Which place is cheaper, Chattanooga or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or Chattanooga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Chattanooga? 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 Chattanooga?
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.
Chattanooga
Located on the Tennessee River near the border of the U.S. state of Georgia, Chattanooga is Tennessee's fourth largest city and a major transportation hub. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its once dilapidated downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront, including the restoration of the historic Walnut Street Bridge.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.
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Hot Springs Prices
USA PricesChattanooga Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Chattanooga $225
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Chattanooga is $225. 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 Chattanooga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Chattanooga $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Chattanooga $184
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Chattanooga
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Chattanooga? 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 Chattanooga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Chattanooga $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Hot Springs to Little Rock Airport LIT Departure Private Transfer: $126
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chattanooga
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chattanooga:
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Chattanooga Zoo (for 2)$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chattanooga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chattanooga:
- Private One Way Transfer from/to Chattanooga Airport and Hotels: $185
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Chattanooga?
Prices for flights to both Chattanooga 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
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Food Meals for one dayHot Springs $90Chattanooga $103
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chattanooga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chattanooga.
- Historic Southside Food Tour in Chattanooga: $99
- Downtown Chattanooga Food Tour: $119
- ChattaBrunch Food Tour: $119
- ChattaBrunch Food Tour: $119
- Southside Food Tour with Lunch: $129
- Downtown Food Tour with 3-4 Tastings: $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Chattanooga $52
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs NP Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour: $15
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Tours and Activities in Chattanooga
Here are a few actual costs in Chattanooga for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chattanooga Blues to Bridges Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- National Medal of Honor Heritage Museum Admission Ticket in Chattanooga: $14
- Guided Ghost Walking Tour: $23
- Chattanooga Crypts and Chills Ghost Tour: $24
- Original Local Award-Winning Walking Ghost Tour: $25
- Murder & Mayhem Haunted History Walking Tour: $25
- Family Friendly Ghost Tour in Chattanooga: $30
- A Spooky and Family-Friendly Walking Tour: $30
- Ghost & Booze Tour of Chattanooga - 21+ Over: $31
- Chattanooga HALLOWEEN Terror Tour! Nightmares in the Scenic City: $32
- Chattanooga Crypts and Chills Ghost Tour: $32
- The Flash: 1 Hour City Tour : $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Chattanooga $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Chattanooga
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chattanooga:
- Distillery Tour at Gate 11: $18
- Chattanooga Wine Tasting with Art Sightseeing Tour: $180
When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Chattanooga, we can see that Chattanooga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Chattanooga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hot Springs or Chattanooga in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Chattanooga. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chattanooga this time of year.
In July, Hot Springs is generally around the same temperature as Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chattanooga this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.
Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Chattanooga 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Chattanooga in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Chattanooga. Also, many travelers come to Chattanooga for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Chattanooga in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the autumn, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 211 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Chattanooga. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Chattanooga 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Chattanooga in the Winter?
Both Chattanooga and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Chattanooga in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Chattanooga can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hot Springs. In the winter, Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Chattanooga. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Chattanooga averages at about 40°F (5°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 145 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. In January, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Chattanooga 40°F (5°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Chattanooga in the Spring?
Both Chattanooga and Hot Springs during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Hot Springs is generally around the same temperature as Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the spring, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 243 hours of full sun.
Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Chattanooga. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Chattanooga 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Chattanooga and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Chattanooga | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 40°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
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.