Comparison · Boston vs Washington, D.C. · United States
Boston 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: Ian Howard, CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
Choose Boston for Freedom Trail, American Revolution history and beaches; choose Washington, D.C. for National Mall, Smithsonian museums and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 634 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 634 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Boston
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Washington, D.C.
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Boston | Washington, D.C. | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Freedom Trail, American Revolution history and Clam chowder | National Mall, Smithsonian museums and Lincoln Memorial |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $260–$420 | $250–$400 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 28°C (82°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 3°C (37°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 18 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 7 |
| Beaches | Revere Beach | — |
| Airports | BOS, PVD, MHT | DCA, IAD, BWI |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Boston for…
Freedom Trail, American Revolution history and beaches. Boston is one of the oldest cities in the US and one of the most walkable: the 4-km Freedom Trail links sixteen Revolutionary-era sites from Boston Common to Bunker Hill, and most central neighbourhoods are within a 30-minute walk of each other. Visitors…
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
| # | Boston | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freedom Trail | National Mall |
| 2 | Boston Common and Public Garden | Lincoln Memorial |
| 3 | Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market | Washington Monument |
| 4 | Museum of Fine Arts | United States Capitol |
| 5 | Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum | Library of Congress (Jefferson Building) |
Food compared
| Boston | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|
| New England clam chowder | Half-smoke |
| Lobster roll | Mumbo sauce |
| Fried clams | Ethiopian injera and wot |
| Oysters | Steamed blue crabs |
Which is cheaper?
Boston and Washington, D.C. cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $260–$420 in Boston and $250–$400 in Washington, D.C. (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Washington, D.C. on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Boston and Washington, D.C. are about 634 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Boston and 4 in Washington, D.C..
Questions travellers ask
+Is Boston or Washington, D.C. cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $260–$420 in Boston and $250–$400 in Washington, D.C. (estimates).
+Is Boston or Washington, D.C. better for a first trip?
Pick Boston for Freedom Trail, American Revolution history and beaches, or Washington, D.C. for National Mall, Smithsonian museums and free sights.
+How far is Boston from Washington, D.C.?
About 634 km in a straight line.