Washington, D.C. or New York City: Which First?

The short answer

Washington, D.C. is the US capital, where monuments and museums line the National Mall from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. The Washington Monument stands in between, and every Smithsonian museum is free. The Metro makes it easy to reach historic Georgetown with its canal and the riverside district with its fish market.

New York City brings museums, Broadway, the skyline and food from around the world together in one city. Manhattan's grid makes navigation easy, and Midtown and Downtown are best explored on foot. The guide also warns that hotels and dining are expensive, so plan your budget.

Best for: Washington, D.C. suits travelers who want to walk between free museums and memorials over 3 to 4 nights. New York City suits travelers who want museums, shows, the skyline and food from around the world over 4 to 6 nights.

• Full Washington, D.C. travel guide →
• Full New York City travel guide →

From the airport to the city

At Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), the Metrorail station is linked to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks. Silver Line trains run to downtown Washington, D.C.; tap a contactless credit or debit card or a transit card at the faregates. Airport taxis run 24 hours a day with no reservation needed, from the stand outside Door 1 or Door 7 on the terminal's lower level.

New York City has several airports. From JFK, the AirTrain to Jamaica or Howard Beach and then the subway into Manhattan is the cheapest option. From Newark (EWR), take the AirTrain and NJ Transit to Penn Station; from LaGuardia (LGA), the free Q70 bus runs to Jackson Heights, where you transfer to the subway.

• Washington, D.C., Silver Line: about 50-55 min to Rosslyn, USD 6.75 to Metro Center on weekdays (USD 2.25-2.50 after 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends)
• Washington, D.C., airport taxi: metered, cash and credit cards accepted (check the airport's official fare estimates)
• New York City, JFK AirTrain + subway: about 60-75 min, about USD 11-12
• New York City, JFK yellow cab: about 45-75 min depending on traffic, about USD 70 flat plus tolls and tip
• New York City, EWR AirTrain + NJ Transit: about 30-40 min, about USD 16-18
• New York City, LGA Q70 bus + subway: about 45-60 min, about USD 3 (subway fare)

How many days, and how much?

The guides suggest 3 to 4 nights for Washington, D.C. and 4 to 6 nights for New York City.

In New York City, daily budgets fall into low, mid-range and high levels. In Washington, D.C., plan around transport costs and the many free sights; hotel and food costs vary by date, so check booking sites.

On Washington's Metrorail, tap the same card when you enter and exit, and everyone aged 5 or older needs their own payment method. On the New York City subway, after 12 paid rides within 7 days on the same card (OMNY), the rest of that week is free. Listed prices in New York City exclude sales tax (about 8.875%), so expect a higher total at checkout.

• Washington, D.C. transport: USD 2.25-6.75 per Metrorail ride (USD 2.25-2.50 after 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends), USD 2.25 per bus ride
• Washington, D.C. unlimited passes: USD 13.50 (1 day), USD 33.75 (3 days), USD 60.75 (7 days)
• Washington, D.C. free: the Smithsonian museums, the National Archives, the National Gallery of Art and the National Mall
• New York City daily budget: low about USD 120-150, mid about USD 300-400, high about USD 700+
• New York City food: pizza slice about USD 4-6, bagel about USD 5-15, food hall meal about USD 15-25

Weather month by month

The guides' best times are April-May and September-October in Washington, D.C. (average highs of 19-26°C, ideal for walking the National Mall) and April to June and September to November in New York City (the most pleasant walking weather). The overlap, April-May and September-October, works well for both.

The two cities' figures below come from different sources and periods. Washington, D.C.: WMO World Weather Information Service — National Weather Service (Washington DC (WMO city data), 1981–2010). New York City: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals (New York Central Park station, 1991–2020). Because the periods differ, treat this as a rough comparison. Each line shows the same month's average high/low and precipitation.

The Washington, D.C. guide says July and August are hot, with average highs of 30-31°C, and December to February is cold, with average highs of 6-8°C and lows of -5 to -3°C; it adds that rain is spread fairly evenly through the year at 68-116 mm a month. In New York City, July and August are hot and humid, and January to February can be bitterly cold. New York City's holiday season (Thanksgiving to New Year) is magical, but hotel prices spike.

• January: Washington, D.C. 6/-5°C, 68 mm; New York City 4/-2°C, 93 mm
• April: Washington, D.C. 19/6°C, 88 mm; New York City 17/8°C, 104 mm
• May: Washington, D.C. 24/11°C, 116 mm; New York City 22/13°C, 101 mm
• July: Washington, D.C. 31/19°C, 93 mm; New York City 29/21°C, 117 mm
• September: Washington, D.C. 26/14°C, 100 mm; New York City 25/17°C, 110 mm
• October: Washington, D.C. 20/7°C, 83 mm; New York City 18/11°C, 111 mm

What you do in Washington, D.C.

On a first visit, the National Mall is the center of everything, with the U.S. Capitol at one end, the Lincoln Memorial at the other and the Washington Monument in between. The Lincoln Memorial is open 24 hours a day, every day, and the Washington Monument is open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Entry to the monument is free but needs a timed ticket (USD 1 fee per ticket when you reserve online), and an elevator takes you to the observation level 500 feet above the ground.

Admission is free at all 17 Smithsonian museums and galleries and the zoo. The National Museum of Natural History needs no tickets, but the National Air and Space Museum requires a free timed-entry pass. Book the guided tour of the U.S. Capitol (Mon-Sat) and the Library of Congress (Tue-Sat) in advance too. At the National Archives you can see the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Save a day for Georgetown, the city's oldest neighbourhood, known for cobblestone sidewalks, grand homes and the peaceful C&O Canal; Waterfront Park is the place for walks along the Potomac. In the evening, head to Southwest & The Wharf, home to the nation's longest continually operating open-air fish market.

• Food: the half-smoke, Ethiopian food on U Street, in Shaw and in Adams Morgan, fish market seafood, food halls and markets
• First-timer base: the National Mall
• History walks and markets: Capitol Hill
• Historic streets and riverfront: Georgetown

What you do in New York City

New York City is a city to explore on foot. Classic stops include Central Park (free, with Bethesda Fountain and Bow Bridge), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (closed Wednesdays), the Statue of Liberty by official ferry from Battery Park, the High Line, the 9/11 Memorial (the outdoor memorial pools are free; the museum is paid), and Times Square and Broadway.

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan toward Brooklyn and end in DUMBO for skyline photos; early morning is least crowded. If you choose one observation deck, go at sunset; the free Staten Island Ferry from the southern tip of Manhattan also gives views of the Statue of Liberty and the skyline.

• Food: pizza slices, bagels, pastrami sandwiches (about USD 25-30), food halls, dim sum in Chinatown and Korean food in Koreatown (32nd Street)
• First-timer base: Midtown (around Times Square)
• Food and strolling: Chelsea and Greenwich Village
• Quieter stays: the Upper West Side next to Central Park

How to choose, and what to check before you go

Choose Washington, D.C. to walk between free museums and memorials; choose New York City for museums, shows, the skyline and food from around the world. Both guides include a 4-day sample itinerary, so if you visit both cities on one trip, use each itinerary to split your days.

US entry requirements (visa, travel authorization, etc.) can change. Always check the U.S. government's official information before you travel.

• Washington, D.C.: reserve the National Air and Space Museum, the Library of Congress, the Washington Monument and Capitol tours on the official sites in advance
• Washington, D.C.: the Washington Monument has airport-style security, and water is allowed only in clear plastic bottles
• New York City: costumed characters and people handing out CDs in Times Square will ask for money; politely decline
• New York City: late at night, ride in subway cars with other people and keep your phone and bag close

• Incheon → Washington, D.C. route info →
• Incheon → New York City route info →
• How Many Days in Washington DC? A 3-Night, 4-Day Route →
• Dulles Airport (IAD) to Washington, D.C. →
• First Trip to New York: Prep, Stay and a 4-Day Route →
• New York's Three Airports: JFK vs Newark vs LaGuardia →

FAQ

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