Washington Monument Tickets

Washington Monument tickets are free: advance timed-entry tickets on Recreation.gov cost only a $1 booking fee and are released 30 days ahead at 10 am ET, with a smaller batch at 3 pm ET the day before. Free same-day tickets are handed out at the Washington Monument Lodge from 8:45 am, up to six per person. Tours and tickets from resellers start at $22.00 on Viator (6 compared, checked October 18, 2026).

From the National Park Service

  • Information: Washington Monument is closed for maintenance one day each month
Price
Free; $1 booking fee online
Advance tickets
Released 30 days ahead at 10 am ET
Same-day tickets
Lodge window from 8:45 am, up to 6 per person
Hours
9 am to 5 pm, last entry 4 pm
Open today
9:00AM – 5:00PM (National Park Service)

Washington Monument tours compared

The 6 most-reviewed Washington Monument tours and tickets on Viator, with starting prices for one adult. Some of these tours are fully sold out on up to 8 of the next 14 days, so book ahead.

TourFromRatingMonument entryBook
No-Wait Washington Monument Direct Entry Tickets & Guidebook$25.004.7 (794 reviews)not statedSee on Viator
National Mall Small-Group Tour + Washington Monument Ticket$75.004.9 (229 reviews)not statedSee on Viator
Small Group National Mall Tour with Washington Monument$55.005.0 (79 reviews)not statedSee on Viator
DC Mall w/ Washington Monument Ticket Exclusive Guided Tour$55.005.0 (51 reviews)not statedSee on Viator
DC: No Wait Washington Monument Direct Entry & Guidebook$22.003.7 (19 reviews)not statedSee on Viator
Washington Monument Skip the Line Ticket and Guidebook$24.003.0 (6 reviews)not statedSee on Viator

Prices from Viator, checked October 18, 2026. "Not stated" means the tour listing doesn't say; read it before you book. Prices change by date.

Getting there

Around the ticket lodge on 15th St NW:

  • Smithsonian station (subway) · 0.3 mi · about 7 min walk
  • Federal Triangle station (subway) · 0.4 mi · about 11 min walk
  • Metro Center station (subway) · 0.6 mi · about 17 min walk
  • 13 bus stops within 0.3 miles
  • 23 public parking lots and garages within 0.6 miles
  • Hotels nearby: The Potomac Hotel, Autograph Collection (0.4 mi), Waldorf Astoria Washington DC (0.4 mi), JW Marriott (0.5 mi)
  • Closest airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) 2.6 mi · Washington Dulles International (IAD) 23.0 mi · Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) 27.8 mi

Directions in Google Maps · View on OpenStreetMap

Straight-line distances from the venue. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Hotels, food and bars near Washington Monument

The closest hotel to the ticket lodge on 15th St NW is The Potomac Hotel, Autograph Collection, 0.4 mi away (about 12 min walk). There are 4 places to eat within 0.3 miles, mostly donut, American and fast food.

Hotels

  • The Potomac Hotel, Autograph Collection · 0.4 mi · about 12 min walk
  • Waldorf Astoria Washington DC · 0.4 mi · about 12 min walk
  • JW Marriott · 0.5 mi · about 13 min walk
  • Hotel Washington (Independent) · 0.5 mi · about 13 min walk
  • Willard InterContinental Hotel · 0.5 mi · about 14 min walk
  • Hotel Harrington · 0.6 mi · about 14 min walk
  • Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf · 0.6 mi · about 17 min walk
  • Courtyard · 0.7 mi · about 19 min walk

Places to eat

  • Sweet Home Cafe · American · 600 ft · about 3 min walk
  • Museum Café · café · 900 ft · about 5 min walk
  • Refreshments · fast food · 900 ft · about 5 min walk
  • Dunkin' · donut · 0.2 mi · about 6 min walk

Straight-line distances from the venue. Places from OpenStreetMap contributors; opening hours change, so check before you go.

Events near Washington Monument in the next two weeks

All events in Washington, D.C. →

Official ticket types and prices

Prices as published by the official seller. “See official site” means the seller only shows that price when you book.

Ticket Adult What you get
Advance timed-entry ticket (30-day release) Free + $1.00 USD non-refundable Recreation.gov service fee per ticket Timed entry, security screening, elevator ride to the observation level
Day-before advance ticket Free + $1.00 USD fee Same as above
Same-day walk-up ticket Free Same-day timed entry
Group tickets Free + $1.00 USD fee per ticket Up to 55 tickets

Reservations and timed entry

Timed entry required for everyone 2+. Recreation.gov: 30-day advance release at 10:00 a.m. ET; extra day-before release at 3:00 p.m. ET; $1.00 non-refundable service fee per advance/group ticket; up to 6 tickets per account per day. Same-day walk-up tickets from 8:45 a.m. at the Washington Monument Lodge. Arrive at screening at least 15 minutes before your entry time.

When tickets sell out

Walk-up tickets are first-come, first-served and the window closes once they run out for the day; lines form early on weekends, holidays and in peak season (Recreation.gov).

Discounts and free entry

Admission is free (“there is no admission fee for the Washington Monument” – NPS). Only the $1.00 Recreation.gov reservation fee applies to advance tickets; walk-up tickets have no fee.

Opening hours

Daily 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; last timed entry 4:00 p.m., entrances stop 4:30 p.m. Closed July 4, December 25, the afternoon of July 3, and one day a month for maintenance (2026 remaining: Nov 4, Dec 8). May close for weather/safety.

How long to plan

About 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Travel tips

  • On the National Mall at 15th Street NW between Constitution and Independence Avenues.
  • Metro: Smithsonian (Blue/Orange/Silver) is the closest station; Federal Triangle and L’Enfant Plaza also nearby.
  • Parking is limited and often full in spring and summer – NPS recommends public transit.
  • Bike racks near the grounds.

Accessibility

Elevator to the observation level; accessible for wheelchair users (wheelchairs allowed, strollers not). Service animals welcome. Accessible parking nearby is limited. Internet connection can be unreliable at the top and base.

Before you go

  • Security screening for all visitors.
  • Not allowed inside: bags larger than 18 x 16 x 8 inches, food and drink (except sealed food, water and baby formula in clear plastic containers), strollers, weapons incl. pocketknives, grooming tools such as nail clippers/tweezers, glass or ceramics, animals except service animals, smoking.
  • Tickets are free – book only on Recreation.gov (or 877-444-6777); the $1 fee is the only legitimate charge.
  • Monthly maintenance closures – check the date before booking.

Best time to visit

Book the 30-day release at 10:00 a.m. ET; for walk-up tickets arrive well before 8:45 a.m., especially on weekends, holidays and in peak season (Recreation.gov).

Good to know

Do you need tickets for the Washington Monument?
Yes. A free timed-entry ticket is required for everyone age 2 and older to go up the monument. Book on Recreation.gov ($1.00 fee per ticket) or get a free same-day ticket at the Washington Monument Lodge from 8:45 a.m.
When are Washington Monument tickets released?
Advance tickets are released on Recreation.gov at 10:00 a.m. ET, 30 days before the visit date. A limited number are released at 3:00 p.m. ET the day before.
How much does the Washington Monument cost?
Admission is free. Advance online tickets carry a non-refundable $1.00 Recreation.gov service fee per ticket; walk-up tickets have no fee.
How many tickets can I get?
Up to 6 tickets per Recreation.gov account per day, and one person aged 16+ can take up to 6 walk-up tickets. Groups can reserve up to 55 tickets online.
What are the Washington Monument hours?
Daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last timed entry at 4:00 p.m. It is closed July 4, December 25 and one day a month for maintenance.
Can I bring a bag or stroller?
Bags larger than 18 x 16 x 8 inches, strollers, and food and drink (except sealed food, water and baby formula in clear containers) are not allowed. Everyone goes through security screening.
How do I get to Washington Monument by public transit?
The closest stop is Smithsonian station (subway), 0.3 mi away, about 7 min walk. Also nearby: Federal Triangle station (subway), 0.4 mi away; Metro Center station (subway), 0.6 mi away. There are 13 bus stops within 0.3 miles.
What is the closest airport to Washington Monument?
The closest airport with scheduled flights is Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), 50 ft away in a straight line. Also near: Washington Dulles International (IAD), 23.0 mi; Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI), 27.8 mi.
Is there parking near Washington Monument?
Yes. OpenStreetMap shows 23 public parking lots and garages within 0.6 miles. Event-day prices are usually higher, and many lots can be booked ahead.

Sources: nps.gov, recreation.gov. Official facts checked October 17, 2026.