Which place is cheaper, Santa Fe or Eureka Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Eureka Springs or Santa Fe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Eureka Springs or Santa Fe, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Eureka Springs or Santa Fe?
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a resort town in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. It offers a variety of dining and shopping such as local crafts and art galleries. Nearby is Beaver Lake. Most of the town is a Victorian village, it has a European look and feel with Victorian cottages and homes spilling over steep winding streets.
The entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is because most of the town contains old history buildings which were constructed as a result of the town's unique history. The town was founded and grew very quickly. On July 4, 1879, the town was founded, and by the end of that year reached a population of 10,000. The reason for the town's growth was the area's numerous cold water springs which at the time were thought to have medicinal healing properties. However, this claim was fairly short lived, and when the tourism boom busted, the new town full of Victorian homes was left in the Ozark wilderness without an economy. Then, few new buildings were built. Hundreds of Victorian homes have remained and been preserved ranging from tiny cottages to huge mansions. In the Spring of 2001, Eureka Springs was named one of 12 Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Santa Fe
Santa Fe is the state capital of New Mexico as well as the oldest state capital in the United States, founded in 1607. It has become a popular travel destination due to the surrounding scenic beauty, its long history, cultural diversity especially with its proximity to American Indian pueblos and culture, and a rich concentration of arts, music, and food.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEureka Springs $142Santa Fe $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Eureka Springs is $142, while the average daily cost in Santa Fe is $159. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Eureka Springs and Santa Fe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEureka Springs $100Santa Fe $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEureka Springs $200Santa Fe $162
Compare Hotels in Eureka Springs and Santa Fe
Looking for a hotel in Eureka Springs or Santa Fe? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Eureka Springs Hotel Prices and Santa Fe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eureka Springs $47Santa Fe $61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Fe
Also for Santa Fe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Santa Fe Airport SAF: $125
- Private Arrival Transfer from Santa Fe Airport (SAF): $62
Is it cheaper to fly into Eureka Springs or Santa Fe?
Prices for flights to both Santa Fe and Eureka Springs change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayEureka Springs $19Santa Fe $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Fe
For Santa Fe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza: $184
- Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Railyard Arts District: $189
- Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Downtown Plaza 'Sip & Savor': $209
- Downtown Plaza "Sip and Savor" Half-day Food Tour: $209
- Savor Wine Pairing Dinner: $228
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eureka Springs -Santa Fe $17
Tours and Activities in Santa Fe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Fe.
- 2 Hour Pottery Experience (Wheel or Hand-Building): $160
- 2-Hour Photography Class While Touring Downtown Santa Fe, Smart Phones Welcome!: $85
- A Walking Tour of Santa Fe's Most Beautiful and Historic Sites: $214
- Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour: $70
- Downtown Santa Fe Walking Wine & Tapas Tour: $149
- Enchanted Eats of Santa Fe Half-Day Tour: $946
- Explore Santa Fe's Old Town & the Museum of Art: Private Tour: $195
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Santa Fe, NM: $15
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $53
- Plaza Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $119
- Private Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour: $138
- Railyard Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEureka Springs -Santa Fe $9.68
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Fe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Fe:
- Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery Tour and Tasting: $18
- Architectural Walking Tour & Wine Tasting: $135
When comparing the travel costs between Eureka Springs and Santa Fe, we can see that Santa Fe is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Eureka Springs Expensive? and Is Santa Fe Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eureka Springs or Santa Fe?
Santa Fe has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Eureka Springs. When comparing the sizes of Eureka Springs and Santa Fe, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.