With this Virginia travel cost guide, you can explore average prices and plan a trip that fits your budget. The Virginia trip cost calculator uses travel expense data from thousands of previous visitors, including typical hotel costs, food and dining prices, entertainment and sightseeing expenses, and transportation information. Virginia is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities, so don't make a budget mistake that causes you to miss out on something important.
How much does it cost to travel to Virginia?
A typical traveler spends $185 per day on a trip to Virginia. This is the average daily price for a vacation in Virginia based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $60 on meals
- $49 on local transportation
- $159 on hotels
A one-week trip to Virginia for two people costs, on average, $2,590. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from thousands of other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Is Virginia expensive to visit?
In Virginia, budget travelers spend $77 per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $185 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $416 per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Virginia.
Virginia is a smaller destination that draws visitors with a range of travel styles, spending habits, and budget preferences. Affordable hotel choices are available, but luxury hotels also cater to the more affluent clientele, along with mid-range accommodations that are perfect for families and couples.
You may find Virginia to be expensive in some places, but there are ways to keep your budget in check, like looking for discounts and coupons.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Virginia is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to many other destinations.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Virginia Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Virginia?
The average Virginia trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Virginia travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Virginia cost?
Virginia on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$34
|
$80
|
$164
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$20
|
$49
|
$112
|
|
Food2
|
$25
|
$60
|
$140
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$9.70
|
$24
|
$56
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$4-11
|
$10-29
|
$25-74
|
Accommodation Budget in Virginia
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Virginia can be very surprising. Some hotels have much higher price tags than others, and in turn offer higher levels of luxury and more amenities. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. The average price for a hotel room in Virginia in the off-season is $, but in the peak travel season it will average around $. In general, you can expect hotel prices in Virginia to range from $ to $. Hostels are typically much cheaper, especially if you stay in a dorm. Also, note that the average hotel price is not always what travelers will pay (see below). You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too, along with taking advantage of sale prices or special deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Virginia for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $159. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $80 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Virginia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and avoid ), you'll find lower accommodation prices and less tourist crowds.
Transportation Budget in Virginia
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $49 per person, per day, on local transportation in Virginia. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Virginia is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$49
By plane, the state of Virginia is serviced by a few major airports. Washington-Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are in the northern part of the state, Richmond International Airport services the central and southern parts, and Norfolk International Airport caters to eastern Virginia.
By train, Amtrak offers passenger rail service to many Virginia cities, including Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Richmond, Norfolk, Charlottesville, and Staunton. For destinations in Northern Virginia, the best stops are Union Station in Washington, DC and the Fredericksburg station.
By car, there are a few routes depending on what direction you come from. I-81 is the main route from Tennessee and continues through Virginia into Maryland and Pennsylvania, I-66 connects Northwestern and Northern Virginia with Washington, DC, and I-95 runs north-south through Virginia connecting Washington, DC to Fredericksburg and Richmond and on to North Carolina. Other major routes include I-85 and I-64.
If you're driving, make sure your hotel has convenient parking.
A few of the typical transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO) for $50 details
- Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Reagan Airport(DCA) for $215 details
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO) for $50 details
How much does it cost to go to Virginia? 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 Virginia 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 Virginia
Cuisine often serves as a primary motivation for travel, so make sure to indulge in the local dishes.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Virginia can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Virginia is $60 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$60
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Virginia is around $60 ($60) per person, with previous travelers spending from $25 to $140. 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 Virginia are as follows:
- Breakfast: $6 to $18
- Lunch: $9 to $24
- Dinner: $18 to $42
- Coffee: $5
- Fast Food or Street Food: $9
As far as food goes, many of Virginia's signature dishes are common throughout much of the Southern United States as well. Country ham is a particular favorite, as is barbeque-mostly pork with a vinegar-based sauce. Brunswick stew is another traditional favorite, thought to have originated in Brunswick County in the southeast; it is a thick vegetable stew with meat. Desserts like marble cake and shoofly pie come largely from the Pennsylvania Dutch, while fried peaches with vanilla ice cream is considered a more upscale dessert. Then there is peanut soup which dates back to colonial times, maple syrup and pancakes are popular in the more mountainous regions of the Shenandoah Valley, while the coastal regions, especially near the Chesapeake Bay, are very well known for fresh seafood dishes. Some of these selections include items like oysters, blue crabs, bay clams, blue fish, bay scallops, haddock, and shad-and are almost always seasoned with a spice mix called Old Bay.
Several hotels include breakfast with your stay, while others charge separately for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly depending on the hotel. Knowing this in advance can guide your budget decisions. It could be worth it for the tasty buffet available at the hotel, or you may wish to find a cheaper option at a local bakery or cafe.
Keep a water bottle handy instead of buying drinks everywhere. It's also a great way to reduce waste.
If you're considering a tour, double-check which meals are included in the package. There may be instances where you'll have to pay for your own meals, potentially stretching your budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Virginia, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Delicious Pizza & Ice Cream Tour of Richmond for $94 details
- The Carytown Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours for $90 details
- Church Hill Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours for $90 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Virginia
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Virginia typically cost an average of $24 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.
$24
When it comes to sights, Virginia's highlights involve its outdoor scenery and its history. Closer to nature attractions lie mostly to the west with the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park in the Shenandoah Valley, as well as the Appalachian Mountains located in the highlands of Southwest Virginia. Crabtree Falls in Nelson County is one of the tallest sets of waterfalls in the U.S., while the Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County presents a natural landform that has become iconic to the region. You might also wish to explore below the earth, diving deep into the reaches of the Shenandoah Caverns, and the beaches, of course, are great for relaxing along the coast.
Then there are the historic places, like the triangle of Yorktown, Jamestown, and Colonial Williamsburg, which has always been very popular with visitors. Colonial Williamsburg in particular has many interesting buildings and acts as a living museum with blacksmiths and silversmiths manning the workshops, a tailor specializing in colonial attire, a traditional print shop, the governor's mansion and garden, and very many others. It is a fun and easy way to delve into colonial life and learn a bit about the history of the settlement. The College of William and Mary also resides in Williamsburg and is definitely worth a walk through campus. And then there is Mount Vernon, the plantation of George Washington, first President of the United States, and his wife, Martha.
The regions that are full of nature, lying mostly to the west, are hot spots for visitors hoping to experience some of Virginia's great outdoors. Activities here mostly consist of hitting the hiking trails, backpacking, camping, wildlife watching, and fishing. The Brew Ridge Trail is a great way to see the Blue Ridge Mountains while indulging in some craft beer selections of the region. Current destinations on the trail include Wild Wolf Brewing Company, Blue Mountain Brewery, Blue Mountain Barrel, Devil's Backbone Brewing Company, South Street Brewery, and Starr Hill Brewery.
The historic sites can occupy days of activity during a stay in Virginia with tours, live demonstrations, and hands-on activities, while the cities have plenty of opportunity for dining, shopping, and entertainment. And if you're looking for a more thrilling time in Virginia, Busch Gardens is a popular theme park covering 383 acres northwest of Virginia Beach.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Virginia. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Exclusive Private Colonial Williamsburg Walking Tour by a Local for $95 details
- Historic Fredericksburg Tours in a open view 1920's Model-A Wagon for $29 details
- Yorktown Museum, Battlefields & Historic Area-Private Guided Tour for $250 details
Nightlife Budget in Virginia
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $19 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Virginia per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$19
The nightlife is always tempting, but cutting down on drinks is an effective way to manage your travel spending.
Tasting tours and nightlife activities are very popular in Virginia. A few of the favorites from previous visitors include:
- Brewery Tour of Richmond, VA for $90 details
- Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour for $270 details
- 5 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour for $270 details
Travel cost data last updated: Apr 24, 2026
Traveling in Virginia
Virginia Beach, VA
One of the original thirteen British colonies, Virginia is a place of rich history and varied environments. You might explore the historic settlement of Colonial Williamsburg, dive into the current culture of its major cities, or get lost in nature along the coast or in the scenic landscape of the Appalachian Mountains. There's a little something for everyone.
Regions
Virginia's landscape is vast and varied with mountains in the west, rural countryside at its center, beaches and coastal towns in the east, and a handful of cities dotted throughout. The capital city of Virginia is called Richmond. Located in the central part of the state, the area also features historic sites from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Northern Virginia consists of the populated region bordering Washington DC, while Southwest Virginia is mostly rural and defined by the Appalachian Mountains. Then there is the Shenandoah Valley which is bordered by the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Eastern Virginia which is home to popular tourist spots like Virginia Beach as well as the historic trio of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. Other major cities include Arlington, Alexandria, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Norfolk, and Roanoke.
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Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's essential to keep realistic expectations for your travel budget. Many people think they can visit Virginia cheaply, but most travelers aren't comfortable with an extreme "shoestring" budget. Consider what you truly enjoy on vacation. Do you prefer resorts, vacation homes, or hostels? Is experiencing attractions and dining important to you? Your budget and itinerary will depend on your answers to these questions.
The Truth on Budget Travel
Although you may consider yourself a budget traveler, unless you're ready to cut out many creature comforts, you'll likely spend much more than the $77 per day that young budget travelers often get by on.
For backpackers, this tight budget typically involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest eateries or fast food joints, using public transportation, and sticking to free attractions.
Do You Identify as an Average Traveler?
Couples and families traveling for leisure often prefer mid-range hotels, dine at popular eateries, and visit key museums and attractions that require an entry fee. Most visitors to Virginia will want to visit the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. It's important to remember that most activities will cost you money. Consequently, you should anticipate your daily budget to be closer to $185 per person, per day.
What Luxury Travel Looks Like
If you're looking for an all encompassing trip with every amenity and a higher level of service, then prepare yourself for a price tag closer to $416 per day. To stay in a nicer hotel, eat at award winning restaurants, splurge on extravagant excursions, and take taxis or private drivers to get around the destination, you'll need to be prepared for a more "luxury" set of prices. Many high-end visitors also prefer unique experiences such as Arrival Private Transfer: Dulles Airport IAD to Washington in Luxury Car - offered by Viator.
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.
