Is Seattle Expensive?

Is Seattle expensive to visit?

Seattle is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $205. Compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs, comparable to places like Toronto and Miami.



Seattle's Waterfront

How expensive is Seattle?

On average, visitors spend about $205 per day when visiting Seattle (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $409 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Seattle here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Seattle?

A weekend trip to Seattle costs about $614 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,228.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Seattle?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Seattle costs around $1,432 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,865.



Seattle, Washington

Is it expensive to backpack in Seattle?

While Seattle attracts a few backpackers, traveling on a budget can be challenging because there are only a few hostels around town. The average cost of a hostel in Seattle is $27 per night. The cheapest beds cost about $2 and the most expensive rooms cost around $51. (See hostel prices in Seattle here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Seattle.

  • $2 for a dorm bed at Green Tortoise Seattle Hostel
  • $51 for a dorm bed at American Hotel Hostel

Are hotels expensive in Seattle?

From our analysis of hotel prices in Seattle, we can see that they are fairly affordable and lower in price in comparison to the rest of the world. On average, a night in a hotel room costs approximately $184. The area hosts around 2 five-star hotels, averaging $395 per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $179 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at $112 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Seattle
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 2 $395
4 stars 46 $331
3 stars 64 $179
2 stars 55 $112
1 star 4 $83

86 Pine Street, Seattle
Overall Rating 9.2
18525 36th Ave S., Seattle
Overall Rating 9.2

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Seattle?

Activities and things to do in Seattle can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $16 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $55.

    • 3 Hours Electric Bike Tour of Seattle's Waterways, Nature and Neighborhoods: $87
    • Tours at Climate Pledge Arena: $33
    • One Hour Sightseeing Cruise!: $59
    • Seattle Cocktail Tour : $110
    • Full-Day Small-Group Bainbridge Island Wine and History Tour: $299
    • Henry Mural Tours - 3 hour Immersive Tour of Seattle : $90
    • Capitol Hill Neighborhood Tour: Indie shops, nightlife, history and attitude!: $149
    • Tulip Festival and Skagit Valley Tour: $253

    Is food expensive in Seattle?

    Food in Seattle can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $51 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $58. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

    • Private Seattle Cooking Class with a Chef in Her Home: $198
    • Secret Food Tours Seattle: $65
    • Eat Around the World Seattle Food Tour: $69
    • Plant Based Food Tour in Pike Place Market: $79
    • All - Inclusive Bainbridge Island Winery & Dinner Tour: $299
    • Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours: $67

    Is transportation expensive in Seattle?

    Exploring local transportation in Seattle shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $30 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $46. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.

    More for Seattle

    If you're planning a trip to Seattle, Washington, check out these other informative travel guides.



    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.



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