A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hot Springs vs. Alexandria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hot Springs or Alexandria?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Hot Springs or Alexandria? 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 Alexandria?

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.

Alexandria

Just minutes from the nation's capital of Washington DC, Alexandria offers a world of rich history and beautifully preserved buildings from the 18th-19th centuries. A city of many interests, attractions range from the old haunts of George Washington and historic architecture to museums, local crafts, and quaint boutiques. With its cobblestoned streets, Old Town of Alexandria is sure to charm as well.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Alexandria or Hot Springs?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $182, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is $0.00. 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 Alexandria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hot Springs $100
    Alexandria $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hot Springs $200
    Alexandria $76
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Alexandria

Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Alexandria? 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.

Hotels in Hot Springs


Hotels in Alexandria


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 Alexandria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hot Springs $47
    Alexandria -

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: $142
  • Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock: $71

Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Alexandria?

Prices for flights to both Alexandria 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 day
    Hot Springs $52
    Alexandria -

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hot Springs $30
    Alexandria -

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 Alexandria

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alexandria.

  • Old Town Alexandria Tour: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Phantoms of the Potomac Walking Tour: $26
  • American Revolution Guided Walking Tour: $30
  • Ultimate Dead of Night Walking Ghost Tour: $38
  • Full-Day Bike Tour to Mt Vernon w/ Optional Boat: $68
  • Old Town Southern Comfort Food & History Tour: $127
  • Private Tour of George Washington's Mount Vernon: $165
  • Philadelphia Tour from Alexandria by Rail: $329

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hot Springs $22
    Alexandria -

Sample the Local Flavors in Alexandria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Alexandria:

  • Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Alexandria, we can see that Hot Springs is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Alexandria.

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 Alexandria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Alexandria?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Alexandria, 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.


When is the best time to visit Hot Springs or Alexandria?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Alexandria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Alexandria. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hot Springs is generally around the same temperature as Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Alexandria fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alexandria. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the summer, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 278 hours of full sun.

Hot Springs usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Alexandria. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hot Springs 83°F (28°C) 
    Alexandria 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Alexandria in the Autumn?

Both Alexandria and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.

Hot Springs is a little warmer than Alexandria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Alexandria fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during autumn. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hot Springs 64°F (18°C) 
    Alexandria 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Alexandria in the Winter?

Both Alexandria and Hot Springs during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alexandria. It's quite cold in Hot Springs in the winter. In the winter, Hot Springs is much warmer than Alexandria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Alexandria averages at about 35°F (1°C).

It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the winter, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 139 hours of full sun.

Hot Springs usually gets more rain in January than Alexandria. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hot Springs 40°F (4°C) 
    Alexandria 35°F (1°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Alexandria in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Alexandria. Also, many visitors come to Alexandria in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Alexandria fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alexandria this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during spring. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

Hot Springs gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hot Springs 65°F (18°C) 
    Alexandria 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Hot Springs

Hot Springs Alexandria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Feb 45°F (7°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 65°F (18°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jul 83°F (28°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 5.1 inches (130 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 44°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)