Hot Springs is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Hot Springs?
You should plan to spend around $220 per day on your vacation in Hot Springs. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $90 on meals
- $47 on local transportation
- $199 on hotels
A one week trip to Hot Springs for two people costs, on average, $3,080. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
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One Week
Per person
$1,540
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$3,080
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One Month
Per person
$6,600
-
One Week
For a couple
$3,080
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$6,160
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One Month
For a couple
$13,200
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Hot Springs cost?
A one week trip to Hot Springs usually costs around $1,540 for one person and $3,080 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Hot Springs on average costs around $3,080 for one person and $6,160 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Hot Springs will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Hot Springs on average costs around $6,600 for one person and $13,200 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Hot Springs expensive to visit?
Hot Springs is a smaller destination that draws visitors with a range of travel styles, spending habits, and budget preferences. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
While Hot Springs can be quite expensive if you let it be, there are ways to lower your spending, such as looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $95 per day, mid-range travelers spend $220 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $437 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Hot Springs.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Hot Springs is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Sun Valley or Pittsburgh.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Hot Springs Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Hot Springs?
The average Hot Springs trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Hot Springs travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Hot Springs cost?
Hot Springs on a Budget
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Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$44
|
$100
|
$190
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$20
|
$47
|
$93
|
|
Food 2
|
$38
|
$90
|
$184
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$12
|
$30
|
$67
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$5-14
|
$11-33
|
$21-63
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your travel budget when visiting Hot Springs. Although some travelers believe they can get by on a shoestring budget, most people aren't comfortable with that type of travel. Consider what you enjoy on vacation and how you've traveled in the past. Do you like staying in resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or hostels? Are dining out and visiting attractions a priority? Your preferences will affect your overall budget and itinerary.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
Although you may consider yourself a budget traveler, unless you're ready to cut out many creature comforts, you'll likely spend much more than the $95 per day that young budget travelers often get by on.
For backpackers, this tight budget typically involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest eateries or fast food joints, using public transportation, and sticking to free attractions.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
Couples and families traveling for leisure often prefer mid-range hotels, dine at popular eateries, and visit key museums and attractions that require an entry fee. Visitors to Hot Springs typically prioritize the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks during their stay. It's important to remember that most activities will cost you money. Consequently, you should anticipate your daily budget to be closer to $220 per person, per day.
What Luxury Travel Looks Like
If you're used to premier amenities and elevated service, prepare to spend about $437 per day. Choosing comfortable hotels, dining at award-winning establishments, indulging in extravagant excursions, and relying on taxis or private drivers to explore the destination will demand a higher price range. Many high-end visitors also prefer unique experiences such as Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Hot Springs
Hot Springs has a wide range of hotel prices. Luxury hotels come with higher price tags and better amenities, and prices are much steeper during peak season. On average, a room costs $128 in the off-season and averages $239 during peak season. Overall, you can expect prices from $82 to $481. Hostels, especially dorms, are cheaper alternatives. You can save by traveling in the low season, booking in advance, or looking for special offers.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Hot Springs for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $199. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $100 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Hot Springs include:
- The Wharf Resort starting at $223
- Courtyard by Marriott Hot Springs starting at $121
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hot Springs starting at $116
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Hot Springs starting at $126
- Comfort Suites near Hot Springs Park starting at $126
If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and avoid ), you'll find lower accommodation prices and less tourist crowds.
Transportation Budget in Hot Springs
Hot Springs does not has a good public transit system.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $47 per person, per day, on local transportation in Hot Springs. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Hot Springs is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$47
When driving, confirm that your hotel has convenient parking options.
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock for $70 details
- Hot Springs Resorts to Memphis Airport (MEM) Departure Transfer for $140 details
How much does it cost to go to Hot Springs? 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 Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs
Cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel, so don't miss out on the local fare.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Hot Springs can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Hot Springs is $90 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$90
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Hot Springs is around $90 ($90) per person, with previous travelers spending from $38 to $184. 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 Hot Springs are as follows:
- Breakfast: $9 to $27
- Lunch: $13 to $36
- Dinner: $27 to $63
- Coffee: $7
- Fast Food or Street Food: $13
There are a number of good restaurants in Hot Springs. For a full, historical experience, choose one of the many restaurants that are located in Victorian buildings. Many of these restaurants are found in the Historic Downtown District. You can also enjoy a meal by the lake, or on the main street in town. The meals are local and fresh, and the prices are good.
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Opt for a reusable water bottle to avoid buying drinks everywhere. It's beneficial for the earth as well.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Hot Springs
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Hot Springs typically cost an average of $30 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.
$30
Hot Springs has a rich history because of its location and the town's nearby hot springs. The city's historical downtown and Hot Springs National Park, with Bathhouse Row, are impressive. Many of the bathhouses closed in the early 1900s with the beginning of modern medicine, but the buildings are still open for tours. There's also a public fountain where you can fill up your water bottles with fresh hot springs water. The downtown area also has a number of art galleries and restaurants. There are also many historical buildings in the area.
Other sights in Hot Springs include the national headquarters for Mountain Valley Spring Water and the accompanying historic Classical Revival building.
Hot Springs also is home to Garvan Woodland Gardens, the city's botanical gardens. A popular museum in town is the Mid America Science Museum.
Hot Springs has a number of activities that visitors can enjoy. There are walking trails, lakes, and a number of other recreational activities. Head to Oaklawn Race Track to see thoroughbred horse racing.
Hot Springs also has a couple of amusement parks. Magic Springs and Crystal Falls offer rides, water slides, and more.
Finally, Hot Springs National Park is part of the Diamond Lakes region and has a number of fishing tournaments as well as other water sports.
A nice way to explore destinations in Hot Springs is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. 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:
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs for $53 details
- Hot Springs NP Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour for $17 details
- Hot Springs Hop Amazing Race & Tour for $24 details
Nightlife Budget in Hot Springs
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $22 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Hot Springs per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$22
Nights out are fun, but limiting your alcohol consumption can help keep your travel costs in check.
Traveling in Hot Springs
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.
In addition to it's fame as a tourist destination, Hot Springs is also known as the childhood home of the former US President, Bill Clinton.
Neighborhoods & Around
Hot Springs has seven districts that are of historical significance. The Fordyce-Ricks House Historic District has several buildings and cabins on 37 acres of land. The Pleasant Street Historic District is another area with about 93 buildings that highlight the area's African American community. The Quapaw-Prospect Historic District is near the downtown and has a number of historical residences, and the Whittingtown Park Historic District
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.