Which place is cheaper, Clearwater or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or Clearwater?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Clearwater? 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 Clearwater?
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.
Clearwater
Clearwater is a city in Florida's Tampa Bay area known for its sunny weather and gulf coast beaches. Its most famous beach (Clearwater Beach) is located on a barrier island with white sands and crystal waters - a perfect setting for activities such as fishing, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, dolphin and sunset tours, parasailing, and 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 Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $182Clearwater $309
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $182, while the average daily cost in Clearwater is $309. 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 Clearwater in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Clearwater $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Clearwater $282
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Clearwater
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Clearwater? 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 Clearwater Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Clearwater $221
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 Clearwater
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Clearwater:
- St. Petersburg to St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
- St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to St. Petersburg - Arrival Private Transfer : $63
- Private Transfer from St Petersburg Clearwater Airport to St Pete Beach: $75
- Clearwater Beach to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
- Clearwater Beach to St.Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) -Departure Private Transfer: $102
- St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to Clearwater Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $102
- Private Airport Transfer to St. Petersburg or Clearwater Beach : $104
- Private Transfer from Clearwater to Tampa Airport: $120
- St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to St. Petersburg - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $127
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Clearwater?
Prices for flights to both Clearwater 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 $52Clearwater $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Clearwater -
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 Clearwater
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Clearwater are as follows:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Clearwater by Operation City Quest: $10
- St. Petersburg Jungle Prada Site History Tour: $14
- Clearwater; Aspirations Winery Tour and Tasting Experience: $21
- Daytime Yacht Sightseeing Cruise with Optional Dining : $27
- Clearwater Daytime Yacht Sightseeing Cruise with Optional Dining : $27
- Clearwater Beach: Dolphins and Donuts Morning Cruise: $28
- Mega Bite Dolphin Tour Boat in Clearwater Beach: $28
- 1-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Adventure Cruise from Madeira Beach: $28
- Shark Teeth and Shells, Dolphin and Shelling Tour Boat Clearwater Beach : $28
- Clearwater Beach: Dolphin and Sandbar Boat Cruise: $28
- Sunset and Harbor Lights Cruise: $28
- Tour with Dolphins and Sight Seeing: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Clearwater -
Sample the Local Flavors in Clearwater
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Clearwater:
- The Tour and Wine Tasting Experience at Aspirations Winery: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Clearwater, we can see that Clearwater 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 Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater 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 Clearwater Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Clearwater?
Clearwater has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Clearwater, 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 Clearwater?
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 Clearwater in the Summer?
Both Clearwater and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Clearwater because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Clearwater in the summer. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and Clearwater fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
It's quite sunny in Clearwater. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Clearwater during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Clearwater receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. In July, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Clearwater. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Clearwater receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Clearwater 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Clearwater in the Autumn?
Both Clearwater and Hot Springs during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year.
In the autumn, Hot Springs is cooler than Clearwater. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hot Springs in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Clearwater averages at about 75°F (24°C).
In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the autumn, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Clearwater. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Clearwater receives 234 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Clearwater. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Clearwater is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Clearwater 75°F (24°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Clearwater in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Clearwater. Also, many travelers come to Clearwater for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Hot Springs in the winter. In January, Hot Springs is generally much colder than Clearwater. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 40°F (4°C), and Clearwater fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Clearwater during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Clearwater receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Clearwater. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Clearwater 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Clearwater in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Clearwater. Also, many visitors come to Clearwater in the spring for the beaches.
Hot Springs is cooler than Clearwater in the spring. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Clearwater fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the spring, Hot Springs often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Clearwater. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Clearwater receives 299 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Clearwater. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Clearwater 71°F (22°C)
Typical Weather for Clearwater and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Clearwater | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.