Is Providence expensive to visit?
Providence is a small yet inviting city that captivates travelers with a mix of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary ranges. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
You may find Providence to be expensive in some places, but there are ways to keep your budget in check, like eating at less expensive restaurants and taking public transit.
On average, budget travelers spend $117 per day, mid-range travelers spend $245 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $462 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Providence.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Providence is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Palm Springs or Wilmington.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Providence Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Providence?
The average Providence trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Providence travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Providence cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Having realistic expectations about your travel budget in Providence is important. While you might think you can save money by cutting expenses, traveling comfortably requires a bit more spending for most people. Think about your favorite vacation activities and ideal travel style. Staying in a resort or comfortable hotel, along with sightseeing and dining out are generally what many people prefer. Your travel preferences will determine how much you'll end up spending on your trip.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
You might think you're a budget traveler, but unless you're willing to sacrifice many comforts, expect to spend a lot more than the average of $117 per day that backpackers typically manage.
Younger budget travelers sometimes stick to a shoestring budget, which usually means staying in hostel dorms, eating at budget restaurants or fast food, relying on public transportation or walking, and limiting activities to free attractions.
Food also plays a significant role in a visitor's experience to Providence, yet budget travelers might stick to street food or hostel meals, resulting in less exposure to the wonderful culinary scene.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
If you're a family or couple enjoying a vacation, you'll most likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at trendy restaurants, and check out the main museums and attractions that charge for entry. Exploring the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks is a must for most visitors to Providence. Keep in mind that most activities have costs associated with them. Hence, you should realistically expect your daily budget to hover around $245 per person, per day.
In Providence, you can find a variety of hotels and vacation rentals. If you're traveling with others, you can share the costs of your hotel with a partner, friend, or children, which can help you save money. Families will want to seek out hotels and restaurants that are kid-friendly. Christopher Dodge House is a great choice for families, and Hotel Providence Providence is another great option. To discover more family- and couple-oriented hotels, visit our hotel guide for Providence.
Looking to Travel in Luxury?
If you want an all encompassing getaway with top-notch amenities and exceptional service, get ready for a daily cost around $462. Staying in upscale hotels, dining at acclaimed restaurants, indulging in lavish activities, and using taxis or private drivers to navigate the city will require a more luxurious budget. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as T. F. Green State Airport to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Providence
Providence offers a broad range of hotel prices, from budget to luxury. Higher-end hotels come with more amenities and higher prices, particularly during peak season. Off-season, you'll find average rates around $198, but during peak summer season, they can average $369. Prices range from $173 to $450, and hostels tend to be much cheaper. Save money by visiting during the low season or by taking advantage of early booking and special promotions.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Providence for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $228. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $114 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Providence? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Providence include:
- Hotel Providence Providence starting at $198
- Omni Providence starting at $195
- Christopher Dodge House starting at $223
- Graduate Providence starting at $173
- Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown starting at $189
While Providence has a good public transit system that allows for staying farther from the city, cheaper accommodations could lead to more expensive and time-consuming commutes.
Traveling during the shoulder or low season, instead of summer, can save you money on accommodations and spare you the heavy tourist crowds.
Walking is a favored way to experience Providence, so finding a central accommodation is a great idea. Just remember, this might come with a steeper price tag.
Transportation Budget in Providence
Providence has a solid public transit system that covers many major attractions. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town. If you're looking to save time and money, public transit is a great choice as long as it's close to your destination. Taxis and rideshares are also available throughout town.
If you're someone who enjoys discovering a place on foot, you'll love it here. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.
Public Transit: 
(good)
Walkability: (great)
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $46 per person, per day, on local transportation in Providence. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Providence is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$46
Check that your hotel has convenient parking if you're planning on driving.
Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:
- Private Departure Transfer to Providence TF Green Airport PVD for $36 details
- Providence to Rhode Island Airport PVD Departure Transfer for $45 details
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer for $45 details
How much does it cost to go to Providence? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Providence will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Providence
The local cuisine in Providence is terrific, so make it a point to take time to taste all the unique flavors. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Providence can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Providence is $82 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$82
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Providence is around $82 ($82) per person, with previous travelers spending from $35 to $169. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Providence are as follows:
- Breakfast: $8 to $25
- Lunch: $12 to $33
- Dinner: $25 to $58
- Coffee: $7
- Fast Food or Street Food: $12
Providence has a combination of local restaurants and chain restaurants. Popular areas with great restaurants include Downtown Providence, Providence Place Mall, Thayer Street, and Federal Hill. Providence Place Mall has the typical mall style restaurants like P.F. Changs, the Cheesecake Factory, and Uno Chicago Grill. Thayer Street has a number of international restaurants including Chinese, Japanese, Middle Eastern, and Greek. Federal Hill has good, upscale restaurants as well as a few great dessert cafes.
A lot of hotels include breakfast in their price, but some may add it as an extra charge. The price and quality can differ from one hotel to the next. Being aware of this ahead of time can help you figure out if you'll need to shell out more money. The hotel buffet could be delicious, or you might opt for a more affordable treat at a nearby bakery or cafe.
Use a water bottle instead of splurging on drinks everywhere you go. It's a smart choice for the environment, too.
Before embarking on a tour, ensure you know which meals are included. You might have to pay for some food yourself, and that can add to your travel expenses.
If you want to experience the culture in Providence, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Downcity Providence Food Tour for $89 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Providence
It's not surprising that visitors come to Providence, as it offers food, museums and attractions, nightlife, and family-friendly activities.
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Providence typically cost an average of $26 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$26
Providence has a wide variety of activities that visitors can enjoy including live shows, live concerts, seasonal festivals and more. Some of the more popular venues include the Providence Performing Arts Center, Avon Cinema, Dunkin' Donuts Center, the Rhode Island Convention Center, the Century Lounge, and Monet Lounge. During the summer months it's well worth exploring Water Place Park which has pedestrian walkways and live music.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Providence. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Parasols and Pocket Watches: A History Tour for $30 details
- Power and Politics: The Struggle for the Soul of Providence Tour for $35 details
- Haunted History Walking Tour of Providence for $30 details
Nightlife Budget in Providence
In Providence, you can find some nightlife options, but it isn't as lively as in other more popular tourist spots. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $13 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Providence per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$13
The nightlife is always tempting, but cutting down on drinks is an effective way to manage your travel spending.
When drinking at night, be mindful of your surroundings, as pickpockets and other crimes can happen. Stay safe by sticking with a group of trusted people.
Providence, RI
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.