Arlington is an educational city known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation. This will help you plan the best trip to Arlington and stay within your ideal travel budget, whether you're exploring the museums, eating the delicious cuisine, or enjoying the nightlife.
How much does it cost to travel to Arlington?
You should plan to spend around $323 per day on your vacation in Arlington. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $139 on meals
- $49 on local transportation
- $262 on hotels
A one week trip to Arlington for two people costs, on average, $4,522. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$2,261
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2 Weeks
Per person
$4,522
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One Month
Per person
$9,690
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One Week
For a couple
$4,522
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2 Weeks
For a couple
$9,044
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One Month
For a couple
$19,380
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Arlington cost?
A one week trip to Arlington usually costs around $2,261 for one person and $4,522 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Arlington on average costs around $4,522 for one person and $9,044 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Arlington will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Arlington on average costs around $9,690 for one person and $19,380 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Arlington expensive to visit?
Arlington is a great city that brings in a diverse crowd of visitors, each with unique travel styles and spending behaviors. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
If you choose to make it so, Arlington can be very pricey, but you can reduce your expenses by eating at less expensive restaurants and taking public transit.
On average, budget travelers spend $155 per day, mid-range travelers spend $323 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $594 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Arlington.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Arlington is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Honolulu or Chicago.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Arlington Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Arlington?
The average Arlington trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Arlington travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Arlington cost?
Arlington on a Budget
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$57
|
$131
|
$250
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$22
|
$49
|
$94
|
Food 2
|
$61
|
$139
|
$266
|
Entertainment 1
|
$4.65
|
$11
|
$20
|
Alcohol 2
|
$4-11
|
$8-25
|
$16-47
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
When planning your trip to Arlington, it's important to be realistic about your travel budget. While some people assume they can travel very cheaply, most people aren't comfortable on an extreme shoestring budget. Consider what you enjoy most on vacation and how you like to travel. Do you perfer to stay in resorts, hotels, or hostels? Do you enjoy sightseeing and dining out? These factors will affect your overall budget and travel plans.
What Defines a Budget Traveler?
You might think you're a budget traveler, but unless you're willing to sacrifice many comforts, expect to spend a lot more than the average of $155 per day that backpackers typically manage.
Younger budget travelers sometimes stick to a shoestring budget, which usually means staying in hostel dorms, eating at budget restaurants or fast food, relying on public transportation or walking, and limiting activities to free attractions.
Additionally, the city has great public transportation options, helping budget travelers save on expensive taxi or Uber costs. The culinary scene is a major highlight for those visiting Arlington, but budget travelers often eat street food or cook for themselves in hostels, which can mean missing out on delicious local dishes.
So, are you average?
If you're a family or couple enjoying a vacation, you'll probably want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at well-liked restaurants, and check out significant museums and attractions that charge entry fees. It's common for visitors to Arlington to seek out the major attractions, museums, and significant landmarks. Most activities aren't free. So, you should realistically expect your daily budget to be around $323 per person, per day.
The range of hotels and vacation rentals in Arlington is impressive. If you're traveling with others, sharing your hotel with a partner, friend, or kids allows you to split the costs and save money. Families will want to find hotels and restaurants that accommodate children. Residence Inn Arlington Capital View is a solid choice for families, while Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel also offers great options. For additional family and couple-friendly hotels, refer to our hotel guide for Arlington here.
Looking to Travel in Luxury?
If your ideal trip includes every luxury and top-tier service, be ready to budget around $594 per day. A stay at nicer hotels, meals at prestigious restaurants, fancy excursions, and getting around the city with taxis or private drivers will cost you more.
Accommodation Budget in Arlington
In Arlington, hotel prices can be quite surprising. Higher-end hotels offer more amenities and luxury, but come at a higher price tag, especially during the peak summer season. Off-season prices average around $184, but in peak season, they can average around $343. Prices generally range from $119 to $644, and hostels remain the cheaper option. Booking early or traveling during the low season can save you money, and you might find special deals along the way.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Arlington for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $262. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $131 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Arlington? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Arlington include:
- Crystal Gateway Marriott starting at $182
- Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport starting at $215
- Hyatt Centric Arlington starting at $184
- The Westin Arlington Gateway starting at $158
- Residence Inn Arlington Capital View starting at $150
Arlington's great public transit offers the flexibility to stay farther from the city, but be mindful that your transportation costs may increase, and it could be a time drain.
Visiting in the low or shoulder season, rather than during summer, will give you cheaper lodging options and fewer tourists to navigate around.
Many travelers like to navigate Arlington on foot which can save on transportation costs. So, you'll want to stay in a more central location. This could mean higher hotels prices, though.
Transportation Budget in Arlington
Public transit in Arlington is highly reliable. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections. It's the most affordable and fastest way to get around, but taxis and rideshares are also at your service throughout town.
Visitors who prefer to navigate the area by walking will have a delightful experience. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.
Public Transit: (excellent)
Walkability: (great)
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $49 per person, per day, on local transportation in Arlington. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Arlington is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$49
Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Ronald Reagan DCA Airport Transfers for $160 details
How much does it cost to go to Arlington? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Arlington will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Arlington
The culinary delights in Arlington are remarkable, so be sure to set aside time to taste all the local specialties. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Arlington can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Arlington is $139 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$139
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Arlington is around $139 ($139) per person, with previous travelers spending from $61 to $266. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Arlington are as follows:
- Breakfast: $14 to $42
- Lunch: $21 to $56
- Dinner: $42 to $98
- Coffee: $11
- Fast Food or Street Food: $21
While traditional Virginian cuisine consists of dishes like barbeque, Brunswick stew, peanut soup, and seafood closer to the coast, the city of Arlington has over a thousand restaurants that fit nearly every budget and taste. From contemporary American eats to ethnic varieties like Thai, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Greek, Italian and many more, Arlington cuisine is abundant and diverse. The Clarendon neighborhood probably has the largest concentration of restaurants within a few blocks of the metro station, Shirlington neighborhood is a bit less crowded, while Crystal City has many options for dining as well. Some of the best restaurants as rated on TripAdvisor include Carlyle, Legal Sea Foods, Ray's the Steaks, El Pollo Rico, Ted's Montana Grill, Italian Store, Quarterdeck, Jaleo, Yayla Bistro, Silver Diner Clarendon, Liberty Tavern, and Harry's Smokehouse Burgers & BBQ.
Some hotels include breakfast in the overall cost, while others add it as an extra charge. The quality and price of breakfast can vary greatly depending on the hotel. Being informed beforehand can help you determine if you need to set aside additional funds. The hotel's buffet may be worth it, or you might consider visiting a local bakery or cafe for a more budget-friendly option.
Choose to carry a water bottle instead of buying drinks all day. It's a good choice for the environment.
If you're going to take a tour, make sure you understand which meals are included. You could end up paying for some food yourself, which might affect your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Arlington
It's not a shock that Arlington draws crowds, as it is known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and budget-friendly accommodations.
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Arlington typically cost an average of $11 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$11
Arlington is perhaps most known for being home to the Arlington National Cemetery. This national military cemetery is famous for including John F. Kennedy's tomb and the house of General Robert E. Lee. Visitors come to explore the grounds and also watch the changing of the guard ceremony in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which occurs regularly on the hour for much of the year. The cemetery is adjacent to another renowned site of the United States-the Pentagon. Covering 4 zip codes, it is the largest office building in the world with tours available in certain areas-though security remains very tight. The city is also home to the Pentagon Memorial where Flight 77 hit in 2001, the Iwo Jima Marine Corps War Memorial, and the United States Air Force Memorial. The Arlington Historical Museum is also worth a visit, housed in a historic school building.
As for the surrounding nature, the Potomac River runs along the eastern border of Arlington. Theodore Roosevelt Island can be accessed from Arlington by a footbridge across the river and offers a pleasant nature walk in a little oasis of natural woods.
Once you have exhausted the endless supply of historic sites and monuments that Arlington and the nearby DC area have to offer, the city has a few more activities up its sleeve that might appeal during your visit. Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse, for example, hosts a unique dining and entertainment experience where visitors can sit down to meals while inside a movie theatre. The venue also hosts live comedy shows and large-screen viewings of major sports events, plus a Drafthouse for those over the age of 22. Along the same lines as entertainment, the Synetic Theater at Crystal City shows many Shakespeare plays, while The Comedy Spot is host to stand up acts and local variety shows. The early shows at The Comedy Spot are family friendly, and the late shows are adult only.
If you're looking to get out and be a little more active, you might want to pop into the Kettler Capitals Iceplex for some ice skating. The rink is open to the public year-round and was built specially for the Washington Capitals professional hockey team. Of course, you can also get out by exploring the sights of the city on foot-a particularly peaceful spot being the small national park on Theodore Roosevelt Island.
Museums and Attractions:
Arlington's museums and landmarks are must-sees for any visitor. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Nightlife Budget in Arlington
Visitors to Arlington find the nightlife exhilarating, enjoying nights filled with fun at the local bars, clubs, and parties. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $17 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Arlington per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$17
The nightlife scene is a lot of fun, but reducing how much you drink can go a long way in keeping your budget on track.
Drinking at night can be fun, but make sure you're aware of your surroundings. You could attract pickpockets, so it's best to stick with people you trust and stay in a group.
Traveling in Arlington
Arlington, Virginia
Located just across the Potomac River from Washington DC, capital of the United States, Arlington is a city that also has many government sites and monuments that commemorate the nation's past. Two of its most famous features include Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon-the largest office building in the world.
Neighborhoods & Around
As far as shopping, dining, and entertainment goes, the neighborhoods to frequent in Arlington would be Clarendon, Shirlington, and Crystal City. Clarendon has the largest concentration of restaurants, plus a Wednesday farmer's market that features organic produce, baked goods, plants, herbs, homemade soaps and other items for sale. Additionally, it is host to local parades and celebrations especially on "Clarendon Day" on a Saturday in mid-October which features four live music stages, local food booths, clothing, jewelry, antiques and collectibles sales, children's games and rides, and other local traditions. This neighborhood is located just to the northeast of Arlington Cemetery, while hubs like Pentagon City and Crystal City are situated to the south of the Pentagon. Other prominent neighborhoods include Rosslyn, Lyon Village, Cherrydale, Virginia Square, and Ashton Heights.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
We used to metro to get everywhere. It's affordable and convenient, and best of all, you don't have to worry about parking.