Should you visit Washington or Denver?
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 Denver 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.
Denver
The capital of Colorado, Denver is commonly referred to as "The Mile-High City" because it is at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. It also sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, giving a beautiful backdrop for this metropolitan city. The city is the largest in the Rocky Mountains with a population of more than 600,000 and nearly 3 million in the metropolitan area. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with cowboy roots. It's cultural scene is thriving, and the outdoor recreation in the area is superb. Denver is a rapidly growing city but with change comes challenges. Urban sprawl is a problem and the city's infrastructure has reached its limits. Still, efforts are in place to maintain the character and personality that Denver is known for.
Which city is cheaper, Denver 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 Denver is $174. 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 Denver 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.
A hotel room in Denver is about $138 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
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.
The average price of local transportation around Denver is $81 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
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:
-
Washington Reagan Airport Transfer to Baltimore & D. C.:
$15
-
Private Airport Transfer: Washington to Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA):
$40
-
Washington to Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA) - Departure Private Transfer:
$61
-
Washington Airport Transfers: Washington to National Airport DCA in Business Car:
$72
-
Departure Private Transfers: Washington to National Airport DCA in Business Car:
$72
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Washington to Dulles International Airport (IAD):
$77
-
Private Departure Transfer from Washington City to DCA Regan Washington Airport:
$78
-
Departure Private Transfers: Washington to National Airport DCA in Luxury SUV:
$78
-
Washington Airport Transfers: Washington to National Airport DCA in Luxury SUV:
$82
-
Departure Private Transfers: Washington to National Airport DCA in Luxury Van:
$82
-
Washington Airport Transfers: Washington to National Airport DCA in Luxury Van:
$82
-
Seattle: Private Transfer to/from Seattle Airport (SEA):
$86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Aspen hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$1,592
-
Private Transfer: Denver International Airport (DEN) to Aspen:
$1,321
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Avon/Vail Valley - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$858
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$809
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Aspen hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$796
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone resort - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$672
-
Round trip transfer in private minivan from-to Denver Airport (DEN) to Vail city:
$582
-
Private Transfer: Denver International Airport (DEN) to Vail:
$576
-
Private Denver International Airport Transfer to Vail or Beaver Creek:
$450
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Avon/Vail Valley - Arrival Private Transfer:
$429
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge - Arrival Private Transfer:
$404
-
Private Denver International Airport Transfer to Breckenridge or Keystone:
$400
Is it cheaper to fly into Washington or Denver?
Prices for flights to both Denver 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
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.
The price of a meal in Denver can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $34 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $14 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Washington $30
Denver $34
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 D.C.: 3.5-Hour Georgetown Food Tour:
$65
-
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
Typical Food prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
-
Small-Group Food Tour in Denver:
$69
-
Haunted Denver Walking Food Tour:
$73
-
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver:
$77
-
Walking Food Tour - Best of Union Station & LoDo:
$79
-
Denver Cooking Classes-Local, seasonal, and hands on menus:
$97
Entertainment
In Washington, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $19 per person, per day.
Denver's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $42 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
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 Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
-
1.5 Hour LoDo Walking Tour in Denver:
$25
-
Astrophotography Experience in the Colorado Rockies:
$200
-
Best of Denver Tour:
$64
-
Best of Denver Tour:
$22
-
Bike and Brew Tour:
$60
-
Breckenridge Ultimate Full Day Mountain Tour from Denver:
$115
-
Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour:
$22
-
Craft Beer Tour in Lower Downtown Denver:
$53
-
Denver Ghost Hunt: Mile High Ghost Tour:
$12
-
Denver Ghost Tour:
$23
-
Denver Guided Sightseeing Tour on Motor Scooters:
$112
-
Denver History and Highlights Small Group Tour:
$35
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.
The average person spends about $4.25 on alcoholic beverages in Denver per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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 Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Haunted Denver Ghost and Pub Walking Tour in Lower Downtown:
$26
-
Haunted Denver Ghost and Pub Walking Tour - South Broadway (SoBo):
$27
-
3-Hour Brewery Walking Tour:
$49
-
Craft Distillery Bus Tour:
$71
When comparing the travel costs between Washington and Denver, we can see that Denver 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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