Comparison · Baltimore vs Washington, D.C. · United States
Baltimore vs Washington, D.C.
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matthew Binebrink, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Baltimore for Inner Harbor, Blue crabs and lower day-to-day costs; choose Washington, D.C. for National Mall, Smithsonian museums and free sights. Baltimore is generally less expensive, and the two are about 56 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 56 km
- Less expensive
- Baltimore
- Best time for Baltimore
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Washington, D.C.
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Baltimore | Washington, D.C. | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Inner Harbor, Blue crabs and Old Bay | National Mall, Smithsonian museums and Lincoln Memorial |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $200–$320 | $250–$400 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 18 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | BWI | DCA, IAD, BWI |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Baltimore for…
Inner Harbor, Blue crabs and lower day-to-day costs. Baltimore grew as a port on the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay, and its waterfront still shapes a visit: the National Aquarium and historic warships at the Inner Harbor, the cobbled streets of Fells Point and the star-shaped Fort McHenry, whose…
Choose Washington, D.C. for…
National Mall, Smithsonian museums and free sights. Washington, D.C. lines up its monuments and the Smithsonian museums along the National Mall, a grassy axis of about 3 km between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. Almost all of the big museums are free, which makes the capital unusually good value for a…
Top sights compared
| # | Baltimore | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Aquarium | National Mall |
| 2 | Historic Ships in Baltimore | Lincoln Memorial |
| 3 | Fort McHenry National Monument | Washington Monument |
| 4 | American Visionary Art Museum | United States Capitol |
| 5 | Federal Hill Park | Library of Congress (Jefferson Building) |
Food compared
| Baltimore | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|
| Steamed blue crabs | Half-smoke |
| Crab cakes | Mumbo sauce |
| Maryland crab soup and cream of crab | Ethiopian injera and wot |
| Pit beef | Steamed blue crabs |
Which is cheaper?
Baltimore is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $200–$320 per person there, against $250–$400 in Washington, D.C. (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Baltimore on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Baltimore and Washington, D.C. are about 56 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Baltimore and 4 in Washington, D.C..
Questions travellers ask
+Is Baltimore or Washington, D.C. cheaper?
Baltimore is usually less expensive: about $200–$320 a day mid-range against $250–$400 (estimates).
+Is Baltimore or Washington, D.C. better for a first trip?
Pick Baltimore for Inner Harbor, Blue crabs and lower day-to-day costs, or Washington, D.C. for National Mall, Smithsonian museums and free sights.
+How far is Baltimore from Washington, D.C.?
About 56 km in a straight line.