How Much Does a Washington DC School Trip Cost?

What a DC class trip costs per student, what changes the price and how families pay

Cost guide
From $499 per student
By plane or bus

By the ClassTrip.com team · Updated November 2026

The short answer: a 3-day Washington DC school trip with ClassTrip.com starts from $499 per student by plane (2025 example). The exact price for your class depends on a handful of choices you make, and every proposal shows the price per student before you commit.

Below is what changes the price, what is included, and how families pay.

A real example

From $499Per student, 3 days in Washington DC by plane (2025). Free places for trip leaders and chaperones are included, and the number is set when we plan your trip.

That trip covers the US Capitol, the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon and the Smithsonian, with a twilight tour of the memorials. See the full 3-day Washington DC itinerary, or compare all three DC trips on our Washington DC school trips page.

What changes the price

Number of days. Three days is the most common DC trip. Each extra day adds a night of hotel, meals and touring.
How you travel. Flying usually costs more than a private motorcoach, so schools within driving distance often go by bus. We quote both if you are not sure.
Room type. Prices are per student by room type. Quad rooms (four students) cost the least, then triple and double rooms.
Group size. The cost of the motorcoach and tour director is shared, so larger groups often pay less per student.
When you go. Spring, especially cherry blossom season in late March and early April, is the busiest and most expensive time. Fall and winter usually have lower hotel rates.
What you add. Extra stops, a second city such as New York or Philadelphia, or special programs all change the price.

What is included

A ClassTrip.com trip price usually includes:

Roundtrip airfare (optional) or motorcoach travel
4-star hotel accommodations
Private motorcoach transportation
Meals as listed in your itinerary
A dedicated ClassTrip.com tour director
Overnight security at hotels
Admissions, taxes and gratuities
24/7 travel emergency support

Each proposal lists exactly what is included for your trip. Students usually bring a little spending money for snacks and souvenirs.

How to keep the cost down

Travel in fall or winter instead of peak spring season.
Choose quad rooms.
Go by motorcoach if you are within driving distance.
Keep it to three days and one city.
Start planning 6 to 9 months ahead so families can spread payments out.

How families pay

Your trip gets its own registration page where families sign up and pay by card. They can also pay by phone or by check, and payments are spread out in installments, which is why we recommend starting 6 to 9 months before you travel.

We recommend 1 adult chaperone for every 10 students, and free places for trip leaders and chaperones are included. A trip needs at least 10 paid travelers.

Common questions

How much does a Washington DC school trip cost?

With ClassTrip.com, a 3-day Washington DC trip by plane starts from $499 per student (2025 example). The price for your class depends on the number of days, how you travel, room type, group size and season.

Is it cheaper to go to DC by bus?

Usually, yes. Schools within driving distance often save by traveling by private motorcoach instead of flying.

Do trip leaders and chaperones pay?

Free places for trip leaders and chaperones are included, and the number is set when we plan your trip. We usually recommend about 1 adult for every 10 students.

How do families pay for the trip?

Through the trip’s own registration page, by card, or by phone or check, in installments.

When is the cheapest time to visit DC?

Fall and winter usually have lower hotel rates than spring, which is the busiest season.

Keep reading

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