Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Washington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Washington or Tucson?
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 Tucson can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Washington or Tucson?
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.
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona is the second largest city in the state and sits at an elevation of 2,400 feet. It's temperature is slightly milder than Phoenix and it is a pleasant place to visit. Most people arrive in the city by car, but Amtrak does travel through Tucson, as does Greyhound. The area is also served by the Tucson International Airport. Once in the city, you'll likely want to have access to a car, as the city is not very pedestrian friendly and public transportation is very much lacking. Many popular and beautiful sights are also outside of town in the surrounding desert, so having access to a vehicle is paramount if you hope to visit any of the places.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWashington $198Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Washington is $198, while the average daily cost in Tucson is $157. 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 Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWashington $113Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWashington $226Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Washington and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Washington or Tucson? 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 Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Washington $47Tucson $27
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:
- private Ronald Reagan, Washington National Airport transfer: $150
- Washington, DC: Airport Transfer to/from DCA or IAD: $350
- Washington to Washington Airport (DCA) Departure Private Transfer: $58
- Washington to Newark Airport Departure Private Transfer: $187
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA): Transfer to Washington: $173
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA) to Washington - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105
- 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 City to Philadelphia City - Private Car Transfer: $135
- Washington City to LaGuardia Airport Departure Private Transfer: $199
- Washington City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Washington or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson 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 $38Tucson $36
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:
- Little Ethiopia Food Tour: $67
- Washington DC Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Small-Group Capitol Hill Walking Food Tour: $75
- Washington DC: Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Spirit: $78
- Dupont Circle Food Tour: $80
- 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:Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $140
- Washington DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $140
- Washington DC Premier Dinner Cruise: $144
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Washington $24Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- 1.5 Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour with Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: $40
- 2 For 1! DC Highlights & Arlington Cemetery Tour Bundle: $84
- 2 Hour Guided Bike Tour of Capitol Hill: $55
- 2 Hours Book Store Tour in Capitol Hill: $80
- 2-Hour African American Heritage Tour in Washington DC: $25
- 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour : $75
- 3-Hour Private Customizable Washington DC City Tour by Luxury Van: $124
- 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
- Alexandria and Mount Vernon Tour from Washington DC: $99
Tours and Activities in Tucson
For Tucson, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Saguaro National Park Self Guided Driving Audio Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWashington $19Tucson $16
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
- DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures: $35
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $59
- DC Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
- Private Washington DC Virginia Winery Wine Tasting Tour -Spirited: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Washington and Tucson, we can see that Washington is more expensive. And not only is Tucson much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tucson would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tucson 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 Tucson.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Washington Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Washington or Tucson?
Washington has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Tucson. When comparing the sizes of Washington and Tucson, 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.
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.