Where To Stay On A Budget In Washington DC, USA - Updated 2024

Hannah
Hannah 
Updated
| 5 min read

The landscape of Washington DC showcases a richly textured history filled with instantly recognizable landmarks. From the stone steps leading to the Lincoln Memorial to the gleaming Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Washington DC is filled with must-see attractions. You can fill your days visiting staggering monuments like the White House and the Washington Monument and your evenings indulging in the world-class gastronomical scene. The city boasts a stellar assortment of museums, like the National Archives Museums, the Smithsonian Museums, and the National Gallery of Art, as well as a bounty of peaceful parks and recreation areas. If you visit in the spring, the Tidal Basin is awash in the soft blush of thousands of cherry blossoms. While exploring the sights of the big city may come with a big price tag, these accommodations offer budget-friendly options that won’t break the bank. Read the list below for where to stay on a budget in Washington DC, USA.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 09, 2024.

1. Spacious apartment close to the train station

A spacious interior and modern amenities make this one-bedroom apartment a great place to stay in Washington DC. The property can provide accommodation for up to two guests, and is equipped with Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Inside the apartment is a large living room with a television, a fully equipped kitchen, a bedroom with a queen-size bed, and a bathroom. The apartment has a convenient location within walking distance of a major train station and bus stop, making it easy to explore the city’s nearby attractions.

Stayed at this property?
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
174 reviews   Wifi Available
ENTIRE RENTAL UNIT 1 Bed 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
this is a full apartment with a living-room kitchenette and a bedroom with very nice and large bed
the shower can be challenging but nothing too difficult to figure
Cleanliness:
clean place and is quiet
very clean and nice area
very comfortable & clean stay
it was incredibly clean which was very appreciated
very clean detailed & smell so great i will definitely book kevin’s place again
Host:
kevin was a great host
kevin was a great host with fast response times to any questions i had
kevin was very helpful and quick to answer questions
kevin was an amazing host and easy to communicate with
kevin was a great host and communicated efficiently and helped answer any questions i had
Location:
close to the metro station so transportation is easy
the location is great very close to the nearest metro station
really recommend this location
nice place very close to metro
great place super close to the metro making it easy to get to downtown dc
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2. Airy studio apartment in Eckington (from USD 97)

This airy studio apartment is bright, cozy, and comfortably furnished. Situated in the historic neighborhood of Eckington, the property sits close to a metro station and is close to many of DC’s finest museums. Inside the apartment, you will find a queen-size bed, a dining area, a kitchenette, and a modern bathroom. An additional air mattress can be provided to accommodate up to four guests.

Stayed at this property?
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
295 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Entire guest suite 2 Beds 4 Guests 0 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
very comfortable place with room to spread out
quiet a firm bed and spacious room and eli‘s v themed design is really great
the linen bedding and pillows were really comfortable and the shower was hot and nice
Cleanliness:
very clean and convenient place
nice and clean studio apartment
clean comfy and quiet place
the place was clean and looked exactly as advertised
the apartment is clean and comfortable
Host:
eli is a great host
eli was a great host he gave great recommendations and travel advice
great place & great host
thanks eli for being a great host
eli is the best host i ever had
Location:
location is good
great place close to metro
good location great value
nice apartment close to metro and restaurants
awesome place close to all the hot spots in trendy neighborhood
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3. Quiet apartment minutes from Capitol Hill (from USD 55)

This lovely property is peaceful and picturesque, and has an unbeatable location near Capitol Hill. The apartment is situated in the neighborhood of Hillcrest, and many of the city’s major attractions, including the National Mall and the Washington Monument, are only a few miles away. The apartment can accommodate up to two guests, and contains a queen-size bed and a compact bathroom. Parking is available on-site, and the apartment is equipped with internet access and air conditioning.

Stayed at this property?
8 reviews   Wifi Available
studio 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2
Minimum Nights: 1
Refund Policy :

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the bathroom was just the right size and the free wifi was greatly appreciated
Host:
koura gibson was a wonderful host her home is beautiful and very comfortable
koura was very attentive and a wonderful host
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4. Sunny one-bedroom apartment with private parking

This charming apartment was converted from a garage, and is sunny, serene, and rustic. Filled with modern amenities, the property provides a relaxing stay for up to two guests, and has a central location close to downtown DC, Capitol Hill, and Union Station. The comfortable apartment includes a sofa bed, a fireplace, a work area, a private bathroom, and kitchen amenities including a microwave, a coffee maker, and a refrigerator. There is also free parking on the premises, and a garden area where guests can relax after a busy day of sightseeing.

Stayed at this property?
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
292 reviews  
Entire guesthouse 1 Bed 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
this is a great space that has lots of natural light and is really comfortable
the heated floors kept the room quite comfortable
when the wifi went down marc was very proactive about getting someone over to fix the issue
this is a great space with a full bed private bathroom with a spacious shower microwave and mini-fridge
impressed with how the garage was made into a room and bathroom
Cleanliness:
clean place very good communication
quiet clean and comfortable
the studio attached to the garage was clean trendy and comfortable
it’s a garage but very homey and clean
wonderful though to be able to leave the car savely place was very clean and comfortable
Host:
marc was a great host
great host and an amazing place
marc was a great host very attentive and sure to make sure everything was okay for us
marc was very helpful and quick responding
we really enjoyed staying with marc- he was a great host and very helpful and responsive
Location:
cute neighborhood and convenient location
great location from downtown
handy location great restaurants in the area and walking distance (2 min) to a major bus route
great value and convenient location
a nice place to stay close to downtown
Read more reviews

Washington Tour Guide

Stephanie Eley

Stephanie Eley

I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more

Tours by Stephanie

Washington Tour Guide

Annie Leguennec

Annie Leguennec

My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the ci... Read more

Tours by Annie

5. Private basement apartment close to Logan Circle

This bright guest suite is within walking distance of many attractions in downtown DC, and is filled with great amenities. Perfect for solo travelers or couples, this private basement apartment contains a well-equipped kitchen, a dining and seating area, a bedroom with a queen-size bed, and a full bathroom. The apartment is equipped with internet access and air conditioning, and guests can access the coin-operated washer and dryer within the apartment building. Several Smithsonian museums, as well as the National Gallery of Art, are only a short walk away from the property.

Stayed at this property?
33 reviews   Wifi Available
ENTIRE RENTAL UNIT 1 Bed 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the apartment is perfect size for 1 or two people
small apartment good for one or two people for a few days
Cleanliness:
her place looks exactly like the pictures it was very clean and organized
it is clean comfortable quiet and in a great location
very clean washer and dryer right outside the door to the apartment that are coin operated
Host:
the host was very responsive and flexible
mayra was a wonderful host
great host very attentive and accommodating to every need
mayra was an extremely accommodating and helpful host
checking in and out were very easy and mayra was very responsive and quick to reply
Location:
the place was in a perfect location
while there i pretty much walk to everywhere
this is a great space in a wonderful location
we walked to the national mall u-street dupont circle and downtown easily during our trip
mayra's place is awesome super easy to find
Read more reviews

6. Lower-level apartment near a metro line

This pleasant apartment provides a relaxing and comfortable guest experience, and is perfect for small groups. Guests have access to the entire lower-level apartment, which has its own private entrance and can accommodate up to four guests. Filled with cozy amenities, this rental includes a cozy living area with a television, a kitchenette equipped with a microwave and a mini refrigerator, a full bathroom, and a bedroom with a pillow-topped queen-size bed. Guests also have access to the shared backyard, which is equipped with a barbecue, outdoor seating, and a fire pit. The property is situated within walking distance of a blue/silver line metro stop.

Stayed at this property?
118 reviews   Wifi Available
ENTIRE HOME 1 Bed 4 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
apartment is exactly what it looks like
the couches are very comfortable and it was perfect for the 4 of us
my friends and i really enjoyed the comfortable space and watching netflix at night after exploring dc
the place is very tidy have enough place in living room to play with my kid
Cleanliness:
it was very clean and comfortable
very clean space that was very quiet
he place is so clean and comfortable
the apartment is adorable clean and surprisingly spacious
the apartment was clean and complimentary items were provided
Host:
rachel was an amazing host
rachel was an amazing host
rachel was a great host
rachel was a great host
rachel was a great host
Location:
the location is a very easy walk to the metro
it’s super close to the metro station
the location is great too very close to the metro
the location is great and close to the metro
proximity to metro is very good
Read more reviews

7. Sleek unit within walking distance of the Orange Line Train

This cozy vacation unit is sophisticated and serene. Filled with modern amenities, the property provides a relaxing stay for up to two guests, and has a fantastic location within walking distance of the orange line train. Guests have access to the entire lower level of the host’s townhome, and the rental unit has its own separate entrance and self check-in service. This well-equipped rental unit includes a queen-size bed, a refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee maker, and a chic bathroom with a spa shower. A washer and dryer are also available for guest use, as is the property’s deck and garden area.

Stayed at this property?
20 reviews   Wifi Available
townhome 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2
Minimum Nights: 2
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in.

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
absolutely the best wifi bandwidth i've ever seen
the bed was super comfortable and the sheets were soft
the bed was comfortable and we had everything we needed
bed was super comfy
we were here in the winter but the room was kept at a very comfortable temperature
Cleanliness:
very clean and organized
the room was very clean and cozy
the property was clean and organized with everything we needed for a short stay in dc
clean comfortable bed & very nice hosts
Host:
hosts were super nice and ready to answer any questions we had
thank you to our hosts who worked with our schedule were kind and accessible
property managers were communicative and the apartment was wonderful
we hope to stay again soon andrea our host was wonderful and accommodating
Location:
we loved how close it was to the metro
we were impressed with the quality and location of this vrbo
it was close to the metro wonderfully priced quiet and very private
it was nice to come to this location after a long day of exploring dc
Read more reviews
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8. Charming apartment filled with amenities

This wonderful apartment house is picturesque, comfortable, and modern. With its spacious interior and plethora of amenities, this property is an ideal accommodation for a getaway that puts you close to everything in Washington DC. Inside, there is a living and dining area with a fireplace, a bright, fully equipped kitchen, a queen-size sofa bed, and a sophisticated, modern bathroom. There is also a washer and dryer within the property. The fantastic interior is complemented by the house’s fantastic location between DuPont Circle and Logan Circle. Many restaurants, shops, and attractions are within walking distance, and there are three metro stations nearby.

Stayed at this property?
10 reviews   Wifi Available
Apartment 2 Guests 0 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2
Minimum Nights: 90
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in.

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
my boyfriend and i spent 5 months in the apartment and consider ourselves very lucky
and i couldn't have asked for a better landlord/tenant relationship apartment or location
Cleanliness:
the accommodations are extremely clean and well maintained
it's an extremely clean apartment as the landlords have cleaners come every two weeks which is very nice
every other week the apartment was cleaned which was an extremely nice feature of renting this apartment
Host:
the owners are very responsive
owners: the landlords of the home could not have been more helpful or gracious
Location:
the location is the best around
the location is amazing within minutes to trendy shops/restaurants grocery stores red line metro and parks
the location is ideal to anyone looking to live in washington dc
safety was paramount in choosing a location in dc and this place has it
i really enjoyed staying here and would recommend this location to family friends and acquaintances
Read more reviews
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Discover the endless delights of DC

With world-class museums, jaw-dropping landmarks, a brilliant food scene, and more, Washington DC is a destination like no other. These budget-friendly accommodations let you enjoy the nation’s capital city in comfort and without breaking the bank. If you’re traveling on a budget, keep these excellent accommodations in mind as you plan your trip to Washington DC.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Hannah is a freelance writer, list making aficionado, and world traveler currently based in Germany. She is an avid explorer, and believes in creating new experiences to put on her bucket list to...Read more

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