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

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Should you visit Washington or Baltimore?

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

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 Baltimore can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Washington or Baltimore?

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.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a large, industrial city and popular tourist destination in the state of Maryland. It is about an hour outside of Washington, D.C. and is a hub of tourism and entertainment for the area. It has a vibrant nightlife, comfortable climate, and is a great place to visit when you're in the area. The city proper has a population of about 600,000 and the metropolitan area has 2.7 million. Its economy is centered around science, technology, engineering and math and it has many undergraduate and graduate schools including the world renowned Johns Hopkins University.

Which city is cheaper, Baltimore or Washington?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Washington is $194, while the average daily cost in Baltimore is $181. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Washington and Baltimore in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Washington $113
    Baltimore $93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Washington $226
    Baltimore $186
Compare Hotels in Washington and Baltimore

Looking for a hotel in Washington or Baltimore? 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 Washington


Hotels in Baltimore


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: Washington Hotel Prices and Baltimore Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Washington $47
    Baltimore $21
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:

  • Airport Transfer to and from Dulles International IAD Airport: $160
  • BWI Airport: Transfer to Baltimore or Washington DC: $200
  • DCA Private 1-Way Transfer from D.C. City Center Hotels: $97
  • DCA to D.C. City Center Hotels: 1-Way Private Transfer: $102
  • Departure Private Transfers : Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Business Car: $118
  • Departure Private Transfers : Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury SUV: $154
  • Departure Private Transfers : Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury Van: $154
  • Departure Private Transfers: Washington to Baltimore Airport BWI in Business Car: $119
  • Departure Private Transfers: Washington to Baltimore Airport BWI in Luxury SUV: $151
  • Departure Private Transfers: Washington to Baltimore Airport BWI in Luxury Van: $159
  • Departure Private Transfers: Washington to National Airport DCA in Business Car: $72
  • Departure Private Transfers: Washington to National Airport DCA in Luxury SUV: $78

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Baltimore

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Baltimore:

  • Private Transfer: Baltimore to Baltimore Airport (BWI): $622
  • Baltimore City to New York City - Private Car Transfer: $454
  • Baltimore City to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - Departure Private Transfer: $448
  • Baltimore to New York J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) - Departure Private Transfer: $448
  • Baltimore City to Newark International Airport (EWR)- Departure Private Transfer: $411
  • Private transfer from or to BWI , PHL , MDT airports and PA: $350
  • Baltimore City to Philadelphia City - Private Car Transfer: $311
  • Private Airport Transfer to Washington DC from Baltimore: $280
  • Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) to Washington - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $219
  • Baltimore City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer: $168
  • Private Baltimore Transfer: Cruise Port to Airport or Hotel: $143
  • Private Baltimore Transfer: Hotel to Airport or Cruise Port: $143

Is it cheaper to fly into Washington or Baltimore?

Prices for flights to both Baltimore 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Washington $38
    Baltimore $46
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:

  • Seattle: Pike Place Market Plant-Based Food Tour: $64
  • Washington DC: 3-Hour Italian Food Tour: $65
  • Washington DC Food Tour: Italian Cuisine in Dupont Circle: $65
  • Washington, DC: The Original Brew Tour with Tasting & Dinner: $70
  • Adams Morgan Food Tour: $76
  • Washington DC: Private Food Tour Experience: $79
  • Capitol Hill Walking Food Tour: $79
  • U Street Neighborhood Food Tour: $99
  • 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
  • Washington DC Dinner Cruise On The Odyssey: $146

Typical Food prices in Baltimore

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Baltimore:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2) in Fells Point
    $76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Baltimore

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Baltimore.

  • Federal Hill Food Tour: $71
  • Little Italy and Jonestown Food Tour: $71
  • Fells Point Food Tour in Baltimore: $73
  • Spirit of Baltimore Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $100
  • Baltimore Helicopter Sightseeing Tour Plus Dinner: $288
  • Platinum Package - Helicopter Tour with Dinner at Ruth's Chris or Capital Grille: $315
  • Baltimore Helicopter Tour plus Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $321

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Washington $24
    Baltimore $18

Tours and Activities in Washington

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

  • Tidal Basin: Stroll around the cherry blossoms and monuments on an audio tour: $5.00
  • The National Mall: Discover the monuments and their memories on an audio tour: $5.00
  • Lincoln's Assassination: Explore Lincoln's final day on this audio walking tour: $5.55
  • The Kennedy Homes: Explore the colonial architecture on this audio walking tour: $5.55
  • Washington DC Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Washington DC Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Virtual Tour of Martin Luther King Memorial: $18
  • Virtual Tour African American Heritage in Washington DC: $19
  • Washington, DC: US Capitol Building Entry with 1-Hour Tour: $20
  • City Sightseeing Chester Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $21
  • DC Ghost Tour: $24
  • Advance Tickets to Washington, D.C.'s Newseum: $24

Tours and Activities in Baltimore

Here are a few actual costs in Baltimore for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hour Chesapeake Signature Cruise: $15
  • Baltimore City Historical Tours with a local private tour guide.: $250
  • Baltimore Helicopter Sightseeing Tour: $151
  • Baltimore Inner Harbor Sailing Experience: $49
  • Baltimore Inner Harbor Sightseeing Tour: $23
  • Baltimore Inner Harbor: 2-Hour Buffet Lunch Cruise: $77
  • Baltimore Monuments Walking Tour: $12
  • Baltimore Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Baltimore Tour-shuttle service: $190
  • Baltimore Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $22
  • Fells Point Walking Food and History Tour: $90
  • Bay of a hundred islands cruise. West Cork. Private guided. 50 mins.: $432

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Washington $19
    Baltimore $17

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
  • Haunted Washington D.C. Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $27
  • Washington DC: Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
  • DC: 'New York Times Journeys' Walking Tour with Beer, Cheese and Wine Tasting: $120
  • Seattle All-Inclusive: Hike Mt. Rainier and Wine Tasting: $278
  • NOVA Private Custom Wine Tours & Tasting from DMV: $645
  • 6 Hours Northern VA Wine Tour: $920

Sample the Local Flavors in Baltimore

Also in Baltimore, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Sip of Baltimore Brewery Tour: $90
  • Westminster Region Wine Tour: $97
  • Chesapeake Region Wine Tour: $97
  • Heritage Region Wine Tour: $97
  • Chocolate and Wine Tour: $106

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Washington and Baltimore, 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.


When is the best time to visit Washington or Baltimore?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Washington or Baltimore in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Washington as well as Baltimore. The summer months attract visitors to Washington because of the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Washington is around the same temperature as Baltimore. Typically, the summer temperatures in Washington in July are around 79°F (26°C), and Baltimore is about 78°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Washington this time of the year. In the summer, Washington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Baltimore. Washington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Baltimore. Washington usually gets less rain in July than Baltimore. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Washington 79°F (26°C) 
    Baltimore 78°F (25°C)

Should I visit Washington or Baltimore in the Autumn?

Both Baltimore and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 October, Washington is generally around the same temperature as Baltimore. Temperatures in Washington average around 60°F (15°C), and Baltimore stays around 57°F (14°C).

Washington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Baltimore during autumn. Washington gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Washington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Baltimore. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Washington or Baltimore in the Winter?

Both Baltimore and Washington during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Washington for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Baltimore can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Washington. Washington is much warmer than Baltimore in the winter. The temperature in Washington is usually 35°F (1°C) in January, and Baltimore stays around 32°F (0°C).

In the winter, Washington often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Washington gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun.

Washington usually gets less rain in January than Baltimore. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Washington 35°F (1°C) 
    Baltimore 32°F (0°C)

Should I visit Washington or Baltimore in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Washington and Baltimore. Many visitors come to Washington in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Washington is a little warmer than Baltimore. Typically, the spring temperatures in Washington in April are around 56°F (14°C), and Baltimore is about 54°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Baltimore this time of the year. In Washington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Washington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Baltimore during spring. Washington gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Washington usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Washington 56°F (14°C) 
    Baltimore 54°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Washington

Washington Baltimore
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 32°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Feb 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 35°F (2°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jun 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 78°F (25°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 76°F (25°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 47°F (9°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 37°F (3°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)


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The Avery Georgetown From $284 The Fairmont Washington DC From $283 Eaton DC From $204 Lyle Washington DC From $179 Morrison Clark Inn From $139
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Washington vs. Baltimore Travel Comparison

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