Which place is cheaper, Albuquerque or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hot Springs or Albuquerque?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Albuquerque? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Hot Springs or Albuquerque?
Hot Springs
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.
Albuquerque
Albuquerque is a large city in the middle of the desert, right in the heart of New Mexico. It's the largest city in the state and has a lot to offer visitors. The city has a quaint downtown with a handful of good shops and restaurants. The surrounding area is quite beautiful and every fall the city hosts a famous and spectacular hot air balloon festival.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $182Albuquerque $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $182, while the average daily cost in Albuquerque is $135. 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 Hot Springs and Albuquerque in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Albuquerque $69
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Albuquerque $138
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Albuquerque
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Albuquerque? 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: Hot Springs Hotel Prices and Albuquerque Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Albuquerque $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Hot Springs Resorts to Memphis Airport (MEM) Departure Transfer: $143
- Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albuquerque
Also for Albuquerque, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) to Albuquerque - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Albuquerque to Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Private Arrival Transfer from Albuquerque Airport (ABQ): $40
- Private Departure Transfer To Albuquerque Airport ABQ: $40
- Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) to Albuquerque - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $79
- Albuquerque Airport to Truth or Consequences Private Transfer: $126
- Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) to Pagosa Springs Private Transfer: $176
- Albuquerque Airport to Truth or Consequences Round-Trip Transfer: $252
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Albuquerque?
Prices for flights to both Albuquerque and Hot 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
-
Food Meals for one dayHot Springs $52Albuquerque $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Albuquerque
For Albuquerque, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Albuquerque, NM: $79
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Albuquerque $24
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs, AR: Magic Springs Theme & Water Park Ticket: $44
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Tours and Activities in Albuquerque
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Albuquerque.
- Old Town Self-Guided Walking Tour by App: $6.50
- Historic Old Town Albuquerque smart phone App/Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Albuquerque by Operation City Quest: $10
- Turquoise Museum Admission Ticket: $20
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Albuquerque by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- The Turquoise Museum Curator's Tour: $20
- Albuquerque Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Albuquerque Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Old Town Albuquerque Ghost Tour: $26
- The Ghost Tour of Old Town - New Mexico's oldest Ghost Walk - Since 2001: $35
- 12pm - Public High Noon History, Legends & Lore Tour - Guided Old Town Stroll: $35
- ABQ City Guided History Tour: $35
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Albuquerque $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Albuquerque, we can see that Hot Springs is more expensive. And not only is Albuquerque much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Albuquerque would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Albuquerque 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 Hot Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hot Springs than you might in Albuquerque.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Albuquerque Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Albuquerque?
Albuquerque has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Albuquerque, 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.