Money & Tipping in Washington, D.C.

Cards, cash and how you'll actually pay

Washington runs on plastic. Contactless and chip cards are accepted almost everywhere — restaurants, shops, cafés, taxis and the Metro — and a contactless bank card or phone taps you straight onto Metrorail and the buses without buying a separate ticket. For most visitors, a single card covers the vast majority of the trip, and many travellers go days without touching cash at all.

Still, carry a modest amount of cash. It is useful for tipping hotel and tour staff, for small independent vendors and food stalls, and for the occasional cash-only spot. You will not need much — a handful of small bills does the job — and ATMs are easy to find if you run short. Notify your bank of your travel dates so a card isn't blocked, and check your foreign-transaction fees before you rely on one card for everything.

Tipping, the part that catches visitors out

Tipping is the single biggest money surprise for travellers from countries where it isn't customary. In the United States, service staff are tipped as a matter of course, and menu prices do not include service — so the bill is only part of what you pay. The clearest case is sit-down restaurants and bars with table service, where a tip on top of the bill is the norm. Counter-service, where you order and collect yourself, is more relaxed, though a tip jar or a prompt on the card reader is common.

The same expectation extends across the service economy: taxi and rideshare drivers, hotel housekeeping and bell staff, bartenders, hairdressers, and guides on tip-based tours all customarily receive a gratuity. Tipping customs and typical percentages shift over time and by situation, so use current local guidance rather than a fixed figure, and check your bill — some restaurants add a service charge automatically for larger parties, in which case you don't tip twice. The practical takeaway: budget for tipping as a real, ongoing cost, not an afterthought.

Sales tax, museum cafés and small payments

A second surprise: the price you see is usually before tax. Sales tax is added at the register, so a marked price on a shelf or menu is not quite the final number — factor a little extra onto restaurant, retail and some other purchases. Washington also applies its own rates to things like restaurant meals and hotel stays, and these can differ from neighbouring Virginia and Maryland if your trip crosses state lines; check current rates rather than assuming.

For small, everyday spending, cards still carry you. The Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery are free to enter, but their cafés, shops and any special exhibitions take payment, and these are card-friendly. The same goes for food trucks, market stalls and the snack you grab on the Mall — most take contactless now, though a small vendor here and there is cash-only, which is the main reason to keep a few bills on you.

Taxis, rideshare and hotel fees

Taxis and rideshare both run throughout the city, both take cards, and both customarily get a tip. Rideshare fares surge at busy times, so the metered taxi can occasionally be the better deal late at night or in bad weather — but for most daytime sightseeing, walking and the Metro are cheaper than either. Save the car for heavy bags, late nights or door-to-door comfort.

Finally, read the hotel rate in full before you book. Some properties add a resort or destination fee on top of the room rate, and parking — if you've brought a car you probably didn't need — is a separate, often steep, charge. These extras are easy to miss and can move the real nightly cost noticeably, so confirm the all-in price, including taxes and any fees, before you reserve.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my card everywhere in DC? Almost. Contactless and chip cards work nearly everywhere, including on the Metro and buses. Carry a little cash for tips and the occasional cash-only vendor.

Do I have to tip, and how much? Tipping is customary on table service and across the service economy in the U.S., and menu prices don't include it. Use current local guidance for the going rate, and check whether a service charge has already been added for larger groups.

Is sales tax included in the price? No. Tax is added at the till, so the marked price isn't the final one. Rates differ across DC, Virginia and Maryland — verify current figures if it matters to your budget.

Are the museums free? The Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery are free to enter; their cafés, shops and special exhibitions charge, and take cards. A few attractions have paid admission.

What hidden costs should I watch for? Resort or destination fees and parking at hotels, surge pricing on rideshare, and tips across services. Read the all-in hotel rate before booking.