8 Things to Know Before Planning Your DC Trip
I booked a trip to DC for my birthday in April after finding out that Palm Springs has direct flights to the nation’s capital (and they were cheap)! I had an amazing time but as someone visiting DC for the first time, here are some things I wish I had known before going + some tips you should know as you’re in the planning stage for your own DC trip.
Let’s start with the one that hit my wallet the hardest:
1. Hotels are pricey, so book early
DC is not a cheap city to stay in. I booked about two months in advance, thinking I was early enough, only to find that most hotels in walkable, central neighborhoods were already charging $300+ a night. And that was for the nice but not fancy category. I visited during the first weekend of April, right after the cherry blossoms bloomed around the Tidal Basin, which is basically high season for tourism. So yes, the timing played a role, but from what I gathered, prices stay fairly steep year-round unless you catch a random lull.
We ended up staying at Hotel AKA Washington Circle, which turned out to be a solid pick. It’s close to Foggy Bottom Metro, had good-sized rooms, and the front desk handed us complimentary glasses of champagne at check-in!
That said, even this “good deal” was on the higher end of what I’d typically spend on a hotel in any city, so here’s what I’d recommend:
Book as early as possible. Like, 3-4 months out if you can. Especially if you’re going during cherry blossom season, school breaks, or any time Congress is in session.
Consider neighborhoods like Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, or Penn Quarter. They’re central, walkable, and close to major attractions. Capitol Hill and the Wharf are also great if you don’t mind slightly more transit time.
Watch out for surprise fees. Some hotels charge a daily “destination fee” of $20–$30 for perks like coffee and “access to local experiences.” That’s fine, but you don’t want to find out about it at checkout.
If you're on a tighter budget, you might want to look into staying slightly outside the downtown core (like Arlington or Alexandria) and using the Metro to get around.
2. Prepare for ALL types of weather
If you’re heading to DC in the spring—especially around cherry blossom season—just know that the weather is all over the place. I’m not exaggerating when I say the forecast changed almost every single day leading up to my trip. One minute it was showing highs in the 50s, then suddenly 70s, then rain, then sun. I packed mostly warm clothes based on the earlier forecasts and quickly realized that was a mistake.
The first two days we were there, it was hot, humid, and hovering around 70 to 80 degrees with a drizzle here and there. I was sweating in my jeans and leggings, but trying to power through. Then—bam! The last two days dropped into the high 40s/low 50s, and suddenly I’m dealing with frigid, biting cold with a side of downpour. I’m from Palm Springs where 40/50-degree weather is not common during the day so even with all my warm clothes, I wouldn’t say I was prepared.
Spring in DC is what they call a transitional season, meaning the weather can (and will) turn on you with no notice. If you're coming around late March or April, pack like you're preparing for three different trips: something for warm, humid, sunny afternoons; something for chilly mornings and evenings; and something for random downpours.
If you’re visiting in summer, prepare for intense humidity. DC summers are no joke. You’ll sweat just walking to breakfast, so breathable fabrics, water, sunscreen, and maybe a hotel with laundry access aren’t bad ideas. Bring an umbrella too, because summer thunderstorms are quick but dramatic. Some hotels like the one we stayed at actually let you borrow umbrellas by the door so you don’t have to bring or buy your own.
Fall tends to be beautiful and much more comfortable, but again, layers are your best friend. And if you're visiting in winter, bundle up. It might not be Chicago-level cold, but it's cold enough to hurt if you’re underdressed and walking outside a lot (which you will be).
Bottom line: pack options and check the forecast, but don’t trust it too much.
3. The ride from Dulles + using other airports
Getting from Dulles Airport (IAD) to downtown DC isn’t exactly quick or cheap so it pays to shop around a bit. It’s about a 35 to 40-minute drive without traffic, and when I landed, I checked Uber first. It quoted me around $70, and with tip, I would’ve been looking at close to $85. That was a “no” for me, so I opened Lyft (which is usually pricier in my experience), and to my surprise, it was only $43. Same ride, same time. So always check both apps before booking.
If you’re trying to avoid ride-share costs altogether, there are other options:
The Metro: As of late 2022, the Silver Line now connects Dulles to the rest of the DC Metro system. It’s not the fastest option (expect around an hour and 15 minutes to reach downtown), but it only costs a few bucks and drops you in the city without needing to transfer buses or trains. If you're traveling light and not in a rush, this is a solid budget choice.
Airport shuttle or bus: There are a few express bus services like the Fairfax Connector that run to Metro stations, but they’re better suited for locals or people very familiar with the area. If you’re visiting and just want simple and direct, stick to ride-share or the Metro.
Car rentals: Not worth it or necessary unless you’re planning to explore Virginia or the surrounding suburbs. DC is very walkable and public transit-friendly, so you really don’t need a car while you’re in the city.
Basically, don’t just default to one app out of habit. A quick comparison could save you $30 or more like it did for me, which you can put toward a nice dinner or museum donation instead.
One more thing: You might be thinking, “What about Reagan National Airport (DCA)?” And you’re right, DCA is way closer to downtown. Like, you can practically see the monuments from the runway. Many people actually prefer flying into DCA for the convenience alone.
But, there’s been some recent controversy around safety at DCA. In January 2025, there was a tragic mid-air collision over the Potomac involving a commercial flight and a military helicopter. Since then, there’ve been reports of a few other close calls. So now, some travelers are opting to avoid DCA altogether and fly into Dulles or even BWI instead, just for peace of mind.
Personally, I used Dulles because (as I mentioned earlier) I could get a direct flight and it was cheap. For me, it worked out fine, even though it’s further out, but the end of the day, do what works best for you.
4. Rideshare apps are not always reliable
For the most part, getting around DC with Uber or Lyft was easy, but not always. There were two times in particular when we were basically left stranded and had to scramble to figure things out.
The first time was when we were heading to dinner at Thip Khao, a Laotian restaurant that I couldn’t wait to try because it had amazing reviews (and I’ve never had food from Laos). We were walking near the Washington Monument, and that afternoon, a few hours before our reservation, there were some protests in the area. A few streets were blocked off, so we walked well past the barricades, thinking we’d be able to catch a ride once we were away from the protests.
There were plenty of cars on the road, but for some reason, every time we tried to call a ride, the apps just didn’t work. I could see drivers on the map, but they weren’t moving—or they’d disappear completely. We kept walking further from the blocked roads, like a good mile out, and after trying for over 20 minutes, we gave up, canceled the reservation, and ended up going to Doi Moi instead (a Vietnamese restaurant which turned out to be delicious!)
The second time we got left on read was when we had a reservation at Albi. This is one of the hardest reservations to snag in DC, so I was not trying to miss it.
We had just finished drinks at PLANTA Queen in the West End and needed to get to Navy Yard—about a 20-minute drive. We gave ourselves 30 minutes to get there, which should’ve been more than enough time, except the rideshare apps weren’t cooperating again. No drivers. No pickups. Just a lot of staring at the loading screen and refreshing. Fortunately, a random taxi happened to pull up right in front of us, and the driver was heading toward Navy Yard anyway, so he took us and saved us from being late for the most-anticipated dining experience of our trip.
I’m also not the only person who’s noticed how finicky rideshare services can be in DC. From what I noticed, mornings and evenings were fine—getting a ride before 11 am or after 8 pm wasn’t a problem at all. But afternoons were hit-or-miss, especially around busy areas or if something was going on (like events or road closures).
Here’s how to prepare:
Always build in extra time, especially if you have a reservation or event you can’t miss.
Keep a taxi number saved, or know where the nearest hotel or major street is, in case you need to flag one down.
Be ready to walk a few blocks if you need to get away from a congested area.
Download the Metro app too. If you’re near a station, the train might be more reliable during peak hours than waiting for a car that may never show.
Basically, ridesharing in DC works until it doesn’t. So have a backup plan, just in case.
5. Restaurants are pricey
DC is a major city and a tourist hotspot, so it’s no shocker that eating out isn’t cheap. But depending on where you’re coming from, the prices might still surprise you. I’m from California, which is already up there in terms of food costs—and living in Palm Springs, we basically pay a “tourist tax” every time we dine out. So I went into this trip expecting similar price points, and that’s exactly what I found.
Pita bread at Albi in DC
Meals at most sit-down restaurants, even the more casual ones, were usually $18 and up per entrée. Cocktails? Often $15 or more. It wasn’t outrageous compared to what I’m used to, but if you're coming from a city or state with a lower cost of living, you’ll definitely feel it.
I had also heard a few people say that the food in DC isn’t great for the price, which made me a little nervous. So before my trip, I did some research and made a short list of places that were highly recommended by locals and tourists on Reddit and TikTok. Because of that, I’d say most of the meals we had were solid. But the few times we stopped into random restaurants while walking around? Meh. Totally forgettable.
Of course, you can find cheaper eats—there are food trucks, fast-casual spots, and hole-in-the-wall gems—but if you’re aiming to try the well-reviewed, buzzed-about restaurants, just know you’ll be paying for it.
Tip: If you want to save money without sacrificing quality, look into lunch menus or happy hours at nicer spots. A few places offered smaller versions of their dinner dishes at a lower price earlier in the day.
6. At some restaurants, tips are automatic
One thing that caught me off guard—and honestly added to how pricey DC feels—is that a lot of restaurants automatically include a 20% service charge. So even if you weren’t planning to tip that much, or at all, it’s already baked into the bill.
Suya and jollof rice at Swahili Village in DC
Definitely check your receipt before adding anything extra. Some places aren’t super obvious about it. For example, when I ate at Swahili Village, the 20% service fee was included on the printed receipt, but when I went to pay on the card reader, it still asked if I wanted to add a tip. We ended up tipping an extra 6% from the subtotal just to be nice—but that was the only time we tipped more than what was already included.
This practice is becoming more common in cities like DC, NYC, and San Francisco, especially post-pandemic as restaurants try to guarantee fair wages for staff. But every place handles it a little differently. Some call it a “service fee,” others a “living wage fee,” or “hospitality charge,” and a few even say it’s split between the back-of-house and front-of-house staff.
Savvy tips to keep in mind:
Always scan your receipt before adding a tip—look for words like service fee, gratuity, or hospitality charge.
Don’t feel pressured to double tip unless you genuinely want to. The 20% is already meant to cover what you’d normally tip.
Ask your server if you’re unsure. It’s not awkward, and they’re usually happy to clarify.
So, just be alert when you’re paying. That $50 meal for two can quietly turn into a lot more if you’re not paying attention.
7. Book visits for DC attractions early
One of the best surprises about DC? So many of the main attractions are completely free. And I’m not talking about “technically free, but they charge you $8 for audio guides and $12 for lockers.” I mean really, truly free. Coming from California, and more specifically Palm Springs, where even a museum visit as a local can run you $20+, I was shocked (and impressed) that almost everything we wanted to see—Smithsonian museums, the Capitol, the National Mall, even some private spots like The People’s House—didn’t cost a thing.
But here’s the catch: even if admission is free, some places still require a reservation. Most of the Smithsonian museums don’t, but the National Museum of African American History and Culture (aka the Blacksonian) definitely does. I actually saw a family get turned away at the entrance for not having a ticket. (They were eventually let in a minute later, but still—not a fun moment.) I booked mine about 2–3 weeks before our trip and it was nearly full for our target date. Moral of the story? Book early if you can.
Another example: I tried to book a Capitol tour about two weeks before our trip, and all the weekend time slots were already gone. I had started planning the trip two months in advance, so I definitely could’ve locked it in earlier, I just didn’t realize it would fill up. I checked back every day just in case and eventually noticed that new slots were opening up one day in advance. So if I checked on a Friday, I’d sometimes see spots for Saturday. That ended up being how I got in—by grabbing a last-minute slot the day before.
Bottom line:
Look into reservations as soon as you start planning
Don’t assume “free” means “no prep needed”
And if you miss the window, don’t give up, just check again closer to your visit
8. If you love to walk, you’ll love DC
DC is a walker’s city. We easily had multiple 10K-step days without even trying. If it’s your first time visiting, chances are you’ll want to pack in as much as you can: monuments, museums, neighborhoods, and walking is honestly one of the best ways to see it all.
Since we stayed in Washington Circle, we were very centrally located—only about a 25-minute walk to the National Mall, where a bunch of the city’s biggest attractions are clustered together. From there, it’s just a matter of weaving your way through the monuments: Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, MLK Memorial, and more. You’ll also pass some of the major museums like the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
A first-time trip to DC is not complete without a walk through the National Mall at some point during your trip. You can start at one end and stroll your way through history. Depending on how many stops you make, you can cover the whole thing and snap pics at the major landmarks in about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Just wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and try to go in the morning or late afternoon to early evening when the light’s nice and the crowds are lighter. If you’re someone who enjoys wandering and seeing things up close, DC is the kind of place that rewards you for ditching the car and getting your steps in.
DC has a lot to offer, and even with the hiccups, like unpredictable weather, spotty rideshares, and the occasional overpriced meal, it’s still one of those cities that leaves an impression. Between the history, the walkability, and the skyline views at sunset, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and soak it all in. Hopefully, these tips help you plan a trip that’s just a little less stressful and a lot more memorable.
