Should you visit Washington or Norfolk?
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 Norfolk 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.
Norfolk
The city of Norfolk in the U.S. state of Virginia is a port city holding a large Navy and shipping presence in its harbor. With a long history as a strategic military point, Norfolk is home to the largest Navy base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk. Other attractions include opportunities for dining, shopping, and entertainment as well as many parks and memorials.
Which city is cheaper, Norfolk 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 Norfolk is $133. 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 Norfolk 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.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $68. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Norfolk the cost is $136 on average.
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.
Norfolk food costs typically run travelers around $39 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Washington $30
Norfolk $39
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:
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Washington D.C.: 3.5-Hour Georgetown Food Tour:
$65
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Washington DC: 3-Hour Italian Food Tour:
$65
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Washington DC Food Tour: Italian Cuisine in Dupont Circle:
$65
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Adams Morgan Food Tour:
$76
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Lonely Planet Experiences: DC Morning Food Tour on H Street:
$79
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Washington DC: Private Food Tour Experience:
$79
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Capitol Hill Walking Food Tour:
$79
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Washington, DC: The Original Brew Tour with Tasting & Dinner:
$81
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U Street Neighborhood Food Tour:
$89
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Washington DC Odyssey Dinner Cruise:
$100
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Private French Cooking Class with an Expert in the Heart of Washington DC:
$108
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Washington, DC 3-Hour Dinner Buffet Cruise:
$122
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Norfolk
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Norfolk.
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Spirit of Norfolk Dinner Cruise on the Elizabeth River:
$84
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 cost of a taxi ride in Norfolk is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $44 per person, per day, on local transportation in Norfolk.
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:
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Airport Transfer to and from Dulles International IAD Airport:
$160
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DCA Private 1-Way Transfer from D.C. City Center Hotels:
$97
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DCA to D.C. City Center Hotels: 1-Way Private Transfer:
$102
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Departure Private Transfers : Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Business Car:
$118
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Departure Private Transfers : Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury SUV:
$154
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Departure Private Transfers : Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury Van:
$154
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Departure Private Transfers: Washington to Baltimore Airport BWI in Business Car:
$119
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Departure Private Transfers: Washington to Baltimore Airport BWI in Luxury SUV:
$151
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Departure Private Transfers: Washington to Baltimore Airport BWI in Luxury Van:
$159
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Departure Private Transfers: Washington to National Airport DCA in Business Car:
$72
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Departure Private Transfers: Washington to National Airport DCA in Luxury SUV:
$78
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Departure Private Transfers: Washington to National Airport DCA in Luxury Van:
$82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Norfolk
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Norfolk:
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Private Arrival Transfer: PFH to Outer Banks North Carolina by Luxury Vehicle:
$283
Is it cheaper to fly into Washington or Norfolk?
Prices for flights to both Norfolk 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.
Entertainment
In Washington, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $19 per person, per day.
Entertainment and activities in Norfolk typically cost an average of $11 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
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The National Mall: Discover the monuments and their memories on an audio tour:
$5.00
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Tidal Basin: Stroll around the cherry blossoms and monuments on an audio tour:
$5.00
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Lincoln's Assassination: Explore Lincoln's final day on this audio walking tour:
$5.55
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The Kennedy Homes: Explore the colonial architecture on this audio walking tour:
$5.55
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Washington DC Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$14
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Washington DC: Arlington Nat. Cemetery Ticket & Tram Tour:
$15
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Washington DC Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$15
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Virtual Tour of Martin Luther King Memorial:
$18
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Virtual Tour African American Heritage in Washington DC:
$19
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DC: Museum of the Bible Exclusive Early Admission Ticket:
$20
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Washington, DC: US Capitol Building Entry with 1-Hour Tour:
$20
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Haunted History Ghost Tour:
$21
Tours and Activities in Norfolk
Here are a few actual costs in Norfolk for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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1/2 Day E-Bike Tour of Norfolk's History and Art:
$79
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1/2 Day E-Bike Tour of Norfolk's History and Art:
$78
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Candle Making Experience:
$69
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City Sightseeing Norwich Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$19
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E-Bike Cannonball Trail Guided History Tour of Norfolk:
$59
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Neon District Contemporary Art Walking Tour:
$32
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Norfolk Chronicles History Walking Tour:
$36
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Norfolk Passport to Fun City Sightseeing and Discount Book:
$52
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Best of Norfolk Guided E-Bike Tour:
$60
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Self-Guided E-Bike Tour Elizabeth River Trail 2-Hour/3rd Hour Free:
$50
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Spirit of Norfolk Lunch Cruise on the Elizabeth River:
$61
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.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Norfolk may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $8.39 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
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Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam:
$12
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Haunted Washington D.C. Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
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DC: 'New York Times Journeys' Walking Tour with Beer, Cheese and Wine Tasting:
$120
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NOVA Private Custom Wine Tours & Tasting from DMV:
$645
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6 Hours Northern VA Wine Tour:
$920
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Washington and Norfolk, we can see that Washington is more expensive. And not only is Norfolk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Norfolk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Norfolk 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 Norfolk.
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