Are you dreaming of visiting Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States? It’s an awesome place to see cool things like the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and amazing museums. But you might think it costs a lot of money to travel there.

Guess what? It doesn’t have to! If you’re wondering how to save money traveling in Washington, D.C., you’ve come to the right place. You can totally see all the great stuff D.C. has to offer without emptying your piggy bank. This guide will show you easy ways to save money on your trip and avoid those pricey tourist traps. Let’s get started!

How to Save Money in Washington, D.C.’s Transportation System

Getting around a new city can sometimes cost a lot, but not in D.C.! You have some really good ways to save money on transportation, which is a key part of how to save money traveling in Washington, D.C.

First, think about using the Metrorail and Metrobus. These are trains and buses that go all over the city and even out to the city’s suburbs in Maryland and Virginia. 

Image of a Metrobus in Washington, D.C. Metrobus is one of the most cost-effective ways to save money traveling in D.C.
A Metrobus traveling in Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: Katherine Rodriguez)

You can buy a card called a Smartrip and put money on it, and then just tap it to ride. It’s often cheaper than taking taxis or ride-sharing cars everywhere. Plus, it can be faster, especially during busy times when there’s a lot of traffic. You can even plan your trips using your phone to see which trains or buses to take.

A Smartrip D.C. Metro card. This Metro card is an easy way to save money traveling in D.C.
Image of a Smartrip D.C. Metro card. (Photo credit: Katherine Rodriguez)

Another super fun and cheap way to save money in D.C. is to get around by walking! D.C. is a very walkable city, especially around the National Mall where many of the famous monuments and museums are. Put on some comfy shoes and explore! You’ll get some exercise and see things you might miss if you were just in a car or bus.

Did you know you can also rent a bike or a scooter? D.C. has bike-sharing and scooter-sharing programs where you can pick up a bike or scooter at one station and drop it off at another.

Some of these programs include Capital Bikeshare and Lime, which is used in several different cities including D.C. and the surrounding suburbs. This is a great way to see a lot of the city at your own pace and it’s usually cheaper than renting a car for the day. Just be sure to follow the rules for cyclists and scooter-riders and wear a helmet!

A Lime scooter and bicycle. Riding on scooters or bicycles is a great way to save money traveling in D.C.
A parked Lime scooter and bicycle. (Photo credit: Katherine Rodriguez)
A Capital Bikeshare station. Capital Bikeshare is a great way to save money traveling in D.C.
A Capital Bikeshare station on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: Katherine Rodriguez)

Finally, if you’re coming from a nearby city like Baltimore, look into taking a train or a budget bus instead of flying.

If you’re coming from Maryland, the MARC commuter rail has several lines that come from different areas of Maryland into D.C.’s Union Station, such as the Baltimore Penn line, the Camden Line and the Brunswick Line which extends all the way out to West Virginia!

If you’re coming from Virginia, you can take the VRE into Union Station from different points in Virginia. Sometimes these options can be a way to save money traveling in Washington, D.C., and you won’t have to worry about airport hassles.

How to Save Money on Food in Washington, D.C.

Eating out for every meal can really add up when you’re traveling. But don’t worry, D.C. has lots of yummy and affordable food options, and figuring out how to save money traveling in Washington, D.C. often starts with your food budget.

One of the best ways to save money is to bring your own snacks and drinks. Pack some granola bars, fruit, crackers, and a reusable water bottle. You can refill your water bottle throughout the day, especially at the museums. This will help you avoid buying expensive snacks and drinks at touristy spots.

Think about having a picnic! D.C. has many beautiful parks and green spaces, like the National Mall.

However, D.C. has a bunch of lesser-known and less touristy parks and green spaces that are free to access and good for picnicking such as the U.S. National Arboretum, as well as other local spaces such as Rock Creek Park and Meridian Hill Park.

You can buy groceries at a local supermarket and make your own sandwiches and salads. It’s a fun way to enjoy the outdoors and a smart way to consider how to save money on meals.

The U.S. National Arboretum. It has free admission and is a great way to save money traveling in D.C.
A photo of the U.S. National Arboretum. (Photo credit: Katherine Rodriguez)

When you do want to eat out, try to avoid restaurants right next to the major tourist attractions. These places often charge more because they know lots of tourists will eat there. Walk a few blocks away, and you’ll often find restaurants with better prices and maybe even more local flavor.

Consider the local favorite, Ben’s Chili Bowl, located on U Street not far from the U Street/Cardozo Metro stop for some good, cheap eats that range from burgers to their famous chili dogs.

Ben's Chili Bowl at night in Washington, D.C.'s U Street neighborhood. You can save money traveling in D.C. while enjoying some of the best local food U Street has to offer.
Ben’s Chili Bowl at night in Washington, D.C.’s U Street neighborhood.

Look for lunch specials! Many restaurants in D.C. offer cheaper menus during lunchtime. If you eat a bigger lunch, you might be able to get away with just a small and inexpensive dinner later.

One place I recommend is We The Pizza, located on Capitol Hill near the Library of Congress and a short walk from the U.S. Capitol complex. It has two lunch specials that you can get Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can choose from the “Pizza Pizza Fizz,” which is two slices of pizza and a homemade soda, or a pizza slice and a side salad with a homemade soda. Each of these can be had for a total of $14.50.

A Pizza Pizza Fizz combo at We The Pizza. We The Pizza is a great restaurant where you get great food for a low price and save money traveling in D.C.
A Pizza Pizza Fizz combo at We The Pizza. (Photo credit: Katherine Rodriguez)

Also, explore places like food trucks and local markets. You can often find delicious and affordable food at these spots, which is another great tip for how to save money traveling in Washington, D.C. If you’re exploring the Smithsonian Museums, for example, you can find a bunch of food trucks lined up outside the museums or along the National Mall.

Food trucks lined up outside the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. You can save money traveling in D.C. by getting a cheap meal from one of these trucks.
Food trucks lined up outside the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: Katherine Rodriguez)

If you’re looking for local markets, there is Eastern Market in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, which has lots of different food vendors where you can grab a tasty and budget-friendly meal.

How to Save Money on Attractions in Washington, D.C.

The best part about D.C. is that many of its most famous attractions are completely free! This is a huge factor in how to save money traveling in Washington, D.C. You can spend days exploring the amazing Smithsonian museums – like the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Museum of American History – without paying a single penny.

The front of the National Museum of American History. Seeing the Smithsonian museums is a great way to save money traveling in D.C.
The front of the National Museum of American History. (Photo credit: Katherine Rodriguez)

Don’t forget about the monuments and memorials! Walking around the National Mall and seeing the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, and the World War II Memorial is a powerful and free experience. You can spend hours exploring these outdoor landmarks.

A picture of the Washington monument. Seeing the Washington monument is free and a great way to save money traveling in D.C.
A picture of the Washington monument. (Photo credit: Katherine Rodriguez)

Check for free events and festivals happening during your visit. D.C. often has free concerts, outdoor movies, and cultural festivals, especially during the warmer months. A quick online search before your trip can help you find these fun and free activities. This is a fantastic way to experience the city’s culture without spending extra money, and it’s a key part of how to save money traveling in Washington, D.C.

One of my favorite free events in D.C. happens in May, when Passport D.C. puts on their annual “Around the World” Embassy Tours. This happens during the first weekend in May for non-European Union embassies, and the second weekend in May for all European Union embassies.

Each embassy showcases performances, food, drinks, artwork and more as it opens its doors to the public on each Saturday for the first two weekends in May.

Even some attractions that usually cost money sometimes have free days or discounted hours. It’s worth checking the websites of places you want to visit to see if they offer any special deals during your trip.

Conclusion

Traveling to Washington, D.C. doesn’t have to break the bank. Understanding how to save money traveling in Washington, D.C. really comes down to being smart about how you get around, where you eat, and which attractions you visit, so you can have an amazing trip without spending a fortune. Remember to use public transportation or your own two feet, pack some snacks, explore local eateries, and take full advantage of the many fantastic free things D.C. has to offer. You’ll see that you can experience all the wonders of the capital and have plenty of money left over for souvenirs or your next adventure! So start planning your trip – D.C. is waiting for you!