Should you visit Washington or Detroit?
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 Detroit 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.
Detroit
Detroit is the largest city in the Midwestern state of Michigan. Near Downtown, the neoclassical Detroit Institute of Arts is famed for the Detroit Industry Murals painted by Diego Rivera, and inspired by the city's ties to the auto industry, giving it the nickname "Motor City." Detroit is also the birthplace of Motown Records, whose chart-topping history is on display at their original headquarters, Hitsville U.S.A.
Which city is cheaper, Detroit 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 Detroit is $112. 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 Detroit in more detail.
Local 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, DC: Private Airport Transfer(SUV): To or From: (DCA) Reagan National:
$180
-
Washington, DC: Potomac Mills Outlet Private Transfer:
$357
-
Washington to Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA) - Departure Private Transfer:
$61
-
Washington to Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) - Departure Private Transfer:
$97
-
Washington to Newark International Airport (EWR) - Departure Private Transfer:
$491
-
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 to Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) - Departure Private Transfer:
$109
-
Washington Reagan Airport Transfer to Baltimore & D. C.:
$15
-
Washington City to Philadelphia City - Private Car Transfer:
$392
-
Washington City to New York City - Private Car Transfer:
$516
-
Washington City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer:
$168
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Detroit
Also for Detroit, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer: Detroit to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW):
$622
-
Detroit Airport (DTW) to Detroit City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$212
-
Private Transfer From Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Detroit City: One Way Arrival Transfer:
$149
-
Private Transfer from Detroit City to Detroit (DTW) Airport:
$122
-
Private Transfer from Detroit (DTW) Airport to Detroit City:
$122
-
Detroit Airport (DTW) to Detroit City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$106
-
Detroit City to Detroit Airport (DTW) - Departure Private Transfer:
$106
-
Transfer from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Detroit:
$100
-
Detroit - Wayne County Airport One Way Transfer:
$80
-
Private Departure Transfer to Detroit Airport DTW:
$43
Is it cheaper to fly into Washington or Detroit?
Prices for flights to both Detroit 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 $30
Detroit $36
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Detroit
For Detroit, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Fresh Mediterranean Inspired Cooking Class in a Unique Detroit Home:
$94
-
Detroit Revival Food Tours:
$139
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
-
"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
-
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
-
3-Hour Washington, D.C Urban Adventure Scavenger Hunt:
$44
-
30-Minutes Supercar Driving Pilot Experience in Washington DC:
$275
-
Advance Tickets to Washington, D.C.'s Newseum:
$24
Tours and Activities in Detroit
For Detroit, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
2020 Preservation Detroit Saturday Eastern Market Tour:
$18
-
90 minute Segway Experience:
$64
-
Detroit Beer History Walking Tour:
$39
-
Detroit Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$30
-
Detroit Walking Tour Including Rides on the People Mover:
$29
-
Pre Mother's Day Detroit Shopping Tour:
$49
Alcohol
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Washington and Detroit, we can see that Washington is more expensive. And not only is Detroit much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Detroit would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Detroit 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 Detroit.
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