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

Should you visit Hot Springs or Arlington?

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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Arlington? 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 Arlington?

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.

Arlington

Located just across the Potomac River from Washington DC, capital of the United States, Arlington is a city that also has many government sites and monuments that commemorate the nation's past. Two of its most famous features include Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon-the largest office building in the world.

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, Arlington 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 Arlington is $264. 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 Arlington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hot Springs $100
    Arlington $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hot Springs $200
    Arlington $262
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Arlington

Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Arlington? 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 Arlington


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 Arlington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hot Springs $47
    Arlington $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock: $71
  • Hot Springs Resorts to Memphis Airport (MEM) Departure Transfer: $142

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington

Also for Arlington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ronald Reagan DCA Airport Transfers: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Arlington?

Prices for flights to both Arlington 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
    Arlington $81

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hot Springs $30
    Arlington $11

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hot Springs $22
    Arlington $17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Arlington, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Hot Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hot Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hot 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Hot Springs.

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 Arlington Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Arlington, 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 Arlington?

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 Arlington in the Summer?

Both Arlington and Hot Springs during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Arlington in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the summer, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

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


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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Arlington in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Arlington. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the shopping scene during these months.

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

In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during autumn. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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


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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Arlington in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Arlington. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Arlington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Arlington can be very cold. Hot Springs can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Hot Springs is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Arlington averages at about 35°F (1°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the winter, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.

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


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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Arlington in the Spring?

Both Arlington and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

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

It's quite sunny in Arlington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during spring. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Hot Springs. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Arlington. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Arlington and Hot Springs

Hot Springs Arlington
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)