Should you visit Washington or Atlanta?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Washington and Atlanta can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Atlanta
Atlanta is a city rich in history but modern in its development and industry. It has a population of just under 500,000 with more than five million people living in the metropolitan area. It is also the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States The city is rich in culture and was at the center of the civil rights movement. It is the capital of the state of Georgia, and was home to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. It has the world's busiest airport and arguably some of the country's worst traffic, but the residents are recognized for their friendly and welcoming nature and the city is lush with green trees and wonderful parks.
Which city is cheaper, Atlanta or Washington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Washington is $155, while the average daily cost in Atlanta is $136. 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 Washington and Atlanta in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $182 in Washington For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Atlanta can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $72, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $144.
Food
The average traveler spends about $30 per day in Washington for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Food in Atlanta costs travelers about $33 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Washington $30
Atlanta $33
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:
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Washington D.C.: 3.5-Hour Georgetown Food Tour:
$65
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Washington DC: 3-Hour Italian Food Tour:
$65
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Washington DC Food Tour: Italian Cuisine in Dupont Circle:
$65
-
Adams Morgan Food Tour:
$76
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Lonely Planet Experiences: DC Morning Food Tour on H Street:
$79
-
Washington DC: Private Food Tour Experience:
$79
-
Capitol Hill Walking Food Tour:
$79
-
Washington, DC: The Original Brew Tour with Tasting & Dinner:
$81
-
U Street Neighborhood Food Tour:
$89
-
Washington DC Odyssey Dinner Cruise:
$100
-
Private French Cooking Class with an Expert in the Heart of Washington DC:
$108
-
Washington, DC 3-Hour Dinner Buffet Cruise:
$122
Typical Food prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:
-
Fast Food Lunch (for 2)
$15
-
Lunch
$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Atlanta
For Atlanta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour:
$75
-
Grant Park Past & Future Food Tour:
$75
-
2.5-Hour History and Food Tour in Atlanta:
$75
-
Atlanta's Southern Food Tour:
$86
-
Modern Southern Food Tour of Historic Inman Park:
$99
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Atlanta:
$116
-
Secret Food Tours Atlanta w/ Private Tour Option:
$249
Local Transportation
To get around in Washington, the average visitor spends $37 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Atlanta'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 $34 per person, per day on transportation in Atlanta.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Washington to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - Departure Private Transfer:
$535
-
Washington to New York J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) - Departure Private Transfer:
$535
-
Washington City to New York City - Private Car Transfer:
$516
-
Washington to Newark International Airport (EWR) - Departure Private Transfer:
$491
-
Washington City to Philadelphia City - Private Car Transfer:
$392
-
Washington, DC: Potomac Mills Outlet Private Transfer:
$357
-
Private transfer from or to IAD , DCA , PHL , MDT airports , VA and Philadelphia:
$320
-
Washington Airport Transfers: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury Car:
$218
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Washington, DC: Private Airport Transfer(SUV): To or From: (DCA) Reagan National:
$180
-
Washington City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer:
$168
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Airport Transfer to and from Dulles International IAD Airport:
$160
-
Departure Private Transfers: Washington to Baltimore Airport BWI in Luxury Van:
$159
Typical Local Transportation prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:
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MARTA Subway Ticket
$4.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlanta
Also for Atlanta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer: Atlanta to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Int. Airport (ATL):
$622
-
Private Transfer: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Int. Airport (ATL) to Atlanta:
$622
-
RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Atlanta Airport - Camp Cove Crest:
$433
-
Departure Private Transfer Atlanta City to Hartsfield Airport ATL by Minibus:
$225
-
Private Roundtrip Transfer: Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Hotel by Executive SUV:
$194
-
Atlanta Airport Transfers : Atlanta City to Atlanta Airport ATL in Luxury Car:
$183
-
Atlanta Airport Transfers : Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta City in Luxury Car:
$174
-
Private Atlanta Airport Roundtrip Transfer by Van:
$165
-
Private Roundtrip Transfer: Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Hotel by Executive Sedan:
$145
-
Atlanta Roundtrip Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer:
$145
-
RoundTrip Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from-to Airport-Atlanta Downtown:
$133
-
Individual transfer from Atlanta ATL airport to Atlanta:
$124
Is it cheaper to fly into Washington or Atlanta?
Prices for flights to both Atlanta and Washington 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
In Washington, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $19 per person, per day.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Atlanta can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $45 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
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"HEROES OF FREEDOM" PRIVATE TOUR (4 Hour Military Tribute):
$658
-
"SHINING CITY" PRIVATE TOUR (3 Hour Evening Tour):
$658
-
2 Day Grand Tour with George Washington's Mount Vernon:
$95
-
2-Day Colonial Williamsburg Guided Tour from Washington DC:
$330
-
24/48-Hour Washington, D.C. Hop-on Hop-off Tour:
$49
-
3-Hour "DC After Dark" Night-Time Guided Bus Tour with Stops at Top Attractions:
$35
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3-Hour Private Jeep Tour of Washington D.C.:
$495
-
3-Hour Washington DC "Monuments By Night" Guided Night-Time Sightseeing Bus Tour:
$49
-
3-Hour Washington DC "Morning Monuments" Guided Sightseeing Walking & Bus Tour:
$64
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3-Hour Washington, D.C Urban Adventure Scavenger Hunt:
$44
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30-Minutes Supercar Driving Pilot Experience in Washington DC:
$275
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Advance Tickets to Washington, D.C.'s Newseum:
$24
Tours and Activities in Atlanta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Atlanta.
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3 Hour Hollywood of the South Private Atlanta Film Locations Tour:
$136
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3 Hour Private Gone With the Wind Tour of Margaret Mitchell's Atlanta:
$136
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6-Day Charleston+North Carolina+Tennessee Tour (Atlanta departure)(G6):
$888
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A City in a Forest: Private Atlanta Nature Tour:
$136
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Art on the Streets: Private Atlanta Public and Street Art Tour:
$136
-
Atlanta 5 Hour City Tour by Air-Conditioned Bus:
$70
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Atlanta Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$27
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Atlanta Beltline Small Group Walking Tour:
$38
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Atlanta Black History and Civil Rights Tour:
$67
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Atlanta Brew Bus Tour:
$71
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Atlanta City Private Hop-on Hop-off Tour by Bus:
$700
-
Atlanta City Tour by Convertible:
$77
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Washington, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $15.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Atlanta, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $14.
Sample the Local Flavors in Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
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Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam:
$12
-
Haunted Washington D.C. Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
DC: 'New York Times Journeys' Walking Tour with Beer, Cheese and Wine Tasting:
$120
-
NOVA Private Custom Wine Tours & Tasting from DMV:
$645
-
6 Hours Northern VA Wine Tour:
$920
Sample the Local Flavors in Atlanta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Atlanta:
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Atlanta Bar Hunt: All About Atlanta Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Krog Street Market Pub Crawl:
$36
-
Atlanta Brewery Guided Tours:
$65
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Three Vineyard Classic Wine Tasting Tour:
$165
-
Explore Rabun County - Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour:
$170
-
Georgia Horseback Ride with Wine Tasting:
$204
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Private Wine Tasting Tour of Three Vineyards:
$210
When comparing the travel costs between Washington and Atlanta, we can see that Washington is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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