Which place is cheaper, Tampa or Eureka Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Eureka Springs or Tampa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Eureka Springs or Tampa, 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 Tampa?
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.
Tampa
On the north shore of Tampa Bay, across the water from Saint Peterburg, is the city of Tampa. The city has a population of almost 350,000. The metropolitan area includes Tampa, St. Peterburg, and Clearwater. It has about 2.9 million residents and is the second largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is a popular destination for outdoor activities and in 2008 it was ranked the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes.
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 $142Tampa $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Eureka Springs is $142, while the average daily cost in Tampa is $179. 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 Tampa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEureka Springs $100Tampa $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEureka Springs $200Tampa $170
Compare Hotels in Eureka Springs and Tampa
Looking for a hotel in Eureka Springs or Tampa? 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 Tampa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eureka Springs $47Tampa $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Tampa hotels: $302
- Tampa Airport (TPA): Transfer tо Tampa Bay Cruise Port: $302
- Tampa Airport (TPA): Private Transfer to Tampa hotel/address: $203
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach: $187
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport TPA to Lakeland/Winter Haven: $187
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg Accommodation: $187
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address : $187
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $175
- Private transfer from Tampa airport To Zephyrhills, FL: $155
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Clearwater: $120
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland / Winter Haven - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa Bay Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Eureka Springs or Tampa?
Prices for flights to both Tampa 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 $19Tampa $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampa
For Tampa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class near Disney in Tampa Florida: $88
- Ybor City Food Tour On Sundays: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eureka Springs -Tampa $20
Tours and Activities in Tampa
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tampa Terrors Ghost Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- 1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa: $31
- 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour: $69
- Adventure Island Water Park Ticket: $50
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Admission Ticket: $108
- Downtown Tampa Historic Walking Tour: $30
- Escape to Paradise: Private Island Boat Adventure in Tampa: $630
- Ghost Hunters Paranormal Ghost Tour: $39
- Ghost Investigation Tour Interactive Paranormal Experience 18Plus: $35
- Guided Tampa Sightseeing Tour in 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart: $41
- Guided Tampa Sightseeing Tour in a Deluxe Street Legal Golf Cart: $49
- Haunted Tampa Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour - Ybor City: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEureka Springs -Tampa $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
- Tampa Bar Crawl on a 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart: $40
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Ybor City Private Brewery Tour by Custom Golf Cart: $200
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eureka Springs and Tampa, we can see that Tampa is more expensive. And not only is Eureka Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Eureka Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Eureka Springs and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa than you might in Eureka Springs.
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 Tampa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eureka Springs or Tampa?
Tampa has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Eureka Springs. When comparing the sizes of Eureka Springs and Tampa, 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.