Saving Money at Georgetown
Transportation!
Ride a bike. Take advantage of DC’s Capital Bikeshare program, with convenient locations throughout the entire District. For more information, visit capitalbikeshare.com.
Take a bus. Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle (GUTS) buses offer GU students a free lift to Dupont Circle, Rosslyn, Wisconsin Avenue, the Law Center, and Arlington. Headed into the heart of the capital? Try the DC Circulator Bus, with stops at Union Station, the National Mall, and more! The fare is just $1!
Drive a car. If you absolutely must travel by car, try Zipcar: www.zipcar.com
Try carpooling. It’s good for the environment and all passengers can contribute to the cost of gas. Or, ride Uber Lyft or Via instead of a cab, and split the cost with your friends!
Entertainment
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hosts incredible performances, ranging from plays and cultural dances to live orchestras.
Hear your favorite artists at the Verizon Center or Echostage, DC’s largest concert venue!
Support Georgetown’s music and theatre programs by attending a concert or production on campus at the Davis Performing Arts Center.
Streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus are just a few inexpensive alternatives to going to a movie theater. Think about it, the cost of a movie, popcorn, and a drink at a theater can easily exceed $20 per person!
Eating and Socializing
Check the Georgetown Events Calendar for Free Food. If an organization on campus is providing free food, stop by and grab a bite! You may meet some great people, have fun, and learn something new in the process!
Monitor your GoCard Balance and Meal Swipes. If you’re on a GU meal plan, keep in mind that every swipe equates to real money. You can use meal swipes at Leo’s, as well as Einstein Bros. and Grab & Go locations across campus. Debit dollars are accepted at Hoya Court, Corp businesses, Epicurean, Wisemiller’s and more!
Eating Healthy. Stock up on fruit, vegetables, and healthy snacks by visiting Safeway or another nearby supermarket. These stores offer discounts and membership benefits. Prepare a home-cooked meal in your kitchen or common room with friends. If you need pots and pans, or other cooking supplies, check with your RA.
Eating Out. Many restaurants near campus offer discounts for Georgetown students. Because their overhead is less, food trucks are generally less expensive than eating in a restaurant. Keep an eye out for food trucks in the Georgetown neighborhood, and the Georgetown Farmers’ Market.
Housing Deals
Visit the Office of Neighborhood Life website for off-campus living options. If looking for a roommate, you can search for one on the same site.
Selling items or needing to buy? Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist have items that come and go fairly quickly so keep an eye on it for good deals. Know a student who is graduating? Ask to buy their old stuff! Also, be sure to check your year’s GAAP Group on Facebook, as students often advertise furniture and other items.
Get up early and find something unique at a yard sale in the Georgetown neighborhood.
Only buy what you need! Wait until you arrive in DC, make list of items you need, and then go Sharing is caring! You can split the cost of many household items with your roommate. Just be sure to designate which items are personal and which ones will be shared.
Fun in DC
The Smithsonian offers 19 museums and art galleries, as well as the National Zoological Park. Most Smithsonian museums are open year-round and offer free admission for students and families.
Visit the monuments like the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial, as well as the Reflecting Pool.
Check out the spectacular architecture and tour the interior of the National Cathedral.
Take advantage of being in the nation’s capital! Visit the Supreme Court, the Capitol Building, or even the White House!
Go to a sporting event! Many Georgetown sporting events are free for students with a GoCard. Washington is also home to several professional teams, including the Washington Capitals, Wizards, and D.C. United.
Don’t miss the National Cherry Blossom Festival, hosted annually in Washington, D.C.
The Georgetown Program Board hosts many fun, affordable events on campus every week.
Shopping
Online shopping is your friend! You can stop by the physical store on M St or access larger malls like Tyson’s Corner via metro to try on clothes and then order them online with discounts from sites like Retailmenot! Sometimes you can get clothes delivered for free to storefronts.
The Georgetown University Bookstore has a large selection of textbooks, but don’t be afraid to shop around and compare prices. There are lots of online retailers (like Amazon) that have the books you need. With an Amazon student discount, you can take advantage of free shipping for a year.
Be sure to sell your unneeded textbooks at the end of each semester! You can buy used books at the bookstore as well.
Software – Free and discounted software is available to GU students through Georgetown University Information Services (UIS).
Computers and tablets – Better prices through the GU Bookstore or through Amazon.