How Much Does Boston Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Boston is a premium destination where costs can rival those of New York City or London, particularly regarding lodging and dining. Travelers should expect a daily budget range of about $174 for budget-conscious solo trips to over $740+ for luxury experiences. High demand from world-class universities and a compact, historic layout keep real estate prices elevated throughout the year. While the city is exceptionally walkable, dining costs are influenced by high local taxes and a strong culture of gratuity. Planning around the daily mid-range budget of about $358 ensures a comfortable experience in this coastal academic hub.
Is Boston expensive to visit?
Boston is an expensive city—expect to spend between $174 and $740+ per day depending on your accommodation and dining style.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Boston
$174
per person /day
$358
per person /day
$740
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $523 | $1,073 | $2,221 |
| 5-Day Trip | $871 | $1,789 | $3,702 |
| 7-Day Trip | $1,219 | $2,505 | $5,182 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 15–20% buffer is recommended to cover the 14.95% hotel occupancy tax and the expected 18–22% restaurant tips. These combined 'hidden' costs can add roughly $53–$71 per day to a standard mid-range itinerary.
How Does It Compare?
See how Boston stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Boston
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant Typical for a casual diner or pub meal (~$25). | $25 |
| Lobster Roll (Market Price) Prices fluctuate based on seasonal supply. Expect to pay ~$38. | $38 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Subway One-Way (The 'T') Standard adult fare (~$2.39). Children 11 and under ride for free. | $2.39 |
| Logan Express (Back Bay to Airport) One of the best values (~$2.99) for airport transfers; the return trip to the city is free. | $2.99 |
| Ride-hail (Uber/Lyft) Logan to Downtown Varies significantly with surge pricing. Average is ~$35. | $35 |
| Bluebikes 24-Hour Pass Day Pass includes 24 hours of access with unlimited 2-hour rides on classic bikes. Extra time is $0.25/min after 2 hours; e-bikes are $0.25/min. | $9.97 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed at HI Boston (St Stuart St) Includes breakfast and Wi-Fi. Prices swing heavily with season, events, and day of week. | $55 |
| Mid-range Hotel (e.g., The Godfrey Hotel) Located in Downtown Crossing. Price excludes the ~14.95% total hotel tax (~$47). | $314 |
| Luxury Hotel (e.g., Four Seasons Boston) Overlooking the Public Garden. Expect to pay ~$872 per night before taxes. | $872 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Fenway Park Public Tour (Standard) Standard 60-minute tour. Tours operate year-round, rain or shine (~$30). | $30 |
| New England Aquarium (Adult) Timed-entry tickets are required. Standard adult admission is about $40. | $40 |
| Old North Church (Full Experience) Tickets are about $15 per person for the full experience covering the sanctuary, crypt, and bell tower gallery. | $15 |
| Boston CityPASS (4 Attractions) Saves ~$64 compared to individual tickets. Valid for 9 consecutive days. | $79 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airalo US eSIM (10GB / 30 Days) Data only. Standard 10GB plan costs ~$26. | $26 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Boston highlights its coastal heritage, with iconic lobster rolls priced around $38 depending on seasonal supply. A casual meal at a pub or diner typically costs $25, but travelers must account for the mandatory 18–22% tip expected at sit-down establishments.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Galleria Umberto
$2.99–$9.97North End · Local chain
Cash only and they close when the dough runs out—usually by 14:00. A slice and soda is ~$7.97.
Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe
$9.97–$15Downtown · Local chain
Try the #4 Cumin Lamb Hand-Pulled Noodles for ~$12.
Tasty Burger
$7.97–$14Fenway / Back Bay · Local chain
Great late-night spot; a full meal with fries is ~$14.
Bova's Bakery
$4.98–$12North End · Bakery
Open 24/7. Grab a massive Florentine cannoli for ~$6.98.
Pauli's
$12–$25North End · Local chain
One of the most affordable spots for a decent lobster roll (~$25) in the North End.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The city is famously walkable, though the 'T' (subway) offers efficient coverage for a one-way fare of about $2.38 (local buses about $1.68). A 1-Day LinkPass is about $11 and a 7-Day pass about $22. For airport transfers, the Logan Express from Back Bay is an excellent value at about $2.98, especially as the return trip from the airport into the city is free. Bluebikes Day Pass is about $9.92 for 24-hour access with unlimited 2-hour rides.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging is the most significant expense, with mid-range options like The Godfrey Hotel averaging $314 per night before taxes. While luxury stays like the Four Seasons can reach $872, budget travelers can find dorm beds at HI Boston around $53–$82+ depending on date and demand.
Accommodation Budget in Boston
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Take the Logan Express from Back Bay to the airport for $2.99 to secure a completely free return trip from the airport back into the city later.
- 2 Utilize the Bluebikes bike-share program for $9.97 per 24 hours, which is often faster than the subway for short trips between Back Bay and Cambridge.
- 3 Visit during the winter months (January–March) for lower hotel rates; expect meaningful discounts versus spring/fall peak dates, but don't count on luxury rooms for under $200 as a norm.
- 4 Eat at Galleria Umberto in the North End for authentic Sicilian pizza and arancini, but arrive before 14:00 as they often sell out and close early.
- 5 Purchase a Boston CityPASS for $79 if visiting the New England Aquarium and Science Museum to save approximately $64 compared to individual tickets.
- 6 Avoid the $35 ride-hail from Logan Airport by taking the Silver Line bus, which is free for all passengers traveling from the airport into South Station.
- 7 Frequent Bova's Bakery in the North End for 24-hour access to affordable sandwiches and pastries, avoiding the high prices and long lines of more famous competitors.
- 8 Check the official websites for the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) for their free Thursday evening admission slots.
- 9 Fill water bottles at public fountains in the Boston Common or Public Garden to avoid paying $2.94–$4.71 for bottled water in tourist areas.
- 10 Look for 'Market Price' lobster rolls at local fish markets like James Hook & Co rather than high-end restaurants to save on the $38 average cost.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Mar
-40%
Apr, Nov
Winter (Jan–Mar) is freezing but offers the best hotel rates. Autumn (Sep–Oct) is peak foliage season and the most expensive time to visit.
Events to Watch
- ● Boston Marathon (mid-April): +200% hotels
- ● University Commencements (late May): +100% hotels
- ● July 4th Esplanade Concert: +50% hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walk the 4km Freedom Trail to visit 16 historic sites including the site of the Boston Massacre.
- 2 Tour the USS Constitution in Charlestown, the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat (free with valid photo ID).
- 3 Visit the Boston Public Library in Copley Square to view the Bates Hall reading room and the courtyard.
- 4 Follow the Black Heritage Trail through Beacon Hill to see the 19th-century homes of the free Black community.
- 5 Explore the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain, a 281-acre park with thousands of woody plant species.
- 6 Climb the 294 steps of the Bunker Hill Monument for panoramic views of the city skyline.
- 7 Stroll through the Boston Public Garden to see the swan boats and the Make Way for Ducklings statues.
- 8 Visit the second floor of Faneuil Hall to see the Great Hall where historic speeches were delivered.
- 9 Walk the Harborwalk, a public walkway spanning the waterfront from Dorchester to East Boston.
- 10 Wander through the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, a grand 32-acre park lined with Victorian brownstones.
- 11 Relax at Castle Island and walk the perimeter of the historic Fort Independence.
- 12 Listen to a free rehearsal or concert at the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Esplanade during the summer.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Helicopter Tour of Boston
Unbeatable views of the Zakim Bridge, Fenway, and the harbor for ~$224.
Tasting Menu at O Ya
Consistently ranked as one of the best sushi experiences in the US (~$249).
Private Whale Watch Charter
Personalized experience avoiding the 300-person crowds on public boats (~$847).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Boston
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Boston and what they cost
Salem
≈$47–$53 round trip by seasonal ferry (prices vary; the commuter rail is usually cheaper)
$19 (Salem Witch Museum adult) or $25 (Peabody Essex Museum adult)
≈$71–$118 depending on transport + what you visit
Provincetown (Cape Cod)
≈$127 round trip by fast ferry (adult; seasonal)
Free
≈$165–$259 including meals/drinks
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
US Dollar (USD)
No
Universal. Even the smallest coffee shops and street performers often take contactless payments.
Strictly 18–20% in restaurants. For bars, $1.18–$2.35 per drink is standard. Taxis expect 15%.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (Bank of America, Citizens) to avoid high third-party fees. Typical fee is ~$2.94–$4.94.
Connectivity
eSIM: $20–$35 for 10-20GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $41–$59 at T-Mobile stores for 'Tourist' plans with unlimited data.
WiFi: Excellent in libraries, public parks (Boston Common), and all cafés.
Use an Airalo eSIM for data and rely on WhatsApp/FaceTime for calls to avoid US roaming fees.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Boston.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Where to Stay
Best neighborhoods and hotel recommendations
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Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown