Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Hot Springs or Calgary? 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.
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.
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and, located at the edge of the prairie and foothills, it is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains. If you're headed to Banff or Jasper, this is likely to be your first stop. It's also Canada's fourth largest city and worth a few days visit. Calgary's economy is diverse, but includes energy, financial services, film and television, transportation, technology, manufacturing, and much more.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.
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 Calgary is $154. 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 Calgary in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Calgary? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
Prices for flights to both Calgary 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Calgary.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
Here are a few typical costs in Calgary for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Calgary for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Calgary, we can see that Hot Springs is more expensive. And not only is Calgary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Calgary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Calgary 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 Calgary.
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 Calgary Expensive?.
Calgary has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Calgary, 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.