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

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Should you visit Washington or Wisconsin Dells?

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 Wisconsin Dells can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Washington or Wisconsin Dells?

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.

Wisconsin Dells

Located in central Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells offers natural beauty, fun rivers, and some of the area's most famous theme parks. Wisconsin Dells is one of the two towns that make up "The Dells." The other town, Lake Delton, is another popular Midwestern tourist spot.

Wisconsin Dells is about an hour north of Madison and two hours from Milwaukee. It's famous for its striking rock formations and scenic bluffs. The town's name comes from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, which is an impressive gorge that was originally formed by a glacier.

Which city is cheaper, Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Washington and Wisconsin Dells in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Washington $91
    Wisconsin Dells $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Washington $182
    Wisconsin Dells $112
Compare Hotels in Washington and Wisconsin Dells

Looking for a hotel in Washington or Wisconsin Dells? 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 Wisconsin Dells


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 Wisconsin Dells Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Washington $37
    Wisconsin Dells $28
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 Wisconsin Dells?

Prices for flights to both Wisconsin Dells 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
    Wisconsin Dells $34
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
    Wisconsin Dells $37

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

Tours and Activities in Wisconsin Dells

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

  • 1-Hour Guided WildThing Jet Boat Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $31
  • City and History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $24
  • Haunted History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $25
  • Wisconsin Dells 1 Hour Land & Water Duck Tour: $31

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Washington $15
    Wisconsin Dells $7.31

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 Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Washington is more expensive. And not only is Wisconsin Dells much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wisconsin Dells would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells.


When is the best time to visit Washington or Wisconsin Dells?

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 Wisconsin Dells in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Washington is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the summer temperatures in Washington in July are around 79°F (26°C), and Wisconsin Dells is about 74°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wisconsin Dells. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Washington this time of the year. In the summer, Washington often gets less sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Washington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 309 hours of full sun.

Washington usually gets more rain in July than Wisconsin Dells. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Washington 79°F (26°C) 
    Wisconsin Dells 74°F (24°C)

Should I visit Washington or Wisconsin Dells in the Autumn?

Both Wisconsin Dells 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 October, Washington is generally a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Temperatures in Washington average around 60°F (15°C), and Wisconsin Dells stays around 52°F (11°C).

Washington usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during autumn. Washington gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 171 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Washington usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Washington 60°F (15°C) 
    Wisconsin Dells 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Washington or Wisconsin Dells in the Winter?

Both Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells. It's quite cold in Washington in the winter. Washington is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the winter. The temperature in Washington is usually 35°F (1°C) in January, and Wisconsin Dells stays around 19°F (-7°C).

In the winter, Washington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wisconsin Dells. Washington gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 141 hours of full sun.

Washington usually gets more rain in January than Wisconsin Dells. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Washington 35°F (1°C) 
    Wisconsin Dells 19°F (-7°C)

Should I visit Washington or Wisconsin Dells in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Washington is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the spring temperatures in Washington in April are around 56°F (14°C), and Wisconsin Dells is about 49°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wisconsin Dells this time of the year. In Washington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Washington usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during spring. Washington gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 208 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Washington usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Washington 56°F (14°C) 
    Wisconsin Dells 49°F (10°C)

Typical Weather for Wisconsin Dells and Washington

Washington Wisconsin Dells
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 19°F (-7°C) 1 inches (25 mm)
Feb 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 24°F (-5°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 36°F (2°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 49°F (10°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 60°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Jun 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 70°F (21°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 52°F (11°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)
Nov 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 39°F (4°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Dec 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 25°F (-4°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)


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Washington vs. Wisconsin Dells Travel Comparison

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