Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Washington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Washington or Halifax?
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 Halifax can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Washington or Halifax?
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.
Halifax
The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.
Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.
When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWashington $198Halifax $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Washington is $198, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $114. 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 Washington and Halifax in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWashington $113Halifax $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWashington $226Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Washington and Halifax
Looking for a hotel in Washington or Halifax? 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.
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 Halifax Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Washington $47Halifax $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
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Metro Day Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Washington, DC: Airport Transfer to/from DCA or IAD: $350
- Washington to Washington Airport (IAD) Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Washington to Newark Airport Departure Private Transfer: $187
- Washington to NY Kennedy Airport(JFK)- Departure Private Transfer: $199
- Washington to Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Washington to Baltimore Airport (BWI) Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA): Transfer to Washington: $173
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Washington DC: Private Transfer to Airports or Baltimore: $160
- Washington DC: DCA Private Transfer from/to Downtown: $110
- Washington DC: Bus transfer from/to Philadelphia: $5.74
- Washington Airport (DCA) to Washington RoundTrip Private Transfer: $116
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax
Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
- Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
- From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
- Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
- Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
- Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Washington or Halifax?
Prices for flights to both Halifax 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
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Food Meals for one dayWashington $38Halifax $31
Typical Food Prices in Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water$2.00
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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:
- DC: Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Spirit: $69
- Washington DC Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- DC: Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $74
- Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $85
- Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $97
- Washington, DC: African American History Tour with Dinner: $108
- Washington,DC: Union Market Private Food Tour: $125
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
- Washington DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $140
- Washington DC Premier Dinner Cruise: $144
- Washington DC: Personalized & Private Food Tour with a Local: $151
- Private Traditional Filipino Cooking Class Near Washington DC : $154
Typical Food Prices in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Bluenose II Restaurant$45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Washington $24Halifax $28
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- See DC In A Day: Guided Small Group Ultimate Day Tour : $99
- 2 For 1! DC Highlights & Arlington Cemetery Tour Bundle: $84
- 2 Hour Guided Bike Tour of Capitol Hill: $55
- 2-Hour African American Heritage Tour in Washington DC: $25
- 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour : $75
- 2-Hour National Mall Walking Tour from Washington DC: $25
- 4 Hours Washington Tour with Boat Cruise: $169
- A Self-Guided Tour of Washington DC's Monumental Marvels: $25
- Admission & Guided Tour of Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria: $99
- African American History Private Tour w/ Museum Entry: $450
- African American History Tour with Museum Admission: $89
- African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket: $90
Tours and Activities in Halifax
For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
- From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
- From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
- Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
- Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
- Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
- City Segway Tour: $67
- Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Full Day City Sightseeing Tour: $1,675
- Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWashington $19Halifax $15
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
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C.: $59
- Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $59
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
- From Washington DC: Seneca Creek Region Wine Tour with Lunch: $175
- Full-Day Private Virginia Wine Tour Experience from Washington : $242
- Private Washington DC Virginia Winery Wine Tasting Tour -Spirited: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Washington and Halifax, we can see that Washington is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Halifax.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Washington Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Washington or Halifax?
Washington has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Halifax. When comparing the sizes of Washington and Halifax, 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.
When is the best time to visit Washington or Halifax?
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.
Should I visit Washington or Halifax in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Washington and Halifax. The hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Washington this time of year.
Washington is a little warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in Washington averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Halifax this time of the year. In Washington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Washington usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during summer. Washington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Washington usually receives less rain than Halifax. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyWashington 79°F (26°C)Halifax 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Washington or Halifax in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Washington as well as Halifax. Many travelers come to Washington for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Washington is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Washington in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).
In the autumn, Washington often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Washington gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Halifax. Washington usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWashington 60°F (15°C)Halifax 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Washington or Halifax in the Winter?
Both Halifax and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Washington in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Halifax can be very cold during winter. Washington can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Washington is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Washington average around 35°F (1°C), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).
Washington usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during winter. Washington gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In January, Washington usually receives less rain than Halifax. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWashington 35°F (1°C)Halifax -4°C (24°F)
Should I visit Washington or Halifax in the Spring?
Both Halifax and Washington during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Washington for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
The weather in Halifax can be very cold. Washington is much warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in Washington averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
It's quite sunny in Washington. In the spring, Washington often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Washington gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.
Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Washington usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilWashington 56°F (14°C)Halifax 4°C (39°F)
Typical Weather for Halifax and Washington
| Washington | Halifax | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | -4°C (24°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | -1°C (31°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 14°C (57°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 5°C (40°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | -1°C (29°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.