The cost of traveling to Washington, D.C. has skyrocketed due to the inauguration, with airline tickets and hotel prices significantly increasing. Inauguration Day hotels in Washington, D.C. average around $730 per night, but you can find hotels for as low as $392 right now. Cities like Fort Lauderdale, Phoenix, and Dallas to Washington, D.C., have seen price increases of more than 100%.
In just a few days, the inauguration will take place in the nation's capital, with thousands of spectators gathering to witness the official inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump's second term.
The inauguration is scheduled for Monday, January 20, which historically coincides with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day long weekend. The event will feature live performances by top country artists such as Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood. The nation's politicians, including President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, are expected to witness President Trump being sworn in as the 47th president around noon ET.
Tickets to the indoor inauguration are free (and limited), but many travelers are packing their bags to attend the once-every-four-year event. Searches for flights to Washington, D.C., were up nearly half this weekend compared to last weekend, and searches for flights to Baltimore were up 25%, according to data from travel platform Hopper.
If travelers want to see America's heritage firsthand, they must pay a fee. In addition to airfares from major U.S. cities to Washington, D.C., demand for hotels surges during the big weekend.
Here's how much it will cost to get to Washington DC for the 2025 Inauguration.
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How much does it cost to fly to Inauguration Day?
Flights from major U.S. cities to Washington, D.C., and Baltimore are currently averaging 14% and 13% more expensive this weekend than last week, Hopper said.
Expedia says people who book travel at the last minute can incur particularly high prices. According to Expedia data from Jan. 15, round-trip airfares from Fort Lauderdale to the capital city range from $293 to 130% more expensive than average for travel from Jan. 17 to Jan. 21. Tickets for the same period will cost $748 from Phoenix and $473 from Dallas. , which is 115% higher than average.
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How much does the hotel cost for the inauguration?
Hopper said the influx of inauguration attendees has also led to higher hotel rates over the weekend. The average price for an Inauguration Night hotel in Washington DC is around $730, but you can still find hotels as low as $392.
A recent search on the Hotels.com app showed that room rates from January 19th to 21st ranged from $700 to $1,600 per night, but for the following weekend, prices ranged from $200 to $500 per night. , the price has increased by up to 700%.
The closer a traveler wants a location to the White House or a luxury hotel, the higher the price. The famous Watergate Hotel, just a mile away from the Executive Mansion, costs $2,036 per night.
