washington this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Washington during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Washington. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Washington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Washington. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Washington in the autumn 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, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Washington. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 19°C (66°F), and Washington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Washington. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 197 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets more rain in October than Washington. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Washington and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Washington for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Washington can be very cold during winter. Lisbon is much warmer than Washington in the winter. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Washington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).
Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Washington during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Lisbon. In January, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Washington. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Washington and Lisbon during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Washington because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Lisbon is a little warmer than Washington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lisbon in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Washington averages at about 56°F (14°C).
In Washington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the spring, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Washington. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 228 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets less rain in April than Washington. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Lisbon | Washington | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |