What’s the Price Tag for Experiencing Inauguration Day?

• Travel expenses to Washington, D.C. have soared due to the inauguration, with flights and accommodations witnessing notable price hikes.
• Average hotel rates in Washington, D.C. for inauguration evening hover around $730, although some options are still available for as low as $392.
• Last-minute airfare to Washington, D.C. from cities such as Fort Lauderdale, Phoenix, and Dallas are seeing price increases exceeding 100%.

In a few days, Inauguration Day will arrive in the capital, attracting large crowds to witness President-elect Donald Trump being officially sworn in for a second term.

Inauguration Day is set for Monday, Jan. 20, which also historically coincides with a long weekend for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The event will include live performances from prominent country artists such as Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood. The nation’s lawmakers, including President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, will observe Trump taking the oath of office as the 47th President around noon EST.

Although tickets for the now-indoor inauguration are complimentary (and limited), many travelers are preparing to attend the once-every-four-year affair. Searches for flights to Washington, D.C., for this weekend have surged by nearly 50%, while requests for flights to Baltimore have risen by 25% compared to the previous weekend, based on data from travel platform Hopper.

Travelers should be ready to spend if they want to witness the American tradition in person, as airfare from major U.S. cities to Washington, D.C., alongside hotel demand is increasing for the long weekend.

Here’s the cost to travel to Washington, D.C. for Inauguration Day 2025.

What are the flight costs for Inauguration Day?

According to Hopper, airfare to Washington, D.C., and Baltimore from major U.S. cities has increased by an average of 14% and 13% respectively for this weekend compared to last.

Travelers making last-minute bookings will face particularly elevated rates, as reported by Expedia. From Jan. 17 through 21, round-trip airfare from Fort Lauderdale to the capital costs $293 – 130% higher than average, according to Expedia data from Jan. 15. Prices for flights during the same period are $748 from Phoenix and $473 from Dallas, which is 115% more than average.

What to anticipate on Inauguration Day The precise moment Trump takes office on Inauguration Day

What are the hotel costs for Inauguration Day?

The surge in Inauguration Day participants has led to a rise in hotel rates for the weekend, as noted by Hopper. The average accommodation price for inauguration eve in Washington, D.C., is around $730, although several options are still available starting at $392.

A recent search on the Hotels.com app indicated room rates ranging from $700 to $1,600 per night from Jan. 19 to 21, whereas the subsequent weekend’s rates range from $200 to $500 per night – a rise of up to 700%.

The closer travelers aim to stay to the White House or in high-end accommodations will incur additional costs. The renowned Watergate Hotel – only a mile from the Executive Mansion – charges $2,036 per night.