A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Washington vs. Virginia Beach for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

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Should you visit Washington or Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Washington

Washington is a monument-filled, international, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and beaches.

Washington and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Washington
Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Big city activities
  • Impressive beauty
Virginia Beach
Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Cons
  • Less popular for food
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable


How is Washington different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Virginia Beach and Washington. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Washington or Virginia Beach Better for Food?

Washington
Virginia Beach

Foodies will appreciated the dining options available in Washington a bit more than Virginia Beach.

Washington has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. You can find restaurants from almost any cuisine here, so it's worth exploring and stepping out of your comfort zone.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Virginia Beach. Seafood is plentiful around town. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.


Is Washington or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

Washington
Virginia Beach

The vibe at night is comparable in Washington and Virginia Beach.

Many people head to Washington for the nightlife scene. Head into Dupont Circle, U Street, and even Arlington to enjoy some of the area's best nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Virginia Beach. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Washington or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Washington
Virginia Beach

You'll find kid-friendly activities in either Washington or Virginia Beach.

Washington is a very family-friendly destination. It is a fun and educational destination where kids can explore world class museums and try unique foods from all around the world.

Virginia Beach is a very kid-friendly city. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches.

Is Washington or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

Washington
Virginia Beach

Both Washington and Virginia Beach are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Washington is a nice destination for couples. The city lights up at night, so couples will enjoy wandering by the monuments in the evening or taking in a dinner and show.

Virginia Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk around Virginia Beach.

Is Washington or Virginia Beach Better for Public Transit?

Washington
Virginia Beach

Washington has better public transit to get you around.

With a huge network, the transit system in Washington can get you around easily. The metro system and the bus system are reliable and efficient ways to explore the city.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach.


Is Washington or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Washington
Virginia Beach

Washington is generally more walkable than Virginia Beach.

Washington is a very easy city to get around on foot. Many neighborhoods around the city are easy to explore on foot. Most tourists spend a lot of time in the Mall area, which is very pedestrian friendly.

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Washington?

How long in Washington or Virginia Beach?

Both Washington and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Washington is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Virginia Beach is 5-7 days.


  • How many days in Washington or Virginia Beach? Ideal Length of Stay
    Washington 3-7 
    Virginia Beach 5-7

One day in Washington or Virginia Beach?

Because Washington is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With nightlife around the bustling coastal city of Virginia Beach, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Washington or Virginia Beach?

Washington is a great place to explore. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

With nightlife around the destination of Virginia Beach, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Washington or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Washington. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Virginia Beach, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


A week in Washington or Virginia Beach?

Because Washington is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Virginia Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Which city is cheaper, Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach is $104. 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 Virginia Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Washington $91
    Virginia Beach $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Washington $182
    Virginia Beach $120
Compare Hotels in Washington and Virginia Beach

Looking for a hotel in Washington or Virginia Beach? 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 Virginia Beach


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 Virginia Beach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Washington $37
    Virginia Beach $31
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:

  • 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 City to New York City - Private Car Transfer: $516
  • Washington to Newark International Airport (EWR) - Departure Private Transfer: $491
  • Washington City to Philadelphia City - Private Car Transfer: $392
  • Washington, DC: Potomac Mills Outlet Private Transfer: $357
  • Private transfer from or to IAD , DCA , PHL , MDT airports , VA and Philadelphia: $320
  • Washington Airport Transfers: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury Car: $218
  • BWI Airport: Transfer to Baltimore or Washington DC: $200
  • Washington, DC: Private Airport Transfer(SUV): To or From: (DCA) Reagan National: $180
  • Washington City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer: $168
  • Airport Transfer to and from Dulles International IAD Airport: $160

Typical Local Transportation prices in Virginia Beach

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:


  • Beach Parking
    $10

Is it cheaper to fly into Washington or Virginia Beach?

Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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
    Virginia Beach $25
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Washington $19
    Virginia Beach $17

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 Virginia Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.

  • All-Inclusive, Autumn Weekend Tour for GROUPS of 10-16: $5,901
  • RIDE ALONG GREEK GODS & AQUATISM *Certified Tours*: $75
  • Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $62
  • Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $62
  • Sunset Stand Up Paddleboard Tour of Linkhorn Bay: $41
  • Tour of Virginia Beach (half day), for GROUPS of 10-16: $499
  • Tour of Virginia Beach, for GROUPS of 10-16: $831
  • Haunted Walking Ghost Tour: $22
  • Wetland Zip Tour: $61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Washington $15
    Virginia Beach $8.51

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Washington and Virginia Beach, we can see that Washington is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.


When is the best time to visit Washington or Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

Both Virginia Beach and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Washington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Washington is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Washington in July are around 79°F (26°C), and Virginia Beach is about 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Washington. Washington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach during summer. Washington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. In July, Washington usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Washington 79°F (26°C) 
    Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Washington or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

Both Virginia Beach and Washington during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Washington is generally around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Temperatures in Washington average around 60°F (15°C), and Virginia Beach stays around 62°F (16°C).

In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Washington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. Washington gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun.

Washington usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Virginia Beach. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Washington 60°F (15°C) 
    Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C)

Should I visit Washington or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Washington and Virginia Beach. Many visitors come to Washington in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the cuisine during these months.

Virginia Beach can be very cold during winter. Washington can get quite cold in the winter. Washington is much colder than Virginia Beach in the winter. The temperature in Washington is usually 35°F (1°C) in January, and Virginia Beach stays around 39°F (4°C).

Washington usually receives less sunshine than Virginia Beach during winter. Washington gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Washington usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Washington 35°F (1°C) 
    Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C)

Should I visit Washington or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Washington as well as Virginia Beach. Most visitors come to Washington for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Washington is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Washington in April are around 56°F (14°C), and Virginia Beach is about 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Washington this time of the year. In the spring, Washington often gets less sunshine than Virginia Beach. Washington gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun.

Washington usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Virginia Beach. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Washington 56°F (14°C) 
    Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Washington

Washington Virginia Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Feb 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 49°F (10°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 67°F (19°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Jun 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 79°F (26°C) 5.7 inches (145 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 78°F (25°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 62°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
Nov 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Dec 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)


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Washington vs. Virginia Beach Travel Comparison

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