2026 Per Diem Calculator for Washington

Planning a business trip to Washington

Washington’s per-diem table separates Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Olympia, and several other destinations, and some lodging allowances change during the year. Select the place where the traveler will stay overnight, then check the applicable month. Do not use the Seattle row for a trip based in Spokane or assume that the standard rate applies when the destination has its own entry.

The table is a planning reference, while the employer’s travel policy governs booking and documentation. Before confirming a room, compare the destination rate with the company limit and determine which taxes, parking charges, and other costs qualify as a business expense.

Where business travelers stay in Washington

For meetings and events in central Seattle, hotels near Seattle Convention Center keep the stay anchored to the event district. This is usually a different planning problem from an airport overnight: the downtown option prioritizes access to meetings, while the airport option prioritizes the flight schedule.

Travelers with an early departure, a late arrival, or a short connection can compare hotels near Seattle airport. A SeaTac stay may simplify the flight day but can be less convenient when the itinerary is concentrated downtown. Choose between the two areas based on where the traveler needs to be each morning, not simply which room appears cheaper.

Washington trips are not limited to Seattle. Spokane, Tacoma, Olympia, and other destinations have their own rows in the calculator. If a trip crosses several cities, budget each overnight against the relevant destination rather than applying one rate to every night.

Conferences, meetings, and company offsites

Hotel location becomes more important when several colleagues share the itinerary. Keeping the group near the main meeting point can reduce fragmented transport costs and the risk of late arrivals. For a convention, use the venue as the fixed point; for a company gathering, assess meeting space, transfers, and the daily schedule together.

Teams considering a longer gathering in the region can use the guide to corporate retreat locations near Seattle to compare urban and out-of-city formats. Once the location is selected, return to the calculator and use the overnight destination—not “Seattle” as a catch-all—to identify the appropriate planning rate.

Using per diem and documenting expenses

Treat lodging and meals and incidental expenses as separate parts of the trip budget. A room that fits the lodging allowance does not determine how meals, parking, or ground transportation should be handled. The traveler should follow the employer’s rules for each category and keep the required supporting records.

When the trip ends, submit an expense report that ties charges to the correct dates, locations, and business purpose. If a conference week or offsite required a hotel above the benchmark, record the reason and approval while the details are still clear.

Some of the Biggest Companies:

• Amazon (Seattle): Major e-commerce and technology company.
• Microsoft (Redmond): Specializes in software and technology solutions.
• Starbucks (Seattle): Operates coffeehouses and coffee products.
• Costco Wholesale (Issaquah): Operates a chain of membership-based warehouse clubs.
• Nordstrom (Seattle): Operates a chain of department stores.
• Expedia (Seattle): Specializes in online travel services.
• T-Mobile US (Bellevue): Provides telecommunications services.

Zillow (Seattle): Operates an online real estate marketplace.