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

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Should you visit Washington or Hershey?

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

Where Should I go: Washington or Hershey?

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.

Hershey

Often called "Chocolatetown, USA" and "The Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey, Pennsylvania is most known for being home to the famous Hershey's chocolates. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, and has grown to sell products in over sixty countries worldwide. Before the town was named Hershey, it was called Derry Church and was the hometown of the chocolatier. While there are now manufacturing plants in many locations, Hershey, PA, remains the location that draws the crowds. It is the place where the Hershey Company originated and is home to attractions like Hershey Park, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey's Chocolate World.

Which city is cheaper, Hershey 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 Hershey is $170. 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 Hershey in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Washington $91
    Hershey $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Washington $182
    Hershey $182
Compare Hotels in Washington and Hershey

Looking for a hotel in Washington or Hershey? 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 Hershey


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 Hershey Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Washington $37
    Hershey $39
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

Is it cheaper to fly into Washington or Hershey?

Prices for flights to both Hershey 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
    Hershey $49
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 Hershey

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


  • Frozen Hot Chocolate
    $4.19
  • Plain and Fancy Farm
    $46
  • Homemade Apple Butter
    $7.98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Washington $19
    Hershey $43

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

Typical Entertainment prices in Hershey

Here are a few typical costs in Hershey for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Hershey Chocolate World (for 3)
    $75

Tours and Activities in Hershey

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

  • Skip the Line: AACA Museum Admission Ticket: $13
  • Vegas: Taste, Explore & Shop Chocolate Tour: $109

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Washington $15
    Hershey $22

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

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Washington and Hershey, we can see that Hershey 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 Hershey?

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 Hershey in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Washington as well as Hershey. Most visitors come to Washington for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Washington is around the same temperature as Hershey in the summer. The temperature in Washington is usually 79°F (26°C) in July, and Hershey stays around 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hershey. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Washington this time of the year. In the summer, Washington often gets less sunshine than Hershey. Washington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 310 hours of full sun.

Washington usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Hershey. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Washington 79°F (26°C) 
    Hershey 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Washington or Hershey in the Autumn?

Both Hershey and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Washington because of 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 a little warmer than Hershey. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Washington in October are around 60°F (15°C), and Hershey is about 56°F (13°C).

Washington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hershey during autumn. Washington gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Washington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hershey. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Washington 60°F (15°C) 
    Hershey 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Washington or Hershey in the Winter?

Both Hershey and Washington during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Washington this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hershey. It's quite cold in Washington in the winter. In January, Washington is generally much warmer than Hershey. Temperatures in Washington average around 35°F (1°C), and Hershey stays around 30°F (-1°C).

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

Washington usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Hershey. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Washington 35°F (1°C) 
    Hershey 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Washington or Hershey in the Spring?

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

Washington is a little warmer than Hershey in the spring. The temperature in Washington is usually 56°F (14°C) in April, and Hershey stays around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hershey 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 Hershey during spring. Washington gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Washington usually receives less rain than Hershey. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Washington 56°F (14°C) 
    Hershey 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Hershey and Washington

Washington Hershey
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)


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Washington vs. Hershey Travel Comparison

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