Washington from the UK: what a trip really costs
What a day costs in Washington, when to go, the visa for British travellers and the sights not to miss. Every figure comes from Trip720's checked data, with its source. Updated 26 Oct 2026.
Plan my Washington tripDay to day in Washington, per person
| Style | Food | With transport |
|---|---|---|
| Street food and markets | £32 | £41 |
| A balanced mix | £64 | £73 |
| Mostly restaurants | £96 | £105 |
- Local transport: about £9 a day. Taxi: £3 to start, then £1.20 a km.
- Cooking for yourself: about £16 a day for food.
- Tipping: about 18% where service is good.
Your stay, flights and activities come on top: the planner prices them for your dates. Sources: livingcost.org, code.dccouncil.gov, dfhv.dc.gov; in GBP at today's rate.
When to go
4°F
6°M
11°A
18°M
23°J
28°J
31°A
30°S
27°O
20°N
13°D
7°
The most pleasant months are April and October. January is the driest month (67 mm of rain) and June the wettest (118 mm).
Bars: rain each month; green: the most pleasant months. Numbers: average daytime high. Source: NASA POWER climatology.
Best time to visit United States, place by placeCompare: United States or Canada · Mexico or United States · Japan or United States · Australia or United States
Visa for British travellers
Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program, or a US visa
Fee: $40 a person.
Allow at least 7 days before you fly.
Official source: gov.uk, checked 2026-10-26. Rules change: your plan checks your own passport when you build it.
Not to miss in Washington
National Museum of African American History and Culturemuseum · half a dayBook ahead. Free but timed passes essential; book online weeks ahead. Start in the history galleries below ground
National Air and Space Museummuseum · half a dayFree, but timed-entry passes are required; Wright Flyer and Apollo 11 command module
Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Poolmonument · a couple of hoursOpen 24 hours; most atmospheric at dusk when the monuments are lit
Library of Congresslandmark · a couple of hoursFree timed passes; the Great Hall and the Main Reading Room overlook are the sights
Washington Monumentmonument · a couple of hoursBook ahead. Lift to the top needs a timed ticket (released online the day before); free to walk around
National Mall monuments walkpark · a full dayTwo miles from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial; Washington Monument, WWII and Vietnam memorials on the way
Arlington National Cemeterycemetery · half a dayChanging of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, JFK's grave and Arlington House; Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery
Georgetown and the C&O Canalneighbourhood · half a dayFederal-era streets, M Street shops, the canal towpath and the Washington Harbour waterfront
- United States Capitol tourexperience · a couple of hours
Free guided tour of the Rotunda from the Visitor Center; reserve online. Walk through to the Library of Congress tunnel
- Tidal Basin paddle boats and cherry treesexperience · a couple of hours
Paddle past the Jefferson and MLK memorials; cherry blossoms late March to early April
From our research of travel guides; ticket prices from Tiqets when we found them. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licences.
Questions travellers ask
How much does a day in Washington cost?
Food and getting around come to about £41 a person a day eating street food, £73 with a balanced mix and £105 eating mostly in restaurants, before your stay and activities.
When is the best time to visit Washington?
The most pleasant months are April and October. January is the driest month (67 mm of rain) and June the wettest (118 mm); daytime highs run from 4 to 31 °C over the year.
Do British travellers need a visa for United States?
Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program, or a US visa, $40. Checked on gov.uk on 2026-10-26; rules change, so check again before you book.
What should I not miss in Washington?
National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Air and Space Museum, Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, Library of Congress, Washington Monument.
Your whole Washington trip, priced from your door
Trip720 adds the flights from the UK, the stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa for your dates and budget, home to home.
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